"...Heeped up on the floor, to form a kind of throne, were turkeys, geese, game, poultry, brawn, great joints of meat, sucking-pigs, long wreaths of sausages, mince-pies, plum puddings, barrels of oysters, red-hot chestnuts, cherry-cheeked apples, juicy oranges, luscious pears, immense twelfth-cakes, and seething bowls of punch that made the chamber dim with their delicious steam. In easy state upon this couch, there sat a jolly Giant, glorious to see; who bore a glowing torch, in shape not unlike Plenty's horn, and held it up, high up to shed its light on Scrooge, as he came peeping 'round the door."
*A Christmas Carol* By Charles Dickens
 In some wonderful way shape or form the celebration of Christmas has been exercised since the day that Jesus lay in a manger in the stable at Bethlehem under the North star. Christmas has long been a German tradition as far back as 700 A.D. Around the same time the Anglo-Saxons were recognizing the Yuletide {the nights being shorter} the cold winter season was upon them. They celebrated this on December 22. They would bring in the Yule Log and put it on the fire. This has long been practiced as a part of the Christmas Season. Roasting chestnuts by the fire attributes to our more modern version of YuleTide. The Christmas tree became a part of English tradition in the 19th century.
 It was in 1841 that Prince Albert and Queen Victoria first displayed a Christmas tree in the palace. Prince Albert had brought the tradition with him from Germany as he was well acquainted with displaying Christmas trees and decorating at Christmas time from his youth in Germany. It was then that the tradition of decorating the house and pine trees had spread throughout the English country and a few years later to America.
 The Germans had been celebrating Christmas as far back as 700 A.D. But it wasn't until the 18th century that they made the decorating of a tree a part of their traditions. Glass ornaments were first made by the Germans. German immigrants brought this tradition to America. During the Victorian Era the festive season was filled with merry making and decorating. It was common to see candles, cakes, and candy hanging from the tree branches. 16th century's Martin Luther introduced the tradition of hanging candles on the tree. Some ornaments were shaped like stars and angels, which were hand-crafted and made from lead or wax. Fruits and popcorn became a source of decoration. Paper chains draped the walls. The aroma of fruits, roasted nuts, and spices filled the house.
 Large stockings hung on the mantel for each member of the family. Inside could be found small gifts, candies, fruits, and nuts. The exchanging of more elaborate gifts did not start until the late 1800's where gift giving and charity became the focus of the Christmas tradition. In 1880 stores began to sell ornaments for the Christmas tree and catered to the public for its Christmas needs. It was then that Christmas took off as one of the most widely celebrated holidays. Santa Claus was accepted as a jolly charitable figure who rewarded good children with presents and punished the bad. The personification of Santa Claus was really a combination of two figures. One: a Lycian who became bishop of Myra and suffered persecution and was imprisoned during 300 A.D. He had been known for his charitable deeds and giving to others. He was named Saint Nicholas. Then two: The old Nordic myths of a magical man who rewarded good children with gifts and punishment to the bad. These two soon became what the Victorians saw as Santa Clause and the fable we know of today.
 However, when I think of a Victorian Christmas a fountain of pictures rush right through me. I picture fresh prickly pines decorated in deep crimson red velvet bows and strings of cranberry and popcorn. Ornaments made from glass, wax, wood, paper or flat lead adorn the tree in homemade hand-crafted beauty. I see last years mended stockings hanging from the mantle filled with candy canes and tiny boxes wrapped up in strings. Draping the walls and hanging from the ceiling are long stands of sharp edged holly. Upon the hearth rests a pot of warm cider and a pan of roasted chestnuts. I see the dim lit candles in the window next to the Bible on the table. And I see a family who remembers as they sit around the tree together why they celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus. He is the only reason for such a warm holiday. This is what an old fashion traditional Christmas looks like to me and I enjoy celebrating it as I do.
Towne Victorian © 1999-2001
Graphics By Affiliate
Towne's Designs ©2001
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