The Victorian Christmas is a joyous occasion. First and formost, it is a religious holiday, but giving and family were important themes. Gifts were started many months before as most were handmade. Mufflers, embroidered handkerchiefs, bookmarks, pen wipers, and other useful gifts were lovingly stitched, glued, and colored for family members and friends through the fall and winter months. Wrappings of colored paper, tissue, and cloth were chosen with ribbons to compliment.
The air is filled with the smells and sounds of the approaching holiday. The scent of roasted chestnuts from street vendors wafts throgh the crisp air, the sharp scent of evergreens draped around some doors, wreaths give a festive look to doors and windows. Not all, some cling to the superstition that says you must not put up greens until Christmas eve. On street corners street musicians are singing traditional melodies. Carolers stroll along, stopping to sing for people and selling a sheet of music.
Busy shoppers hurry along on foot or in carriages getting last minute gifts, a trip to the shop to match a bit of thread, the bakery to order some little cream horns . . . so much to do!
On Christmas Eve the last of the relatives arive for the holidays. Not only the immediate family, but aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, it was a holiday devoted to one of the most important aspects of Victorian times, the family. In the afternoon, a long awaited event, the doors of the parlor open and the children finally get to see the glorious Christmas tree with it's candles, tinsel, beautiful ornaments made of colorful scrap art, ribbons, baskets of candies hung from branches. Ropes of popcorn and cranberries ring the tree. Hung from branches are small wrapped gifts, and under the tree the larger ones. Christmas eve is the time for gift exchanges and everyone has a gift. After the grand unwrapping, the children play with their toys, thoughtful handmade gifts are admired and the best gift of all is used, Papa's gift to the family was sometimes a phonograph, a game, a sterioscope, or maybe one of the new magic lanterns with amazing pictures that enthralled the whole family. Next came the program. Everyone has a part. Shy children mumble recitations and poems while older children and adults perform short plays and scenes from history. Musical performances and group singing fills the house. After, sleepy children are sent to bed as well as tired adults.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Christmas day starts with a Christmas Mass. After a quick trip by some to the bakers to pick up the Christmas goose or other meat, a flurry of cooking takes place. The Christmas dinner is resplendent with all manner of foods. The meat being served depends on the area you live in. Many rural houses have beef. Chicken and goose is popular. Turkey is popular in America, but not ususally used for Christmas in England until in the late 19th century. The Christmas pudding was mixed on Stir-up Sunday, the Sunday before Advent. A Christmas pudding is made of beef, raisins, prunes and sugar all packed into a pudding cloth and dropped in the pot to cook, often with other food. It is served, with great ceremony, with a coating of brandy set alite and a sprig of holly in the top.
After Christmas dinner, cleanup, and afternoon naps, the festivities continue with visits to friends. Most shops are open. It is unusual for any of the trades to take a day off. Charity is an important part of the Christmas season. Sharing with your fellow man. The streets are filled people wassailing, the less fortunate going from door to door hoping for donations of food, drink, or money as they invite others to share a drink from their wooden bowls. Families also walk door to door caroling to entertain their neighbors.
Boxing Day
Boxing day, the first weekday after Christmas, is devoted to Charity. Gifts of money are put up in small boxes to be given to servents, and tradesmen, and distributed to the needy in the area. The more affluent and upper classes of Victorian society see charity as a duty they rigorously preform.
