Representing 45 Boxing Day

From Christmas 2009: The day after Christmas means more shopping for many Americans. But for those who celebrate Boxing Day…okay, it means more shopping for them, too. But there’s even more to it! Have a suggestion for the ChristmasStocking? Go to MyChristmasStocking.net, click the Call Me button and enter your phone number. My voicemail will call you for free; and you can mark your number private so nobody will know where the call came from. Or get in touch on Twitter.com/XmasStocking, Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET. Or Facebook. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/45BoxingDay2024.mp3 Click here to download the show to your device. Featured music: “Good King Wenceslas and His Merry Band” by US Air Force Airmen of Note from “Christmas Time Is Here” (Altissimo!) Buy at Amazon Music Background music: “Breakin’ Up Christmas” by Al Petteway & Amy White from “Winter Tidings: An Appalachian Christmas” (Maggie’s Music) Buy at Al and Amy’s website Buy at Amazon Music More information: Snopes.com disabuses my impression of Boxing Day and gives some info. Kaboose.com has a little Q&A on the topic. And of course Wikipedia is full of knowledge.

Representing 69 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

From Christmas 2011: Merry Christmas! We know Rudolph’s story, more or less, but how did his story come to light? We’re here all year on Facebook, Twitter.com/XmasStocking, and Google+. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.net and keep coming back to MyChristmasStocking.net whenever you need some Christmas. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/69Rudolph2024.mp3 Click here to download the show to your device. Featured music: “Silent Night” by Sounds Of Blackness from “The Night Before Christmas 2” (Atomic K Records) Buy at Amazon Music Background music: “Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer” by Tema Digital Media from “Instrumental Christmas” (Tema Digital Media) “Jolly Old St. Nicholas/Jingle Bells” by Bill Cunliffe, Clay Jenkins, Larry Koonse, Joe La Barbera, Tom Warrington from “Snowfall” (Jazz Compass) “Joy to the World” by Bing Futch (I found it on MacJams.com) Buy on Amazon Music More information: Snopes.com debunks a myth (that I don’t mention), and has lots of good info. And Wikipedia has even more.

Representing 57 “A Visit From St. Nicholas” by Clement Clark Moore

From Christmas 2010: Merry Christmas! I hope you enjoy it. Stay in touch on Twitter.com/XmasStocking and our Facebook page. Email: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.net. Other ways to communicate and a lot more are at MyChristmasStocking.net. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/57ReadingofAVisit2024.mp3 Click hereo to download the show to your device. Featured music: “Santa’s On His Way” by The Pipettesfrom “Santa’s On His Way”(Fortuna POP) Buy at Amazon Music Background music: “A Silent Night” by Bernd Rover (from MacJams.com) I could not find this recording on the internet in 2024. “Christmastime” by illuminati (from MacJams.com)Again, I couldn’t find this recording on the internet in 2024. “I Saw Three Ships” by The Manor House String Quartet from “I Saw Three Ships and Other Carols” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” by Joemy Wilson from “Gifts – Traditional Christmas Carols”(Dargason Music) Buy at Amazon Music “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” by TennesseeVic (from MacJams.com)Another recording lost to time in 2024 More info: Several versions of the poem, including four published in the 19th century, are on Wikisource.org

Representing 52 “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

From Christmas 2010: I love the dancing twins, the pink aluminum Christmas tree, and everything else about A Charlie Brown Christmas. We go behind the scenes. Many ways to get involved. I post a ton of Christmas info on Twitter.com/XmasStocking, and will reply if you message me. The Facebook page is hopping, too. Email TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET. And what do you want for Christmas? Go to MyChristmasStocking.net, click the Call Me button and enter your phone number. My voicemail will call you privately and for free. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/52CharlieBrown2024.mp3 Click here to download the show to your device. Featured music: “Sing Hallelujah (Christ Is Born of Mary)” by 1 Less Stone (from Soundclick.com) Background music: “The First Nowell” by David Shelley from “Christmas Sax – Seasonal Favorites With Smooth Jazz”(Classic Fox Records)Buy on Amazon Music “O Come All Ye Faithful” by Michael Ryan from “A Classical Guitar Christmas”  Buy on  Amazon Music More information: Infoplease.com, MentalFloss.com, Wikia.com and, of course, Wikipedia.com have some more about the production. Amazon has many DVD versions, including this one and the Holiday Collection, some Blu-rays (this is the most basic version),  (oh–and this is the Holiday Collection Blu-ray). I’m not positive this is completely accurate, but this claims to be the original ending of “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. The original link was taken down.

Representing 29 “Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry

From Christmas 2008: In this super-stuffed Christmas Stocking episode, one of my favorite Christmas stories. I hope you enjoy it. Find info at MyChristmasStocking.net. If you have any stories or poems you would like to be shared on The Christmas Stocking, you can email me: TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET. Also follow me on Twitter.com/XmasStocking. And join us on Facebook. And talk to me be on MyChristmasStocking.net, click the Call Me button, and my voicemail will call you. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/29OHenryGiftoftheMagi2024.mp3 Click here to download the show to your device. Featured music: “Away in a Manger” by Amy Caldwell and Tom Moore (from Soundclick.com) Background music: “All Poor Men And Humble” by The Eden Symphony Orchestra from “20 Classical Christmas Favorites” (Classic Fox Records) “Christmas Pathetique” by Michael Allen Harrison from “Enchanted Christmas Volume Three”(MAH Records) Buy at Amazon Music “Angels We Have Heard on High” by Tommy Harden (from “Peace On Earth”)(IMI) You can read the story yourself. Wikipedia has a nice overview of other versions of the story. If you want to find out more about O. Henry (including his real name) The Literature Network is a good resource.