Earlier, Christmas was not celebrated with the same pomp and joy as it is celebrated in recent times.New reforms were introduced for the celebration of Christmas after the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. By the end of the 20th century, there was a grandeur to the way Christmas was celebrated.Family members get together for the annual Christmas dinner, and there is a festive spirit in the air. Children make merry with small gifts given to them by the elders. From Christmas crackers to cards to Christmas trees, everything originated in the 19th century.If this article makes you feel Christmassy, you can also read other articles like Cleopatra beauty facts and Puerto Rico culture facts.Victorian Christmas HistoryPrince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, introduced his childhood tradition when he moved to England. Many businesses did not consider it a holiday until the end of the 20th century. Sir Henry Cole commissioned an artist to design a Christmas card, especially for the royal family. This was the origin of the first Christmas card.Priced at one shilling each, these Christmas cards were expensive. So, Queen Victoria encouraged the citizens of Britain to make their own cards. The Christmas card came with an illustration of people surrounding the dinner table with a Christmas message. Christmas cards became more popular due to the advent of the printing press.The whole of Britain followed suit by exchanging Christmas cards, good wishes, and decorating Christmas trees.Another legend has it that a British confectioner, Tom Smith, devised a new way to sell Christmas sweets. He came up with the idea of a Christmas cracker, inspired by his travels to Paris. The idea came from bonbons, in which sugar-coated almonds were wrapped in twisted paper. As time progressed, the idea evolved to include paper hats and small gifts.‘Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens popularized the usage of the greeting ‘Merry Christmas’.Another occasion that gained prominence was Boxing Day. The name is derived from the fact that the working class would open boxes of gifts from the wealthy. Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26.Decoration Of Victorian Christmas TreeIn Victorian times, ladies spent hours making Christmas decorations. They sewed little pouches and bags to store candied fruits and almonds. They were hung on Christmas trees using silk threads. The top of the Christmas tree was adorned with Nuremberg tinsel angels. In the Victorian age, these angels symbolized purity and innocence. The decorated Christmas tree was introduced by Prince Albert in Victorian Britain.The royal family bedecked the Christmas tree with toys, biscuits, and a small bag containing sweet surprises. On Christmas Day, Norwegian fir trees were imported and gifts were exchanged under them. Imported glass ornaments and wire ornaments were also used as decorations in wealthy families during the Victorian age. They were viewed as symbols of status and wealth. Glass ornaments were passed from generation to generation.In the south and west of England, mistle-boughs (or mistletoes) were a common sign. They were a kind of novelty among 19th century Christmas trees. The German immigrants decorated trees in German fashion.The demand for Christmas trees grew by leaps and bounds. It has become a necessity that an ample number of trees be available before Christmas so that every family can have one on Christmas Day.Importance Of Victorians ChristmasIn the Victorian era, family played a main role so that everyone could celebrate Christmas together.The entire family would huddle around the Christmas tree and reward the children with money or gifts. Victoria and Prince Albert introduced this tradition of celebrating Christmas. The workers who went to the cities seeking work would come home to celebrate the festive occasion with their families. In the 1870s, paid holidays were introduced for the first time for the benefit of working-class people. Advertising and installment plans made pianos accessible to the middle class for the first time.Singers and musicians visited homes to sing Christmas carols. Earlier, carols were about religion later they became about feasting. Two of the first carols were ‘While Shepherd Watched Their Folks’ and ‘Hark the Herald’.Victorian Christmas TraditionsThe Christmas feast dates back to the Middle Ages, but it was during the Victorian era that it gained prominence. Victorian recipes such as mince pies were prepared from meat.The origin of roast turkey also has its roots in Victorian times. On the dinner table, turkey also became an addition, along with beef and goose. Slowly, as time progressed, custard and puddings were also featured in the royal menu during the Victorian period. Mulled wine was the traditional drink, and Negus, a non-alcoholic drink, was served to Victorian children.Father Christmas (modern-day Santa Claus) bought gifts for the whole family. The concept of ‘Father Christmas’ was popularized during the late Victorian period. Father Christmas was earlier visualized to be dressed in green, which signified the arrival of spring.Giving gifts symbolizes the tributes given to the infant Jesus by three wise men.During Queen Victoria’s reign, presents were distributed to the poor, and the queen herself gave them before she opened her own. From fruits, nuts, and sweets, the presents become more elaborate. Victorians opened presents on Christmas Eve, as opposed to the day of Christmas.There is no specific checklist for Christmas. Generally, you should have the famous Christmas tree, Christmas crackers, and candies. However, family is important, and you should include everyone, rich and poor alike, in the celebrations.Here’s a fun fact: Tom Smith was a London sweet maker who went to France and was inspired by the bon bons in France, which were wrapped candies. Tom Smith also created the Christmas crackers.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Victorian Christmas facts, then why not take a look at 27 incredible Cuba culture facts that reflect Cuban life, or Dominican Republic education facts!
Earlier, Christmas was not celebrated with the same pomp and joy as it is celebrated in recent times.
