Why do we celebrate Christmas with cards, crackers and a tree? Join us as we travel back and explore the weird and wonderful history of the Victorian Christmas. Just who the Dickens had the idea to bring trees indoors? Can a soft-drinks firm really take credit for Father Christmas’s red suit? And why did the Victorians send each other such bizarre Christmas cards? Greg Jenner is joined in the studio by historian Dr Fern Riddell and comedian Russell Kane. Produced by Cornelius Mendez Scripted and researched by Greg Jenner A Muddy Knees Media production for BBC Radio 4
I'm Cardiff born, Cardiff Bred, and when I dies, I'll be Cardiff dead.
I'm Charlotte Church and this is my family.
As we get to the pub, your nana falls into the bush.
Terry's going, morning.
This photographer's run.
Get up.
Listen in on intimate and special conversations.
When you were three months old, I probably had a slice of bread a day.
I got through it because of you.
With the people I love the most.
Tomorrow never comes, yesterday's past.
The only time you actually got is to date.
Kicking back with the cards if I ins listen on BBC Sounds.
BBC sounds music radio podcasts.
Hello and welcome to a very special episode of you're dead to me, a history podcast for people who don't like history, or at least people who forgot to learn any at school.
My name's Greg Jenner.
I'm a public historian.
Author, and I'm the chief nerd on the BBC comedy show Horrible Histories.
And for the purposes of today, also the ghost of Christmas past.
Yes, as you can probably tell from the extra jingling on our intro jingle, it's the contractually obligated festive special.