Category: Christmas Specials

CHRISTMAS IN SWEDEN Selma Lagerlöf: 2023 Christmas Special

Selma Lagerlöf poetically recorded old Norse fairytales and profoundly influenced Swedish identity. Her work was so brilliant, she was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1909. In old age, she turned her poetic pen to her own life, recalling winters in the 1860s at her beloved Varmland farmhouse, Mårbaka. For our annual Christmas Special, we bring her poignant memoirs to life, accompanied by an audio feast of traditional Swedish music. …

19th century / 20th century / Christmas Specials / Europe / First woman to... / Special Episodes / Writers

A COUNTRY HOUSE CHRISTMAS Phyllis Sandeman: 2022 Christmas Special

The darkest time of year inspires us all to reflect on the meaning and power of Home. Experience Christmas in a grand country house through the eyes of an Edwardian child in this charming reading of Phyllis Elinor Sandeman’s memoir, A Country House Christmas. Performed by returning favorite guest Jay Stelling. For a “virtual visit” to Sandeman’s home, explore this fun collection of artifacts from Lyme Park at the National Trust.   Jay Stelling is …

20th century / Artists / Christmas Specials / England / Europe / Special Episodes / Writers

VERSAILLES CHRISTMASTIDE Mary Stuart Boyd: 2021 Christmas Special

Mary Stuart Boyd spent Christmas 1900 in Versailles, not on a festive tour of the grand palace, but to stay with her 13-year-old son, quarantined there with scarlet fever. Her Versailles experience seems worlds away from today’s tourist mobs. The author of eight novels and three travel narratives, her delightful insights leave us amazed that no one’s ever heard of her. This year’s Christmas Special is read by Sophie Greenhalgh-Cook from Not For the Dinner …

19th century / Christmas Specials / England / Europe / France / New Zealand / Oceania / Special Episodes / Writers

THE ILLUSTRATOR Tasha Tudor: 2020 Christmas Special

Tasha Tudor’s charming and warm-hearted illustrations of over 100 books, plus her nostalgic advent calendars and Christmas cards, earned her devoted fans around the world. But her way of life fascinated people as much as her illustrations. Even though she lived to 2008, she lived with conscious intention as if it were 1830. Her life was rooted in simplicity, creativity, and taking it slow. In this year’s Christmas Special, we read from her Christmas classic, …

20th century / Artists / Christmas Specials / North America / Special Episodes / United States / Writers

WHITE HOUSE HOLIDAY Mary Donelson Wilcox: 2019 Christmas Special

Late in life, Mary Donelson Wilcox recalled a magical childhood Christmas she spent at the White House with her elderly uncle, President Andrew Jackson. Her captivating memoirs paint a picture of a surprisingly global White House, with servants from around the world, and a surprisingly warm and playful President Jackson. Mary offers us a rare glimpse at Christmas in the early 19th century–when stockings, Santa Claus, and focusing the holiday on children were all delightfully …

19th century / Christmas Specials / Government / North America / Politics / Special Episodes / United States

THE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 2018 Ursula Bloom

Ursula Bloom wrote over 560 books, earning her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s most prolific female writer. Born in 1892, Ursula spent her early years in Shropshire, England, the daughter of a clergyman. Her memories of childhood Christmases at the turn of the 20th century were published many decades ago in a local periodical, Warwickshire and Worcestershire Life. What’sHerName is pleased to revive Ursula Bloom’s charming memoirs of …

20th century / Christmas Specials / England / Europe / Special Episodes / Writers