The
Joys of a Victorian Christmas
By
Tara
Kingston
Trimming the Christmas
tree is a favorite tradition in my family. Every year, I relish the chance to
reflect on cherished memories triggered by ornaments that have a sentimental
place in my heart and add to my ornament collection with new and beautiful acquisitions
that will someday become treasured favorites. I can’t imagine Christmas without
a beautiful tree. Without the influence of the Victorians, decorated Christmas
trees as well as many other holiday favorites
might never have become beloved traditions.
Victorian Christmas
traditions were centered around the family. Of these enduring celebrations,
perhaps the most beloved is the Christmas tree. Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince
Albert, brought the custom of a
decorated Christmas tree from his German homeland. Not long after his marriage
to Victoria, Prince Albert had the first Christmas tree displayed in Windsor
Castle in 1841. Several years later, the Illustrated
London News published a drawing of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their
children celebrating the holiday with a Christmas tree, and soon thereafter,
families throughout England boasted a decorated tree during the Christmas
season.
Many other popular
Christmas traditions became popular during Victoria’s reign. Some of these
include:
* Christmas Cards ~ the
combination of the halfpenny postage rate, which allowed a letter or card to be
mailed throughout England inexpensively, and the advances in affordable color
printing technology brought Christmas cards to popularity. By 1880, more than
eleven million cards were produced each year.
* Exchanging Christmas Presents
~ The giving of small gifts at New Year’s shifted to become a central part of
the Victorian holiday tradition. Gifts were given and placed under the tree in
anticipation of the holiday.
* Christmas Carols ~ Yet
another Victorian tradition, the singing of favorite holiday songs (which were
at the time new and popular hits) to mark the holiday season emerged during
this era, as did the custom of traveling in groups from house to house to
joyously sing Christmas carols.
* Christmas Vacation ~
During the Victorian era, middle class families began the tradition of taking
time off from work to spend with their families.
* Mistletoe ~ Who can
resist a kiss beneath the mistletoe? This girl certainly can’t! What a lovely
holiday tradition!
These are just a few of
the more popular Victorian holiday traditions that continue to endure today. In
the spirit of gift giving, I’ll be giving away a copy of Claimed by the Captain to one commenter. Simply tell us which
holiday tradition is your favorite and why…it does NOT need to be one of these
five. Many more Victorian traditions remain popular favorites. What are some of
your favorite traditions?
I’d also love your
friendship this holiday season. You can find me on Facebook
and Twitter,
or stop by my blog
or webpage.
Merry Christmas! May you
have a wonderful holiday season!
