The Lost Christmas Podcast

In this enchanting episode of The Lost Christmas Podcast, we journey into the heart of the Alpine region to unravel the captivating traditions of Raunacht, a mystical and magical celebration intertwined with the Christmas season. Join us as we peel back the layers of folklore, superstition, and ancient customs that make Raunacht a truly unique and intriguing holiday experience.

Discover the centuries-old traditions of the Alpine people as they engage in mysterious rituals, don elaborate masks, and partake in night-time festivities during this special time of year. We'll delve into the history and significance of Raunacht, shedding light on how it blends seamlessly with the Christmas season.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a folklore aficionado, or simply curious about the mystical traditions of the Alpine region, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of Raunacht.

Tune in and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Raunacht, where ancient customs and holiday cheer intertwine in a truly magical way, only on The Lost Christmas Podcast!

Stick around (or skip ahead!) to the end of the episode to hear the two-part conclusion to the latest story from The Lost Years of Santa Claus!

Contact:

lostchristmaspodcast@gmail.com

In this delectable episode of The Lost Christmas Podcast, we dive into the world of Christmas beverages that warm the heart and tickle the taste buds. Join us as we take a flavorful journey through the most beloved and festive drinks of the holiday season.

Going beyond classic favorites like hot cocoa and mulled wine and diving into deeper cuts in the beverage world, we'll explore the diverse array of Christmas libations that grace our mugs and glasses during this special time of year.

Discover the origins, traditions, and unique regional variations of these delightful concoctions that bring joy and comfort to gatherings around the world. Whether you're a culinary enthusiast seeking new recipes or simply curious about the stories behind your favorite festive drinks, this episode will quench your thirst for knowledge.

Tune in and join us in savoring the season's most delicious and heartwarming beverages on The Lost Christmas Podcast! Cheers to the holidays!

Stick around at the end of the episode as we read more from The Lost Years of Santa Claus, continuing on to part 3 of our current story: Santa Claus and the Curse of the Wild Hunt!

Contact:

lostchristmaspodcast@gmail.com

In this enlightening episode of The Lost Christmas Podcast, we embark on a captivating journey through time to explore the rich history of Luminaria. Join us as we uncover the origins, cultural significance, and evolution of these mesmerizing paper lanterns that have lit up our lives for centuries.

From their humble beginnings in far-flung regions to their widespread use in modern celebrations, we delve deep into the enchanting world of Luminaria. Learn how different cultures have embraced these glowing lanterns, from the traditional Mexican "farolitos" to the luminaria-lit streets of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Discover the intriguing stories behind Luminaria's role in various festivals, holidays, and religious ceremonies, shedding light on their enduring symbolism and importance.

Don't miss out on this radiant exploration of Luminaria's past. Hit that play button and let us guide you through the luminous tapestry of history on The Lost Christmas Podcast!

Stick around after the history to answer another mystery as we reveal another piece from The Lost Years of Santa Claus, exploring the missing pages from the rich history of our beloved hero.

lostchristmaspodcast@gmail.com

In this bone-chilling episode of The Lost Christmas Podcast, we venture into the frosty depths of folklore to unravel the tales of wintertime monsters that have haunted our imaginations for generations. Join us as we shine a light on the dark and mysterious creatures that emerge when the winter winds howl and the snow falls.

From the elusive Barbegazi of the Alps to the eerie Wendigo of North American legends, we delve deep into the myths and legends that have sent shivers down our spines during the coldest months of the year. Discover the stories that have been passed down through generations, captivating our curiosity and sparking our fear.

We'll also explore the cultural significance of these wintertime monsters, shedding light on the traditions and rituals that have developed around them. Whether you're a fan of spine-tingling tales or simply curious about the origins of these chilling myths, this episode promises to intrigue and educate.

With expert insights, captivating narratives and in-depth research The Lost Christmas Podcast is your guide to uncovering the secrets of wintertime monsters. Tune in and prepare to be enthralled by the lore that has persisted through the ages, while satisfying your curiosity about these fascinating creatures.

Don't miss out on this frosty expedition into the world of wintertime monsters. Hit that play button and join us on a chilling journey into the unknown!

As always, stay tuned for another story from The Lost Years of Santa Claus. We start a new story from his lost book today, so don't miss Santa Claus and the Curse of the Wild Hunt part 1!

lostchristmaspodcast@gmail.com

In this enchanting episode of The Lost Christmas Podcast, we set sail on a cultural voyage to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean, where Christmas celebrations take on a unique and captivating charm. Join us as we uncover the rich tapestry of traditions in Greece, Croatia, and Albania, and discover how these countries infuse the holiday season with their own distinctive flavors.

