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A Very Economicsy Christmas

by Greg Rosalsky

A specter is haunting this holiday season. The specter… of not enough economics-related holiday content!

Well, we have you covered. Because we have a number of classic holiday episodes that are perfect to revisit this festive season. Call them the Ghost Of Planet Money Past.

Please enjoy, and happy holidays!

NPR

The Santa Suit — A lawsuit over a Santa suit is a window into countless hidden fights that shape the stuff we buy. It's one man's battle against the U.S. government — and, in a way, against himself. Listen here

Malmark

Bell Wars — A special holiday episode about the epic, decades-long feud between the two companies that make just about every handbell in the world. Listen here

Robert Smith/NPR

We Buy A Lot Of Christmas Trees — We visit the world's largest auction of Christmas trees — and then see how much green New Yorkers are willing to throw down for some greenery. It's a story where snow-dusted Yuletide dreams meet the hard reality of supply and demand. We've got market theory, a thousand dollars in cash, and a "decent sized truck"... anything could happen. Listen here

NPR

In defense of gift giving — Cold economic reasoning says, supposedly, that gifts are inefficient transfers of wealth. But Planet Money host Jeff Guo believes in the economic virtues of gift giving. Jeff tries to win over Planet Money’s resident Scrooge, Kenny Malone, by going on a quest to find him the perfect gift. Along the way, they’re visited by the spirits of three Nobel prize-winning economic theories that can explain why gift-giving is actually good. And by the end, Kenny’s heart may just grow three sizes larger. Listen here

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Planet Money - The Ghost Of Planet Money Past

A Very Economicsy Christmas

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