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Dressing the Tree with David Emanuel

Designer David Emanuel chats to historian Lucy Worsley about why the tradition of festive decorations took hold, plus a retail archivist reveals how trends have changed.

What music do you listen to when you put up your festive decorations and dress your tree?
Fashion designer David Emanuel discovers what's on the nation's playlist at this special time of year.
Some stick with traditional fayre like the Sinatra and Buble Christmas albums, but for others it's the record they played when they shared their first Christmas together as a married couple, or one that takes them back to their earliest childhood.
David builds an eclectic playlist featuring tracks as chosen by listeners and his celebrity pals. Plus, he chats to historian Lucy Worsley about why and when the tradition of festive decorations took hold in the UK, and a retail archivist discusses the nation's current favourite baubles and trees, and reveals how trends have changed over the years.
Written and produced by Malcolm Prince
Quote from David:
"I've dressed Hollywood royalty, West End stars and an English princess, and now I'm delighted to be making my presenting debut for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2 at this special time of year.
One of the things I look forward to is preparing the house for Christmas, and when I do, I always play Elaine Paige's album "Christmas". It's a ritual.
And it got me thinking, what do other people listen to when they dress their trees?
In this show, I'll be discovering just that, and finding out when the tradition began and how it's changed over the years.
And, with the help of my listeners and some friends, I'll create the perfect playlist to dress the tree. And it's one that might surprise you!".

56 minutes

Last on

Christmas Eve 2017 17:00

Music Played

  • Elaine Paige

    Thirty Two Feet And Eight Little Tails

    • Christmas.
    • Warner.
    • 12.
  • Tommy Steele & Company

    Thank You Very Much

    • Scrooge.
    • BK Records.
    • 017.
  • Spice Girls

    2 Become 1

    • Mixed Emotions III (Various Artists).
    • Polygram Tv.
  • Frank Sinatra

    Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

    • Christmas Songs By Sinatra.
    • Columbia.
    • 6.
  • The Waitresses

    Christmas Wrapping

    • NOW That's What I Call Christmas (Various Artists).
    • Now.
  • Wings

    Mull Of Kintyre

    • The 7" Singles Box.
    • MPL.
  • Michael BublΓ©

    It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

    • A Very Special Christmas: 25 Years CD2.
    • Special Olympics Inc.
  • Idina Menzel

    Baby, It's Cold Outside (feat. Michael BublΓ©)

    • Holiday Wishes.
    • Warner Bros.
    • 4.
  • Judy Garland

    Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

    • The Greatest Hits.
    • Pure Music.
  • Choir of King’s College, Cambridge

    The Holly And The Ivy

    • Christmas At King's CD1.
    • EMI Records Limited.
  • Chris Rea

    Driving Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ For Christmas

    • NOW That's What I Call Christmas (Various Artists).
    • NOW.
    • 1.
  • Kylie Minogue

    Christmas Isn't Christmas 'Til You Get Here

    • Kylie Christmas.
    • Parlophone.
  • Pet Shop Boys

    Always On My Mind

    • Pet Shop Boys - Discography.
    • Parlophone.
  • Annie Lennox

    In The Bleak Midwinter

    • A Christmas Cornucopia.
    • Island.
    • 8.
  • Rod Stewart

    Silver Bells

    • Merry Christmas Baby.
    • The Verve Music Group / UMG Recordings.
  • Kelly Clarkson

    Wrapped In Red

    • Wrapped In Red.
    • RCA.
  • Elaine Paige

    Ave Maria

    • Elaine Paige Christmas.
    • WEA.
    • 004.

Broadcast

  • Christmas Eve 2017 17:00