It’s time once again for the annual Christmas Cousins summer hiatus episode.

Yes—even the Christmas Cousins occasionally step away from the microphones, drink something cold, attempt to touch grass, and try to remember what life is like outside the holiday season.

Before we disappear for a little summer break, Cousin Chad and Cousin Seth sit down for one final seasonal check-in:

• How’s Seth doing?
• How’s life at Recharge Coffee?
• Any big summer plans?
• What’s coming next for the podcast?
• And perhaps most importantly… how long until we’re talking Christmas again?

It’s a relaxed catch-up episode full of updates, laughs, mild chaos, and the comforting realization that no matter how warm it gets outside, Christmas is never actually that far away around here.

We’ll miss you all—but don’t worry. Christmas in July will be here before you know it, and the cousins will return rested, refreshed, and probably still deeply concerned about Seth’s progress.

See you soon, everybody. 🎄☀️

Kringle Kindergarten Part II: Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas...This One Has To Go Right. Right?

The first official round of Kringle Kindergarten has concluded… and the results can only be described as SETHACULAR.

The assignments seemed simple enough:

• Send out three Christmas cards (he sent one)
• Color a Christmas mug (unfinished)
• Complete a Christmas word search (shockingly excellent — genuine A+ work)
• Watch and explain a Bluey Christmas episode

Now, technically, Seth may have watched the Bluey episode. Or possibly the wrong one. Or perhaps part of one. At this time, MIT scientists, physicists, and several Christmas-adjacent engineers are still reviewing the evidence. No definitive conclusions have been reached.

So after what many are calling a “challenging” kindergarten debut, Seth has been assigned a new task: the beloved classic Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas.

Surely this one is foolproof, right?
Simple. Cozy. Charming. Manageable.

…Right?

Join the cousins as Seth gives his thoughts, reports back on what he learned, attempts to absorb the Christmas vibes, and fights to prove he’s finally ready to move on to Grade One.

It’s a question people around the world have quietly wondered:

What is Cousin Seth actually like in person? What would it be like to actually meet him?

In this very special episode, Cousin Lee—aka the Prince of Pittsburgh—and his better half, Maria, take the ultimate holiday-adjacent journey: a full-on pilgrimage to South Haven, Michigan, home of the one and only Recharge Coffee… and, of course, Cousin Seth himself.

They surprise Seth, spend an evening and morning with him, and return with a full field report:

• What’s South Haven really like?
• What’s Recharge Coffee like in real life?
• And most importantly… what is Seth actually like when the microphones aren’t on?

This is Embedded with Cousin Seth—a boots-on-the-ground investigation into the man, the myth, the barista.

The results may surprise you. Or confirm everything you already suspected.

Either way… the report is in.

Welcome to a new chapter in Cousin Seth’s journey: Kringle Kindergarten.

Yes, after the events of the now-infamous trial, Seth begins his next phase of seasonal education the only way the Cousins know how—by assigning him a Bluey Christmas episode to watch, study, and review in his own… unmistakable style.

What follows is a full breakdown of the episode as only Seth can deliver: thoughtful, unpredictable, and occasionally veering into places no one saw coming.

And in a true “miracle of miracles” moment, Seth has also completed a long-awaited task—he has finally sent Cousin Mary her Christmas card. In April.

Is he extremely late for 2025?
Or somehow early for 2026?
At this point, we’re just asking questions.

It’s a fun, slightly chaotic episode marking the beginning of Seth’s Kindergarten era—with lessons, progress, and just enough confusion to suggest we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.

Class is officially in session.

In the aftermath of what experts are already calling the most significant broadcast event of our time, the Christmas Cousins return to do the only thing left to do:

Try to understand what just happened.

Yes, we’re talking about The Trial of Cousin Seth—the so-called trial of the century, a proceeding so consequential, so emotionally charged, so thoroughly overanalyzed… that we’re still not entirely sure what the verdict actually means.

Now that the decision has been rendered (and possibly appealed in the court of public opinion), Cousin Chad and Cousin Seth are joined by Joe the Christmas Aficionado and Brian Herald aka "F. Scott FitzHerald" from Deck The Hallmark podcast to unpack it all:

• What exactly happened in that courtroom?
• Did justice prevail… or did Christmas?
• What does this mean for Seth’s future—his status, his journey, his standing in the seasonal hierarchy?
• And perhaps most importantly… what happens next?

This is less a recap and more a post-verdict summit—a gathering of minds attempting to process the unprocessable.

Because when something this historic occurs, you don’t move on.

All rise.

It’s that time of year again—the most important proceeding on the Christmas Cousins calendar: The Trial of Cousin Seth.

After completing Year Three of his journey to embrace Christmas—and, more ambitiously, all seasons—the question now stands before the court: did he do enough?

Last year, Seth earned a hard-fought promotion from Seasonal Sophomore to Jolly Junior. But this year, the stakes are higher. Will he rise to the rank of Santa Senior? Or will the court find cause for demotion… back to Jolly Junior, Seasonal Sophomore, Festive Freshman—or, in the most extreme scenario, a full reset to Kringle Kindergarten?

To ensure a fair and balanced hearing, we’ve assembled a truly formidable bench:

• Judge Bran (returning), of Deck The Hallmark and Gilmore the Merrier
• Supreme Court Justice Dan, brought in to maintain order should things spiral (they will)

Representing the case:

• Prosecutor: Joe the Christmas Aficionado
• Defense Counsel: Festive Cousin Bob of Festive Four Film Fans...a last minute no-show...hmmm???
• Voice of the People / Bailiff: Cousin Lee, King of All Superfans
• Plus, a surprise witness!!!

And at the center of it all… the defendant himself: Cousin Seth.

Evidence will be presented. Arguments will be made. Emotions may run high. The Christmas spirit will be tested.

This isn’t just an episode—it’s a verdict.

And it’s one you won’t want to miss.

Spring is here, St. Patrick’s Day has arrived, and the Christmas Cousins are doing what they do best: celebrating the seasons—and continuing Cousin Seth’s ongoing education in how to properly enjoy them.

For this special episode released on St. Patty’s Day itself, the cousins are throwing a festive little holiday party complete with one of our classic beer tastings. Joined by Joe the Christmas Aficionado and Cousin Lee, the King of All Super Fans, the crew samples some appropriately green (and hopefully delicious) brews while putting Seth to the test.

What does Seth actually know about St. Patrick’s Day? How has he celebrated it in the past? And can the cousins show him how to make it the best one yet?

It’s a little bit holiday history, a little bit beer tasting, and a lot of laughs as the Christmas Cousins prove once again that the mission is simple: help Seth learn to love every season. 🍀🍻

Look, if it were entirely up to Cousin Seth, every meal would consist of eggnog and Cadbury eggs. And while that might sound like a dream to some people, his loving cousin Chad has concerns—mainly that Seth might benefit from actual nutrition once in a while.

So in the spirit of both friendship and mild dietary intervention, the Christmas Cousins are diving into an impromptu Spring Trader Joe’s Tasting, sampling some of the newest seasonal items to see what’s worth picking up… and what should stay firmly on the shelf.

As always, the cousins give their honest takes, their questionable culinary expertise, and a few updates on Seth’s ongoing journey through life, food, and whatever new challenges come next.