As we see more and more public spaces become smoke-free, it’s easy to forget that smoking wasn’t always considered hazardous. In the days when it was socially acceptable to smoke, cigarettes were advertised on television and endorsed by popular celebrities and cartoon characters. A carton of cigarettes was considered an appropriate gift for children to give their fathers. In the Mad Men universe, where smoking is the norm and SCDP’s biggest client is a cigarette company, the oddest thing about Roger Sterling distributing cartons of Lucky Strike to his employees is that he’s wearing the Santa suit while doing so.

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To say the television series “Mad Men” has been influential would be an understatement. Aside from influencing screen drama towards more meaningful storytelling, the show has also influenced fashion, beauty standards, and revived interest in the mid-20th century and the Atomic Age / Lounge sub-culture of today.

“Mad Men’s” approach to history has always been subtle. Its writers don’t “hang a lantern” on historical events and scream “Hey, this is important!” What’s history to us are merely the events of the day to Don, Joan, and Roger. Some of this is important to them (the Nixon / Kennedy election) and some of it is trivial (the first publication of “Lady Chatterly’s Lover” in America.)

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With all the running around preparing for the holidays and shopping for that perfect gift, I always find myself exhausted by New Year’s and once again… no new calendar! Usually by the time I get around to getting one I’ve missed at least January. But not this year! I’ve found some gorgeous mid-century modern calendars – some even free! The best one (I think) is the beautiful letterpress calendar produced by Pistachio Press. It is printed on 100% tree-free cotton paper using environmentally conscious studio practices. Each page is printed by hand on an antique Vandercook No. 4 letterpress. This is the kind of calendar that you want to frame the images when the year is over.

Another fabulous calendar is from Blue Ant Studio. This one is a free downloadable calendar showcasing modern furnishings such as chairs, lamps, and lots of other modern goodness.

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Electrify your Christmas music mix with some Hammond organ sounds! Jimmy Smith originally was a pianist and later became an organist in the early 50’s. Smith signed on with Verve Records in the 60’s and had the opportunity to collaborate with the great Lalo Schifrin and Wes Montgomery. Don’t be mistaken; Jimmy Smith’s style is not your typical funeral or church organ music. His jazz tempo is much more lively on the electric organ, which later became more popular due to his new style – fast paced and be-boppin’.

Jimmy Smith’s album, Christmas 64, has recognizable Christmas songs with a Hammond organ twist. Smith’s fast fingers rip through the organ – adding spice to songs like Jingle Bells, We Three Kings and The Christmas Song. One of my favorite songs is White Christmas. It slowly begins with some brass instrument and transitions into percussions. As you patiently listen, you’ll soon recognize the Hammond organ sneak into the rhythm of the song.

Turn up Christmas 64 as you mingle with friends and family this holiday season, sipping that delicious glass of eggnog (spiked with rum perhaps?).

Few events encapsulate the aura of the 1960s like Expo 67. Looking back at the photos and videos of the exhibition, one can get a good idea of the fashions, behaviors, and attitudes of the era. This World’s Fair, one of the most popular, was an overwhelming spectacle of delights for all in attendance.

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Pour yourself a drink and make yourself comfortable for your introduction to the silken-voiced Mr. Koop Kooper. This swank gentleman is the host of the Cocktail Nation – a lounge and exotica podcast out of the Sydney penthouse. Each week Kooper talks to the movers and shakers of the lounge and Tiki scene and plays the very best in swingin’ tunes. He is also a DJ, writer and voice-over artist, known around Sydney town as a hepster – who is always on the lookout for some crazy music.

Ultra Swank was recently featured in the world-of-swank segment on episode 149 (55 minutes into the show), where Kooper gives some thoughts about Ultra Swank and what you can read about here. There was a mistake on the address though, which Kooper said he would correct on the next podcast. If you want to tune in, head over to Cocktail Nation and download the free podcasts.