20 The Nutcracker
From Christmas ’07: A ballet that is almost synonymous with Christmas, the Nutcracker was not a favorite of Mr. Tchaikovsky, although it grew on him. You’ll find out more and hear some music from The Nutcracker Suite in this episode. Comment at MyChristmasStocking.net, email me at TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET. Thanks, Melissa, for calling and wishing your family Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you!
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Background music:
“Nutcracker Overture” by Music Box Archives (from Soundclick.com)
“Deck the Halls” by Herbie Flowers, Mike Hatchard (from “Christmas Jazz – Colourful Interpretations Of Christmas Favorites”)
(Classic Fox Records)
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Featured music:
“March” from “Nutcracker Suite Op. 71 Pt. 2” by the Goose Creek Bands (from Soundclick.com)
More information:
BalletMet Columbus (OH) has a comprehensive history of the ballet.
Wikipedia.com has some good information on both Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and the original story.
Ballet Minnesota has a timeline of the ballet’s development.
Here’s a quick synopsis of the plot.
19 Santa’s Letter to Suzy Clemens
December 8, 2007
Filed under Christmas, Episode, Holiday, Xmas
Tags: Christmas, Holiday, Mark Twain, Podcast, Samuel Clemens, Santa, Santa Claus, Story, Xmas
From Christmas ’07: A change of pace this episode. Suzy Clemens, the daughter of Mark Twain, received at least one letter from Santa Claus. Can you imagine? That would be so cool! We will look over her shoulder and read it. Let me know what you think of this special episode at MyChristmasStocking.net. Or email me: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET .
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Background music:
“Variations on a West Country Carol” by USAF Concert Band and Singing Sergeants (from “Make the Season Bright”)
(Altissimo!)
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“Away in a Manger” by Frank McConnell (from “Christmas Guitar – Warm And Intimate Christmas Favorites”)
(Classic Fox Records)
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Featured music:
“Snow” by The von Trapp Children (from “Snow – New Songs of the Season”)
(IMI)
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More information:
If you would like a copy for yourself, maybe to read to your child…
18 Christmas in Africa
From Christmas ’07: So many countries, so little time…but we try to cover as many as we can. Africa sounds like a great place to spend Christmas. How do you celebrate? Tell us at MyChristmasStocking.net. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET .
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Background music:
“Angels We Have Heard on High” by Tommy Harden (from “Peace On Earth”)
(IMI)
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“Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day” by Simon Bernard-Smith (from “26 Christmas Panpipe Favorites Played on authentic European & Andean Panflutes/Panpipes”)
(Classic Fox Records)
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Featured music:
“Christmas in London” by Krista Detor(from “Christmas in London”)
(Corazong Records)
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More information:
Australian site Santas.net has a lot of great Xmas info, including much of this episode.
About.com has some interesting info, including how to say Merry Christmas in many languages native to Africa.
17 Victorian Christmas
From Christmas ’07: A lot of what we know as Christmas came from the Victorian era, and some earlier traditions that we enjoy today were revived in the Victorian era. Tell us your favorite traditions at MyChristmasStocking.net. Or email me at TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.
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Background music:
“O Little Town Of Bethlehem” by The Columba Minstrels (from “Christmas On The Back Porch- 20 Treasured Songs of the Season performed in Simple Folk styles”)
(Classic Fox Records)
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“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” by Eric Wyse (from “Christmas Angels- 20 Treasured Songs of the Season Performed In Peaceful Styles”)
(Classic Fox Records)
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“We Three Kings Of Orient Are” by London Fox Players & Tim Mather (from “20 Christmas Party Favorites”)
(Classic Fox Records)
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Featured music:
“I Saw Three Ships” by The Choir of St George’s Chapel, Windsor (from “Cathedral Christmas”)
(Classic Fox Records)
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“Love Came Down At Christmas” by Chichester Cathedral Choir (from “20 Choral Christmas Favorites”)
(Classic Fox Records)
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More information:
The official web site of the British monarchy has an excellent history.
Stuart Buchanan MacWatt writes about the personal side of Victoria and her family’s approach to Christmas.
As mentioned in the episode, a link to the holiday store windows of the past from Victoriana.com.
A nice overview of Christmas in Victorian times.
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.
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Background music:
“O Christmas Tree” by Jenny Crook (from “Christmas Harp – Elegant Expressions of Christmas with Celtic & Concert Harps”)
(Classic Fox Records)
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“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!)
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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.
