The Christmas Stocking

Latest Episodes:

130 The Rockefeller Christmas Tree 2017: From PA to NYC Nov 27, 2017

Show notes

Learn the story of this year’s Rock Center tree–it’s an interesting one! Thanks to everyone who’s given to the show at MyChristmasStocking.net/contribute. If you want to be on the show, call (323) 487-12-25, tell what Christmas is to you, say Merry Christmas to someone you love, or whatever! Join us on Facebook, on Twitter (@XmasStocking), and Pinterest.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/130TheRockefellerChristmasTree2017_FromPaToNyc.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” by David and Deidre Casey from the album “Imagine It’s Christmas”
Buy on iTunes
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Background music:

“O Tannenbaum” by Dan Lerch from the album “Badgerland: A Very Badgerland Christmas” (from the Free Music Archive)

“O Holy Night” by Mark Bodino from “My Favorite Christmas Guitar Songs All Year Round”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” by Mark Bodino from “My Favorite Christmas Guitar Songs All Year Round”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

“O Christmas Tree” by Mark Bodino from “My Favorite Christmas Guitar Songs All Year Round”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

“Carol of the Bells” by the California Guitar Trio from the album “A Christmas Album”
Buy their music here

More information:

The Today Show, of course, has some of the story.

CBS New York has the story from 1010 WINS, including an interview with the tree donor.

Newsday’s AM New York has some secrets of the Rockefeller Christmas tree.

To hear all of the episodes that mention the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree (I think), go to RockCenter.MyChristmasStocking.net

129 Staying Secure on Black Friday and Beyond Nov 23, 2017

Show notes

If you’re looking to get your shop on, make sure you do it wisely. I’m not going to help you choose gifts, but I’ll give you some tips to stay safe in the stores and online. Want more? We’re on Twitter (@XmasStocking), on Facebook, and Pinterest. I appreciate the generous gifts! Go to MyChristmasStocking.net/contribute. Call the Christmas Stocking at (323) 487-12-25. Tell what Christmas is to you, say Merry Christmas to someone you love, whatever you like. You might be on the show!

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/129StayingSecureOnBlackFridayAndBeyond.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Home for Christmas” by Robbie Nova from “Mistletoe–the Christmas EP”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

Background music:

“God Rest You Merry Gentlemen” by Frank Carter from the album “Deck the Halls”
Get the album from Frank

“Snowmen” by Frank Carter from the album “Deck the Halls”
Get the album from Frank

“Angels We Have Heard on High” by Rhesa Siregar (Songs of Praise)

More information:

All the ID Shield Tips.

A look at Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay from Tom’s Guide.

From Apple: All about Apple Pay. where you can use Apple Pay.

From Android: All about Android Pay, where you can use Android Pay.

From Samsung: All about Samsung Pay.

A look at Samsung Pay from Android Central (with some comparison of that and Android Pay).

Listen to all of the Black Friday episodes of the Christmas Stocking at BlackFriday.MyChristmasStocking.net.

For folks with the holiday blues spend some time with Blues.MyChristmasStocking.net.

128 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade 2017 Nov 20, 2017

Show notes

Some facts about Macy’s parade that I haven’t talked about, and what’s happening in 2017. Thanks for giving to the Christmas Stocking! MyChristmasStocking.net/contribute. Be on the show! The number is (323) 487-12-25. Call and tell me what Christmas is to you, say Merry Christmas to someone you love, or whatever. You could hear it this season! Find the Christmas Stocking on Facebook, on Twitter (@XmasStocking), and Pinterest.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/128MacysThanksgivingParade2017.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Evergreen” by Rändi Fay from the EP “Evergreen”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

Background music:

“Meatball Parade” by Kevin MacLeod (from Incompetech)

“Carpe Diem” by Kevin MacLeod (from Incompetech)

Music byKevin MacLeod Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

More information:

NYCVP, am New York, History Channel, and Wikipedia have more on the history of Macy’s parade.

Macy’s and Thrillist will tell you more about the current parade.

Find past parade and Thanksgiving episodes of the Christmas Stocking at Thanksgiving.MyChristmasStocking.net

Hear all about “Miracle on 34th Street” in this episode from 2007: Miracle.MyChristmasStocking.net

127 The Christmas Stocking Summer Music Spectacular Number 11 Aug 15, 2017

Show notes

Another year we need a bit of escape from the world. That’s what I’m here for–in the summer, at least. The Christmas Stocking is on Twitter (@XmasStocking), on Facebook, and Pinterest. Please join me! Thanks to everyone who has given to the Christmas Stocking! MyChristmasStocking.net/contribute. Call (323) 487-12-25 and say Merry Christmas to someone you love, you could hear it this season!

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/127TheChristmasStockingSummerMusicSpectacularNumber11.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Snow” by Sleeping at Last from the album “Yearbook – Collection”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

“O Come O Come Emmanuel” by NiTasha Jackson from the collection “Transcending Christmas: A Beautiful Journey from Heaven to Earth” (from Noisetrade)
Click here to get the album

“Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming” by Found Wandering from the album “On a Christmas Night”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

“Where Angels Don’t Belong” by David and Deidre Casey from the album “Imagine It’s Christmas”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

“O Holy Night” by Philip Calder from the collection “Transcending Christmas: A Beautiful Journey from Heaven to Earth” (from Noisetrade)
Click here to get the album

“Angels We Have Heard on High (Glory to God Most High)” by Stephen Miller from the EP “Light Has Broken Through” (from Noisetrade)
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

“Two Birds” by Katey Laurel from the double album “This is Christmas”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

Background music:

“To Absent Friends This Christmas” by Philip (Squire Tuck) Rougier from the EP “A Festive Felicitations” (from the Free Music Archive)

“Bringing Joy at Christmas” by Philip (Squire Tuck) Rougier from the EP “A Festive Felicitations” (from the Free Music Archive)

“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”by the California Guitar Trio from the album “A Christmas Album”
Buy their music here

“Christmas Card” junior85 from the album “It’s Christmas II” (from the Free Music Archive)

“Christmas Bells” by Philip Gardner (from MacJams.com)

More information:

Top toys for 2017 and more top toys for 2017.

