Bonus Christmas Episode with Brian Baumgartner

Summary

Office Ladies: Bonus Christmas Episode with Brian Baumgartner

Episode Information:

• Title: Bonus Christmas Episode with Brian Baumgartner
• Hosts: Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey
• Guest: Brian Baumgartner
• Release Date: December 13, 2024

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1. Introduction and Macy’s Partnership (00:00 - 00:35)

The episode opens with Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey announcing their collaboration with Macy's for the holiday season. They introduce the Macy's Gift Guide, a curated collection of holiday gift ideas aimed at simplifying holiday shopping for listeners.

• Jenna Fischer (00:05): "We have partnered with Macy’s this holiday season to create our very own Macy’s Gift Guide."
• Angela Kinsey (00:11): "Our Macy’s Gift Guide has curated all things holiday to help you prepare for the season ahead with gift suggestions for every person on your list."

2. Festive Outfits and Holiday Spirit (00:33 - 01:46)

Jenna and Angela showcase their festive attire, adding a personal and cheerful touch to the episode. They introduce other characters like Sam Kiefer and Cassie, highlighting their unique Christmas outfits.

• Jenna Fischer (01:02): "I’m so excited for today. Everybody is dressed in their most festive outfits."
• Angela Kinsey (01:12): "Jenna has on the cutest hoodie ever. It looks homemade... It’s got little mittens and a snowman."

3. Special Guest: Brian Baumgartner (06:42 - 08:00)

Brian Baumgartner joins the hosts in the studio to discuss his favorite Christmas memories from The Office and his new book, "Twas the Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin," which has already become a New York Times bestseller.

• Brian Baumgartner (07:06): "It’s the most wonderful time of the year... I’m so happy to be here in your new spot here in my old stomping ground in Hollywood, California."

4. Reminiscing on The Office Christmas Episodes (09:35 - 17:14)

The conversation delves into memorable moments from The Office’s holiday episodes. Brian shares anecdotes about on-set challenges, such as filming Christmas parties and humorous incidents like him sitting on Steve’s lap as Santa.

• Brian Baumgartner (10:03): "For me, it’s about what was going on outside of it now as much as what the actual episode was."
• Jenna Fischer (13:00): "Brian, I remember when you sit on Steve’s lap as Santa... it was so difficult for me."

5. Introduction to Brian’s New Book (17:24 - 25:24)

Brian discusses the inspiration behind his book, which adapts the classic "The Night Before Christmas" poem into the world of Dunder Mifflin. He elaborates on the collaborative process with Glen Keane and illustrator Mael Gormalin to bring the story and intricate details of the office setting to life.

• Brian Baumgartner (17:49): "The idea for adapting the Night Before Christmas poem and setting it here in the Office came from fans who watch our Christmas episodes every holiday season."

6. Office Ladies Gift Exchange (26:41 - 35:40)

In a heartwarming segment, Jenna, Angela, Sam, and Cassie participate in a festive gift exchange, exchanging thoughtfully selected presents from Macy’s. They share the excitement of unwrapping ornaments and practical gifts, reflecting the camaraderie of The Office characters.

• Angela Kinsey (28:16): "Sam, yours are very similar in size. One of them is slightly smaller than the other."
• Jenna Fischer (30:03): "I love it. This is so something I really needed that I just have never bought myself."

7. Holiday Music and Festive Tunes (50:36 - 60:34)

The hosts discuss their favorite holiday songs, sharing personal anecdotes and trivia about classic Christmas tracks. Jenna highlights the enduring popularity of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, while Sam and Cassie mention their preferences for Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” and Wham’s “Last Christmas” respectively.

• Jenna Fischer (56:00): "Mariah Carey has been the reigning queen of Christmas music for years."
• Sam Kiefer (50:50): "Bing Crosby’s White Christmas does it for you."

8. Angela’s Story: Meeting a Santa’s Helper (37:16 - 46:49)

Angela shares a touching story about meeting Dan Cresswell, a professional Santa who became her friend's Santa’s helper. Dan’s journey from delivering pizzas in a Santa suit to running his own Santa business is detailed, highlighting his dedication to spreading holiday joy.

• Angela Kinsey (38:29): "Dan started by delivering pizzas dressed as Santa, and his children encouraged him to continue."
• Dan Cresswell (func): Describes his experience and the authentic effort he puts into being a Santa’s helper.

9. Jenna’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Memory (47:03 - 50:34)

Jenna recounts a family memory of staying along the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route, only to miss the main Santa float due to a time zone mix-up. Despite the disappointment, the experience remains a cherished holiday story.

• Jenna Fischer (47:03): "We overslept, so by the time we woke up and ran to the parade, it was the last float going by—Santa on his sleigh."

10. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Episodes (61:00 - 63:17)

The episode concludes with Jenna and Angela expressing gratitude to Macy’s and their guest Brian. They tease future episodes, including an upcoming deep dive into The Office’s "Super Fan Hot Girl" episode, and encourage listeners to check out the Macy’s Gift Guide via their Instagram bio.

• Angela Kinsey (62:35): "Macy’s Gift Guide really makes it easy. They have curated all of Macy’s for all things holiday."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jenna Fischer (00:05): "We have partnered with Macy’s this holiday season to create our very own Macy’s Gift Guide."
• Brian Baumgartner (07:06): "It’s the most wonderful time of the year... I’m so happy to be here in your new spot here in my old stomping ground in Hollywood, California."
• Brian Baumgartner (10:03): "For me, it’s about what was going on outside of it now as much as what the actual episode was."
• Angela Kinsey (38:29): "Dan started by delivering pizzas dressed as Santa, and his children encouraged him to continue."
• Jenna Fischer (56:00): "Mariah Carey has been the reigning queen of Christmas music for years."
• Angela Kinsey (62:35): "Macy’s Gift Guide really makes it easy. They have curated all of Macy’s for all things holiday."

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Conclusion

This special Christmas episode of Office Ladies offers a delightful blend of nostalgia, heartfelt stories, and festive cheer. From reminiscing about favorite holiday moments on The Office to sharing personal holiday traditions and engaging with a beloved guest, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey create an enriching experience for both long-time fans and new listeners. The partnership with Macy’s adds a practical dimension, providing listeners with accessible gift ideas to enhance their holiday season.

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Enjoy the holiday season with Office Ladies and Happy Listening!

Transcript

[Angela Kinsey]

This episode is gifted to you with limited commercial interruption by Macy's.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. And we have partnered with Macy's this holiday season to create our very own Macy's Gift Guide.

[Angela Kinsey]

Our Macy's Gift Guide has curated all things holiday to help you prepare for the season ahead with gift suggestions for every person on your list.

[Jenna Fischer]

So be sure to check it out. We're really proud of it. You can find a link in our Office Ladies pod, Instagram bio. And now, on with the show. I'm Jenna Fisher.

[Angela Kinsey]

And I'm Angela Kinsey.

[Jenna Fischer]

We were on the Office together and we're best friends. And now we're doing the ultimate Office lovers podcast just for you.

[Angela Kinsey]

Each week we will dive deeper into the world of the Office with exclusive interviews, behind the scenes details, and lots of BFF stories.

[Jenna Fischer]

We're the Office Lady 6.0.

[Angela Kinsey]

Hello. Ho ho, ho.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, I'm so excited for today. Everybody is dressed in their most festive outfits.

[Angela Kinsey]

Jenna has on the cutest hoodie ever. You guys, it looks homemade. Jenna, it's like.

[Jenna Fischer]

It is.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's so cute. It's got little mittens and a snowman. Where'd you get it?

[Jenna Fischer]

My mom gave this to me. She got it at a craft fair in St. Louis.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, I love a craft fair. And Sam has on the cutest Christmas sweatshirt. Sam, describe it.

