119 Cutting Down Your Own Christmas Tree
If you’ve never cut your own Christmas tree, or haven’t in a while, here are some tips in an extra-sized episode. Lots of Christmas news and fun on Twitter (@XmasStocking), on Facebook (including Live Video), Pinterest andGoogle+. Find everything at MyChristmasStocking.net. Tell me what Christmas IS to you at (323) 487-12-25 and you could be on the show. Email TopElf@MyChristmasStocking.net.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Featured music:
“Ave Maria” by Bunny Sigler from the album “When You’re in Love at Christmastime”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon
Background music:
“Oh Christmas Tree” by Frank Carter from the album “Christmas Cheer”
Get the album from Frank
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon
“Oh Christmas Tree” by the California Guitar Trio from the album “A Christmas Album”
Buy their music here
“Star on the Tree” by Howard Eddy
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon
More information:
The Pioneer Tree Farm in McHenry, IL, provided most of the tips I gave.
The National Christmas Tree Association tells you how to care for your farm-grown Christmas tree.
The U.S. Forest Service has information for the Rocky Mountain Region tree cutting program and guidelines for getting your tree in the national forests where available.
Some information about the 2016 Rockefeller Christmas Tree and how to be there (maybe next year?) from RockCenter itself. More about the tree itself from Curbed NY.
116 The 10th Annual Christmas Stocking Summer Music Spectacular! Ten years, baby!
Escape is the theme this summer, as we have plenty to escape from. Find every episode, Christmas Stocking merch and more are at MyChristmasStocking.net. Call (323) 487-1225 before you forget–what makes Christmas so special for you? Tell the world! Or email it, along with music and show ideas, to TopElf at MyChristmasStocking dot NET. There’s room for you on our Facebook and Google+ communities. Info I discussed is on my Twitter feed @XmasStocking.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Featured music:
“Christmastime” by Hill & Hale and Their Merry Friends from “Christmastime”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by DJ 8-8008 feat. April Forrest
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon
“Man! It’s Christmas” by the Rev. Jimmie Bratcher from “Man! It’s Christmas”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon
“I Saw Three Ships” by Found Wandering from the album “On a Christmas Night”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon
“Christmas of Love” by Tresa Street
Buy on Tresa’s website
“Good King Wenceslas” by Takenobu from “Christmas Songs”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon
“A Voice is Sounding” by Sojourn from “A Child is Born”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon
Background music:
“Carol of the Bells (Remix)” Spade from “CEDM Christmas 2014” (from Noisetrade)
“What Child is This, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by the Jazz Council from “Christmas Sampler”(from Noisetrade)
(Hear more Jazz Council on their album “Dawn” on iTunes)
“The Wassail Song” by Chris Friesen from “I Heard the Bells” (from Noisetrade)
“The First Noel (Remix) by pKal from “CEDM Christmas 2014” (from Noisetrade)
“A Good King (Wenceslas)” by Kevin Zerbe from “Zerbinator’s ‘Under the Tree’”
More information:
The Capitol Christmas Tree 2016 website
94 The Christmas Stocking Summer Music Spectacular Eight
With the summer we’re having we need some Christmas spirit. Thanks to some good music I think you’re going to find it. Have you liked us on Facebook? Followed us on Twitter (@XmasStocking)? How about circling us on Google+? We’ll video hangout there a bit. The Christmas Stocking has a new phone number! Wish someone Merry Christmas, leave an intro to the show or share your special Christmas traditions at (323) 487-1225. Or go to MyChristmasStocking.net. Email TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.Thanks very much to everyone who’ve given at www.MyChristmasStocking.net/Contribute.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Featured music:
“A Christmas Song” by Elizabeth Chan (@lizchanmusic on Twitter) from “Naughty & Nice”
“Jolly Old St. Nicholas” by Pitch Feather (from the Free Music Archive)
“Merry Christmas Mood” by Greg Lato (from Mevio.com)
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon
“Why Can’t It Be Christmastime All Year” by Rosie Thomas from “A Very Rosie Christmas”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon
“Sing We Now of Christmas/Noël Nouvelet“ by Irene Nachreiner with her Latin Jazz Band from “A Hot & Spicy Christmas” (from Mevio.com)
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon
“Give Me All Your Love at Christmas Time” by Nick Bukuvalas (from Mevio.com)
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon
“Set a Place at Your Table for a Zombie” by Debra Mann from Badgerland: Yuletide Entertainments (from the Free Music Archive)
“All I Want for Christmas” by Devyn Rose (from Mevio.com)
“Christmas is Coming” by Roger McGuinn (from the Free Music Archive)
Background music:
“Carol of the Bells” by Kevin Zerbe
“What Child is This” by Jason Shaw (from Audionautix.com)
“It’s Christmas Christmas Time” by junior85 (from the Free Music Archive)
“We Wish You A Merry Christmas” by Mano Reza from “Guitar for Christmas” (from Soundclick.com)
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon
“Joy Kinda Holiday-ish” by Charlie Crowe (from Mevio.com)
“Silent Night” by Nullsleep from “The 8bits of Christmas” (from the Free Music Archive)
“Gypsy Christmas Deck the Halls/Wish You A Merry Christmas” by Lee Alexander (from Mevio.com)
“Joy to the World” by Roger McGuinn (from the Free Music Archive)
More information:
