The Christmas Stocking

The promo said it and it’s still true: it’s the summer, so it’s time to enjoy some holiday music.  Everything I talked about is on my Twitter feed @XmasStocking. And make sure you join our Facebook  and Google+ communities! All the episodes, Christmas Stocking merch and more are at MyChristmasStocking.net. And tell me your Christmas plans or Christmas memories–or wish someone Merry Christmas at (323) 487-1225.  Or email it, along with music and show ideas, to TopElf at MyChristmasStocking dot NET,

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/105The9thAnnualChristmasStockingSummerMusicSpectacular.mp3

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Featured music:

“Jingle Bell Swing” by Mark Smeby from “En attendant Noël…” (from the Free Music Archive) and “Christmas”

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” by Seth and Betsy from the “Christmas” EP (from Noisetrade)

“O Come All Ye Faithful” by Peter Furler featuring David Ian from “Peter Furler Christmas featuring David Ian”

“West Coast” by The Connection from the album “A Christmas Gift for”

“We Three Kings/O Come, O Come Emmanuel” by Groove for Thought from “Songs of Good Cheer”

“Angels We Have Heard On High” by Evan Wickham from the EP “Christmas Music Vol. 1” (from Noisetrade)

“Blood Oranges in the Snow” by Over the Rhine from “Even The Snow Turns Blue: An Over the Rhine Christmas Compilation” (from Noisetrade) and “Blood Oranges in the Snow”

Background music:

“Cumbia de Tannenbaum (Club Mix)” by Juan Oskar from “Christmas is for Grownups Too” (I found it on Mevio.com)

“Christmas Medley by Gina and Kev” by Gina Kellenberger and by Kevin Zerbe

“xmas songs plastic sputnik arcade punk remix” by Hally from “The 8bits of Christmas” (from the Free Music Archive)

“Decking the Halls in 1966” by Juan Oskar from “Christmas is for Grownups Too” (I found it on Mevio.com)

“Joy to the World” by Bing Futch (from MacJams.com)

“Goodbye Charles” by Over the Rhine from “Even The Snow Turns Blue: An Over the Rhine Christmas Compilation” (from Noisetrade) and “Snow Angels”

More information:

Hamley’s top toys for Christmas 2015

The official site for the Capitol Christmas Tree 2015

It’s time for a Christmas story. This one’s really nice. Make sure you’re caught up with all the episodes at MyChristmasStocking.net. Keep up with the show on Facebook, Twitter (@XmasStocking), and Google+.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/104_papaPanovsSpecialChristmas_ByLeoTolstoy.mp3

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Featured music:

“It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” by Peter Furler featuring David Ian from “Peter Furler Christmas featuring David Ian”

Background music:

“Away in a Manger – Traditional Christmas Carol for Piano” by Mario Ajero (from Mevio.com)

“After Christmas” by Dexter Britain from “Dexter Britain: Creative Commons Vol. 2” (from the Free Music Archive)

“The Gloucestershire Wassail” by IKOS featuring Dave Clifton from “Christmas Carols and Songs” (Little Room) (from the Free Music Archive)

“Silent Night” by Kevin Macleod (incompetech.com)

“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” by Paul and Brenda Neal from “Two Harps Christmas” (from Mevio.com)

“Snow Day” by Rosie Thomas from “A Very Rosie Christmas”

“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”” by IKOS featuring Dave Clifton from “Christmas Carols and Songs” (Little Room) (from the Free Music Archive)

“We Wish You A Merry Christmas” by the United States Marine Band from “Holiday Music Selections” (from the Free Music Archive)

More:

Read the story yourself thanks to Google Books.

A local tradition in upstate New York, the peppermint pigs are spreading around the country and the world thanks to the internet. Call the Christmas Stocking anytime at 323-487-12-25 or go to MyChristmasStocking.net and click “Call Me.” All the episodes are at that address, too. Join the parties on Twitter (@XmasStocking), Facebook and Google+.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/103ThePeppermintPigsOfSaratogaSprings.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Christmas Time Again” by Smalltown Poets from “Christmastime Again”

Background music:

“Deck the Halls B” by Kevin McLeod (from Incompetech)

More information:

Saratoga Sweets’ website has a lot of information on the peppermint pigs tradition, how they’re made, and of course you can order directly from them online.

The New York Daily News covered them in 2012.

Who was that who introduced the show? W.E.L.F.–An Elf Run Podcast

It’s no coincidence that we celebrate Christmas around winter solstice time. At least that’s the theory. We’re talkin’ science! Thank you, David in Arizona, for your gift to the Christmas Stocking. MyChristmasStocking.net/Contribute. You can find us on  Google+, Twitter (@XmasStocking) and Facebook. Be on the Christmas Stocking yourself by calling 323-487-12-25 or go to MyChristmasStocking.net and click “Call Me.”

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/102WinterSolstice.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Remember When it Snowed” by Rosie Thomas

Background music:

“Now What” by Beeblebrox from “Dominant Domain” (from Mevio.com)

“God Rest You Merry Gentlemen” by Kevin Zerbe from “The Christmas Wish List”

More information:

EarthSky has “Everything You Need to Know” about the solstice.

Mashable has 8 solstice facts.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac has more info about the solstice and winter.

The Radical Methodist does some digging to connect the solstice with Christmas.

Unless you were born before 1950 or so, at least some of your favorite toys were probably introduced in the 1960s (if not the ’50s). Get social with the Christmas Stocking on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter (@XmasStocking). Call the Christmas Stocking at 323-487-12-25 or go to MyChristmasStocking.net and click “Call Me.” You might be on the show! Thanks Kathy in Minnesota for your generous gift to the show. MyChristmasStocking.net/Contribute.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/101ChristmasToys1960-1969.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Fum, Fum, Fum” by Irene Nachreiner with Her Latin Jazz Band from “A Hot & Spicy Christmas”

Background music:

“Cumbia de Tannenbaum (Club Mix)” by Juan Oskar from “Christmas is for Grownups Too” (from Mevio.com)

“Chispas de Christmas (Club Mix)” by Juan Oskar from “Christmas is for Grownups Too” (from Mevio.com)

More information:

Go back to the previous Christmas Stocking Toys of the 20th Century  episodes: 79 Toys for Christmas 1900-1950 and 90 Christmas Toys 1950-1959.

Learn more about the Troll dolls from Wikipedia and the old GoodLuckTrolls.com from the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.

Wikipedia will also tell you about Etch-A-Sketch, including technical info.

Find out about the original and the new Game of Life on Wikipedia.

Get cookin’ with Easy Bake Oven info from Wikipedia.

Here’s the long history of G.I. Joe–from Wikipedia.

Wikipedia lets you know about the game of Operation.

Get the info about Spirograph from Wikipedia.

Find out about Twister in this Wikipedia article.

Battleship’s history is detailed by…Wikipedia.

Wikipedia’s article on Lite-Brite.

Rev up the Hot Wheels info from Wikipedia.