In 1841 the first Christmas tree was introduced to the royal family by Prince Albert, German husband of Queen Victoria. In 1850 a tinted etching of a decorated tree at Windsor Castle was published and the Tannenbaum became a necessity for every fashionable Victorian home. It was a tradition quickly embraced by Victorian England. Live trees were set up for the Christmas season decorated with lighted candles, draped with tinsel, ribbon, paper chains, cookies and candies.
Although the Victorian idea of Christmas was not commercial, having more to do with food, and the exchange of handmade gifts, New York soon saw the commercial advantages of a holiday full of the exchange of gifts. By the 1880’s Macy’s department store’s windows were filled with wonderful dolls and toys from Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland. Another window boasted scenes with steam driven moveable parts.
With the growing popularity of Christmas trees manufacturers began producing ornaments around 1870. Also popular were molded wax figures of angels and children. Many ornaments were made of cotton-wool wrapped around an armature of metal or wood and trimmed with embossed paper faces, buttons, gold paper wings and “diamond dust”, actually powdered glass.
‘After the Civil War, in the 1880’s and 1890’s, Christmas started to become commercialized through the growth of department stores and illustrated magazines,
Source & more info
Tips to decorate a Christmas tree in Victorian style.
New York Times article on shops that get their inspiration from Victorian times.
Some tips on decorating in authentic Victorian style.
To read about an actual Victorian Christmas party, I would suggest the book Little Women by Louisa Alcott, which shows a typical Christmas party. You can read it online here
And some more Victorian recipes: (I’m sure there are even more out there)
http://www.victorian-via-von.com/recipes/recipes.htm
http://www.fortunecity.com/millenium/ratty/195/victorian_recipes.html
This post is part of a series on cooking! Follow the links to see the other posts:
Upperclass dinner
Victorian cooking
Victorian kitchens
Links to recipes & etiquette
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I never knew there was a period of such ornamental intricacy. People must have spent so much time just preparing to decorate, then even more actually decorating. 2007 is home to people who just buy a bunch of colored balls and a plastic star. However, it is probably for the best that we don’t use candles too frequently, because the last time I checked, pine trees are fairly flammable. “Diamond dust,” however, must have phased out not by laziness but by an increasing demand for Band-Aids.
Terrific blog. How often did Victorian homes burn when residents used candles on Christmas trees?
Sometimes when were are digging in century old dumps we encounter cow bells, and sometimes sleigh bells, and once I found a whole chain of small bells that were either Christmas decorations for a horse and carriage or… for a house… or maybe a tree.
Actually, I’ve never heard of houses burning down, but I’m sure there were often small fires. They seem to have had fire blankets and stuff so they could take quick action.
That’s really interesting! It could very well have been some Christmas decoration.
I am writing a Christmas drama set in th Victorian era and the information here has been useful. If anyone has any further suggestions I would appreciate hearing from you, or visit our website http://www.dramashare.org and leave a message
Merry Christmas from Seattle!
I happen to belong to a historical costuming group based in Seattle, WA (USA) and LOVE the Victorian/Edwardian period. The group is called Somewhere in Time, Unlimited.
My mother is from Germany, so I totally relate to how our Germany Christmas tree is decorated each year and how similar it is to “Victorian” sort of decorating, sans the light candles. Instead, I have opted for the electric string of “candles” that one can buy in stores or web. It’s the closest thing to real candles. I am thankful that Albert brought the Christmas tree to Victoria all those years ago. Sure is a beautiful tradition!!!
If you’d like to see photos of my costuming group, go out to our website at: http://www.CostumingInSeattle.com and click on the Past Events tab.
Ein Frohes Weinachtsfest (Merry Christmas) – 2008!!!
Auntie Rita in Seattle
http://www.CostumingInSeattle.com
http://www.SITUSeattle.wordpress.com
Hi Rita, thank you for your comment. The pictures of your costuming group look absolutely marvellous, you all look so well-dressed!
Yes, Christmas trees, and especially in some parts of Europe, have not changed much since the Victorian era, except for the lights… I don’t think anyone wants to risk a fire anymore for the sake of beauty or tradition!
Thank you and a Frohes Weinachtsfest to you to!