About the White House Christmas tree from Pennsylvania
About the Capitol Christmas Tree from Minnesota
About Opryland’s Christmas plans
About Jim’s Tastee Freez Christmas in July
83 The 7th Annual Christmas Stocking Summer Music Spectacular!
Yay! It’s here! I timed this to arrive at the precise point you’re sick of summer. No? Too late? Sorry. Too early? Well, you can wait a bit; I’ll still be here. And I’ll be on Google+, where we’ll hang out at least once or twice before Christmas, on Facebook and on Twitter (@XmasStocking). Email TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET. Tell us about your favorite childhood Christmas memory, your favorite memory of your kids’ Christmas or simply wish someone Merry Christmas at MyChristmasStocking.net. Thanks very much to everyone who’ve given at www.MyChristmasStocking.net/Contribute.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Featured music:
“Jingle Bells” by Skid Row from “Monster Ballads for Christmas” (Razor and Tie) (from Mevio.com)
Buy at Amazon
“Christmas in Hawaii” by the Hot Rods from “Tiger Room presents The Hot Rods (It’s Christmas Time Again)” (from Mevio.com)
Buy at Amazon
“Christmas All Year Long” by Darrell Smith from “Ordinary Christmas” (from Mevio.com)
Buy at Amazon
“O Come O Come Emmanuel” by IKOS featuring Dave Clifton from “Christmas Carols and Songs” (Little Room) (from the Free Music Archive)
Buy at Amazon
“Mr. Christmas” by Kristine W. from “Hey Mr. Christmas” (from Mevio.com)
Buy at Amazon
“Christmas Time’s a Comin'” by Rusty Bladen from “Feels Like Christmas” (from Mevio.com)
Buy at Amazon
“Greensleeves” by Lee Harris & the Tijuana Trumpets from “A Whole Lotta Santa” (from Mevio.com)
Background music:
“CHRISTMAS FINAL BOSS” by junior85 from “It’s Christmas Christmas Time” (from the Free Music Archive)
“Silent Night (Jazz Trio Version)” by John Stebbe (from MacJams.com)
“The Gloucestershire Wassail” by IKOS featuring Dave Clifton from “Christmas Carols and Songs” (Little Room) (from the Free Music Archive)
Buy on iTunes
Buy at Amazon
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings” by Bing Futch (from MacJams.com)
“Up on the Housetop” by Paul Slocum from “The 8Bits of Christmas” (from the Free Music Archive)
Buy on their site
“Chispas de Christmas (Club Mix)” by Juan Oskar from “Christmas is for Grownups Too” (from Mevio.com)
Buy at Amazon
More information:
Some cool, adventurous Christmas cruises.
More about Selfridges Christmas Emporium, with some nice photos.
All about Maddy’s Coloring for Christmas charity work in Missouri.
Learn about the Capitol Christmas Tree for 2013 here.
76 Canadian Christmas
For longtime listener Jeffery, the neighbors to our (the U.S.) north are the focus. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.com/XmasStocking, and Google+. Find all the episodes at MyChristmasStocking.net. Thanks, Diana in Ontario Canada for your generous gift to the Christmas Stocking. Go to Contribute.MyChristmasStocking.net if you’d like to give.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Featured music:
“Snowy White River” by Sofia Talvik
Background music:
“Il est né le divin enfant” by Washington Saxophone Quartet from “Tis The Season Celebrate With WSaxQ” (Americus Records, Inc.)
More On This Album
“The Huron Carol” by Vic Diesel (from MacJams.com)
“O Come All Ye Faithful” by The London Fox Players from “Christmas-Harp and Strings” (Classic Fox Records)
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album
More information:
WhyChristmas.com has lots of good info, as does this article from Kaboose.com.