[Sam Kiefer]

It is a light up Simpsons hoodie.

[Angela Kinsey]

It lights up. And then, Cassie, you might win the prize of the day.

[Jenna Fischer]

I have a gingerbread onesie on that literally got delivered this morning.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's so cute.

[Jenna Fischer]

Just in time, Angela. You've got on your Santa hat and your red and white stripes like a candy cane. I love it.

[Angela Kinsey]

Mm.

[Jenna Fischer]

And do you wanna tell people what we're doing today? Cause we don't usually pop into your feed on a Friday.

[Angela Kinsey]

We don't. But we're feeling festive. And today we have a very fun bonus episode for you. Guess what the theme is. Wait, I'm gonna give you a hint. Everyone.

[Jenna Fischer]

As if our outfits didn't clue you in.

[Angela Kinsey]

What does this get you in the mood for, everyone? Little baby Pa Rump I am a poor boy to pahrump a bum bum I have no gift to bring. Pa Rump a bump that's fit to give our king.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yes. I just wanted to see if you would like to come to Jamaica with me. There's this resort called Sandals.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, we won't make you listen to me sing off key much longer. But you guys, guess what this means?

[Jenna Fischer]

That's right. Get ready for a special holiday episode. Thanks to the folks at Macy's.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. Thank you, Macy's.

[Jenna Fischer]

You know, Angela, when we were preparing this episode, I went back and I watched that scene of you singing. I didn't know you were gonna play it today. But my favorite thing about that is how at the end of that, the camera pushes in on Michael and he's inviting someone, we don't know yet who to go to Sandals with him. And the look on his face when, you know, the person on the other line said, yes. And of course we're gonna find out it's Jan. Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, his reaction. Talk about that little kid getting the best gift ever.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's, like, serious. Seriously.

[Jenna Fischer]

He's like, well, it's all inclusive. Well, everyone, we have a really fun episode for you today. Brian Baumgartner stopped by to talk about Christmas on the Office, plus a fun holiday project of his. Then we have a festive Office ladies gift exchange. I did a deep dive on the year Mariah Carey's Christmas song was dethroned from the number one spot.

[Angela Kinsey]

Ooh.

[Jenna Fischer]

And Angela met a real life Santa's helper.

[Angela Kinsey]

Jenna, did you just do a summary?

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, my God.

[Angela Kinsey]

You did a summary. You can't help it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes, I think I did, but I will not do fast facts.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, we'll see.

[Jenna Fischer]

Not gonna do it.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, before we get in today's episode, I am really curious, you guys. I love holiday traditions. I love hearing what other people's holiday traditions are. And Jenna, Sam, Cassie, I thought it'd be really fun for us to share something we do with our friends or family every year to celebrate the holidays. Sam, you want to go first?

[Sam Kiefer]

Sure. I go back to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and my brother and I go get a fresh cut Christmas tree for his family. And there's two dogs at the Christmas tree lot that we always look forward to seeing that are there every year.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my gosh, I love that. I can just picture all of that. All right, Cassie.

[Jenna Fischer]

The reason why I got the gingerbread onesie is my friends, every year we do this thing called Reindeer Games, which is beer pong, and we do it in the middle of the night and all dress up. And this year, my partner and I are going to be ginger. Gingerbread men. So we're going to wear red wigs with our onesies.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, so cute.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, one of my favorite holiday traditions is holiday baking. Ang. And we always make my great grandmother's snowball cookies. They're kind of like a Hungarian wedding cookie, but we always made them at the holidays. She made them. My grandma made Them. My mom made them. Now I make them. And it was really sweet because this year, my daughter did a little cookbook at her school, and she put our recipe for the snowball cookies in their school cookbook.

[Angela Kinsey]

How special.

[Jenna Fischer]

But I can't wait to bake a big batch of those.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, I love that. Well, that's kind of similar to mine. One of the things that Josh does is he gets up early before everyone else on Christmas morning, and he goes downstairs and he makes coffee cake.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

And then when the kids wake up, we make them all wait at the top of the stairs. And we have pictures from every year. Jenna. When they were little and now they're teenagers and they still want to do it. They wait at the top of the stairs, and they're like Christmas cozy pajamas until we yell, all right, come down. And then they run down the stairs to see all the gifts under the tree, because we always leave one from Santa still. And the whole house smells like coffee cake. And I just love it.

[Jenna Fischer]

I love the smells of Christmas, of the Christmas baking and all of that. I know exactly what you're talking about.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. So cozy. Okay, well, I just love that. Thank you, guys.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, we've shared before that the holidays were a very special time on the set of the Office. And our good friend Brian Baumgartner stopped by the Office lady studio to talk a little bit about his favorite Office Christmas memories. It was so good to see him.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. And he's also gonna talk about his new book that he co wrote with Ben Silverman. It's already a New York Times bestseller. It's called Twas the Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes, everyone. It is that traditional night before Christmas story, but with all of the characters from the Office.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right, well, here is our chat with Brian.

[Jenna Fischer]

Brian Baumgartner. Welcome to Office ladies.

[Sam Kiefer]

Hi, guys. It's so good to see you.

[Angela Kinsey]

What's up, Bella?

[Sam Kiefer]

Oh, you know, it's the most wonderful time of the year. Yep, it's time. And I'm so happy to be here in your new spot here in my old stomping ground in Hollywood, California. Which is weird cause neither of you live here, but thank you for supporting Hollywood.

[Angela Kinsey]

Your old memories.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yeah, I guess. Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

I lived in West Hollywood when I first moved to California for many years.

[Angela Kinsey]

So did I. In fact, we found out we were just a few blocks apart and we didn't even know.

[Sam Kiefer]

Oh, I knew it. Angela's spot. You didn't invite me over then, or this was before I knew You.

[Jenna Fischer]

This was before I was on the Office. I lived at Genesee in Santa Monica.

[Angela Kinsey]

And I lived on Stanley.

[Sam Kiefer]

Wow. It's very exciting.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, Brian, thank you for joining us today on our special bonus holiday episode.

[Sam Kiefer]

This is my first time on Office Ladies in person.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yep, that's right.

[Angela Kinsey]

You've been so wonderful and so supportive of our podcast. We have texted you the most random questions.

[Sam Kiefer]

Now, I don't know about. Let's address that first off, our texting. Well, I didn't. I meant to apologize before. Let's just say there was a contentious text exchange that was happening one week ago when I was literally in Scranton. Scranton, Pennsylvania, sitting at dinner. And I did get an office lady's text.

[Angela Kinsey]

You did?

[Jenna Fischer]

For the day. It was about the accountant's webisodes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Sam Kiefer]

I wasn't gonna reveal what it was.

[Angela Kinsey]

About, but let's just say we shared about it.

[Sam Kiefer]

Oh, it was conflicting. Oh, boy, now you're gonna make enemies.

[Jenna Fischer]

No, not really.

[Angela Kinsey]

Not really.

[Sam Kiefer]

But something was said. I got really fired up. And that was what I was gonna say to you when I saw you today was like. That was kind of old school. Brian. Fired up texting as fast as I could. Like, I have to go right now, but this is aggravating me.

[Angela Kinsey]

My favorite thing, when I can tell you're fired up is you do the one word you'll say, not true, correct false, you kind of become Dwight.

[Jenna Fischer]

We won't reveal what it. That had us all fired up. That's for Office Ladies. Burn it to the ground. Okay, that's our next podcast in another, like, five years.

[Sam Kiefer]

In five years, Burn it to the ground.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's right. Yeah.

[Sam Kiefer]

Well, maybe you'll have me back on, then we can. We'll burn it to the ground together. All right, perfect.

[Angela Kinsey]

I can't wait for you to be, like, untrue.

