A Cozy Christmas Podcast

Happy Spooky Month everyone! As the autumn weather finally arrives here in Iowa, I am in the mood to read some excellent Christmas ghost stories that are perfect for the Halloween season. Today's story is called Sir Hugo's Prayer by G. B. Burgin. It's a humorous tale of the ghostly Sir Hugo and his wife who have been forced to haunt the family grounds. Then one Christmas Eve, a young lady arrives with two potential suitors who are seeking to win her affection. Will Sir Hugo be able to lend a (ghostly) helping hand? Also, I take a very quick look at the Saint behind the song "Good King Wenceslas" - which has also has a connection to our story. Who knew the name "Wenceslas" would be so hard to pronounce...  I hope you enjoy today's funny and festive and slightly spooky story!   Ways to support the show: Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375  Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas  Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast  Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c    Contact Me: facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast  instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/  twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod  youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ email: [email protected]     #podcast #Christmas #christmaspodcast #halloween #halloweenstories #christmasstories #ghoststories

In today's episode, I interview author John Holley about his new Christmas book "This Christmas". It tells the story of Marie Downs, who is not only grieving the loss of her husband, but has also had to step in and take care of her grandkids. It's a book that might not seem as cozy as our usual tales, but it's a beautiful story full of Christmas hope. I talk with John about his book and some serious subject matter, but we also have a lot of fun talking about our favorite Christmas traditions, memories, and foods.  Find John Holley online: www.johnholley.com  "This Christmas" by John Holley: "Marie Downs lost her husband to cancer last Christmas. Eleven months later, she is grieving the loss of her husband when her drug-addicted daughter disappears in their small town, which is rife with opioid addiction. Marie becomes the caregiver for her two grandchildren as she engages in the dangerous search for her daughter. All the while, she drifts in and out of the memories of her beloved husband of over 40 years. When her daughter turns up in the intensive care unit clinging to life after an overdose, Marie is challenged to face her anger with her daughter and find hope in her life as it is now. This Christmas is a testament to faith in yourself, hope for others and the love of family."   Ways to support the show: Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375  Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas  Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast  Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c    Contact Me: facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast  instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/  twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod  youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ email: [email protected]   #Christmas #christmaspodcast #podcast

Today I talk to Pamela McColl about her two new books on Mrs. Claus! In our discussion we talk about the history and development of the character of Mrs. Claus, and how she is often portrayed. We also speak about lessons we can learn from her, and how celebrating Christmas with Santa and Mrs. Claus helps enrich the imagination of children... and a few of us adults! I hope you enjoy our cozy Christmas conversation! Books: Wondrous Mrs. Claus: A Literary and Pictorial Review of the Christmas Character  What Would Mrs. Claus Do?    Ways to support the show: Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375  Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas  Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast  Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c    Contact Me: facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast  instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/  twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod  youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ email: [email protected]     #podcast #christmaspodcast #christmas #mrsclaus #santaclaus  

Welcome to the ber months! Today I'll be reading a short story called Angela's Christmas by Julia Schayer. It tells the story of a young lady who wants to help those in need. Will her small act of kindness be enough to help a poor, desperate, and lonely woman on Christmas Eve? I also give a quick update on the book club. We'd love to have you join us as we read Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jaqueline Frost, a cozy mystery set on a Maine Christmas Tree Farm!      Ways to support the show: Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375  Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas  Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast  Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c    Contact Me: facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast  instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/  twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod  youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ email: [email protected]       #podcast #Christmas #christmaspodcast #christmasstory

🚀 In today’s out-of-this-world Christmas episode, I take you back to 1968 and the historic Apollo 8 mission—the very first journey around the moon, celebrated on Christmas Eve. 🌙✨ Then I’m joined by my daughter Grace for a cozy chat about decorating for Christmas in our new home, sharing holiday hopes, life updates, and plenty of laughs along the way. 🎄 Finally, I wrap things up with a special reading of “A Letter from Santa Claus” by Mark Twain. 🎅📜 Some parts of the episode came from this article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_8#  Books Mentioned: The 12 Slays of Christmas by Jaqueline Frost The Story of Apollo 8 by Robert Zimmerman    Timestamps: 00:00 Apollo 8 14:36 Bookclub Update 16:07 Christmas Conversation with Grace 37:53 Story Introduction 39:36 A Letter From Santa Claus by Mark Twain 45:30 Concluding Thoughts #podcast #Christmas #Christmaspodcast #apollo8 #apollo Ways to support the show: Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375  Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas  Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast  Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c    Contact Me: facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast  instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/  twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod  youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ email: [email protected]  

