Tag Archives: Christmas

See it before it burns

Posted on November 29, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

The annual giant Swedish holiday goat [live YouTube, Bluesky] is built and (currently) standing. Now well-guarded and protected, the goat has not been destroyed or burnt down since 2021 (although damaged in 2023 by jackdaws). This contrasts with 1969 to 1980 where the annual roll-call … Continue reading →

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“Merry Christmas From the Family”

Posted on December 24, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

My favorite local radio station has been playing this modern classic Christmas tune for the last three decades. It never feels like the holiday without Robert Earl Keene’s Merry Christmas from the Family. Folks outside of the U.S. may think that … Continue reading →

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Solstice Solace

Posted on December 21, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Here in North America we have such boring Winter Solstice traditions. However, in the Baltics many traditions survive from the ancient pagan celebrations of the winter solstice – the longest night of the year. Over the centuries these old pagan … Continue reading →

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True Meaning of Christmas

Posted on December 20, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

A touching short film starring Willian Shatner on the true meaning of Christmas.  

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It was a strange time in America.

Posted on December 26, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

What are you going to do with 390 photographs of Christmas trees ? by Richard Brautigan I don’t know. But it seemed the thing to do in that first week in January 1964, and I got two other people to … Continue reading →

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The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Much like his supernatural hero counterpart Superman, Santa Claus was discovered as an abandoned infant. That is, according to The Life and Adventures Of Santa Claus by author of The Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum. With its elaborations and much added … Continue reading →

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When Santa was truly Red

Posted on December 18, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

On this date in1974, an army of more than 100 men, women, and children, all dressed as Santa Claus, invaded central Copenhagen. They paraded through the city in a procession that included a gigantic “Trojan” goose, angels, Danish flags, and … Continue reading →

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A very special Christmas special

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Widely regarded by me as the best holiday special of all time (Cher, Oprah, Grace Jones, Frankie & Annette, Little Richard, KD Lang AND the New York Gay Men’s choir will be there to welcome you…on screen…!), nothing gets you … Continue reading →

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

   

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Christmas In Europe

Posted on December 23, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

The Christmas holiday season can be magical throughout Europe. You can experience a  flying tour of nine European nations with the video below from the National Geographic. The 45-minute-long episode gives heartwarming glimpses of places like Finnish Lapland, where half a … Continue reading →

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