Traditionally Speaking
Tom Christie & Joe Moore
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Do you wish Christmas could last the whole year - wherever you live? In this festively-themed podcast, Scottish writer Tom Christie and America's favourite Santa Claus, Joe Moore, chat about the different Christmas traditions that are celebrated in their respective countries. With a new topic in every episode, they explore the similarities, the differences, the legends and the downright eccentric!
Available episodes
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Sep 15, 2023
Christmas Toys of the 1980s
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 Rubik's Cube too!
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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Aug 15, 2023
Christmas Stockings
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 the world, as well as discussing some very unusual examples of the craft.
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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Jul 14, 2023
Eggnog
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 of eggnog that are out there, including a little-known Scottish alternative that might just surprise you.
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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Jun 15, 2023
Christmas Cards
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!
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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May 15, 2023
Krampus
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!
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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Apr 14, 2023
Board Games
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.
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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Mar 15, 2023
American Christmas TV Movies Filmed in Scotland
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-life places they highlight, as well as exploring why festive TV movies have enjoyed such enduring popularity.
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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Feb 15, 2023
Christmas Trees
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.
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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Jan 13, 2023
Festive Bannock Cakes & Ecclefechan Tarts
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?
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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Dec 15, 2022
A Visit from St Nicholas
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 idea for his own American Fiction Award-winning book, "The Christmas Eve Journey", which depicts that wonderful yuletide encounter from Santa's point of view.
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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Nov 15, 2022
Christmas Lights
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 of the Atlantic.
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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Oct 14, 2022
Advent Calendars
The Advent Calendar is an essential item for anyone looking to enjoy the countdown to Christmas. But how did this tradition come about, and how is it celebrated between one country and another? Get ready to discover some fascinating festive facts with Tom and Joe.
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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Sep 15, 2022
Gingerbread Houses
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.
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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Aug 15, 2022
Christingles
Christingles are a symbolic expression of the Christmas story which are popular throughout Europe but have yet to make much of an impact in North America. How did these brightly-lit Nativity-themed decorations become such a well-loved tradition, and how did they end up raising millions of pounds for charitable causes?
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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Jul 8, 2022
Welcome to Traditionally Speaking
Tom Christie and Santa Joe Moore welcome you to "Traditionally Speaking", their new podcast where they will be discussing all things Christmas on both sides of the Atlantic. Join them as they introduce the main themes of the podcast and give a taste of topics to come.
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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Jul 8, 2022
Christmas Cookies
Who doesn't love Christmas cookies? Yet this traditional treat has a long history, and holds a few surprises you might never have heard about. What is it about the Christmas cookie that has made it such a perennial favorite all across the world?
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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Jul 8, 2022
Christmas Crackers
Christmas crackers are a famous mainstay of British Christmas dinners, but they are largely unheard of in the USA. What made the cracker such a popular fixture in the UK, and why have they still to catch on in most of North America?
Join in the festive fun all the year round on the Traditionally Speaking website at: http://traditionally-speaking.com/
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