[Jenna Fischer]

But for today's episode, Brian, we want to reminisce about the Office holiday episodes.

[Sam Kiefer]

They were so great.

[Jenna Fischer]

What was your favorite? Do you have a favorite on set Memory? A favorite off set memory.

[Sam Kiefer]

Well, so I don't think that I have rhapsodized with you guys. Probably because it was on Zoom and not in person.

[Angela Kinsey]

Is that the word? That's a false.

[Sam Kiefer]

For me when people ask. Because people ask all the time, like, what's your favorite episode? Or whatever. I think it's, for me, it's about what was going on outside of it now as much as what the actual episode was. Right.

[Angela Kinsey]

Same.

[Sam Kiefer]

So, for example, for me, I don't know if it's the Same. We haven't discussed this. This is not pre planned. Like for me, if people say like, what's your favorite episode? At this point, I pretty much say stress relief. And the reason why is one great episode times two double parter. But for me, I was am still a big sports fan. And that episode, as I'm sure you guys know, aired after the super bowl that year. And that was the first time I was invited by NBC to go to the Super Bowl. And that was the first time I had ever been at a Super Bowl. And so I'm in the super bowl, which you know, is the Super Bowl.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's the super bowl.

[Sam Kiefer]

And on the like Jumbotron. Jumbotron. I think that's an old timey word. I don't think they call it that anymore.

[Angela Kinsey]

You know what? I'm gonna rhapsodize about it a little bit and then I'll get back to you.

[Sam Kiefer]

That just means thinking there was like the office after the super bowl and it was like, that's our show. Like, that was it. So that for me has a particular. Well, it's obviously fond memories of that. I think for the Christmas episode it's the same, but different. Like it's about what was happening outside. And as I'm sure you guys have or will talk about, like that very first Christmas episode, it didn't launch the show. It wasn't the first episode of the show. But that episode really launched the success of the show. Like that episode became our largest audience since the premiere. And from there, then Steve wins the Golden Globe. Like three or four weeks later, everything starts happening. We get into the.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, we turned a corner at that point.

[Sam Kiefer]

We didn't even have a full order for the season. And they started after that. It became clear we were gonna be around for a while. So. And the other thing I always. And this was a long time ago, I talked about like that episode being special. Cause everybody did something. Like there was. Everyone was sort of featured in some way. And then I said, but you can make an argument. Except Meredith, however, she ends up having maybe one of the greatest moments on the show ever. When she takes her top off and Michael snaps the picture at the very end of the episode. So that like suddenly, like at the end, she sort of explodes as well. So that made it special. They were also hard. That's what she said. They were hard. You get one, I get one.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Sam Kiefer]

They were hard to produce the Christmas episodes because big party, group scenes, everybody involved, everyone playing.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, I feel like those were some of the Most joyous episodes. Because we really would be in these, like, group party situations for most of the episode. And then, of course, we would be doing bits. And I'm sure we were very hard to wrangle. We were probably, like, trying to make a TV show with a room full of 6 year olds or something, doing all our bits. But I just remember, Brian, I remember when you sit on Steve's lap as Santa, and I know everyone always brings it up to you, but it was like we. No one could get through it.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yeah, yeah. I mean that in terms of, like, singular moments for me in the Christmas episodes. I mean, that one does. And part of it is like, you know, when you look back at photos from your childhood back before there was, you know, we didn't have. Everything wasn't videotaped every five seconds, you look back at these photos or, like, video home, whatever, and that becomes, like, a part of your memory. Now that the bloopers reel with me sitting on Steve's lap is just, like, everywhere. So it, like, keeps, like, it keeps that so fresh in my mind. And the thing that I've said to people, and I think this microphone will work really well, that, like, it was funny and you guys. But, like, I had the, like, literal front row seat to him. And the noise that he made when I sat down. I know, and he made it, and he knew he had the mic, but it was right in my ear. And as I would sit down, he did this. And I could. It was so difficult for me. I couldn't. And everyone else was laughing, but I was laughing, too. And the way, you know, his face was just so, like, pained and almost he manufactured sweat coming down the side of his face. And I remember pretty early on, I don't know, maybe after just one or two takes, and we probably did 30, I turned to him and I'm like, are you okay? Like, this is like, you were worried.

[Angela Kinsey]

Are you okay?

[Sam Kiefer]

And he was like, oh, God, yeah, no, I'm totally fine. I mean, you know him. He was just like, no, no, I'm totally fine. Like, I'm just literally putting this on. But.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, if you watch that episode, people are breaking in the background. Oh, 100%. Mindy just walks out.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

She just turns and leaves.

[Angela Kinsey]

Ed dives behind the hallway.

[Sam Kiefer]

Dives behind into the hallway. Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Never. We never, ever got a take.

[Sam Kiefer]

No.

[Jenna Fischer]

Where people held it together the whole time. Long enough to actually put the show together. I think they just gave up. They were like, forget it. This is what it is.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yeah. You know, the only Other time that I think that happened for me, this is not Christmas related, but I'll tell it. The only other time that I remember it happening for me was with Amy Ryan. That was. For me, that was my personal. Like, that one was difficult.

[Jenna Fischer]

The sitting on stage at the vending machine.

[Angela Kinsey]

The buttons and the coins.

[Jenna Fischer]

And the coins.

[Sam Kiefer]

Her earnest eyes looking into mine. So, I mean, and she just. Amy just stared right at you. And her saying, this is a button. I could not like that. She was really earnestly trying to tell me that. That one. If you go back and look still, like the last take, I think. And I think there was a conscious decision, either by me or we were discussing it. I was like, guys, I don't know how this is gonna go. And we knew that it was gonna edit into that, like, I'm totally gonna bang holly thing. And so I was like, oh, I can smile. Kevin can smile. Because then immediately. Yeah. Because he sees what's coming. But that one was. That was really difficult.

[Angela Kinsey]

And remember the episode Dwight's Christmas when my character is up on the credenza and I can't get down, and it's in a montage, and Kevin goes to help get me down. And you basically put me, like, when someone carries a football under their armpit. That's right. Like, in this weird football hold. And I was like, I almost went completely upside down, and they just kept it in. And I saw that the other day, and I started cracking up because I knew it was just you messing with me. Which we would do all the time.

[Sam Kiefer]

That happens.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, Brian, I want to talk about something else with you. You know, there's a reason why you've been using all these really big words today. It's because you are an author.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

And you right now have a book called the Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yes. I know some people say, and you can't see it if you're listening to us, that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. I think the COVID looks really good.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's so good.

[Sam Kiefer]

I want to be judged by the.

[Angela Kinsey]

COVID It looks so great. The illustrations are so cool. Brian, will you talk to us a little bit about how this all came together?

[Sam Kiefer]

Well, part of the idea came from what fans have talked to me, and I'm sure the two of you about, which is one of their family traditions at the holidays has been to binge watch the Office Christmas episodes.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

That's, like, part of their holiday tradition.

[Sam Kiefer]

That's become, like, a thing.

[Angela Kinsey]

Like how we used to Watch Rudolph.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yeah. And Frosty and the Grinch.

[Jenna Fischer]

El.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yes. That people are watching the Christmas episode. So that's sort of where it started. The idea for adapting the Night Before Christmas poem. You know, the Night Before Christmas.

[Jenna Fischer]

The poem.

[Sam Kiefer]

The poem. The OG not at Dunder Mifflin. That was, truthfully, the very first text I ever memorized. That was my first memorized performance in front of my family.

[Angela Kinsey]

How old were you?

[Sam Kiefer]

We had a giant, and no one can see my hands. Probably three feet tall. Like a big illustrated version of the Night Before Christmas. And it started by me reading it. When I learned to read. What is that? 4, 5, 6. You had a big giant book. I would be holding the book and would read the thing. And that was a tradition. That was one of our traditions.

