The Great Santa Search and The History of the American Santa Claus

What is behind the commercialization of Christmas? According to journalist Jeff Guinn, it all started in 1841 when a Philadelphia merchant sought to increase holiday trade at his dry goods store. Guinn intertwines the history of America’s celebration of Christmas with a tale of his own in his new book “The Great Santa Search” (Tarcher/Penguin, 2006). Jeff Guinn will join us for the hour.