Welcome to 19th century England! Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, most of us are familiar with the modern activities and traditions seen during December in the Western world.

What you might not know, however, is that most of them came about during the Victorian Era in England, that is, Queen Victoria's reign from 1837 to 1901. However, America produced some of our long-standing Christmas traditions, too.

In this episode we'll look at celebrations developed in the 19th Century (say hello to the 1840s!) that have been carried through nearly two centuries!

Be inspired to add some of these traditions and merrymaking to your own holiday festivities.

Merry Christmas!!

 

The Christmas Tree - drawing of the royal family and first published in 1848 in the Illustrated London News.

 

Show Notes and Mentions

-History of Christmas by the BBC

-A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, first published in 1843

-List of Christmas Carols and their definition

-A Visit from Saint Nicholas by Clement C Moore

-The legend and history of Santa Claus from the A&E History Channel

"Merry Old Santa Claus," Harper's Weekly, January 1, 1881, p.8-9.

 

-Thomas Nast as "creator" of Santa Claus

-A Victorian Christmas by Historic UK

-Gift giving ideas from Mimi Matthews

-Recipe for English Plum Pudding

-Recipe for Easy Mince Pies

-The History of Christmas from the A&E History Channel

-History of Christmas Trees from the A&E History Channel

-Victorian Christmas by Victorian Children

-History and background of the Yule Log

 

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