Christmas music is great, but what about great Christmas stories? There are, of course, the classics like ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas and A Christmas Carol, but one tale that has left its mark in more modern times is David Sedaris‘ “SantaLand Diaries,” in which the essayist recounts his experiences working as a Christmas elf at Macy’s.

“SantaLand Diaries” premiered on NPR’s Morning Edition on December 23, 1992. Sedaris’ hilarious piece about the things he witnessed from his Santa vantage point (while wearing a green velvet costume, no less) brought him considerable recognition and helped launch his career as a best-selling author. “SantaLand Diaries” appeared in Sedaris’ first essay collection, 1994’s Barrel Fever, and was adapted in 1996 as a one-man, one act-show that continues to enjoy annual runs in cities across the country.

On December 20, 1996, “SantaLand Diaries” aired again on NPR, this time as the second act on a holiday-themed edition of This American Life, “Commerce and Christmas.” While the original “SantaLand Diaries” segment ran just eight minutes on Morning Edition, this expanded version runs about a half-hour. That means we get the joy of hearing Sedaris do his best Billie Holiday impression, singing “Away In A Manger” as Lady Day might have, to Santa and a confused little girl while still dressed as Crumpet the Elf.

With Sedaris’ essay as the centerpiece, the other three acts of “Commerce and Christmas” take us to the craziness of Toys R Us on Christmas Eve, over to a Barneys department store window where Santa Freud resides, and inside the home of one family’s Christmas morning from the 1960s. 

Right now, Amazon MP3 is offering this festive episode of This American Life as a free download. So steal a few moments away from all the hustle and bustle, make yourself some hot cocoa, and listen to “Christmas and Commerce.” 

Free download of This American Life – “#047: Christmas and Commerce” via Amazon MP3.