🤶🏼 Unwrapping The *Real* Mrs. Claus: A Conversation With A Christmas Literary Sleuth
It’s hard to believe Christmas is less than a week away! Before you dive into the last-minute hustle and bustle, let’s catch up on this week’s top news — with a few festive stories and Christmas traditions from around the world sprinkled in. But first ... 👇🏽
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Historian and author, Pamela McColl joins us to discuss the evolution of a character often overlooked in Christmas lore: Mrs. Claus.
From a magical figure of the fairy world to a strong, independent figure intertwined with women's suffrage in the 1800s you will learn new secrets about Santa's chosen partner (in love and life!).
Pamela also shares insights into how we can incorporate the spirit and values of Mrs. Claus into the modern holiday season. Watch or listen to the full interview, and then explore Pamela's books.
🇮🇹 In Italy ... the Nativity scene and Christmas tree lighting took place in St. Peter’s Square earlier this week.
Did You Know? Much like New York’s Rockefeller Christmas tree, the Vatican’s Nativity scene comes from a different location each year. This year’s Nativity arrived from southern Italy, and its designer, architect Angelo Santitor, drew inspiration from the traditional Italian Christmas song “Tu scendi dalle stelle,” which translates to “You Come Down from the Stars.”
Credit: Vatican News
🗣️ Your Conversation Starters:
⏰ 18 minutes: The total time of President Trump’s address to the nation this week. Jenna decodes his message and what matters most.
💰 $51,000: The estimated cost to purchase all the gifts listed in the classic “12 Days of Christmas” song, adjusted to today’s dollars. PNC calculates the total each year as part of a 42-year tradition. ⏩ The itemized receipt.
📉 Speaking of Inflation: November’s inflation rate came in lower than expected. The report shows inflation at 2.7% – down from September’s 3% reading.
✈️ Tradition & Training: The Nordic Air Forces conducted their annual Christmas formation flight this week — a tradition dating back to the 1950s. While festive, the flights also serve a practical purpose: providing valuable training for young pilots and supporting joint planning among participating countries.
🎶 119 Years Ago: On Christmas Eve 1906, “O Holy Night” became the first piece of music ever broadcast over the radio.
🏠 Kevin's Crib: After a previous owner chose a more modern, neutral color palette in the Home Alone house, the new owners say they plan to restore the interior back to its 1990 Christmas movie charm. Which do you prefer?
Credit: Disney+ / Dawn McKenna / Coldwell Banker Realty
💵 Highest Bidder: Speaking of history ... the portrait of George Washington that inspired the $1 bill heads to auction next month — and it has quite the life story.
🏴 “Isle Be Home”: In 1752, the U.K. adopted the Gregorian calendar, where Christmas falls on December 25. But this small Scottish island decided to keep the old Julian calendar and still celebrates a belated Christmas to this day.
🧀 Cheese, Please: A new study links high-fat cheese consumption to a lower risk of dementia.
“Even with all the rushing around and familiar traditions, there is a quieter sense of what it calls out in us. There is a softness to the season that reminds us of something easy to forget; that what we do matters. Our words, our choices, and even the ways we look out for one another—they ripple outward, touching lives we may never see.”
Princess Catherine's message to attendees of her annual Together at Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey. The event took place earlier this month and will air on television in the U.K. on Christmas Eve. Speaking of the Royal Family, they released their annual holiday card this week, wishing everyone "a very Happy Christmas." ⬇️
🎙️ This Week From Jenna:
ICYMI: An anti-Semitic terrorist attack in Bondi Beach, Australia, a shooting at a U.S. university, and the foiled terror plot in California – on Monday we worked through the news to know after a busy weekend of breaking headlines. For updates on these stories and more, visit SmartHER News.com.
WATCH ABOVE OR BY CLICKING HERE. You can also listen on podcasting platforms everywhere (Apple, Spotify).
Iceland’s Jólabókaflóð (Christmas Book Flood)
Exchanging books at Christmas remains a long-standing tradition in Iceland, dating back to World War II. Wartime restrictions limited imported goods and made holiday shopping a challenge, leading publishers to circulate catalogs of Icelandic books as accessible holiday gifts. The tradition carries on today, supporting Iceland’s publishing industry and encouraging widespread reading during the holidays.
And that's The Weekend Digest!
❤️,
Jenna and the SHN Team
Daily news, interviews, our latest podcasts and more at www.SmartHERNews.com.
