Stuff You Should Know: The 2024 SYSK Christmas Extravaganza!

Release Date: December 23, 2024 | Host/Authors: Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant | Production: iHeartPodcasts

1. Welcoming the Festive Season

The episode kicks off with Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant embracing the holiday spirit, celebrating their annual tradition of the Christmas Extravaganza. They humorously mention the absence of advertisements, highlighting the episode is "brought to you ad-free" and solely by themselves. Chuck reflects on the joy of wrapping up the recording year with this special episode:

Chuck Bryant [00:33]: "That's right. The holiday spectacular. And a couple of traditions here is that this episode is brought to you ad free. And also by no one. Exactly. By us."

Josh expresses his excitement about the combination of topics for this festive edition, adding a playful touch with holiday references.

2. Crafting "Grandma's Christmas Breath" Cocktail

The hosts delve into their featured holiday cocktail, "Grandma's Christmas Breath," a recipe submitted by listener Holly Eitan Miller. Chuck introduces the cocktail recipe, sharing the challenge of sourcing a specific ingredient:

Chuck Bryant [01:53]: "We usually try and source some sort of a holiday cocktail and tell you how to make it. Sometimes we make it and have it on our own. And this year, we had someone send in a holiday cocktail... Grandma's Christmas Breath."

Josh humorously comments on the trope of "drunk grandparents" during Christmas, relating it to the cocktail's boozy nature. They proceed to mix the drink live on air, discussing ingredient measurements and adjustments to balance the flavors. Chuck taste-tests the concoction, describing it as "festive" but advising moderation:

Chuck Bryant [07:13]: "And it's not bad, you know, I mean, it's... It's definitely like a festive holiday drink. I don't. I would not recommend more than one of them."

3. The White Elephant (Dirty Santa) Game

Transitioning to a beloved holiday tradition, Josh and Chuck explore the mechanics and origins of the White Elephant gift exchange, also known as Dirty Santa. They reference an article by Nella Bailey McGough from Southern Living, discussing the game's roots and its connection to Siamese (now Thai) royal customs:

Josh Clark [09:02]: "The white elephant name supposedly came from what is now Thailand, what was Siam back in the day. And the king of Siam was... he might give someone an albino elephant if he didn't like them very much."

The hosts outline the game's rules, emphasizing the importance of setting a price limit to encourage creativity and prevent overly extravagant gifts. They share strategies for gift swapping and highlight common pitfalls, such as taking the game too seriously:

Josh Clark [12:20]: "The cheaper, the lower the price limit, the more creative the people have to be to come up with something."

Chuck adds practical tips, suggesting the cocktail they created could be transformed into a punch bowl addition for parties.

4. Exploring Holiday Confections: Pizzelles and Buche de Noel

Listeners contributed by sending in traditional holiday recipes from around the world. Josh and Chuck introduce two confections: Italy’s Pizzelles and France’s Buche de Noel.

a. Pizzelles

Pizzelles are described as Italian cookies with a rich history, traditionally enjoyed during Christmas and Easter. The hosts discuss the cookie's etymology and variations in flavors, from classic anise to modern chocolate and vanilla:

Chuck Bryant [19:27]: "It shares a root word with pizza, which means round and flat..."

They elaborate on the simple ingredients and the traditional method of using decorative irons to imprint festive patterns. Serving suggestions include rolling them into cones with fillings like Nutella or using them as ice cream sandwich layers.

b. Buche de Noel

Buche de Noel, or the edible yule log, is traced back to medieval French traditions. Originally a real log burned in the hearth for protection and good fortune, it evolved into a cake decorated to resemble a wooden log:

Chuck Bryant [27:04]: "That happened sometime in the late 1800s. Apparently, a gentleman named Pierre Lacam published the first recipe for that in 1890..."

The hosts praise the dessert's artistry, mentioning intricate designs that mimic bark and embellishments like meringue mushrooms. They recommend renowned recipes from Le Grand Véfour and Jacques Pepin, encouraging listeners to seek them out in French bakeries or online.

5. White House Christmas Trees: A Historical Journey

Josh and Chuck take a trip through the history of Christmas trees in the White House, highlighting milestones and presidential preferences. They discuss the evolution from candle-lit trees under Benjamin Harrison (1889) to the first electrically lit tree under Grover Cleveland (1894):

Josh Clark [30:46]: "The first Christmas tree in the White House that anyone knows about was in the second floor oval room... in 1889, which was the Benjamin Harrison administration."

Notably, they mention Theodore Roosevelt's misunderstood stance on Christmas trees, clarifying that he did not ban them but simply did not prioritize the tradition. The discussion moves to record-breaking decorations, such as Dwight D. Eisenhower's 26 trees and George W. Bush’s 47 trees in 1990.

They also spotlight the leading states in supplying White House trees, with North Carolina at the forefront. The segment emphasizes the predominance of fir trees, particularly Fraser firs, in White House selections.

6. The Evolution of Christmas Movies

The hosts delve into the origins and growth of Christmas-themed cinema, tracing back to the late 19th century. They reference early films like "Arrival of a Train" (1896) by the Lumière brothers and George Albert Smith’s groundbreaking "Santa Claus" (1898), the first known Christmas movie:

Josh Clark [40:21]: "Just two years later a guy named George Albert Smith became the creator of the very first Christmas movie... called Santa Claus."

"Santa Claus" showcased innovative special effects for its time, depicting Santa’s chimney descent and magical disappearance. They contrast these early films with modern productions, noting the vast increase in holiday movies, particularly those from Hallmark.

7. Celebrating "Ziggy's Gift"

Highlighting a standout Christmas special, Josh and Chuck discuss the 1982 animated classic "Ziggy's Gift." Originating from the beloved Ziggy comic strip, the special is lauded for its exceptional animation quality and heartfelt storytelling. They highlight its production marvel, featuring approximately 140,000 drawings compared to the typical 35,000 for similar projects:

Chuck Bryant [45:00]: "A half hour animated special at the time had about 35,000 drawings. Ziggy's gift had close to 140,000 drawings."

"Ziggy's Gift" won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program, surpassing contemporaries like "The Smurfs" and "Charlie Brown." Despite its acclaim, the special remains a hidden gem for newer generations, with the hosts encouraging listeners to seek it out and experience its enduring charm.

8. Concluding Festive Wishes

Wrapping up the special, Josh and Chuck extend heartfelt holiday greetings to their listeners, acknowledging their families and crew. The episode concludes with cheerful Christmas music and warm wishes:

Josh Clark [50:09]: "So let's get a little more Christmas music in, and then we'll wish everybody Merry Christmas and happy Holidays."

They encourage everyone to enjoy the holiday season, relish the traditions discussed, and spread love and joy.

Notable Quotes:

• Chuck Bryant [07:13]: "And it's not bad, you know, I mean, it's... It's definitely like a festive holiday drink. I don't. I would not recommend more than one of them."

• Josh Clark [09:02]: "The white elephant name supposedly came from what is now Thailand, what was Siam back in the day. And the king of Siam was... he might give someone an albino elephant if he didn't like them very much."

• Josh Clark [40:21]: "Just two years later a guy named George Albert Smith became the creator of the very first Christmas movie... called Santa Claus."

• Laughs and banter throughout the episode add a personal and engaging touch, making the content both informative and entertaining.

This Christmas Extravaganza episode of Stuff You Should Know blends festive traditions, culinary delights, historical insights, and nostalgic reflections, offering listeners a comprehensive and joyful exploration of holiday customs and celebrations.