Traditionally Speaking

Amongst the most iconic of recent decades, the 1970s offered more than its fair share of unique toys for Christmas. In this episode, Tom and Joe take a nostalgic look back at the era of Simon, Weebles, Shrinky-Dink, Strawberry Shortcake, Atari 2600s and many other unforgettable gifts besides. What else could you expect to find under a seventies Christmas tree? Now's your chance to find out!

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We love to sing them every festive season, but how did Christmas carols get started - and why have they continued to be so popular? In this episode, Tom and Joe take a look back at the complex history of the Christmas carol, moving from antiquity through to the modern day. Along the way, they discover some fascinating facts about this beloved custom - including details of the longest Christmas carol ever written!

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You may love them or you may hate them, but Christmas sweaters have become an increasingly popular feature of the modern festive season. They can be beautifully designed or gloriously tasteless, but they're always hard to ignore! Tom and Joe take a look at how the Christmas sweater craze got started, and ask whether they're here to stay.

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There can be few decades more iconic than the 1950s, and that was also certainly true of the Christmas toys of the era. In this episode, Tom and Joe take a nostalgic trip back in time to see what toys and games were being enjoyed by kids in the fifties. What favourites under the Christmas tree are still bringing joy today, and which have been forgotten by the passing decades?

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They've long been a staple of the holiday season, but how did poinsettias become such a well-loved decorative Christmas plant? And what made the connection between the Christmas cactus and the festive season? In this episode, Tom and Joe discuss these horticultural additions to the yuletide tradition and explain just why so many people love to have them in their homes over the holidays.

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What would the festive season be like without a plethora of delicious food? In this episode, Tom and Joe take a look at Christmas feasting and explore the differences between the UK and the USA when it comes to enjoying dinner on Christmas Day. What favourites have established themselves, and what dishes have fallen by the wayside over the years?

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Are you a child of the eighties - and, if so, do you remember what your favourite Christmas toys were? In this episode, Tom and Joe investigate what the bestselling toys were at Christmas both in the USA and in the UK. What gifts were popular on both sides of the Atlantic, and which were special favourites in each country? Prepare to be amazed at what didn't make the list as much as what does, and get set to dust down your old...

They're placed every year by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there - to paraphrase the words of a certain Clement Clarke Moore. But what is the story behind the Christmas stocking, and what does Saint Nicholas actually have to do with the origin of this long-held festive tradition? In this episode, Tom and Joe consider the many different types of gift that can grace Christmas stockings around ...

Eggnog is a comforting seasonal treat which is enjoyed every year throughout the USA,  and yet it doesn't play a major part in the Scottish Christmas. However, history shows us that this creamy drink actually originated in the United Kingdom centuries ago... and when exported to North America, it quickly became a favourite of none other than George Washington! In this episode, Tom and Joe have a look at the different varieties...

We love to receive them from friends and family every festive season, but how did the Christmas card first come about - and is its origin perhaps more historic than we commonly think? In this episode, Tom and Joe take a look at some fascinating facts about the Christmas card, and discuss the latest developments which are delivering people's yuletide greetings further and faster than ever before!

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Who is the mysterious Krampus, and how did he become the sinister doppelganger of our beloved St Nicholas? In this episode, Tom and Joe look into the story behind this shadowy figure, exploring how he has been depicted in European and American popular culture and is now being portrayed in books and movies. If you're not on the nice list already, you'll soon want to be after hearing about Krampus!

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Can there be a family festive tradition more treasured than the board game? From childhood favourites through to modern iterations, playing board games with loved ones can bring back happy Christmas memories - or perhaps a few competitive arguments! In this episode, Tom and Joe discuss the many different types of games that have been popular over the years, from the best-known to the more obscure.

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The United States leads the world in the production of Christmas TV movies, and with its beautiful scenery Scotland has become an increasingly popular filming location for festive features. In this episode, Tom and Joe take a look at two recent TV movies which were filmed in Scotland - Ryan Dewar's "Christmas in the Highlands" and Mary Lambert's "A Castle for Christmas" - and discuss the different real...

One of the most iconic symbols of the modern festive season, the Christmas tree has become an enduring and comforting motif of the holidays right across the world. In this episode, Tom and Joe take a look at the ancient origins of the Christmas tree and explore the different ways that it has become such an essential part of holiday festivities in so many countries.

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Scotland has no shortage of culinary specialities, and Christmas food is no different. In this episode, Tom and Joe discuss two festive delicacies which have found popularity in the modern Scottish Christmas - the ancient bannock cake, and the more recent Ecclefechan tart.  But what are the stories which lie behind these distinctive yuletide treats, and why have they been enjoying a resurgence in popularity?

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When Clement Clark Moore first published his poem "A Visit from St Nicholas" in 1823, little could he have imagined its amazing cultural impact - or the fact that readers are still enjoying his tale of Santa Claus two centuries later.  In this episode, Tom and Joe discuss the continuing influence of this festive poetic masterpiece on both sides of the Atlantic, and Joe also explores how Clement Moore's work gave him ...

The festive season just wouldn't be the same without them.  Lights on our homes, lights on our trees, lights in our gardens - always brightening up those dark December evenings. But how did Christmas lights become an annual tradition? Join Tom and Joe as they explore the origins of this quintessential Yuletide staple, then take a look at the different ways that Christmas lights are used to celebrate the holidays on both sides ...

The baking and decorating of gingerbread houses has become an established festive tradition both in Scotland and in America. But where do their origins come from? The answer may be more ancient than you think! And what is your favourite way to decorate your own gingerbread house? Find out more about these distinctive festive treats in the latest discussion with Tom and Joe.

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