Welcome back to A Cozy Christmas Podcast! Summer’s heat can make it hard to feel the Christmas spirit, but it’s still there—waiting to be found and shared! In this episode, I talk about how creativity can spread joy—especially Christmas joy—and I take a moment to reflect on Currier & Ives and their timeless winter scenes. For our story today, I read the first two Christmas chapters of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. The March sisters’ creativity, generosity, and joy shine through—whether in giving to a family in need, receiving an unexpected gift from a kind neighbor, or staging a delightfully chaotic homebased theatre performance. Together, they remind us that the best gifts we give (and receive) are always the most heartfelt. Book Recommendation: Irish Soda Bread Murder by Carlene O'Connor Bookshop.org affiliate link: https://bookshop.org/a/56283/9781496751089  Timestamps: 00:00 Christmas Art & Creativity, Currier & Ives, and More 08:25 Cozy Christmas Book Corner  13:10 Introduction to Little Women 15:15 Little Women, Chapter 1: Playing Pilgrims 39:32 Little Women, Chapter 2: A Merry Christmas   Ways to support the show: Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375  Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas  Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast  Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c    Contact Me: facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast  instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/  twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod  youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ email: [email protected]       #podcast #christmaspodcast #littlewomen #christmasbooks #cozychristmas

I'm finally behind the microphone again, bringing you all the cozy Christmas vibes as we countdown to Christmas 2025. Today, I read an Irish Christmas Story called "Frank Forrest's Mince-Pie" by Fr. Patrick Augustine Sheehan. It tells the story of a young man named Frank who has some strange Christmas dreams about Mince pies, an act of kindness - and of course, what Victorian Christmas story would be complete without some ghostly visitors! I also recommend a book of Christmas stories and share some Irish Christmas traditions!  Timestamps: 00:00 Life Update! 05:00 Cozy Book Corner: Book Recommendation - The Valancourt etc 08:45 Christmas Traditions in Ireland - National Museum of Ireland 15:52 Story Intro 17:14 Frank Forrest’s Mince-Pie by Francis Augustine Sheehan 32:07 Reflections and Closing Thoughts       Ways to support the show: Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375  Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas  Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast  Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c    Contact Me: facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast  instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/  twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod  youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ email: [email protected]        #cozy #christmas #christmaspodcast #podcast

Happy Valentine's Day... (checks calendar)... belatedly! In today's episode I share some thrilling updates about the weather in Iowa, give some great ideas on how to make your Valentine's Day Christmas themed, and then read the Australian set Christmas story titled: Christmas Day in the Bush, by Samuel Sydney.  Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Declaring Open Season on Groundhogs (aka a weather report) 02:36 Belated Christmas Themed Valentine's Day Celebrations 06:59 Story Introduction - Christmas in Australia once again 11:23 Christmas Story: “Christmas Day in the Bush by Samuel Sydney 22:43 Concluding Thoughts   Ways to support the show: Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375  Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas  Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast  Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c    Contact Me: facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast  instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/  twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod  youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ email: [email protected]     It Came Upon a Midnight Clear by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100191 Artist: http://incompetech.com/   Deck the Halls by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100263 Artist: http://incompetech.com/     #Christmas #christmasstories #christmaspodcast

Happy New Year, everyone! Welcome to a brand-new season of A Cozy Christmas Podcast! In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing some Christmas and winter-themed selections from Kilvert’s Diary. Francis Kilvert was an English clergyman in the Victorian era who kept beautifully detailed journals of rural life and ministry from 1870 to 1879. His descriptions of nature and the people around him are an absolute delight to read. However, I do want to give a quick heads-up—some of the entries I’ll be reading touch on themes of loss and grief. I debated whether to include them, but ultimately, I felt they provide an honest and heartfelt glimpse into life during that time. In addition to today’s readings, I’ll also chat about the new year, some potential plans, and more. I hope you’ll join me!   Timestamp 00:00 Introduction 01:20 Reflections on Christmas 2024 04:51 Introducing The Diaries of Reverend Francis Kilvert 07:52 Kilvert's Diary - Selections 38:33 Wrapping Up   Ways to support the show: Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375  Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas  Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast  Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c    Contact Me: facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast  instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/  twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod  youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ email: [email protected]     #Christmas #Newyear #Christmaspodcast #victorian #victorianlit 

Merry Christmas! In today's special Christmas Eve episode, I have several little readings and stories to share with you, along with another fun discussion about Christmas with my daughter Gracie. Today we talk about her favorite Christmas cookies, movies, and she shares some tips on how to show kindness to the people you love during Christmas time. You won't want to miss this one! And get ready, because Gracie comes in with some hot takes on Jim Carrey's Grinch movie. Please no hate mail. We like what we like... (Note: sorry for the continued bad audio from my mic during our Ask Gracie Anything segment. I'll get it figured out!) As I wrap up Christmas 2024, I just want you all to know that I so appreciate your continued support! Thank you for listening! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction from "Around the Yule Log" by Willis Boyd Allen 05:53 Ask Gracie Anything - Cookies, Movies, Kindness 24:53 Story: The Christmas Present by Richmal Crompton 36:10 Brief update on the new season in 2025 38:18 Story: The Story of Christmas, by Nora A. Smith    Ways to support the show: Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375  Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas  Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast  Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c    Contact Me: facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast  instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/  twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod  youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ email: [email protected]             #podcast #cozychristmas #christmaspodcast