From the twinkling lights of Dubrovnik's Old Town to the mesmerizing dance of the Albanian "Kështjella" (castle) during Christmas, we delve into the captivating traditions that make this region a must-visit during the festive season. Explore the delicious cuisine, such as Greece's mouthwatering "Melomakarona" and Croatia's delectable "Peka," that grace the holiday tables and delight the senses.

Join us as we unlock the secrets of Christmas in Greece, Croatia, and Albania, and be inspired to infuse a touch of Mediterranean magic into your own holiday celebrations.

Don't miss out on this delightful exploration of unique traditions and heartwarming stories. Hit that play button and embark on a Mediterranean Christmas adventure with and stay tuned all the way to the end as we finish up the story of Santa Claus and the Stone Sage on The Lost Years of Santa Claus! All of this on The Lost Christmas Podcast!

lostchristmaspodcast@gmail.com

In this festive episode of The Lost Christmas Podcast, we're donning our capes and spreading holiday spirit as we explore the incredible world of Christmas heroes and superheroes. Join us as we unwrap heartwarming stories of individuals (in movies) who go above and beyond during the holiday season, embodying the true spirit of giving.

Discover how these everyday heroes, in their own unique ways, bring joy, hope, and happiness to those in need. We'll also dive into the realm of pop culture, exploring how our favorite superheroes, from Shazam! to Batman, have left their mark on Christmas lore, saving the day in the most unexpected ways.

Also, stay tuned to the end of the episode for more of The Lost Years of Santa Claus, as we continue to learn about Santa Claus and the Stone Sage!

Tune in to The Lost Christmas Podcast as we unmask the true essence of Christmas heroes and superheroes. Whether you're a fan of heartwarming stories or a superhero enthusiast, this episode has something for everyone! Don't miss out—hit that play button and join us on this merry journey of discovery.

lostchristmaspodcast@gmail.com

In this captivating episode, we delve deep into the fascinating world of winter time deities. Discover the rich tapestry of cultural and mythological figures associated with the cold season as we explore their origins, symbolism, and significance. Join us for a journey through the lore of these powerful entities and their connection to various winter traditions around the world. Whether you're a mythology enthusiast or simply curious about the mystical aspects of winter, this episode offers insights that will leave you enchanted and informed. Tune in now to unravel the secrets of winter time deities and embrace the magic of the season. Lastly, we conclude with the next piece of another story from The Lost Years of Santa Claus!

Visit the new website!

https://www.LostChristmasPodcast.com

email: jeff@lostchristmaspodcast.com or lostchristmaspodcast@gmail.com

On today's episode we cover the history of the iconic colors of the Christmas season. Yes, that color too!, I've got it all covered with background from religious to secular and all kinds of history beyond the surface. I hope you enjoy, and stick around after the colors of Christmas to discover more of the Lost Years of Santa Claus!

Visit the new website!

https://www.LostChristmasPodcast.com

email: jeff@lostchristmaspodcast.com or lostchristmaspodcast@gmail.com

Today being #ChristmasPodcastDay, I had to release a special episode covering a unique version of A Christmas Carol. Oh and we're kicking off another story from The Lost Years of Santa Claus as well. Thanks everyone and enjoy!

Visit the new website!

https://www.LostChristmasPodcast.com

email: jeff@lostchristmaspodcast.com or lostchristmaspodcast@gmail.com

Hey everybody! I'm back today with another episode, 3 recommendation (a movie, a TV episode and a book), another Santa and more of The Lost Years of Santa Claus!

We're headed north, to the Nordic countries as we talk about Joulupukki - the Yule Goat. There's a ton of history and tradition here, and I will be barely scratching the surface. There's a ton to digest, a bunch to discover and a lot to learn. Part 5 of Santa and his list from The Lost Years of Santa Claus follows at the end of the episode so stay tuned (or skip ahead if you so desire) and enjoy!

As always, please like and subscribe to the podcast, and share it to all of your friends!

Follow the podcast on social media as well, and reach out to us via email:

lostchristmaspodcast@gmail.com

Hey everybody! I'm back today with another episode, 3 recommendation (a movie, a TV episode and a book), another Santa and more of The Lost Years of Santa Claus!

Today we're traveling to France to discuss the wonderful fairy godmother named Tante Arie (Aunt Airie/Aunt Arie)! She is a fascinating blend of so much history, with enormous powers and abilities as well! From the Franche-Comte region of France near the Swiss border, this lovely lady brings gifts and a lot more. Listen, learn and share her story with others!

As always, please like and subscribe to the podcast, and share it to all of your friends!

Follow the podcast on social media as well, and reach out to us via email:

lostchristmaspodcast@gmail.com

Hey everybody! I'm back today with another episode, 3 recommendation (a movie, a TV episode and a book), another Santa and more of The Lost Years of Santa Claus!