[Angela Kinsey]

How cute.

[Sam Kiefer]

And then one year I memorized it and then I recited it for everybody as my sister turned the pages and I didn't look at it. So that.

[Angela Kinsey]

That is so sweet.

[Sam Kiefer]

So that has a special connection to me. But in that book, one of the most important things is the illustrations. And so when we started to have this idea and talk about adapting the Night Before Christmas and setting it here in the Office, I had worked on this show, Trash Truck, that Glen Keane had executive produced. Now Glen Keane is like, literally a God in the animated world. So I called him. I called him about five times to say, like, you have to. He's very busy. I was like, you have to do this. Because I knew he was a big fan of the Office. So I was like, look, you have to do this. Mael Gormalin, he is the one who actually did the drawings. But I was on calls with Glenn, his whole team, and Mael every week. That was my favorite part of this. For I don't know, two, three months, we would have, like a two hour call and talk about every image and what it looked like and how the characters were developed. And that was really fun to do.

[Jenna Fischer]

When you open up the book, just the very first page, you know, it says, twas the Night Before Christmas. And all through Dunder Mifflin, not an accountant was stirring, Not a mouse was a clickin'it's. So cool. Cause it just brings you right into the world of the office. Pam is sleeping at her desk, Jim's sleeping. Everybody's sleeping kind of at their desks. It looks like the Christmas party has happened and we've all sort of fallen asleep after the party.

[Sam Kiefer]

I'm so glad that you mentioned that, because when the first drawing started coming in, the thing that I kept Catching inside of me, I was like, where are we? Where exactly are. Are we backed by the accountants? Like, where? And so that was my first major and only sort of note about that was the architecture of the space is so important. Like, I want to know where we are within this layout that everybody knows so well. Most of the people who read this will understand it. So he took that and like flew with it. Including exactly what you just brought up. Like, we're coming into the book and so the angle, the perspective is us entering Dunder Mifflin from that classic. Like, we see the Jim and Dwight clump and Michael's office and the painting on the wall.

[Angela Kinsey]

And you know, there's so many things too, like the details of that plant that was next to the lamp that we all ended up trying to plant in the finale. And Pam's desk. There's the little plant by her desk. Just all these things are so specific to the show.

[Jenna Fischer]

And it's just, it's really fun, Brian. It's kind of like I got the Lego, the Office Lego one year.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

And when you put it together and you see all the details.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

I just think that your book is illustrated in that same fun way where you see all these little nods.

[Angela Kinsey]

Like Andy's wearing a hat that says I went to Cornell.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes, yes. Well, that's his gift from Santa.

[Angela Kinsey]

From Santa.

[Jenna Fischer]

I have to say, Santa is a much better gift giver than Michael Scott. Michael Scott is? Yes. In this book he really knows his employees. Well, it's very sweet.

[Angela Kinsey]

I mean, he gives Angela pills to heal her cat's infection.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, well, obviously it's really fun.

[Angela Kinsey]

My cats are always ill. Now we.

[Jenna Fischer]

Should let our listeners know that this is a little PG13. It's a little bit for your older kids. This is not for your 5 year old. Cause like the show. Right. The book has nods to the show. So if the content of the show feels appropriate to watch with your children, then the book is appropriate.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yeah, I would say that it would be like a middle of the road episode of the Office. So it's not like sexual harassment.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, no.

[Sam Kiefer]

Scott's Todd dinner party.

[Angela Kinsey]

But that's what she said.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yes, there are some jokes. It's funny because I just have been doing signings. Oh, I mean, you like little ones. Like make this out to Gabe for his first birthday party. And I sort of did a look.

[Jenna Fischer]

Like, well, Gabe can read this book. Gabe doesn't know any better. He's one.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's gonna go right over Gabe's head.

[Sam Kiefer]

That's True. But, yes, it is intended to be an Office fan keepsake.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Sam Kiefer]

Not specifically.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's not a children's book.

[Sam Kiefer]

Four year old.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's right.

[Angela Kinsey]

Exactly.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes, I did wanna say that. I love the button at the end. For a true Office fan, there is someone that Michael Scott Santa did not include. Yes. I won't ruin it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, I think you can guess.

[Sam Kiefer]

I tell you, the rhyming and, like, having a legit rhyme is often not as easy as you think that it might be. And so I had constructed how I wanted it to end, and there were words that was a specific word that was really difficult to rhyme with. And then, well, what was it?

[Angela Kinsey]

You'll have to read it.

[Sam Kiefer]

The button became. You'll have to read it.

[Angela Kinsey]

You'll have to read it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Sam Kiefer]

But that is that it was. And I think it turned out better, particularly along with the illustration. But, yes, it came out of an inability to rhyme a certain word.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, I just think this is so fun. I think the Office fans are gonna love it. What a great part of a holiday tradition. Now they can watch their favorite Office holiday episode. They can read the Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yes. Again, it's not a cause. Some people have asked, like, oh, which episode is it? Like, it's not a specific episode. There are nods to certainly iconic moments from characters throughout the show or specific character traits from characters throughout the show, as well as all of the Office.

[Jenna Fischer]

Christmas episodes, which makes it perfect. Yes, it's for fans.

[Sam Kiefer]

It's for fans.

[Jenna Fischer]

Brian, thank you so much for coming by and talking with us today.

[Sam Kiefer]

Thank you so much. Happy holidays to all of you out there and to all a good night. No, I don't know.

[Angela Kinsey]

You have such a beautiful, rich voice, though. I would listen to you read the Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mills.

[Jenna Fischer]

By the way, is there an audio version?

[Sam Kiefer]

Oh, yes, there is.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes, there is.

[Sam Kiefer]

If you don't want to read to your children who are old enough for this book, well, you can have me do it for you.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yay.

[Jenna Fischer]

I love it. Thanks, Brian.

[Sam Kiefer]

All right, thanks, guys. Thanks for having me.

[Angela Kinsey]

Love you, Bea. It was so fun having Brian in the studio with us. You know, Jenna, I was sitting there thinking, gosh, it's been a while since the three of us have all been in one room together in person.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's true. I mean, I talk to Brian all the time. I see Brian quite often, actually, and so do you, but the three of us, it's been a while.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

And we'll be sure to Put a link in our stories so you can get all the details about his new book. It is so cute. And it would make a good gift if you have an office lover in your family.

[Angela Kinsey]

And Brian worked so hard on it.

[Jenna Fischer]

He really did well.

[Angela Kinsey]

Speaking of great gifts, it's time for our office ladies gift exchange. Thanks to Macy's.

[Sam Kiefer]

Woo hoo.

[Jenna Fischer]

Sam, Cassie, get in here.

[Angela Kinsey]

Here we go. Bear with us, guys. This is so fun, the four of us being in the room together. I actually really love this. We gotta do it more. Okay, so we have presents and one of our very favorite holiday treats. It's time to give love, Give Moose munch, everybody. Woo hoo. Let me open it up.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's right. We're gonna snack. We're gonna open gifts. And we got all this stuff at Macy's, including the Moose Munch here.

[Angela Kinsey]

I'm gonna put it in a big bowl so we can share. I brought a. Oh my gosh. I love Moose Munch. I'm like so excited about this. Oh, my God.

[Jenna Fischer]

Sorry. Is Moose Munch just assorted popcorn flavor. But it also. Yeah, so there's like chocolatey popcorn, there's caramelly popcorn, and there's also nuts.

[Sam Kiefer]

Ooh.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's just the sweet and salty paradise is what it is.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, now we have our snack. That's our party snack.

[Sam Kiefer]

This is great. Thank you.

[Angela Kinsey]

I love Moose Munch. We get it every year.

