Something You Should Know True Stories Behind Christmas Songs & Dangerous Decorations- Bonus Holiday Episode
Dec 16, 2025
Annie Zaleski, a pop culture expert and author of "This Is Christmas, Song by Song," dives into the intriguing backstories behind beloved holiday songs and odd Christmas decorations. Discover how classic tunes like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" almost ended up discarded, and learn about the wartime origins of "I'll Be Home for Christmas." Annie also reveals how Brenda Lee recorded "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" at just 13, and breaks down the surprising myth of The Twelve Days of Christmas.
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Dangerous Vintage Decorations
- Early 1900s holiday decorations sometimes contained radioactive materials like radium.
- Manufacturers used glow-in-the-dark radium because it was seen as modern despite health risks.
Spiderweb Tree Tradition
- Eastern European families sometimes decorated trees with spiderwebs based on a folktale about webs turning silver on Christmas morning.
- Spiderweb ornaments remain a traditional decoration in some regions today.
White Christmas As Wartime Comfort
- Irving Berlin's 'White Christmas' appeared alongside Holiday Inn but resonated because it matched wartime longing.
- The song provided solace and nostalgia as families faced separation during WWII.