Today we're traveling to Greece to discuss the history of St. Basil! He's a very interesting character who shares a lot of traits and history with St. Nicholas from his love of giving to the needy to his value of education and sharing of one's wealth with others. You'll also get to hear about this special Santa from around the world who has his own special enemy, a very unique trait in this world of Santa that we're spending this season exploring. 

This one is a very special episode where I'm going to talk all about Olentzero, the Basque gift-giving giant from the Pyrenees! Such a long oral history exists in the Basque region and Olentzero is a wonderfully unique character. In this episode we dive into the history of the region at winter/Christmas time and some of the things that make this character and this region so unique! Also we get part 2 of Santa's list, how he created his list and why he uses one from The Lost Years of Santa Claus. I hope you all enjoy!

As always, please like and subscribe to the podcast, and share it to all of your friends!

Follow the podcast on social media as well, and reach out to us via email:

lostchristmaspodcast@gmail.com

Hey everybody! Today we're traveling to Germany to discuss the history of Christmas there, and the super interesting character named der Weihnachtsmann! You'll learn all about the different traditions that have been around for hundreds of years and how they have evolved and influenced how the Yuletide time is celebrated today. As promised here's some notes from this episode - Knecht Ruprecht (aka Krampus) and Odin (Hruod Percht / Rhumreicher Percht). 

Hey everyone! Today we talk all about Superheroes at Christmas. From live action movies & TV shows to comic books I dive in to celebrate the heroes we love to watch & read at Christmastime. This is a very special episode to celebrate my late sister Steffany, who sadly passed away November 17, 2005 at age 17. I think we all have loved ones who we miss during the holidays and I have been wanting to do something special for my sister. Being the anniversary of the day she passed, I thought this would be a great way to celebrate her life and her super powers! Please send me your thoughts, feedback, memories of your lost loved ones, anything you'd like to share, send it my way!

As always, please share the podcast and give us a 5-star rating, it's the best way to grow the show.

Follow the podcast on social media as well, and reach out to us via email:

lostchristmaspodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to the Season of Santa! Kicking off season 3! we head to Japan to encounter one of the seven gods of prosperity, the one and only Hotei! We'll explore some of the traditions of Christmas in Japan and the mythos surrounding Hotei (Hoteiosho). As always, like and subscribe to the podcast, and share it to all of your friends!

Follow the podcast on social media as well, and reach out to us via email: 

lostchristmaspodcast@gmail.com

In today's Season 2 finale, we talk all about Saturnalia! In Part 1 of this series we discussed Kronia, the precursor to Saturnalia. Now we are going to discuss the famous pre-Christmas celebration that gets a lot of credit for many traditions still used today. And not without good reason too, as Saturnalia has a very interesting history. Learn about this Roman festival and discover some things you might not have known! Lastly, we end the episode with the exciting conclusion to Santa Claus versus Time from The Lost Years of Santa Claus. 

Did you know that before the world celebrated Christmas that there were other winter celebrations? Of course you did (especially if you listen to this podcast!). Saturnalia gets much of the attention, and for good reason, but today we are going to go way back BEFORE Saturnalia and we'll explore Kronia, Shab-e Yalda, Zagmuk and more. Learn all about some patterns and traditions that have stood the test of time! At the end of the episode we have a much requested story from The Lost Years of Santa Claus: Santa Claus versus Time. This will help to answer the question that you may have about how exactly Santa Claus is able to get all around the world to so many homes in a single night. The answer might surprise you. Tune in and find out in part 1 of this exciting story from The Lost Years of Santa Claus!

Links:

Sounds of Christmas

Santa by the Minute

We have a very special guest today: Dr. Emily Zarka of Arizona State University and PBS Digital Studios Monstrum! We talk about monsters at Christmas, the history of monsters, the abundance of mythos at Christmastime and so much more. Be sure to check out her show and enjoy hearing all about the monstrous Christmas world!

Edit: As requested, no more background music! Thank you guys for the feedback, it's always welcome!

Links:

This episode brings a boat-load of information about current traditions around using the Nativity - both living Nativity and artistic representations. I dive briefly into the origins of the use of the Nativity around Christmas, and then we take a look at the real history and some misconceptions around the birth of Jesus. At the end of the episode we read through part 2 of our story from The Lost Years of Santa Claus, and I announce the winner of the first annual Lost Christmas Giveaway! Over 160 entries this year, I am blown away and I think I'll have a special surprise for a few lucky entrants who didn't win, but submitted wonderful answers. Please like and subscribe, review the podcast, and as always - Merry Christmas!

Links:

In this episode you'll hear my very specific, hard-fast rules for determining if a movie is indeed a Christmas movie. As a much requested piece, I've included my rules and scoring system so you can determine whether or not a movie is a Christmas movie. Stir the pot, bring on the controversy! 