[Jenna Fischer]

All right, so we put your presents out there. Everybody gets two things. You get a big and a little. Okay, should we start with the littles?

[Angela Kinsey]

Let's start with the littles.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, Sam, yours are very similar in size. One of them is slightly smaller than the other. Okay, Sam, you go first.

[Sam Kiefer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

I realize I put Cassie's in the identical gift bag, so I had to let her know which is hers.

[Jenna Fischer]

Which is hers. Okay, Opening, opening.

[Angela Kinsey]

Sam's going first.

[Sam Kiefer]

Mm.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay. All right. So, Sam, I know this is a tradition of yours, and I hope you don't have this one.

[Sam Kiefer]

I have a feeling I know what this is.

[Jenna Fischer]

Do you?

[Sam Kiefer]

Oh, wow. Okay. Oh, it has chopsticks too.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, describe it.

[Sam Kiefer]

Okay, so it is a glass Christmas ornament. I have a tradition on my tree of only food ornaments.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Sam Kiefer]

Are these buns? Are these like.

[Jenna Fischer]

They're like dumplings? I think so.

[Sam Kiefer]

That's the word I couldn't think of. Dumplings. Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

At lunch you were literally eating this meal when we were having a meal.

[Sam Kiefer]

Incredible.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Sam Kiefer]

I love it.

[Angela Kinsey]

Thank you for your food tree.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

So cute.

[Sam Kiefer]

I'll have to total up this year's calories of a tree each year I total it up.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right, Cassie, open yours. Clearly, I have a theme whenever I shop for you, and I'm so sorry.

[Jenna Fischer]

What can it be? Ooh, a basketball ornament. I love it.

[Angela Kinsey]

I'm gonna. We're gonna mix it up next year if we are.

[Jenna Fischer]

I truly love basketball.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know you do. And Jenna was like, ang, I found the perfect one for Sam. So you know we're leaning into what you guys like.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yeah. Thank you.

[Jenna Fischer]

All right, Angela, here's your little gift. Guess what? It's an ornament. But look at which one it is.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

Macy's has all these ornaments from Holiday Lane, and they are so cute. They've got a whole section of food, Sam.

[Angela Kinsey]

Like, ornaments that are cute.

[Jenna Fischer]

Tons of food ornaments.

[Sam Kiefer]

Really?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

And they have animals and they have. They have everything. Okay, Jenna, you really went a lot. You went heavy on the tissue here.

[Jenna Fischer]

Sorry about that.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, it's a cheese board.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's a cheese board ornament. I thought it could remind you of our giant cheese cart from our celebration dinner.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, I love it. And just the fact that I love cheese, it's so much.

[Sam Kiefer]

Great. It's perfectly hand.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right, Jenna, there's yours.

[Jenna Fischer]

Here we go. Oh, it's an I love New York ornament.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's your happy place.

[Jenna Fischer]

It is my happy place.

[Sam Kiefer]

Yay.

[Jenna Fischer]

All right, well, now that everybody has something to hang on their tree, Sam, would you like to start? This is your big gift.

[Sam Kiefer]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

And Sam, you are not easy to shop for, but I found this on the Macy's gift guide, and I thought.

[Angela Kinsey]

It would be Jenna drew. Sam and I drew Cassie basically in our gift giving.

[Sam Kiefer]

Oh, it's a camera.

[Angela Kinsey]

Whoa.

[Jenna Fischer]

It looks like an.

[Sam Kiefer]

It's a 35 millimeter camera.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Sam Kiefer]

Oh, this is awesome. Thank you.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, it looks. Cause I know you love to take polaroids and stuff and you like old timey camera. I do the lil of that.

[Angela Kinsey]

You like some old tech.

[Sam Kiefer]

This is great. Thank you.

[Jenna Fischer]

You're welcome. And it looks like it's a disposable camera, but it's actually reusable.

[Sam Kiefer]

Okay, good. I won't throw it away.

[Jenna Fischer]

Don't throw it away. That's why I got you a whole pack of film to go with it.

[Sam Kiefer]

Oh, wow. Thank you.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's got this really cool graphic design too. It's a retrospect killer acid.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, killer acid is like art. Yeah, all the pictures look like creepy camping art. No, no, I like it a lot. Lee said it was cool.

[Sam Kiefer]

So, yeah, this is very cool. Thank you.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, yeah. Oh, it looks good. You just unwrapped it?

[Sam Kiefer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Let me see. Sam, hold it up.

[Jenna Fischer]

Isn't it fun?

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, it looks really cute.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right.

[Sam Kiefer]

Thank you.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, here we go.

[Jenna Fischer]

You're welcome. Stickers too.

[Sam Kiefer]

Oh, now it's a gift.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, Cassie, your turn. This is your big one. Okay. You said something the other day in studio that just stuck in my brain. And I thought, well, maybe she might like this.

[Jenna Fischer]

Ooh, it's a blazer.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's a sweater blazer.

[Jenna Fischer]

Ooh, even better.

[Angela Kinsey]

But you were saying you always. These were the cutest jackets. And you came in the other day and I sneakily said, oh, that's so cute. What size is that jacket? Do you remember?

[Jenna Fischer]

You got me. I never clocked that at all. It's so cute.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's by on 34th. Created for Macy's, and I thought you could dress it up or dress it down.

[Jenna Fischer]

I love it. Thank you so much. Okay, Ang, here is your gift. And I know you're gonna like it because you put it on our Macy's gift guide list.

[Angela Kinsey]

I did want this. Okay. So I tend to put things on our storefront that I actually want for myself.

[Jenna Fischer]

I'm guilty of that as well.

[Angela Kinsey]

I love it. It's a little cross body saddlebag.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes, it's by on 34th.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yay. Okay, Jenna, here is your big gift. This is something you were saying you wanted. So I just got you exactly what you've been talking about.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, my gosh. I can't. I can't even think of anything I've been saying that I wanted. Oh, my goodness. It's a. What do you call that thing that you bring your lunch in to work?

[Sam Kiefer]

A lunch pail.

[Angela Kinsey]

So Jenna brings her lunch almost every week when we record. And this is an insulated lunch bag.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, lady.

[Angela Kinsey]

And look at the little handle.

[Jenna Fischer]

It is so stinking cute.

[Angela Kinsey]

Open it up.

[Jenna Fischer]

Look.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's pretty spacious.

[Jenna Fischer]

Wow. Oh, my gosh. This is. This is something that I really needed that I just have never bought myself. Sometimes I bring in soup and I put it in the same bag as my computer, and I just, like, hope that I carry it right. Hope that it doesn't leak. I know, right?

[Sam Kiefer]

Tempting God.

[Jenna Fischer]

You need to live your life that way. So insane.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's a black and white stripe sort of pattern, and I just thought it looked cute.

[Jenna Fischer]

I absolutely love it. This is so fun.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's by Zulay Kitchen and it's on our storefront as well.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, everyone, you too can get your holiday shopping done with Macy's this year. Your one stop shop for everyone on your list. And I was saying when I came in today that I have become slightly obsessed with the Macy's.com gift guide. I am truly using it to find gifts for everybody on my list. I'm also slightly obsessed with our gift guide. I'm enjoying putting up suggestions and all the gifts that we gave away today will be on our gift guide and more. We're adding stuff all the time.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. We actually sat side by side with our laptops and literally put the storefront together. And we were like, ooh, this, ooh that, ooh this.

[Jenna Fischer]

I know.

[Angela Kinsey]

And you can shop our favorites this holiday season directly from our Macy's gift guide storefront by visiting the link in our Instagram bio.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. Head to our Instagram bio for the link to shop directly from our Macy's gift guide storefront.

[Angela Kinsey]

Let Macy's be your guide to gifting.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yay.

[Angela Kinsey]

Happy holiday. Thank you.