15 Christmas Shopping 2007
From Christmas ’07: Black Friday is here again, and we look at what the shopping season will be like this year, along with the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, celebrating their 100th anniversary. Go to MyChristmasStocking.net to comment. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.
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Background music:
“Skating” by Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra (from “Carol Of The Bells”)
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“Seasoned Greetings” by Davie Allan and the Arrows from (“Fuzz For the Holidays 2”)
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Featured song:
“Black Friday” by Music for Viola (from “Takin’ Care of Christmas” and Soundclick.com)
More information:
You can look at the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book yourself. Wikipedia has some choice selections from previous Christmas Books.
Back down to Earth, here’s a nice history of the Sears catalog.
Christmas shopping ’07 forecast: The Game industry and big screen TVs. Will the United Kingdom have a good shopping year? Or a bad one?
14 Parades
From Thanksgiving ’07. All-new for 2007! It’s not Thanksgiving without parades, and this year we will look at a bunch of the parades that usher in the Christmas season. Let us know what you think at MyChristmasStocking.net. Email me at TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Background music:
“A Christmas Prelude” by US Air Force Band Of Mid America (from “A Musical Christmas”)
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“He Is Born” by Eric Wyse (from “Christmas Peace – Seasonal Favorites On Solo Piano”)
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Featured songs:
“Christmas Wishes” by Greg Hauge (from GarageBand.com)
“Silent Night” by Dean Krippaehne (from GarageBand.com) (and Dean’s myspace page….)
More information:
Macy*s has some stuff about their parade.
Here’s more about Detroit’s parade.
12 Christmas Stocking Summer Music Explosion!
From August 2007. Just as the heat becomes old and tired in much of the country and intolerable in others, the Christmas Stocking comes through with a music-filled episode, along with a few tidbits on how some of the summertime Christmas celebrations go down around the equator and below. MyChristmasStocking.net. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET. If you know about or make podsafe Christmas music, please let me know by email. If you have any ideas for features this Christmas, especially interactive ones, also let me know in comments or email! Thanks for listening.
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Background music includes:
“Jingle Bells R&R Style” by the R&R Project (from GarageBand.com)
“Deck the Halls” by Technohazard (from GarageBand.com)
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” from “A Christmas Concert for Brass” by Pittsburgh Symphony Brass
Four Winds Entertainment, Inc.
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Featured music includes:
“It’s Christmas” by Cleveland DERUE Cathnott (from GarageBand.com)
“Cool, Cool Christmas” by Dean Krippaehne (from GarageBand.com) (and Dean’s myspace page….)
“Carol of the Bells” by the St. Joseph Catholic Church Choir
“Holy Night” by Sandra Mooy
“Christmas In Malibu” from “Christmas in Malibu” by The Rad Dudes Radude Records
- Buy at iTunes Music Store
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- Buy at Rhapsody
- Buy at Napster
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” by the Grattones (from GarageBand.com)
My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-d63ea2001f2a035feef376381674d472}
11 Three Kings Day
From Epiphany ’07: Our look at the happiest time of year comes to an end with Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. Listen to find out ways many people finish out the Christmas season. And please keep your subscription open for future projects. Thanks for all the downloads, and make sure you come back next year! MyChristmasStocking.net. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Background music includes:
“We Three Kings/Deck the Halls” by Christmas Classical Music (from GarageBand.com)
“We Three Kings” by Steven Belong (from SoundClick.com)
Featured song:
“We Three Kings” by Stephen Bashaw (I found it at feelslikechristmas.com)
For more on Epiphany/Three Kings Day:
Wikipedia goes in-depth, as usual.
The CRI/Voice website has some good information.
El Boricua gives a Puerto Rican perspective on Los Reyes Magos.
10 Santa Claus and the Christmas Stocking
From Christmas ’06: Santa is coming soon, and one of his Christmas elves, Norman, spills some secrets about him! Plus, a great barbershop version of “Jingle Bells.” MyChristmasStocking.net. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Background music includes:
Birth to the Savior by Rejoice (from GarageBand.com)
“Jingle Bells” (mp3) by Chris Goddard from “An Acoustic Christmas with Chris Goddard” Milomix Productions
- Buy at iTunes Music Store
Featured song:
“Jingle Bells” by the Groove Barbers from “Kids’ Club – Holiday Fun Volume 1” (a compilation featuring many artists, including Lisa Loeb)
Rock River Music
- Buy at iTunes Music Store
The Christmas Stocking 