TBTL Episode #4627 – The TBTL Holiday Hang!
Date: December 25, 2025
Hosts: Luke Burbank & Andrew Walsh
Special Guests: Genevieve, John Sklaroff, TBTL listeners and family
Episode Overview
This special Christmas episode of TBTL features Luke, Andrew, and a cast of beloved regulars and listeners for the annual TBTL Holiday Hang—a festive, freewheeling community Zoom gathering. The hosts and guests swap stories about holiday traditions, share laughs, and create a warm, communal atmosphere. From tales of last-minute tree hunting to Hanukkah-latke lore, and delightfully odd family rituals to community “white elephant” gift exchanges, the episode celebrates the unique ways the TBTL extended family makes the winter holidays their own.
Key Discussion Points & Highlights
1. Holiday Traditions—Old, New, and Slightly Weird
- Hosts' Traditions
- Luke: Recalls his non-traditional Christmases growing up, gradually incorporating stockings and presents (“My mom was able to get the camel’s nose under the tent, and we had like, there was Christmas.” [11:05]). He describes his ritual of wrapping gifts while listening to a radio version of A Christmas Carol.
- Genevieve: Remembers her family’s “secular Christmas to the max” in Atlanta, including the high-stakes quest for the perfect Fraser fir and the ritual of ensuring the Christmas angel’s horn just brushes the ceiling (15:00).
- Andrew: Shares his quest for holiday garland (tinsel? Garland?) and contributes in-jokes about the language and region-specific traditions (07:29).
- John: Delivers detailed protocols for listener Zoom participation as well as his tradition of draining latkes on brown paper bags from A&P grocery stores for Hanukkah (17:36).
2. Listener Holiday Memories & Community Check-ins
Visiting "Real Santa" at Nordstrom's (Lee Lambert)
- Lee recounts the family tradition of lining up early to see the top-tier Seattle Santa at Nordstrom. The tradition started due to "sparse" Christmases growing up, and has continued even as the kids grow older.
- Quote: “You start traditions, you have to figure out how to get out of traditions.” (28:23)
- Timestamp: 27:10–30:49
Musical Traditions: RENT as Christmas Soundtrack (Laura, St. Pete)
- Laura listens to the RENT soundtrack annually as a grounding tradition, finding comfort in revisiting the musical’s tracks every December.
- Quote: “That’s my Christmas tradition—525,600 minutes, all of it.” (32:32)
- Timestamp: 31:07–33:54
The Cookbook of Christmas Past (Sally & Grace)
- Sally, recently bereaved, shares her mother’s compiled cookbook of holiday recipes, keeping cherished family foods (e.g., "peanut butter balls") alive.
- Grace: Shares their quirky tradition of watching the “Ron Swanson Yule log” video (hours of Nick Offerman silently sipping whisky by a fireplace) and receiving gifts labeled as from random celebrities instead of Santa.
- Quote: “Everything’s a spinner. Is that kind of how your family does?” – Luke, joking about “ball-forward” snacks (40:20)
- Timestamp: 35:49–41:06
The Angel and the Bobblehead (Michelle)
- Michelle tells of a feathered tree angel, originally chosen by her young son, that is now a weeping angel (Doctor Who style) who cradles a Dr. Fauci bobblehead during the holidays.
- Quote: “At Christmas, the angel holds Dr. Fauci. So grateful that we all didn’t die.” (45:07)
- Timestamp: 42:42–46:18
Christmas Movies—Team Margot and Todd (Jesse, Emeryville)
- Jesse shares a tradition of wrapping presents while watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, empathizing most with neighbors Margot and Todd. Debate ensues about the best lines and moments from the movie.
- Quote: “Every year I have to explain to my family how the one character I relate to the most is Julia Louis-Dreyfus and her husband.” (48:51)
- Timestamp: 46:20–52:46
Wise Men on the Move (Amalia, NY)
- Amalia describes a childhood tradition of rotating wise men figures from their nativity scene around the house, culminating with their “arrival” at the manger on Christmas.
- Quote: “It’s kind of like a ‘90s version of Elf on the Shelf.” (53:38)
- Timestamp: 52:52–56:59
The Talmudic Hanukkah Candle-Off (Max, Brooklyn)
- Max brings Hanukkah flavor, revealing his teenage rebellion by lighting all eight candles on the first night and counting down, following the minority rabbinic opinion (the “Hillel method”).