[Sam Kiefer]

Happy holiday.

[Angela Kinsey]

Merry Christmas.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, I think that was a pretty successful gift exchange. And you know, Dunder Mifflin had some pretty epic gift exchanges.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, they sure did.

[Jenna Fischer]

Of course, the most famous is probably the Yankee swap from Christmas Party season two. But Ang, my favorite memory from that episode is an off camera memory which we shared in our book, which is that we all wanted to see if Angela could fit inside of a large Christmas bag.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, there was one on set.

[Jenna Fischer]

A big gift bag.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

And you fit?

[Angela Kinsey]

I did. I crawled in it. And then you guys all took a picture of me. And we'll put that in our stories.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes, we put it in our book, but you need to put that in stories. But in terms of an episode gift exchange, my favorite is actually from season eight, Christmas Wishes. It's the montage where Dwight is doing his air guitar and it flashes to everybody exchanging gifts.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. That is really sweet.

[Jenna Fischer]

I really like that one.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. Well, you know, the Office has so many great Christmas episodes. And I loved our dueling Santas in season six in the Secret Santa episode.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, is that the one where it's Phyllis versus Michael, Right?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. So Phyllis versus Michael. But then also Bob Vance shows up as Santa.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's right.

[Angela Kinsey]

We end up having three Santas. But Phyllis has such a great talking head about being Santa. I love it so much and I feel like we need to hear it.

[Jenna Fischer]

I have been wanting to be Santa for years.

[Angela Kinsey]

I believe I have the right temperament and the figure to do the job.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, I slipped a note to Jim 11 weeks ago, and he said I could do it.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's been a long journey, but I'm Santa Claus.

[Sam Kiefer]

Aw.

[Jenna Fischer]

I love Santa Phyllis.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know. Santa Phyllis is so sweet. Well, you know, Jenna, all this talk about Santas on the set of the Office makes me think of a story I want to share about meeting someone who became a Santa's helper and moms and dads out there. If you're listening, you might want to listen to this part first before you share it with your family and any little ears.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes, good point. You might be driving to your holiday stuff right now, and that's a good tip, Ang.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, it's a great story and I'm excited to share it.

[Jenna Fischer]

This is the best story. When you were making your Hallmark Christmas movie in Vancouver, you left me a message that I was like, you have to tell this on the podcast sometime.

[Angela Kinsey]

So I feel like this is the perfect time.

[Jenna Fischer]

I agree.

[Angela Kinsey]

So, yeah, like Jenna said, I was working on my Hallmark Christmas movie. And, you know, to get to the set, the location was about an hour from where. Where I was staying. So every day they would send a transportation driver that worked on the movie to drive me to the set. And one of the guys that drove me was named Dan Cresswell. And when you have an hour drive, you get to know someone, you start chatting. And on one of our drives, I asked him, oh, are you going to go work on another movie? Because a lot of the crew was saying they already had another job, another Christmas movie lined up. And he said, no, I'm about to take my three month yearly break. And I thought, three months off. I was so curious. I said, well, what do you do during these three months? And he said, well, I'm a professional Santa. And from October to December, I start work as Santa.

[Jenna Fischer]

And then I know you, Ang. You were like, I have so many questions. Tell me more.

[Angela Kinsey]

I did. I was like, I have so many questions. And we have an hour car ride, so we're going to get into it. First of all, lady, I had to ask him, how did this start? How do you just kind of wake up one day and say, I'm gonna be a Santa.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, does he look like Santa? Does he grow out a beard and everything?

[Angela Kinsey]

He does not look like a Santa at all.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

And he will be very quick to tell you, by the way, that all the Santas you see, they are Santa's helpers. They're not the real Santa. They're all Santa's helpers for everyone listening out there.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's right.

[Angela Kinsey]

So all the kids listening out there. Dan wanted you to know that he's a Santa's helper because it's a busy season and Santa needs all the help he can get.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's right.

[Angela Kinsey]

So anyways, I'm like. But Dan, seriously, when did you start doing this? He said, well, it all started about seven years ago. I was earning extra money delivering pizzas, and it was November, and my son Zachary was 11 years old at the time. And he said, dad, you should dress up a Santa when you deliver pizza. I think that would be really fun and maybe you'd get better tips.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's smart, kid.

[Angela Kinsey]

That's so cute. And Dan kind of laughed. And then he thought about it, and then he was at Walmart and there was a Santa suit for $50. So he decided to give it a go. He said his very first pizza delivery dressed as Santa. A dad opened the door and his little girls were standing there with him. And they lost their minds. They were so excited that Santa had come and brought them pizza. And the dad said, would it be okay if I take a picture of you with my daughters for, you know, Christmas? Dan said, sure. And he said the whole family was so thrilled. And after that, he did get a nice little tip. And he thought, hmm, maybe there's something to this. He said that even as he would drive around town delivering pizzas in a Santa suit, people would honk and wave. They'd want to take their picture, like through the car window. And he loved it. And he told his wife, maybe I could do this as an actual business. He didn't know anything about it or how to go about it. Lady, he googled.

[Jenna Fischer]

He was a Santa who Googled?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. He said he found a Santa school in Vancouver. It was a four day course. Friday through Monday. You get to learn how to become a professional Santa and marketing, et cetera. And after that, he got a job as a Santa for Cabela's, which is very similar to like our Bass Pro Shop.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

And he worked there for two years. He kind of did some highlighting at the mall, but he really wanted to start his own Santa business. This was his dream. And his boss at the Cabela place got him a much better Santa suit. And he was like, ooh, I'm going to need all the Santa if I'm going to make this my own business. And I might need one or two more suits. So we asked her, where do you get your Santa suits? And she said, uh, I'm not telling you.

[Jenna Fischer]

Why wouldn't she give up the details about where to get a good Santa suit.

[Angela Kinsey]

I guess she's the go to for good Santa suits in Vancouver and she didn't want to give up her source. Wow. I know. So he really had to mom detective it. He joined a bunch of online communities of working Santas. He found a site called hiresanta.com. i guess it was featured on the TV show Shark Tank. And you want to know the best part? He finally found where to get a good Santa suit.

[Jenna Fischer]

Where?

[Angela Kinsey]

Adele Hollywood Costumes here in Los Angeles.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh.

[Angela Kinsey]

He said he has two suits. The Coca Cola Santa suit and the traditional Santa suit. They run about $1,400 each.

[Jenna Fischer]

Whoa.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. But they're really nice, he said. And they last a long time. But that wasn't it. Now he needed a good beard. He does not have a beard. He has short brown hair. He needed a beard. He needed the full look. The first beard he bought was in California. It was made from real hair and cost $1,500.

[Sam Kiefer]

Wow.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. But it didn't hold up as well as he liked when kids would tug on it because he said, they tug on your beard.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

So then through this community of Santas, he found a lady that makes handmade beards in China using yak hair.

[Jenna Fischer]

Wow.

[Angela Kinsey]

Uh huh. He said it's the best Santa beard out there. They average around 900 to $1,000 Canadian.

[Jenna Fischer]

This is a real investment.

[Angela Kinsey]

It really is.

[Jenna Fischer]

I really like his integrity here, though.

[Angela Kinsey]

He wants to look like a really good Santa. If he's gonna start his own business, he wants to be the real deal is what he told me.

[Jenna Fischer]

I have to imagine that these are Santa standards and that the real Santa wants his helpers to be as authentic as possible.

[Angela Kinsey]

And he showed me pictures of his suits. They're beautiful. They're like works of art. He also needed special Santa glasses, and he got those from Spangle the Clown. It's a website. Guess what? He's a clown and a Santa.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh.

