It's almost December and it's time for more full on Christmas joy! In this episode, I discuss the marvellous music of British festive classic Love Actually, how Christianity helped people through World War II, and brotherly conflict over decorations in the cult ITV special Christmas Lights. 

Also, hear the results of the first round of the World Cup of the Ghost of Xmas Present! Vote for the next round at https://twitter.com/MerryBritsmas 

 Love Actually Soundtrack playlist 

In my first fully festive episode of November, I step right into Xmas! It's time to go back to timey wimey Dr Who with their take on A Xmas Carol, British covers of Winter Wonderland, and more wartime history of festive entertainment. I also discuss my new poll for the very best Ghost of Christmas Present! Vote on Twitter at Merry Britsmas! 

Jamie Cullum - Winter Wonderland

Gary Barlow - Winter Wonderland 

Cocteau Twins - Winter Wonderland

Eurythmics - Winter Wonderland 

Emeli Sande - Winter Wonderland

It's Christmas Podcast Day! In celebration of the start of November, check out the Christmas Podcast Podcast, which will help you hear all of the Christmas Podcasts worth checking out! 

https://christmaspodcasts.com/ 

In this bonus episode, I also talk about something seasonal for November 5th - Bonfire Night aka Fireworks Night aka Guy Fawkes Day! 

The Big Moon - Bonfire 

Talk Less Say More - Bonfire Night 

In our full on Halloween special, we take on some spooky British things, including a Halloween-set episode of kind-of-forgotten sitcom My Family, some alternative rock songs about zombies and gravedwellers, and explore some slight differences and unique traditions for a Scottish Halloween. 

Spooky Alternative Songs

Veronica Falls - Found Love in a Graveyard 

Jamie T - Zombie 

The Wytches - Gravedweller 

Ewan McGregor teaches Conan about Scottish Halloween 

In the first of our October 2022 episodes, Merry Britsmas covers some festive but spooky things! Listen to me ramble about the Xmas Special of The League of Gentlemen, some terrifying novelty Xmas songs, and a historical exploration of the creepy winter Night of the Mothers. 

The Cheeky Girls - Cheeky Xmas 

Fast Food Rockers - I Love Xmas 

Cruz Beckham - If Everyday Was Xmas 

In the September 22 episode of Merry Britsmas, I pay homage to the festive power of our late majesty, explore a joke filled modern sitcom called Not Going Out, some alternative and glam christmas songs, and what sort of presents were given at Xmas during WWII. 

T-Rex - Christmas Bop

The Staves - Home Alone Too 

The Staves & Flyte - Have Yourself A Merry Little Xmas 

Oscar - It's Christmas Again 

Sweet Baboo - Don't Be Alone This Xmas 

We are very close to the ber months so celebrate with Merry Britsmas by hearing me ramble about the second Band Aid to take on Do They Know It's Christmas, a pair of super spies from the sixties in a strange festive adventure, and how decorating was all about tradition and thrift during wartime. 

Band Aid II 

Going Live! Report on Band Aid II 

Glee 

Slade 

Richard Cheese 

It's Christmas In July! Which mean's it's time to talk all things Christmas (as it is every month here...). This month, I explore some kind-of sunny British festive songs, a nativity that goes dreadfully wrong from the Play That Goes Wrong, and how rationing affected the holiday season during World War II. 

British Summery Christmas Songs

Shame - Feliz Navidad 

Shaggy & Joss Stone - Sunny Celebration 

Brutalligators - Christmas in July 

Peggy Sue - Surf Xmas EP 

It's Half Christmas! So let's get proper festive with the classic Snowman tune Walking in the Air, as well as discussing a kind-of-superheroic festive special from cult show Misfits, along with our now regular topic of British Christmas during World War II, focusing on rationing and supplies. 

Aled Jones - Walking in the Air 

Tom Chaplin cover 

Jack Robert Hardman cover 

Jerkcurb cover 

The Maccabees cover 

How about taking a little look at a classic 70s sitcom Xmas episode about life in prison with Ronnie Barker in Porridge, the merry joy of ex-footballer Chris Kamara singing some classic holiday songs, & the difficulties of Xmas during bombing raids in WWII. 

Chris Kamara - Here's To Christmas