From Boston.com, learn about the tree Halifax, Nova Scotia, sends to Boston each year.
59 Thanksgiving Potpourri
November 23, 2011
Filed under Christmas, Episode, Holiday, Podcast, Xmas
Tags: Black Friday, Christmas, Christmas Tree, Episode, Holiday, Podcast, Rockefeller Christmas Tree, Shopping, Thanksgiving, Tree, Xmas tree
From Thanksgiving 2011: We return for our sixth year; I’m glad you’re here. Keep up with Christmas at Twitter.com/XmasStocking and our Facebook page, and circle us on Google+. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.net. Call me from MyChristmasStocking.net, where you’ll find many more episodes, too.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Featured music:
“She’s Coming Home for X-mas” by The Beautiful Losers from “Peace, Love and Xmas” (Strawberry Hill Music)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album
Background Music:
“Nasareth Homeboy” by HÃ¥kan Lidbo from “Jul pa techno 2011 – Electronic Christmas Anthems” (Clubstream Mix)
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album
“O Come All Ye Faithful” by Amy Marie from “Simple Gifts” (Spiritwood Music)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album
More information:
Background on this year’s Rockefeller Christmas tree.
If you’re interested in the Capitol Christmas tree you might be interested in its driver as it travels across the country. He’s a volunteer.
Check out this video of the Chicago tree being loaded on the flatbed truck.
Learn where the official White House tree for the Blue Room came from.
Find out more about James Taylor as Bob Cratchit.
Thanks again to Beth from North Carolina. If you’d like to give a gift to the Christmas Stocking, go to contribute.MyChristmasStocking.net.
58 Christmas Stocking Summer Spectacular Number 5
From summer 2011: Another hot summer means another music spectacular full of Christmas music. If you haven’t, please follow Twitter.com/XmasStocking, and “Like” our Facebook page. Email TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET. And share your Christmas memories or wish someone Merry Christmas at MyChristmasStocking.net. Just click the Call Me button and enter your phone number. My voicemail will call you for free. Thanks to everyone who’ve given. Click “Contribute” at the top of MyChristmasStocking.net to find out more.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Featured music:
“Rock 4 XMAS Anthem (feat. Ira Black, Ron Keel & Terry Ilous)” by Ira Black from “Rock 4 XMAS, Vol. 3” (Tau)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album
“O Christmas Tree” by 21 AD from “Christmas… A Winter’s Love” (Lifestyles)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album
“Mystery of the Midwest” by the Kathy Fleischmann Band from “A Bent Pussycat Xmas Vol. 3” (thanks to Ariel Publicity)
“Silent Night Revisited” by Joe Droukas from “Christmas is a State of Mind” (ItsAboutMusic.com)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album
“Hot Christmas” by Dr. Elmo from “Up Your Chimney” (Laughing Stock)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album
“While Shepherds Watch Their Flock by Night” by Mystified (from MacJams.com)
“The Christmas Song Song” by Rocky and Balls from the album “We Like Cake And Beards And Stuff”
Background music:
“Oh Christmas Tree (Salsa)” by BobbyRodriguez from “A Latin Jazz Christmas” (LatinJazz Productions)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album
“Xmas Fantasy/Silent Night” by Fran Dagostino (from MacJams.com)
“Cold Sun” by Yelena Eckemoff, Mads Vinding, Peter Erskine from “Cold Sun” (L & H Production)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by Bradley Leighton from “Holiday of Lights” (Pacific Coast Jazz)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album
“We Three Kings (Jazz Quartet)” by Donald Doyle (from MacJams.com)
“Joy to the World” by Jim Edwards (from MacJams.com)
More information:
All about the Capitol Christmas tree, from California to Washington.
I mentioned the Sears Christmas page. It’s hard to find, and it’s not as official as I’d thought. But they have some stuff.
If you want to see Harrod’s Christmas merch, here it is (no official page yet as of the release date).
If you’re looking for my weather forecast information, I was most impressed with this page and this page (part two of the first one). Accuracy not guaranteed.
Listener pages mentioned:
The online Christmas radio station I talked about.
Wayne’s Comics is the comics podcast I mentioned. It’s on this page with a pop culture podcast called sfp-now. Scroll down and you’ll find the comics one. Two for the price of one!
