December 3, 2024 • 6 mins
SmallTownUSA is putting the “weird” in holiday cheer with this festive episode! Come unwrap some of the most bizarre and little-known Christmas traditions from around the globe. From beating the Christmas log in Catalonia (yes, it’s a thing) to spiderweb-covered trees in Ukraine, no tradition is too strange for these two sleigh-stoppers to tackle.
But that’s not all—brace yourself for their irreverent, SmallTown-style rewrite of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Get ready for a sleigh-full of laughs, a stocking stuffed with sarcasm, and maybe a sprinkle of actual holiday knowledge. Is this the weirdest episode yet? Probably. Will you regret listening? Never. Don't miss your exit.
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www.smalltownusashow.com
Follow us:
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Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/smalltownusashow/
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Want to join the conversation or invite us to your platform? Connect with us and share your vision (budget-friendly collaborations welcome)! https://bit.ly/19Guest
But that’s not all—brace yourself for their irreverent, SmallTown-style rewrite of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Get ready for a sleigh-full of laughs, a stocking stuffed with sarcasm, and maybe a sprinkle of actual holiday knowledge. Is this the weirdest episode yet? Probably. Will you regret listening? Never. Don't miss your exit.
Visit us:
www.smalltownusashow.com
Follow us:
X --> https://twitter.com/smalltownusashw
Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/smalltownusashow/
Follow 19 Media Group:
Twitter: @19MGroup
Instagram: 19mediagroup
https://www.19MediaGroup.com
Discover our favorite podcast gear and support the show—shop our studio must-haves on our Amazon Affiliate page! https://www.amazon.com/shop/19mediagroup
Want to join the conversation or invite us to your platform? Connect with us and share your vision (budget-friendly collaborations welcome)! https://bit.ly/19Guest
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Navigating too small town USSA rule markers for one?
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Are we Itallian?
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Now answering the holidays?
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Hey everyone, and welcome to small town USA. Carmen and
I are getting ready for the holidays. You know we
love our holidays. Today's episode is a bonus episode. We're
ditching the mistletoe and Coco for a deep dive into
the wacky world of Christmas traditions that'll make you question
if you're even celebrating it right. And while we're out
here debating whether die Hard is a Christmas movie spoiler
(00:57):
it is, other cultures are smacking each other with brooms,
are setting their goats on fire. Yeah you heard that correctly.
Let's kick things off with Sweden's infamous gable goat. I'm
not really sure if I'm saying that right. Gable goat,
gabble goat. Every year they build this massive straw goat
to celebrate the holidays, and every year someone tries to
(01:17):
burn it down. It's like home alone, but the goat
is Kevin McAllister and the Arsonists are the wet bandits
and they rarely catch the culprits. Honestly, at this point,
I think the goat's real tradition is surviving a yearly
arson attempt. Speaking of survival, let's hop over to Catalonia, Spain,
where they have not one, but two poop related Christmas traditions,
(01:38):
and I know what you're thinking. We're finally addressing that
gaping poop void in American Christmas traditions. First, there's the cagatillo,
or the pooping log. It's basically a decorated log that
the kids beat with sticks until it poops out presents. Honestly,
that sounds like a metaphor for adult life. Then there's
the Kaganer, a figurine of a person will taking care
(02:00):
of business. It's hidden in nativity scenes and you have
to find it, like a really inappropriate where's waldo Ah?
The true meaning of Christmas digestion? Moving on to a
tradition that sounds wholesome, Japan's Christmas obsession with KFC. Yes,
because nothing screams Birth of Jesus like a bucket of
fried chicken. Back in the seventies, KFC launched a campaign
(02:21):
in Japan called Kentucky for Christmas, and it's stuck. Now.
People reserve their holiday chicken weeks in advance, and it's
a whole event. Imagine explaining to your ancestors that their
hard work led you to spending Christmas Eve inline for
a forty dollars family meal. And if you think that's strange,
let's talk about Iceland's Yule Lads, basically a gang of
(02:42):
mischievous trolls with names like sausage Swiper and door Slammer.
