The Christmas Stocking

Jean on Facebook wanted to hear about Danish Christmas (as opposed to Christmas danish. Ha!). Wanna be on the show? Call the Christmas Stocking at 323-487-12-25 or go to MyChristmasStocking.net and click “Call Me.” The Christmas Stocking is on the social networks: Twitter (@XmasStocking)  Facebook and Google+.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/100ChristmasInDenmark.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“A Long Way Home” by Sofia Talvik

Background music:

“The Holy Child” by IKOS David Clifton & the Choirs of Peterborough Cathedral from “Christmas Carols and Songs“

“I Heard the Bells – Carol of the Bells Medley” by Kevin Zerbe from “The Ghost of Christmas Past”

“A Good King (Wenceslas)” by Kevin Zerbe from “Zerbinator’s ‘Under the Tree'”

More information:

Denmark.dk, the official website of Denmark has a nice overview of their celebration. VisitDenmark, the official tourism site of Denmark, discusses Danish Christmas traditions and Christmas Eve in Denmark.

AboutTravel looks at Danish Christmas.

You know the beautiful song, but do you know its story? It’s a good one. Join the Christmas Stocking social scene at Google+, Facebook or Twitter (@XmasStocking). I’d love to hear from you, maybe put you on the show. Call the Christmas Stocking at 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/99OHolyNight.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“O Holy Night”  by Eamonn McCrystal from “The Music of Christmas & Stories Behind The Songs“

Background music:

“O Holy Night” by Michael Ryan from “A Classical Guitar Christmas”

“Noel (Holy Night) [1916]” by the Venetian Trio from “Voices of Christmas Past” (from the Free Music Archive)

More information:

Wikipedia‘s editors do their best to tell the story.

Beliefnet relays a similar story.

Hymns and Carols of Christmas takes an alternative view of some details.

Charles Dickens is one of the individuals who’s made the biggest impact on how we celebrate Christmas. Call the Christmas Stocking and wish someone Merry Christmas, talk about your favorite childhood Christmas memory or your favorite memory of your kids’ Christmas. Go to MyChristmasStocking.net and either click “Call Me” or dial 323-487-12-25.  At various times throughout the season, I’ll be on the other end answering live. Watch Twitter (@XmasStocking),  Google+ or Facebook.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/98ADickensChristmas.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Ding Dong Merrily on High” and “Rocking” by the Choir of Somerville College, Oxford from the album “Advent Calendar”

Background music:

“The First Nowell” by The Manor House String Quartet from “I Saw Three Ships and Other Carols”

“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” by The Manor House String Quartet from “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear and Other Carols”

“We Three Kings” by Derek K. Miller (from Mevio.com)

More information:

Listen to the related episodes of the Christmas Stocking: 17 Victorian Christmas (from 2007!), 22 A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (also from 2007!), 28 Christmas Cards (from 2008!). Finally, listen to a reading of Charles Dickens’s essay in 68 “A Christmas Dinner” by Charles Dickens (from 2011).

There is some disagreement as to whether Dickens did, in fact, invent (or reinvent) Christmas. The Victorian Web makes a case for, as does an article on Patheos.com. This article from the Dickens Project at UC Santa Cruz disagrees.

Ipsum Esse takes a deeper look at “The Carol Philosophy.”

This season isn’t always happy. Some tips about how to deal with the down times. You never have to be alone. Come by Google+, maybe hang out; Facebook, and Twitter (@XmasStocking). Thank you so much to Paul, who gave to the show at www.MyChristmasStocking.net/Contribute. It’s easier than ever to call the Christmas Stocking. Go to MyChristmasStocking.net and either click “Call Me” or dial 323-487-12-25! Talk about your favorite memory of your kids’ Christmas, your own favorite childhood Christmas memory, or simply wish someone Merry Christmas! At select times throughout the season, I’ll be on the other end answering live. Watch Twitter for more.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/97TheHolidayBlues.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Try to Have a Merry Christmas” by Elizabeth Chan (@lizchanmusic on Twitter) from “Everyday Holidays”

“Christmas in the City” by Elizabeth Chan from “Christmas in the City”

Background music:

“Deck the Halls with We Wish You a Merry Christmas” by Doug Boldt (from Mevio.com)

“Christmas Bells” by Philip Gardner (from MacJams.com)

“We Wish You A Merry Christmas” by Mano Reza from “Guitar for Christmas” (from Soundclick.com)

More information:

Get the tips from the Mayo Clinic and UC Davis. Also WebMD has a large section full of resources.

USA Today discusses Blue Christmas services.

Complementing past Black Friday episodes about online and credit card safety, we look at other techniques for staying both safe and comfortable on Black Friday and beyond.  Join me on  Twitter (@XmasStocking) where you’ll get some Christmas news, Google+, where I hope to do a hangout or two, Facebook, where we talk about the show. Email TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET. Call the Christmas Stocking and tell us about your favorite childhood Christmas memory, your favorite memory of your kids’ Christmas  or simply wish someone Merry Christmas. Go to MyChristmasStocking.net and either click “Call Me” or dial 323-487-12-25! At select times throughout the season, I’ll be on the other end answering live. Big thanks to Anne who gave to the show at www.MyChristmasStocking.net/Contribute.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/96BlackFridayAndHotToysFor2014.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Christmas Bells are Ringing” by The Connection from the album “A Christmas Gift for”

Background music:

“Dance to da Beat” by 5 is Even (from Mevio.com)

“Carol of the Bells” by Live Action Fezz from the album “Badgerland: A Very Badgerland Christmas” (from the Free Music Archive)

More information:

The National Crime Prevention Council has tips for your personal safety plan for Black Friday.

BlackFriday.com has more good Black Friday etiquette. Not quite Emily Post….

The toys returning from the 1980s. Some other great toys this year.

Tips to save on Christmas shopping all year.