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In a seasonal edition of Fifty Things That Made The Modern Economy, Tim Harford explores the history of Christmas consumerism across the years and around the world.

Consumerism and Christmas have gone hand in hand for a surprisingly long time. Santa Claus was an advertising icon in the 1840s, and Macy's department store in New York stayed open until midnight on Christmas Eve in 1867. In a seasonal edition of Fifty Things That Made The Modern Economy, Tim Harford explores the history of Christmas consumerism across the years and around the world.

Producer: Ben Crighton
Editor: Richard Vadon

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14 minutes

Last on

Christmas Day 2021 09:45
±«Óãtv Radio 4

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Broadcasts

  • Christmas Eve 2019 09:30
    ±«Óãtv Radio 4
  • Christmas Day 2021 09:45
    ±«Óãtv Radio 4

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