Christmas Traditions We Grew Up With (and What We Do Now)

Christmas Traditions We Grew Up With (and What We Do Now)

Author: Under the Covers Book Blog December 23, 2025 Duration: 55:44

Pull up a chair, pour the coquito, and get ready for the ultimate cozy chat about how we really do the holidays. In this special archive episode from 2024, we're talking about our personal Christmas (and beyond) traditions, what we grew up with in Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Panama, Italy, and the States, and how they've evolved over time.

From grand markets and real pine trees to nativity set wars and debating Santa Claus’ spending limit, we’re diving into the cultural, religious, and just plain chaotic layers of what makes this time of year meaningful...or stressful.

We cover:

  • When the holiday season actually starts depending on where you’re from
  • Why Three Kings Day might be bigger than Christmas
  • What’s on our holiday table
  • The most iconic holiday movies and music we still replay
  • Elf-on-the-Shelf hacks and gift-giving pressure
  • Hot takes on modern holiday traditions
  • Our personal survival tips for a low-stress season

Plus, we get nostalgic about Sia’s Christmas album, Hallmark movies, and the Bravo girlies... naturally.

🎄 Got your own favorite holiday tradition or hot take? Let us know in the comments!

Loved the episode?

Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕

💌 Talk to Me:

Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.

Support the Show:

Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.

📚 Stay Connected:

  1. Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
  2. YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
  3. Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!


If you've ever stayed up far too late, utterly lost in the world of a romance novel, you're in the right place. Reading Under the Covers: A Romance Novel Podcast is that feeling, turned into a conversation. Hosted by the two friends behind the Under the Covers Book Blog, this podcast feels like pulling up a chair in your favorite bookstore café. Each episode is a deep, often hilarious, and always heartfelt dive into the books they can't stop thinking about. You'll hear genuine, spoiler-filled discussions that dissect everything from beloved tropes and character chemistry to the sheer craft of storytelling. It's a celebration of the genre in all its forms-historical, contemporary, fantasy, and everything in between. More than just reviews, it's about the shared experience of reading: the anticipation of a new release, the comfort of a re-read, and the joy of finding a perfect book boyfriend. This is a space for fellow enthusiasts who understand that a great romance novel isn't just a story; it's an escape, a comfort, and a source of genuine delight. Tune in for passionate recommendations, thoughtful analysis, and the kind of enthusiastic fangirling that only true friends and book lovers can share.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Reading Under the Covers: A Romance Novel Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The Rise, Fall, and Return of the Clinch Cover in Romance Books [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:27
In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, we’re going down the full romance history rabbit hole and talking about the clinch cover: where it started, why it took over, why it disappeared, and…
I Cheated on My Kindle with a Kobo (Here's What Happened) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:01
I've been a Kindle girl for years. But then I spent three months sneaking around with a Kobo Libra Color and honestly? I'm not going back.This is my full, honest breakdown of what it's actually like to switch from Kindle…
March 2026 Reading Wrap Up: New Obsessions & Reading Regrets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:04
Time to unpack everything we read in March on Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast.In this LIVE March Reading Wrap Up, we’re chatting:– Every book we finished this month– New favorite reads we’re low‑key obs…
25 Spring Romance Books You Need to Read Right Now | Community Recs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:17
25 spring books for romance readers 🌸 Come join the Romanceopoly Spring Event — 4 prompts, 3 months, and you can use the same book for multiple prompts. No yearly challenge required, everyone is welcome!Our Discord and F…
Judge a Book by Its First Lines: Hooked or Hard Pass? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:52
Can you really tell if a book is worth reading from the very first lines?In this episode of Reading Under the Covers Podcast, we put that question to the test with a chaotic, fun, and surprisingly revealing game of Hooke…
5 Criminally Underrated Fantasy Romance Books I Read in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:48
If your fantasy romance TBR is starting to feel like the same few books over and over again, this episode is for you. In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, Francesca shares five fantasy ro…
The NEW Pride & Prejudice Teaser: Is Darcy Actually... Darcying? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:07
Is the new Netflix Pride & Prejudice remake going to ruin our lives, or is it exactly what we need? Let's talk about it! ☕️📖 In this Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, we are sharing a Novel Hour live sho…