At the end of the episode, we start a new story from The Lost Years of Santa Claus, and as a special "thank you" to all of the listeners, I've got the first giveaway in the history of this little podcast. Listen and find out how to enter ($50 Amazon gift card to the winner)!

In this post-Thanskgiving episode we discuss the history and evolution of wassail, from a story of lovers to feeding trees a slice of bread and all the drinking in between. Plenty to dive into and discuss as we uncover the history behind this famous expression and wintertime beverage. At the end of this episode we also conclude the story of why Santa Claus looks different all around the world, with part 3 of this story from The Lost Years of Santa Claus.

Links:

In this episode we dive into the person that was Saint Nicholas of Myra. There's plenty to go around with stories, myths, fantasy, and real history. We talk about the day we celebrate St. Nicholas and a few traditions around the world, and finally we conclude the episode with part 2 of how Santa Claus looks different all over the world from The Lost Years of Santa Claus. Enjoy!

In this episode, we dive into the ins and outs of Christmas mysteries. Starting off, we have some unanswered questions from Christmas movies that surely you've been wanting to hear an answer for, then we dive into a couple of real-life mysteries around the Christmas season. Finally, we have my personal recommendations for some Christmas mystery movies, a TV episode, and several books for you to enjoy this holiday season! At the end of the episode, we kick off a new story from The Lost Years of Santa Claus which reveals the secrets behind why Santa looks so different in different places around the globe. 

Today we go over a short list of must-see foreign holiday films. These films take us to Mexico, from France to Finland, and to Japan and South Korea, circling the globe to provide some holiday hits to brighten up your Christmas season. Finally, we cap off this episode with part 3 of Santa and his Sleigh from The Lost Years of Santa Claus. 

This episode briefly explains the origins of the Christmas markets around the world, where we can find some fantastic and diverse Christmas marketplaces, as well as some hidden gems that might not have heard of! We also start a new story from The Lost Year of Santa Claus - How Santa Claus knows what is going on with everyone and what they want. I hope you enjoy!

List of Markets:

• Famous locations:
  • Munich (German)
  • Bremen (Germany) 
  • Dresden (Germany)
  • Vienna (Austria) 
  • Salzburg (Austria)
  • Strasbourg (France)
  • Bath (England)
• Lesser known:
  • Jamaica (many locations)
  • Sapporo (Japan) 
  • Bangkok (Thailand)
  • Cusco (Peru)
  • Valkenburg (The Netherlands)
  • Royal Christmas Market (Hohenzollern Castle - Stuttgart)
  • Great Dickens Christmas Fair (San Francisco USA)
• Other markets in the US:
  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
  • Arlington, Texas
  • Helen, Georgia
  • Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

Certainly not comprehensive, but a great list to get you started on your Christmas market journey!

Who doesn't love having more days to celebrate? We all know about Christmas and New Year's Day, but what about the lesser-known days that call for celebrating and revelry? Well, today we dive deep to find as many pre-Christmas celebration days as we possibly can, full of background and holiday spirit! And, as always - stay tuned until the end of the episode to hear another condensed passage from The Lost Years of Santa Claus, this episode ends the backstory of Santa Claus and his bag - what it is and how he acquired such an amazing item.

Days mentioned in this episode:
November 2nd - All Souls’ Day 

November 11th - St Martin’s Day / Old Halloween / Old Hallowmas Eve 

November 14th - Feast of St. Philip (Holy Apostle Philip)

November 15th - Fast of St. Philip 

November 15th, 16th, or 17th - Fast of the Nativity (also known as fast of St. Philip)

November 25th - St Catherine’s Day 

November 30th - St Andrew’s Day

December 4th - St Barbara’s Day 

December 6th - St Nicholas’s Day 

December 7th - Feast of the Immaculate Conception  / Night of the Screams

December 8th - Los Sieses (dance of the six in Spain)

December 9th - Modern Feast of St. Philip 

December 10th - Modern Fast of St. Philip

December 12th - Celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe 

December 13th - St Lucy’s Day 

December 16th - Novena (beginning of Posadas!)

December 17th - Start of Saturnalia (through Dec 24th) 

December 20th - St. Ignatius’s Day (only in Romania)

December 21st - St Thomas’s Day

December 22th - El Gordo / Lottery for Christmas

December 23rd - Night of the Radishes / St. Thorlak’s Day

December 24th - Christmas Eve

December 25th - Christmas Day

With so many opinions abounding about what is a Christmas movie and what isn't, I wanted to give my personal thoughts on the topic, as well as addressing a few movies that tend to get some attention and cause plenty of disagreement. After that, I give my top 5 Christmas movies and then finally we conclude with the next portion of the book: The Lost Years of Santa Claus!


Movies discussed in the episode:

• Die Hard
• Gremlins
• The Nightmare Before Christmas
• Frozen
• Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
• Rise of the Guardians
• Batman Returns
• Bad Santa