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What are some Victorian Christmas traditions?
Victorian Christmas Traditions
- Christmas Inspired by Royalty. Several of the traditions we know and love today are rooted in Germanic heritage thanks to Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert.
- Decorating Christmas Trees.
- Turkey or Festive Bird for Dinner.
- Giving Gifts.
- A Pudding with a Twist.
- Gifts of Gratitude.
What was a Victorian Christmas dinner?
In northern England roast beef was the traditional fayre for Christmas dinner while in London and the south, goose was favourite. Many poor people made do with rabbit. On the other hand, the Christmas Day menu for Queen Victoria and family in 1840 included both beef and of course a royal roast swan or two.
What were Christmas cards like in Victorian times?
In the 19th century, before festive Christmas cards became the norm, Victorians put a darkly humorous and twisted spin on their seasonal greetings. Some of the more popular subjects included anthropomorphic frogs, bloodthirsty snowmen and dead birds.
What decorations did Victorians have at Christmas?
Victorians decorated their fresh-cut evergreen trees with beads, tinsel, paper ornaments and jeweled baubles. Despite the Victorians’ affection for live greenery, artificial Christmas trees were also a common element of holiday decor.
Did Victorians put candles on their Christmas trees?
During the Victorian era, Christmas trees were lit with burning wax tapers attached to the tree. The tree could be decorated with all green candles or assorted colors; if white candles were used, the tree was sprinkled with artificial snow.
Did they really put candles on Christmas trees?
Many Christmas traditions practiced around the world today started in Germany. It has long been thought that Martin Luther began the tradition of bringing a fir tree into the home. Once inside, he placed small, lighted candles on the branches and said that it would be a symbol of the beautiful Christmas sky.
What did people do for Christmas in the Victorian age?
From ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens. The holidays – The wealth generated by the new factories and industries of the Victorian age allowed middle class families in England and Wales to take time off work and celebrate over two days, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
What did Christmas cards look like in Victorian times?
Decorated with silk ribbons, satin, feathers, lametta and many other things, the cards became miniature works of art. Pretty children, Father Christmas and angels were commonly employed motifs. As long ago as 1862, the company Charles Goodall & Sons of London was printing and selling Christmas cards in large numbers.
What foods were eaten at Christmas in Victorian times?
Previously other forms of roasted meat such as beef and goose were the centrepiece of the Christmas dinner. The turkey was added to this by the more wealthy sections of the community in the 19th century, but its perfect size for a middle class family gathering meant it became the dominant dish by the beginning of the 20th century.
Where was the first Christmas tree in the Victorian era?
In line with the custom in his homeland of Germany, Prince Albert had the first Christmas tree erected in Windsor Castle in 1841 and adorned with traditional German Christmas decorations. Victorian Feather Christmas Trees. [Photo courtesy of Puppenhausmuseum Basel]