59: Christmas Special: St Nicholas, Christmas traditions around the world and the power of Christmas adverts

For our Christmas special, we talk about the life of Saint Nicholas and miracles associated with him, that 160 countries around the world celebrate Christmas, and the history of John Lewis Christmas adverts.

We hope you enjoy this special episode - Merry Christmas and see you next year!

As always, feel free to suggest a figure for a future episode or say hello by sending us a message on Instagram @FigurePodcast. The views expressed in this podcast are our own.

Succession

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7660850/

And Just Like That...

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13819960/

The Guilty Feminist watches And Just Like That...

https://open.spotify.com/show/7BTRthTSCB7eYyraF4W7qu

My Therapist Ghosted Me

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/my-therapist-ghosted-me/id1560176558

The Gardener by Salley Vickers

https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-gardener/salley-vickers/9780241482797

Figure 1: Saint Nicholas

St. Nicholas biography

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Nicholas

St. Nicholas, Santa Claus & Father Christmas

https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/fatherchristmas.shtml

The changing face of Old St Nick revealed through the last 700 years (but he's always had a big white beard)

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2253024/The-changing-face-Old-St-Nick-700-years-hes-big-white-beard.html

From St. Nicholas to Santa Claus: the surprising origins of Kris Kringle

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/131219-santa-claus-origin-history-christmas-facts-st-nicholas

The Legend of Saint Nicholas

https://everything-everywhere.com/the-legend-of-saint-nicholas/

Figure 2: 160 countries around the world celebrate Christmas

20 Christmas Traditions Around the World That May Surprise You

https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g4933/christmas-traditions-around-the-world/

Christmas Around the World

https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/

Figure 3: John Lewis’ Christmas adverts

Has this year’s John Lewis ad lost its Christmas sparkle?

https://www.thedrum.com/profile/savanta/news/has-this-years-john-lewis-ad-lost-its-christmas-sparkle

Of 16–24 year olds, nearly half (47%) said John Lewis produces their favourite Christmas ad

Dip in popularity this year

This year is the last straw – the John Lewis Christmas adverts have to end, Katie Edwards

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/john-lewis-christmas-ad-2021-b1952805.html