The Capitol Christmas Tree 2017 website

126 “The Fairy Christmas” by Etheldred B. Barry Dec 22, 2016

Show notes

A bedtime story with an important message for all of us. The phone number is (323) 487-12-25. Call and tell me what Christmas IS to you. Thanks to everyone who has given to the Christmas Stocking! MyChristmasStocking.net/contribute. Get social with the Christmas Stocking on Facebook, on Twitter (@XmasStocking), Google+ and Pinterest.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/126_theFairyChristmas_ByEtheldredB.Barry.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“A Child’s Christmas in Wales” by Al Lewis
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

“Emmanuel” by Melody and Truth from the album “Merry Christmas”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

Background music:

“O Come All Ye Faithful” by Howard Eddy
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

“Angels We Have Heard on High” by Frank Carter from the album “Christmas Cheer”
Get the album from Frank
Buy on iTunes

Read along and find other stories in The Night Before Christmas and Other Popular Stories for Children.

125 The Legend of the Christmas Spider Dec 20, 2016

Show notes

It’s all about tinsel. Find the Christmas Stocking on Twitter (@XmasStocking), on Facebook, Pinterest and Google+. Call (323) 487-12-25 and tell me what Christmas IS to you. Thanks to Rick in Pennsylvania for the generous gift to the Christmas Stocking! Go to MyChristmasStocking.net and click Contribute.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/125TheLegendOfTheChristmasSpider.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“The Lights on the Trees” by Matt diVenti from the EP “Christmas Songs Vol. 1” (from Noisetrade)
Find Matt on YouTube

“This is Christmas” by Katey Laurel from the double album “This is Christmas”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

Background music:

“The First Noel” and “Good King Wenceslas” by Chris Friesen from “I Heard the Bells” (from Noisetrade)

“Unto Us a Child is Born”by the California Guitar Trio from the album “A Christmas Album”
Buy their music here

“This is Christmas Instrumental” by Katey Laurel
This version isn’t available to buy.

More information:

Wikipedia has more on the legend itself, tinsel, and the Christmas spider of Australia.

Kraftmstr.com has a version of the legend.

The Pet Poison Helpline has more information on the dangers of tinsel.

124 Silent Night Dec 16, 2016

Show notes

You may have heard the story of the origin of “Silent Night,” but I may have some info you didn’t know about. Find out about more carols at MyChristmasStocking.net. The phone number is (323) 487-12-25 What IS Christmas to you? We do the social thing–on Facebook, on Twitter (@XmasStocking), Pinterest and Google+.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/124SilentNight.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Silent Night” by Shuree from the EP “Christmas Soul Unplugged” (from Noisetrade)

Background music:

“Silent Night” by Kevin Macleod (incompetech.com)

“Silent Night” by The Manor House String Quartet from “I Saw Three Ships and Other Carols”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

“Silent Night No Percussion Instrumental” by Katey Laurel from the album “This is Christmas”
This version isn’t available to buy, but you can buy her beautiful vocal on iTunes. The whole album is great.

More information:

Find more information about the hymn from the BBC, In Mozart’s Footsteps and Stille Nacht Gesellschaft.

Find many English translations, including the one you probably know, on the Silent Night Web.

123 Christmas Toys 1980-1989 Dec 12, 2016

Show notes

We continue on our march through toy time. Did you love any of these toys? Let me know on Twitter (@XmasStocking),on Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest. And of course MyChristmasStocking.net. Call (323) 487-12-25 and share what Christmas IS to you!

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/123ChristmasToys1980-1989.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Infant Lowly Infant Lowly” by Chris Rupp featuring the Hound + the Fox from “A Little Bit of Christmas”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

Background music:

“Christmas Rap” by Kevin McLeod (from Incompetech)

“Winter White Forest” by Howard Eddy
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

More information:

About the Rubik’s Cube from Wikipedia and The Telegraph.

About the Care Bears from Wikipedia and AG Kids Zone.

About My Little Pony from Wikipedia and Hasbro.

Wikipedia will tell you about the Cabbage Patch Kids, the Transformers, the Koosh Ball, Pictionary, American Girl (and AmericanGirl.com), and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

122 “Elf” the Movie Dec 08, 2016

Show notes

Eddie Lee on Facebook suggested I talk about “Elf.” Here we go! Plus a call from Terry in New York about what Christmas IS to him. You can call (323) 487-12-25, too! We’re all over social media: on Facebook, on Twitter (@XmasStocking), and Pinterest and Google+.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/122_elf_TheMovie.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Key to Christmas” by William McKechnie from “Key to Christmas Fluffy Snow”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

Background music:

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” by Dave Jones (from MacJams.com)

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

“The Holly and the Ivy” by Chris Friesen from “I Heard the Bells” (from Noisetrade)

“Joy to the World” by The Manor House String Quartet from “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear and Other Carols”
Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon.com

More information:

Wikipedia has lots of information.

IMDb will tell you a lot.