- Quote: “I, as the obstinate oppositional teenager that I was at 12, I decided, no, I’m doing it the Hillel way.” (62:24)
- Timestamp: 58:28–65:33
3. Family Drop-ins and Standout Moments
Susie & Walt Burbank: Christmas on Ripley Street
- Luke’s parents pop in for a sentimental segment, reliving the frugal but love-filled Christmases of Susie’s Philly childhood (“they would knock them down to two bucks a tree” [67:47]), holiday stress, and the tradition of getting the Christmas tree at the last minute.
- Quotes:
- “You give him a comb for Christmas and he’d say, How did you know this is exactly what I wanted?” – Susie (72:50)
- “That’s probably where you get your appreciation from, Mom.” – Luke (72:59)
- Timestamp: 65:47–76:53
- Quotes:
Listener Nancy: The White Elephant & Adorable Santa
- Nancy details her friend-group's white elephant re-gift party, where unwise presents get swapped. She also shares an adorable photo of her son as baby Santa on a snowy Halloween.
- Quote: “One was what we called jaundice Jesus. It was this beautiful ceramic thing, but his face was very, very orange.” (80:16)
- Timestamp: 77:38–86:18
Science, Eggnog, and Canadian Winter (Kristen, Thunder Bay)
- Kristen describes learning the magic of lakes freezing solid in Ontario, eggnog concocting (with whiskey & brandy), and living with “superfund” Hanford heritage.
- Quote: “So I make [eggnog], I give it out to people. Cause I don’t drink that much.” (91:52)
- Timestamp: 87:17–95:20
Notable Quotes & Fun Moments
On the uniqueness of traditions:
“You start traditions, you have to figure out how to get out of traditions.” — Lee Lambert (28:23)
On quirky wrapping rituals:
“For the past... six years I’ve gotten a present from Nick Jonas. Last year she remembered Kevin last year and also Nick, but she forgot Joe, which I thought was really funny.” — Grace (37:49)
On edible spheres:
“Is everything a ball? Is that kind of how your family does Christmas?” — Luke (40:20)
“It’s ball forward.” — Grace (40:22)
On the holiday movie experience:
“Every year I have to explain… the one character I relate to the most is Julia Louis-Dreyfus and her husband.” — Jesse (48:51)
“I would love a standalone movie about Margot and Todd post-Griswolds.” — Genevieve (49:37)
On multi-faith celebrations:
“I’m going to go super Jewish on this and give you a very brief Talmudic lesson, but it speaks to the human condition.” — Max (60:45)
On family legacy/generosity:
“You give him a comb for Christmas and he’d say, ‘How did you know this is exactly what I wanted?’” — Susie/Granddad Jack (72:50)
On thriftiness:
“You have to go in [Grocery Outlet] with an open heart… You can’t go in with a specific purpose.” — Luke (74:04)
On Zoom democracy:
“I knew there was going to be a coup during this broadcast… my own mother, Susie Burbank, who is now aligning the listeners against us to take over the show.” — Luke (57:30)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Holiday intro and premise: 01:25–04:30
- Andrew’s apology (joke): 04:30–05:30
- Audience participation rules (John): 21:18–23:45
- Lee Lambert on the Nordstrom Santa: 26:31–30:49
- Sally and Grace on cookbook and fake Santas: 35:49–41:06
- Michelle’s Angel/Fauci tale: 42:42–46:18
- Jesse on Christmas Vacation: 46:20–52:46
- Amalia's wise man migration: 52:52–56:59
- Max's Hanukkah history lesson: 58:28–65:33
- Susie & Walt Burbank reminisce: 65:47–76:53
- Nancy’s white elephant/jaundice Jesus: 77:38–86:18
- Kristen on Canadian winter and eggnog: 87:17–95:20
Tone & Style
This episode is classic TBTL—a tapestry of laughter, warmth, in-jokes, self-deprecation, and sincere affection among friends and a devoted community. The casual irreverence and familial ribbing keeps things light, even as listeners share poignant memories or bittersweet stories. Even the tech hiccups and Zoom chaos are celebrated.
Final Notes
This TBTL Holiday Hang is a celebration of chosen family and tradition—the odd and the ordinary alike. Here, everyone’s small rituals and funny stories are honored. Whether listeners are in cold Minnesota, sunny Florida, or “crushing” it in Half Moon, NY, the main message is one of shared joy and belonging.
As Luke puts it:
“We appreciate you. We would not be here without you.” (99:51)
End-of-episode signoff (in song):
“Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light...” (100:02–end)
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Deep dives into personal and collective holiday rituals
- Plenty of laughter, especially about “ball-forward Christmas” and infamous holiday décor
- Heartfelt stories from TBTL’s multigenerational community
- A strong sense of warmth and gratitude—TBTL at its holiday best