Smithsonian: Stunt – Saturday, 23 July from 4pm

As we pass the six-month mark to the holiday season, get in the holiday spirit with a Christmas in July celebration, featuring episodes of:

INSIDE THE CHRISTMAS FACTORY – People are already working around the clock in festive factories across the U.K. to ensure shoppers have all the tinsel, ugly Christmas sweaters, and mince pies they’ll need. But how exactly are these items produced, packaged, and distributed without the help of magic elves? Join us as we take exclusive tours though these busy plants, highlighted by a visit to the Premier Foods Factory in South Yorkshire, where we discover the challenges of producing 2,000 perfect mince pies every minute.

AN AMERICAN ARISTOCRAT’S GUIDE TO GREAT ESTATES – Christmas is the time of year when Britain’s historic manor houses feel their most magical. And right now, Julie Montagu, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke needs some of that yuletide spirit. She has to deck the halls of Mapperton’s 45-room house, host a carol service in the estate’s church, and prepare a grand feast for 110 guests.

For inspiration, she visits the real Downton Abbey’s Christmas display and heads to a local tavern for some pub carol singing before heading back home to whip up a goose meal once served for Queen Victoria.