The Christmas Stocking

Suggested by Joe on Facebook! There’s a song about it. And a sweet story. The flower, the legend, the poem, the carol, it’s all in here. Plus bonus music! Believe it or not, time is running out to call (323) 487-12-25 and be on the show. Or email TopElf at MyChristmasStocking dot NET. Join us on Facebook, on Twitter (@XmasStocking),  and Google+. And please come to MyChristmasStocking.net.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/110TheLegendOfTheChristmasRose.mp3

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Featured music:

“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” by the Grace Episcopal Church Choir (from Soundclick.com)

“Mvmt IV, Every Bell On Earth Will Ring” by the Oh Hellos from “The Oh Hellos’ Family Christmas Album”

Background music includes:

“Bethlehem” by Kevin Macleod (incompetech.com)

“Realidade Eterna (Eternal Reality)” by Corciolli from “Nosso Lar (The Astral City)”

“The Holly and the Ivy” by The Manor House String Quartet from “I Saw Three Ships and Other Carols”

More information:

Novareinna.com has a more on the rose and the legend.

Read the poem that inspired the carol and more at NoelNoelNoel.com.

Read another version of the legend at The Baldwin Project. 

Is that song onto something? Turns out ghost stories at Christmas is a thing, or was a thing (mostly).  Keep up on Twitter (@XmasStocking), on Facebook, and Google+. Call (323) 487-12-25 and wish someone you love Merry Christmas. Or email your wishes to TopElf at MyChristmasStocking dot NET. All the episodes are at  MyChristmasStocking.net.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/109ScaryGhostStories.mp3

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Featured music:

“Reindeer” by Hill & Hale and Their Merry Friends from “Christmastime”

Background music:

“What Child is This” by Kevin Macleod (incompetech.com)

“Jingle Bells” by Kevin Macleod (incompetech.com)

More information:

The Guardian explores the Victorian tradition.

A Gothic Curiosity Cabinet looks at the history of telling ghost stories at Christmas.

The Deseret News has more on holiday time ghost stories.

The Conversation examines why we don’t tell ghost stories at Christmas in America.

The Paris Review has five ghost stories perfect for Christmastime.

Whether real or artificial, Christmas trees are a symbol of the season. Which is better for you? Come to MyChristmasStocking.net for more episodes. Another question: What are you doing for Christmas? What is  your favorite Christmas memory? Call (323) 487-12-25.  Or email it to TopElf at MyChristmasStocking dot NET. Join us on Facebook, on Twitter (@XmasStocking), and Google+.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/108ChristmasTrees_RealVs.Artificial.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“My Christmas Wish” by Doreen Taylor

Background music:

“O Christmas Tree 2007” by John Stebbe (from MacJams.com)

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

More information:

Earth911 weighs the pluses and minuses of both choices.

So does ZME Science.

NPR has a look at the tension between the two types.

The History Channel has a history of Christmas trees. 

So does the Christmas Stocking. Way back in 2006. Episode 3!

Wikipedia relates the history of the artificial tree, and the types.

The Boston Globe discusses what it takes to grow a natural tree.

Some advice on what to avoid and what to go for on Black Friday, and a trip to Philadelphia for the Wanamaker Christmas Light Show. Find a lot more Christmas info on Twitter (@XmasStocking), on Facebook, and Google+. Home base is MyChristmasStocking.net, with all the episodes and a lot more. Be on the show! Share your Christmas memories or Christmas plans–or wish someone Merry Christmas at (323) 487-12-25.  Or email them to TopElf at MyChristmasStocking dot NET.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/107BlackFridayAndWanamakersChristmasLightShow.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Christmas Gets Worse Every Year (feat. Oscar Foxley)” by The Other Guys 

Background music:

“The First Noel (pKai Remix)” by pKai from “The CEDM Christmas 2014”

“Für Elise” by Lenny Marcus from “The Jazz of Beethoven”

More information:

The NY Daily News tech guide for 2015.

Kim Komando warns you against these Black Friday “deals” in USA Today.

Black Friday preparation and shopping strategies from U.S. News and World Report.

The outlook for the UK’s Black Friday from c|net.

The Friends of the Wanamaker Organ have a website with lots of information.

All the info you need if you want to visit the Wanamaker organ at Macy’s from Visit Philadelphia.

Wikipedia has lots of info on the history of Wanamaker’s and the organ.

There’s more to holiday parades than Macy’s, although I’ll talk about that too. You’ll find all the episodes, Christmas Stocking merch and more at MyChristmasStocking.net. Tell me your Christmas plans or Christmas memories–or wish someone Merry Christmas at (323) 487-12-25.  Or email them, along with music and show ideas, to TopElf at MyChristmasStocking dot NET. Join us on Facebook, Twitter (@XmasStocking) and Google+.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/106HolidayParadesSmallAndBoat.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“American Christmas” by Shawna Swansburg

“Home 4 the Holidays”  by Devyn Rose

Background music:

“Fretless” by Kevin Macleod (incompetech.com)

“Deck the Halls” by Oven Rake from “XMAS Compilation 10” (from the Free Music Archive)

“Carol of the Bells (Afrolizer Remix)” by Afrolizer from “CEDM Christmas 2014” (from Noisetrade)

More information:

The Guardian tells much of the background.

A Gothic Curiosity Cabinet has some theories.

So does the Deseret News.

And The Conversation.

The Paris Review has theories and some suggested ghostly reading.