The 2023 SYSK Ho-Ho-Holiday Spectacular! | STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW

Stuff You Should Know

Introduction & Personal Updates

Josh and Chuck host 2023 holiday Christmas episode
Chuck mentions daughter had major Christmas revelation this year (discovering Santa truth)
Emily more upset about revelation than Chuck
Show format: each host picked Christmas topics, discussing order spontaneously

USA Today 2012 article by Craig Wilson citing Civic Science poll
990,000 American responses about Christmas behaviors by region
Midwest findings:
- 35% more likely to work between Christmas Day and New Year's Day
- Least likely to have work Christmas parties
- Nearly 50% attend parties with 10+ people
- 25% more likely than national average to open gifts on Christmas Eve
Northeast findings:
- 39% eat Christmas dinner at friend/family member's house
- 30% more likely to attend Christmas Eve parties
- 40% more holiday parties than South/West regions
- 34% finish gift buying by December 15th
South findings:
- Most likely to host Christmas dinner (fewer than 10 people)
- Take car trips for 100+ mile Christmas travel
- 29% work during Christmas/New Year period
- 64% attend office parties
- Only 29% complete shopping 10 days before holiday
West findings:
- More than twice as likely to travel 100+ miles
- Twice as likely to get Christmas dinner at restaurant/club
- 38% go to movie theaters on Christmas Day

2021 Today Show/UGV America poll: "Santa Baby" ranked most hated
2020 West Michigan Local Spins poll: Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmas Time" won
- Has B-side "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (instrumental)
UK Far Out Magazine poll: Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" most annoying
- Written quickly when Carey was 22
- Arguably most recent genuine Christmas song to enter canon (mid-90s)
2022 Old Street Solutions poll: 53% hated Justin Bieber's "Mistletoe"
- Lyrics include "chestnuts roasting like a hot July" and "I'mma be under the mistletoe"
- Set to "lame Jack Johnson acoustic guitar beat"
Rolling Stone's snotty top 20 worst list: Jessica and Ashley Simpson's "Little Drummer Boy"
- Rob Sheffield's harsh review included war metaphors and "musical waterboarding"

From Olive Magazine
Spiced gin preparation:
- 500ml gin
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- 4 cloves
- 4 crushed cardamom pods
- 2 bay leaves (fresh preferred)
- 2 strips orange peel
- Infuse 1-2 days in mason jar, then strain
Cocktail preparation:
- Equal parts (3/4 oz each) spiced gin, Campari, sweet vermouth
- Serve over ice
- Garnish with orange twist, cinnamon stick, or star anise
Alternative: Replace gin with Prosecco for lighter version
Shout-outs to Atlanta liquor stores: Elemental Spirits Company, H&F Bottle Shop
Sweet potato syrup recommendation for whiskey cocktails

Stand selection: Get stand that fits trunk properly and holds substantial water
Water maintenance: Check daily, keep trunk submerged
Tree food recipe: 5 gallons water + 1/2 cup sugar + 1/2 cup vinegar
- Sugar nourishes tree, vinegar stabilizes pH and prevents bacteria
- Can add pennies for additional pH adjustment
Trunk preparation: Trim 2cm (3/4 inch) off bottom when bringing home
- Don't shave sides of trunk - bark helps water absorption
Tree selection: Feel branches for pliability, check for freshness, smooth bark
Placement: Keep away from heat sources, use LED lights (less heat)
Post-holiday disposal: Municipal recycling, backyard wildlife shelter, mulch for garden plants

Directed by Bob Clark (also made A Christmas Story and Porky's)
Significance: Arguably first slasher movie, predates Halloween by 4 years
Plot: Sorority house during Christmas break, unknown caller makes obscene phone calls, murders students one by one
Innovative elements:
- Never see killer (only one eye shot)
- Killer never caught
- First movie to use "the call is coming from inside the house"
- Emphasized terror over gore, suggested violence over explicit
Celebrity fans: Elvis Presley and Steve Martin listed as favorite movie
Remakes: 2006 (gory, terrible) and 2019 (Chuck thought was good)
Setting uses eerie emptiness of campus during holiday break

From Marily McKay Etiquette School
Timing: Traditionally arrive by January 5th (end of 12 Days of Christmas), now by December 15th for display
Historical context: Originally sent to distant friends/family, not close contacts
Modern practice: Can send to anyone who celebrates Christmas, including regular contacts
Cutting people from list:
- Don't cut senior/older friends - cards mean more to them
- If cutting, claim you cut "about half" the list
- Remove people who don't reciprocate for 2 years
Religious considerations: Only send Christmas cards to those who celebrate Christmas
Alternative cards: Hanukkah cards for Jewish friends, Eid al-Fitr cards for Muslim friends
Special notes: Add personal touches for older recipients who may not use social media/email

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