[Angela Kinsey]

He even found a website where you can get accessories. Like, he has a North Pole driver's license that he can show kids. It's so cute, lady. He texted me his picture. It's so adorable. But now he had everything he needed to start his own business. But he didn't know how to put on the beard. How do you put on this beard? How do you get it to stay? How do you do the makeup? And here he is driving on these movie sets. So he went into the hair and makeup trailer on one of the movie sets.

[Jenna Fischer]

I would hope so they taught him.

[Angela Kinsey]

How to do the whole look. He says it takes him about 45 minutes. He puts on the beard with the spearmint gum and it really adheres. That way, if kids tug at it, it's like his own hair. It's not coming off. And the hair and makeup department on the movie, they thought it was so fun. They gave him a nickname because his name is Dan, but he's a Santa, so everyone on the set calls him Danta. And now he has his own business, he has his own Santa. He gets bookings starting as early as July. He said that October is photo time. He does photo shoots with people. November, December is the big corporate gigs and home visits. And one of his biggest goals as Santa was to be in one of these holiday movies that he works on as a transportation driver. And it finally happened. He's been trying for four years and this year he's in a Hallmark Christmas movie as a Santa.

[Jenna Fischer]

As a Santa, yeah. Danta is going to be in a movie?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. It's called Leah's Perfect Gift. It's on Hallmark. And he told me he only has one big dream left as Santa.

[Jenna Fischer]

What is it?

[Angela Kinsey]

He wants to someday go to the world's oldest Santa school.

[Jenna Fischer]

Where's that?

[Angela Kinsey]

In Midland, Michigan. It was established in 1937. It's called Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School. On their website, it has this quote, he errs who thinks Santa enters through the chimney. Santa enters through the heart. Oh, I know. And lastly, I said, dan, why do you like being a Santa's helper? And he said he loves making people happy. He said the way the kids eyes just light up when they see Santa. He said, you see hope, you see wonder. The parents are so happy. He said every day is something different, but it's always joyful. And Dan's son is now 21 years old. He said he's so proud of his dad and it's all because he told him to dress up as Santa to deliver pizzas.

[Jenna Fischer]

I mean, now I'm crying. That was so beautiful.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

And you know what else is beautiful about it, Angela? Is that this is just something I love about you and your curiosity about people and the things that interest people. It's true. If you sit on a flight with Angela or if she's going to drive you for an hour, she's going to get it out of you. She is. She is going to. She wants to know what makes you tick. But it's such a beautiful thing. And I just love that you shared his story with everybody.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, thank you, lady. I just really enjoyed getting to know him. It's a whole world I knew nothing about.

[Jenna Fischer]

I didn't know there was Santa school. I know there's a whole program.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. And I'm going to share Dan's website and our Instagram. If you're in the Vancouver area and you need a Santa, you'll have all his information. Thank you, Dan.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, you know, Angela, I think that the real Santa is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa. It's certainly the first time we see the real Santa for the season. And I have a little story about that.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, yeah?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. My family went to New York for Thanksgiving one year. And once we were there, we realized that we were staying on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route.

[Angela Kinsey]

How fun. How old were your kids? Little.

[Jenna Fischer]

They were young. And lady, I love the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I love all the musical numbers that they do. I get to see the Broadway numbers twice a year at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. And the Tonys. And I live for it.

[Angela Kinsey]

I love the Macy's Day Parade.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, we were super excited when we realized we were on the route. It's really long. It's like two and a half miles. You know, it goes all the way from up by the Natural History Museum all the way down to Macy's Herald Square. We were staying about halfway maybe. So the first couple days before the parade, you can actually go up by the museum and you can watch them blow up all the balloons.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

And it's just so fun. So here's the thing that happened though. On the day of the parade, we were all set to like go down to the end of the street where we were staying and just we got a free view of everything going by.

[Angela Kinsey]

It was amazing.

[Jenna Fischer]

Crazy. But we overslept. Cause we were on LA time. So by the time we woke up and we ran to the end of the street, it was the last float going by. Oh, no. Which is Santa on his sleigh.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, that's good. That one. This is a rollercoaster.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. So we were like, oh, well, at least we got to see the Santa. And then we went back inside and we were having breakfast and coffee and we were watching the parade on tv. And it was really crazy because it was almost an hour before Santa got from where we were all the way down to in front of Macy's. But we were all excited because that meant that we saw Santa about an hour before everybody else saw Santa on tv. But it was. It was a really. It's one of our fun Family memories.

[Angela Kinsey]

I love that. I, you know, it's so funny, Jenna, because I have such a great memory of the Macy's Day Parade when I was interning on Conan. And it couldn't be more different. But I want to tell you. So here I am. I'm in my early 20s, I'm interning on Conan O'Brien when they used to tape at 30 Rockefeller Center. And it's the day before the Macy's Day Parade, and they close all these streets along the route, right. And it's in the morning, and I'm walking to work, and this street is closed. There's, like, no one on it. And I see this man in a full suit, like, a really nice suit with a nice coat, and he is rollerblading with a briefcase through the street just, like, zooming by. And as he goes by me, I just said, oh, wow, that's so cool. And he goes, my favorite day of the year. I always skate to work on this day.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, my gosh.

[Angela Kinsey]

Isn't that funny? Yes. And it was such a, like, visual, you know, to see this one lone skater in a suit in, like, an abandoned part of Manhattan. I'll never forget it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, so, lady, we have covered office, Christmas memories, Santa gifts. But there's one more thing I want to talk about. For me, another thing I love about the holidays is the music.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

This is the time of year when you walk through the mall and you hear all the holiday songs playing. I love it. And I wanted to ask the group, do you have a favorite holiday song, like one that you look forward to hearing?

[Sam Kiefer]

I think Bing Crosby's White Christmas does it for you.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes, yes. Well, interestingly enough, Sam, I didn't know you were going to say that. But did you know that according to the Guinness Book of World Records, White Christmas by Bing Crosby is not only the best selling Christmas holiday single in the United States, but it was also the best selling single of all time since the advent of recorded music, with an estimated sales in excess of 50 million copies worldwide.

[Angela Kinsey]

Wow.

[Sam Kiefer]

I believe it also hasn't not been on the charts since it came out.

[Jenna Fischer]

Incredible. All right, Cassie, do you have a favorite Christmas song? Yes, I like Wham's Last Christmas.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, that's such a good one.

[Jenna Fischer]

That one charts the top often as well. It's usually in the top five, Ang. I really did a deep dive on Christmas music. I don't normally have these off the top of my head.

[Angela Kinsey]

You know, it's so interesting because it's not so much just one song. For me, but an album. Okay, so I love Elvis Christmas album.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's so good. You know, his Silent Night, Holy Night is really beautiful. But then he also has Santa Claus is Back in Town. And that's like, a really fun one. But I just love that album.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's interesting you say that, Angela, because my favorite Christmas song is also a favorite album. I went through this phase where I got really into vinyl records, and my mom gave me her old record collection. And one of the records in the collection was a Frank Sinatra Christmas album. And I do bring out our little turntable and put it down by the Christmas tree. This is the first album that I play every season when we're decorating the tree. And the first song on the album is Frank Sinatra's Jingle Bells. And it's my favorite. And I'm gonna play it.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yay. I love those J I n g L e bells oh, those holiday J.

[Jenna Fischer]

I n g L e bells Follow.

[Sam Kiefer]

Those heavy J I n G L.

[Angela Kinsey]

E B P double LS I love.

[Sam Kiefer]

Those J I n g L e bells O Jingle bells, jingle bells jingle all the way.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, blue eyes I know you just sing me right into Christmas. Mister.

[Angela Kinsey]

Who are you right now?

[Jenna Fischer]

I don't know.