38 Advent and Christmas Trees 2009
November 28, 2009
Filed under Christmas, Episode, Holiday, Uncategorized, Xmas
Tags: Advent, Christmas, Christmas Tree, Decoration, Holiday, Podcast, Tradition, Tree, Xmas, Xmas tree
From Christmas 2009: The season of Advent has been around for a long time, but it has not always been the same. Share your family’s Christmas Eve/Christmas Day traditions at MyChristmasStocking.net. Find the Call Me button and enter your phone number. My voicemail will call you for free; and you can mark your number private so it won’t be revealed. Follow us on Twitter.com/XmasStocking. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET. And join us on Facebook.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Featured music:
“People Look East” by Al Petteway & Amy White from “Winter Tidings: An Appalachian Christmas” (Maggie’s Music)
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album
Background music:
“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” by The London Fox Players from “A Peaceful Christmas” (Classic Fox Records)
More On This Album
“Pannonian Christmas” by Mike Collins from “Desert Anthem” (Talus Music)
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album
More information:
Wikipedia has a nice overview of Advent.
CRI/Voice, Institute, an ecumenical ministry has its own perspective of Advent.
Advent from a Catholic perspective in the online Catholic Encyclopedia.
16 Rockefeller Center Tree and The Grinch!
November 27, 2007
Filed under Christmas, Episode, Holiday, Xmas
Tags: Christmas, Christmas Tree, Dr. Seuss, Grinch, Holiday, New York, New York City, Places, Podcast, Rockefeller Center, Rockefeller Christmas Tree, Tree, TV, Xmas, Xmas tree
From Christmas ’07: This year, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City has some 21st century improvements. And there is no improving on the Grinch! Let us know about your Christmas tree, or your Grinch, at MyChristmasStocking.net. Email me at TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Background music:
“O Christmas Tree” by Jenny Crook (from “Christmas Harp – Elegant Expressions of Christmas with Celtic & Concert Harps”)
(Classic Fox Records)
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
More On This Album
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra (from “Christmas Fantastique”) I found it at FeelsLikeChristmas.com
(Nelidova Records)
“Pat-a-Pan” by US Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants (from “Light One Candle”)
(Altissimo!)
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
More On This Album
Featured Music:
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Medley” and “Caroling Caroling Medley” by Tennessee Ernie Ford (from “Family Christmas”) (IMI)
More On This Album
More information:
A detailed biography of Dr. Seuss can be found on the official Seussville site.
Find out about the Dr. Seuss National Memorial.
Want to buy the How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Anniversary Edition: A 50th Anniversary Retrospective?
Want to buy the video version of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (50th Birthday Deluxe Remastered Edition)?
imdb.com’s entry on the TV special.
Wikipedia has entries on Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and the Grinch himself.
4 O Rockefeller Christmas Tree
November 28, 2006
Filed under Christmas, Episode, Holiday, Xmas
Tags: Carols, Christmas, Christmas Tree, Holiday, New York, New York City, NYC, Places, Rockefeller Christmas Tree, Tannenbaum, Tree
From Christmas ’06: A really big tree, and the one the world thinks of when they think of America’s Christmas Tree. How long have they been putting up a tree? The answer, and a really great Christmas original on the Christmas Stocking. MyChristmasStocking.net. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Background music includes:
“O Christmas Tree” by Robb McCormick (from Soundclick.com) (here’s his myspace page)
“The First Noel” by Marti van Lin
Featured song:
“Cool, Cool Christmas” by Dean Krippaehne (from GarageBand.com) (and Dean’s myspace page….)
If you want to learn more about Rockefeller Center and its Christmas tree, the Rockefeller Center website has a lot of stuff.
3 O, Christmas Tree
November 26, 2006
Filed under Christmas, Episode, Holiday, Xmas
Tags: Carols, Christmas, Christmas Tree, Decoration, Holiday, Podcast, Tannenbaum, Tradition, Tree
From Christmas ’06: The centerpiece of holiday decorating is the Christmas tree. Why do we bring a tree inside the house and put pretty baubles on it? Where did that tradition come from? We’ll answer those questions and more on the Christmas Stocking. Comment atMyChristmasStocking.net. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Background music includes:
“Deck the Halls” by Technohazard (from GarageBand.com)
“O Christmas Tree,” one of Patricia’s Christmas Carols (from Soundclick.com)
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by John Morgan, available on a CD of Christmas music. I found it at feelslikechristmas.com
Featured song:
If you want to learn more about Christmas trees:
The National Christmas Tree Association has a lot of information, including tree maintenance.
Wikipedia has a decent history, too, although it has a lot of opinions sprinkled in the information.
The Christmas Stocking 