Selling The Bawdy Side Of Christmas()
December 18, 2008 Amid risque Santa suits and foul-mouthed holiday movies, is Christmas becoming more naughty than nice? Some people celebrate the season in provocative ways. Others look for deeper meaning despite the rowdy behavior around them.
Satire In Your Stocking With 'A Colbert Christmas'()
November 19, 2008 Self-proclaimed "broadcasting legend" Stephen Colbert talks about his upcoming Christmas special on Comedy Central. According to Colbert, it will include goats dressed as reindeer and his own original Christmas songs.
More Virgin Mary, Less Virgin Islands()
December 17, 2008 This week, millions of American will send Christmas cards. James Martin, a Jesuit priest, isn't a fan of cards that display family photos on the cover. "Even devout Christians have been replacing Jesus, Mary and Joseph with themselves," he observes.
Matchless: A Christmas Story()
December 25, 2008 Every year, NPR asks a writer to compose an original story with a Christmas theme. This year, Gregory Maguire reinvents the Hans Christian Andersen classic "The Little Match Girl" for a new time and new audiences.
Atlanta's Pink Pig Brightens Spirits, 55 Years On()
December 24, 2008 The Pink Pig debuted in 1953 at Rich's, a downtown Atlanta department store. It was a monorail ride back then. Today, it's a short train ride at Macy's department store, but the new Pink Pig carries much of the same sense of wonder as the old one.
No Gelt, No Glory: A Dreidel Champion Is Crowned()
December 22, 2008 Dreidel spinners like Debbie Does Dreidel and Jewbacca take on defending champion Pamskee in the Major League Dreidel Championship in New York City. The target? To beat 17.8 seconds.
A Wonderful Life? Not In Every Holiday Classic()
December 21, 2008 Not thrilled about the annual viewing of Frank Capra's family favorite? Here are eight alternatives — not "holiday movies" per se, but films with timeless scenes set at the holidays. That, and some classic family dysfunction, too.
Pass The Foie Gras: Christmas Menu Hard To Digest()
December 21, 2008 Forget the picturesque tree and perfectly arranged presents. Christmas means blending old customs with new traditions, even if the result is messier than a bag full of carrot jam.
Companies Say 'Bah, Humbug!' To Holiday Parties()
December 3, 2008 Scores of U.S. businesses plan to forgo their annual bash as a response to the slumping economy. One business consultant says the decline in parties doesn't bode well for the futures of the companies cutting back.
Back In Vogue: The Retro Way To Pay For Presents()
November 26, 2008 This season, stores like TJ Maxx and Sears are offering customers the option to buy on layaway — make a deposit, and the store keeps the goods until the price is paid in full. Layaway had been discontinued decades ago, but it's making a comeback because credit cards are no longer cheap or easy to use.
