It’s not just our homes that get lit up over the Winter Holidays, the night sky will also be aglow with some fascinating astronomical events. Celebrated astronomer Andy Fraknoi tells host Gil Gross about the stunning visuals we will see when searching the night sky for Santa’s sleigh.

Then, one of the most beloved songs of the season, The Christmas Song composed by Mel Torme, has a fascinating origin story. As we approach the centennial of Torme’s birth and the eightieth anniversary of the song’s recording, singer and song stylist James Torme, Mel’s son, reveals the little known account of how the song came to be and the over-sized impact it had on our culture.

Finally, the Emmy-Award winning host of MInd Your Manners Sara Jane Ho shares with Gil important etiquette tips on gift-giving and gift-receiving.

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For just the fifth time in more than 100 years, Christmas and the first day of Hanukkah are on the same day. Host Gil Gross talks with social media superstar Sal Litvak, the Accidental Talmudist and author of Let My People Laugh, who explains the history and traditions of the Festival of Lights.

Then, food historian Adrian Miller, The Soul Food Scholar, shares the cultural import of global cuisine in Kwanzaa and other winter holidays.

Next, Gil Gross counts down the top-ten selling Christmas records of all time, providing the fascinating and little-known backstories to each.

Finally, journalist José Ignacio Castañeda discusses the tradition of La Dia de los Reyes, which is celebrated across all of the hemispheres of the world on the Feast of the Epiphany.

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We know what happens to the nice kids on Christmas Day, but what about the naughty ones?

This year on the Winter Holiday Special from CBS News Radio, host Gil Gross speaks with Jeff Belanger, author of The Fright Before Christmas about Santa’s not-so-jolly counterparts in Christmas traditions around the world.

Then, Brian Earl, host of The Christmas Past podcast shares the amusing, and sometimes odd, origins of our most beloved holiday traditions.

Finally, Medievalist, Professor Sarah Peverley sheds some light on Christmas celebrations during the Dark Ages.

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