Oh Iceland, where Santa doesn't just drop off presents, he
actively ruins your day first. It's a beautiful blend of
joy and chaos, which is really the energy we should
all bring to the holidays. So, whether you're a beauty,
a log, burning a goat, or cooing for chicken, remember,
(03:03):
Christmas traditions might be weird, but that's what makes them magical.
And now twas the night before Christmas in small town, USA.
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the town,
Jessica and Carmen were podcasting down. The mics were hung
by the table with care and hopes that weird holiday
(03:24):
tales would be there. Jessica was nestled all snug in
her chair with visions of hot cocoa and internet flare,
Carmen in her hoodie, and I in my clogs had
just cracked a joke about Jessica's dog when out on
the lawn there arose such a clatter, and Jessica shouted,
who's messing with my ladder? Away to the window, Carmen
flew like a flash, tripped on a cord and nearly
(03:46):
went splat the street lights aglow on the newly fallen snow. Wait,
snow gave a vibe to the town. We both kind
of know when what to our caffeine deprived eyes should appear.
But a tricked out sleigh and ate reindeer with a
sarcastic driver. So witty and quick he grew, we groaned
as we realize it's probably not Saint Nick more rapid
(04:08):
than eagles. His insults they came, and he whistled and
shouted and called us by name, Jessica, Carmen, you quirky
little folks. Why roast each other when I'm here with
the jokes to the top of the roof, to the
podcasting hall. Get your act together. I've heard it all.
And then in a twinkling we heard on the roof
a tap and a whoops? Was that a hoof down
(04:31):
the chimney? He came with a loud, awkward thud. Covered
in soot and tracking in mud, his clothes were all black,
his boots scuffed and worn. He looked like a roadie
from a band I'd sworn. His eyes, how they twinkled,
His dimples, how scary. His laugh was sarcastic, his nose
oddly hairy, His grin was like ours, with a knowing smirk,
(04:53):
and he muttered, which one you thought? I was just
a folklore quirk. Jessica piped up, we doubt it, it's true,
but Santa, we swore it was just for the views.
Carmen stepped forward, unwrapping a snack, care for some cagatillo
cheese to pack. The old man chuckled his belly a quake.
No thanks, dear Carmen, I just need fruitcake. With a
(05:14):
wink to the skeptics, he climbed back aboard, turning to
holler for this, you'll be floored. He laid a finger
aside of his nose, and up the sleigh into the night.
He rose, but before disappearing, his voice rang bright, stay weird,
small town into all a good night, And as the
host sipped on their spike cocoa brew, they agreed Santa's real.
(05:37):
I'm kind of hilarious too.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Thanks everyone for joining us today on small Town USA.
If you want to hear more small Town hit subscribe now.
Go ahead, I'll wait. Make sure you check out the
links in the description of this podcast for our Twitter
and Instagram accounts. Don't miss your exit like, share, and
follow us.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Now now leaving Smalltown USA.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Small Town USA is a production of nineteen Media Group.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
If you would like to feature your small town in
an episode or have suggestion for future shows, follow us
on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter at Smalltown USA Show. Thank
you for joining us, and come again real soon.
Navigating too small town USSA rule markers for one?
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Are we Itallian?
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Now answering the holidays?
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Hey everyone, and welcome to small town USA. Carmen and
I are getting ready for the holidays. You know we
love our holidays. Today's episode is a bonus episode. We're
ditching the mistletoe and Coco for a deep dive into
the wacky world of Christmas traditions that'll make you question
if you're even celebrating it right. And while we're out
here debating whether die Hard is a Christmas movie spoiler
(00:57):
it is, other cultures are smacking each other with brooms,
are setting their goats on fire. Yeah you heard that correctly.
Let's kick things off with Sweden's infamous gable goat. I'm
not really sure if I'm saying that right. Gable goat,
gabble goat. Every year they build this massive straw goat
to celebrate the holidays, and every year someone tries to
(01:17):
burn it down. It's like home alone, but the goat
is Kevin McAllister and the Arsonists are the wet bandits
and they rarely catch the culprits. Honestly, at this point,
I think the goat's real tradition is surviving a yearly
arson attempt. Speaking of survival, let's hop over to Catalonia, Spain,
where they have not one, but two poop related Christmas traditions,
(01:38):
and I know what you're thinking. We're finally addressing that
gaping poop void in American Christmas traditions. First, there's the cagatillo,
or the pooping log. It's basically a decorated log that
the kids beat with sticks until it poops out presents. Honestly,
that sounds like a metaphor for adult life. Then there's
the Kaganer, a figurine of a person will taking care
(02:00):
of business. It's hidden in nativity scenes and you have
to find it, like a really inappropriate where's waldo Ah?