[Angela Kinsey]

I like it. You guys. You know, since we're talking holiday music, I have to give a shout out to our dear friend Kate Flannery. Cause she has a great Christmas album with Jane lynch called A Swinging Little Christmas.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

And I also have that. It's so fun. Her show. She does a show this time of year. It's a super fun holiday show. And I just always love to give her a shout out.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, we featured a lot of holiday music in our office Christmas episodes. Angela, you played us Little Drummer Boy at the top of the episode. We talked about when Dwight does his air guitar to Christmas Eve. Sarajevo, 1224. That's the heavy metal medley of Christmas songs performed by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. But in general, Dunder Mifflin Christmas parties just love to bust out the karaoke and the microphones. And we did not limit ourselves to holiday songs. For example, in Benihana Christmas, when we had the dueling Christmas parties, we have Daryl on the keyboard and Kevin singing. And I thought we should listen.

[Sam Kiefer]

And I'm here to remind you of the mess you left when you went away. It's not fair to deny me of the cross I bear that you give to me. You, you, you, you, you, you. You ought to know.

[Jenna Fischer]

All right. Way to go. Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

I love it. I remember it like I was there when Brian is coming and was like, yo, yo, yo.

[Jenna Fischer]

And of course, in Secret Santa, there's the time when Dwight and Andy sing Green Day's Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, I rewatched that one.

[Jenna Fischer]

Mm. We talked about that with Billie Joe Armstrong when we broke down that episode.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, he was impressed with Ed.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes, he was. Well, the holidays just are not the same without the music. And last year I heard a story about holiday music that I have been dying to share on the podcast. I have been waiting for us to do some sort of holiday themed episode. And here I go. Now, I mentioned before that White Christmas by Bing Crosby was the best selling holiday single in the United States. But starting in 1991, we started tracking digital downloads as well as copies sold. And as of November 25, 2016, the holiday single with the most digital downloads is Mariah Carey's 1994 track, All I want for Christmas is you. Let's listen. I don't want a lot for Christmas.

[Sam Kiefer]

There is just one thing I need and I don't care about the present.

[Jenna Fischer]

I need the Christmas tree I don't need to end my stockings live upon the fireplace.

[Angela Kinsey]

I love that song.

[Jenna Fischer]

It is a great song.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's a great song. It always makes me think of the end of that movie. Love. Actually, I love that song.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, it's also the most popular holiday ringtone. Oh, okay. So for a very long time, Mariah Carey has had the number one spot on the Billboard top 100 at the holidays. Like, she has been the reigning queen. And the number two spot year after year would go to Brenda Lee for Rockin around the Christmas Tree.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

You know that song?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, of course.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, all of that changed last year.

[Angela Kinsey]

Last year.

[Jenna Fischer]

Last year was the 65th anniversary of Rockin around the Christmas Tree and Brenda Lee decided she wanted number one.

[Angela Kinsey]

What'd she do?

[Jenna Fischer]

She went on talk shows. She shot a brand new music video for the song. She got her own TikTok account and started this whole, like, campaign to make Rockin around the Christmas tree the number one song. Finally.

[Angela Kinsey]

Like, is there a TikTok dance and the whole thing? A ton.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. To give you a little context, Rockin around the Christmas Tree was originally recorded in 1958 when Brenda Lee was only 13 years old.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, wow. She's been like, at the top of.

[Jenna Fischer]

The charts for so long, but never number one.

[Angela Kinsey]

Never.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, guess what? Last year she did it.

[Angela Kinsey]

No way.

[Jenna Fischer]

It worked. She dethroned Mariah Carey. Her song hit number one on the Billboard's top 100 it is the oldest song to hit number one. Brenda Lee became the oldest living person to score a number one song. And Rockin around the Christmas Tree is only the third holiday song to hit number one on the charts.

[Angela Kinsey]

What was the other one?

[Jenna Fischer]

The third song is the Chipmunk song by the Chipmunks. These other two songs are such great songs. Could you imagine being Brenda Lee and being like that song made it to number one before me anyway. Brenda Lee, you did it. I am so proud of you. I found an audio clip of her talking about what it's been like to have this Christmas song just enduring over the years, and I wanted us to play it. Do you and your family listen to your song specifically during the holidays? Like, surely it has to come on when you're out and about when you're at the stores. But, like, do you guys listen to it?

[Angela Kinsey]

No.

[Jenna Fischer]

No.

[Angela Kinsey]

I mean, if the kids put it on, of course. But we don't make an effort to put me on. They hear enough of me every day. But no, I'm grateful that, you know, I don't think I'll ever get used to during the Christmas season walking into a big department store or something and hearing my song play. That's always gonna be surreal to me.

[Jenna Fischer]

Aw.

[Angela Kinsey]

How old was she when she finally was the number one Christmas song?

[Jenna Fischer]

78.

[Angela Kinsey]

Wow. She recorded that when she was 13.

[Jenna Fischer]

13 years old. Should we hear it? Let's hear it. I think it's a little clip of it.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. Christmas rocking around the Christmas tree At the Christmas party hop Mistletoe hung where you can see Every couple tries to stop Rocking around the Christmas tree Letting the Christmas be Later we'll have some pumpkin pie and we'll do some caroling.

[Jenna Fischer]

So good, right? 1313.

[Angela Kinsey]

Wow.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

That's a great story. I loved that.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, Mariah Carey sent Brenda Lee flowers with a card when she was dethroned and it said this. Dearest Ms. Brenda, congratulations on your history. Historic number one. Have a merry Christmas. Love, Mariah. Classy.

[Angela Kinsey]

Classy.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, that was our holiday bonus episode. Thanks to the nice folks at Macy's. We'll be sharing lots of fun stuff in our insta stories from today's episode, so be sure and check them out.

[Jenna Fischer]

And a big thank you to Brian Baumgartner for stopping by the studio. We will share where you can get his book the night before Dunder Mifflin. And he's going to be joining us again for our episode all about Kevin Malone. Please send in your questions.

[Angela Kinsey]

And next week we have another great episode. We are breaking down a fan favorite which is the Super Fan Hot Girl episode.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, you guys suggested that we break down one of the Superfan episodes. So we rewatched Hot Girl. There were so many great new scenes and we found so much stuff.

[Angela Kinsey]

So join us next week for the Hot Girl Superfan episode. We hope you have a great one.

[Jenna Fischer]

See you then. Thank you for listening to Office Ladies.

[Angela Kinsey]

Office Ladies is a presentation of Odyssey and is produced by Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey.

[Jenna Fischer]

Our executive producer is Cassie Jerkins, our audio engineer is Sam Kiefer and our associate producer is Ainsley Bubaco.

[Angela Kinsey]

Odyssey's executive producers are Jenna Weiss Berman and Leah Reese Dennis.

[Jenna Fischer]

Office Ladies is mixed and mastered by Chris Basil.

[Angela Kinsey]

Our theme song is Rubber Tree by Creed Bratton.

[Jenna Fischer]

Macy's is my best friend this holiday season. Angela, you're still my best friend, but Macy's is also my best friend because it is my one stop shopping for gifting this season. For everyone on my list, Macy's is taking care of me.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay. All right. I will allow it because Macy's Gift Guide is the best. Here's the thing. Macy's Gift Guide really makes it easy. They have curated all of Macy's for all things holiday.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, it's really convenient because you can search things by category. You can search things by price.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. For example, there's like a little thing like for the home.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

You click on that, it can show you different things you could buy for him for her and then the price range.

[Jenna Fischer]

I do love and you know, in my husband's family we do a name draw. So do we.

[Angela Kinsey]

We do a gift exchange and sometimes you might get someone in your family and you really need some helpful ideas.

[Jenna Fischer]

I have spent so much time on the Macy's Gift Guide page this holiday season and it is really changing my life. Pick up items for everyone at Macy's this year. Shop macy's.com giftguide for all things Holiday to help you prepare for the season ahead.