The true meaning of Christmas digestion? Moving on to a
tradition that sounds wholesome, Japan's Christmas obsession with KFC. Yes,
because nothing screams Birth of Jesus like a bucket of
fried chicken. Back in the seventies, KFC launched a campaign
(02:21):
in Japan called Kentucky for Christmas, and it's stuck. Now.
People reserve their holiday chicken weeks in advance, and it's
a whole event. Imagine explaining to your ancestors that their
hard work led you to spending Christmas Eve inline for
a forty dollars family meal. And if you think that's strange,
let's talk about Iceland's Yule Lads, basically a gang of
(02:42):
mischievous trolls with names like sausage Swiper and door Slammer.
Oh Iceland, where Santa doesn't just drop off presents, he
actively ruins your day first. It's a beautiful blend of
joy and chaos, which is really the energy we should
all bring to the holidays. So, whether you're a beauty,
a log, burning a goat, or cooing for chicken, remember,
(03:03):
Christmas traditions might be weird, but that's what makes them magical.
And now twas the night before Christmas in small town, USA.
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the town,
Jessica and Carmen were podcasting down. The mics were hung
by the table with care and hopes that weird holiday
(03:24):
tales would be there. Jessica was nestled all snug in
her chair with visions of hot cocoa and internet flare,
Carmen in her hoodie, and I in my clogs had
just cracked a joke about Jessica's dog when out on
the lawn there arose such a clatter, and Jessica shouted,
who's messing with my ladder? Away to the window, Carmen
flew like a flash, tripped on a cord and nearly
(03:46):
went splat the street lights aglow on the newly fallen snow. Wait,
snow gave a vibe to the town. We both kind
of know when what to our caffeine deprived eyes should appear.
But a tricked out sleigh and ate reindeer with a
sarcastic driver. So witty and quick he grew, we groaned
as we realize it's probably not Saint Nick more rapid
(04:08):
than eagles. His insults they came, and he whistled and
shouted and called us by name, Jessica, Carmen, you quirky
little folks. Why roast each other when I'm here with
the jokes to the top of the roof, to the
podcasting hall. Get your act together. I've heard it all.
And then in a twinkling we heard on the roof
a tap and a whoops? Was that a hoof down
(04:31):
the chimney? He came with a loud, awkward thud. Covered
in soot and tracking in mud, his clothes were all black,
his boots scuffed and worn. He looked like a roadie
from a band I'd sworn. His eyes, how they twinkled,
His dimples, how scary. His laugh was sarcastic, his nose
oddly hairy, His grin was like ours, with a knowing smirk,
(04:53):
and he muttered, which one you thought? I was just
a folklore quirk. Jessica piped up, we doubt it, it's true,
but Santa, we swore it was just for the views.
Carmen stepped forward, unwrapping a snack, care for some cagatillo
cheese to pack. The old man chuckled his belly a quake.
No thanks, dear Carmen, I just need fruitcake. With a
(05:14):
wink to the skeptics, he climbed back aboard, turning to
holler for this, you'll be floored. He laid a finger
aside of his nose, and up the sleigh into the night.
He rose, but before disappearing, his voice rang bright, stay weird,
small town into all a good night, And as the
host sipped on their spike cocoa brew, they agreed Santa's real.
(05:37):
I'm kind of hilarious too.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Thanks everyone for joining us today on small Town USA.
If you want to hear more small Town hit subscribe now.
Go ahead, I'll wait. Make sure you check out the
links in the description of this podcast for our Twitter
and Instagram accounts. Don't miss your exit like, share, and
follow us.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Now now leaving Smalltown USA.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Small Town USA is a production of nineteen Media Group.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
If you would like to feature your small town in
an episode or have suggestion for future shows, follow us
on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter at Smalltown USA Show. Thank
you for joining us, and come again real soon.
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