It's hard to imagine now, but at the beginning of the 19th century Christmas was hardly celebrated. Many businesses did not even consider it a holiday. However by the end of the century it had become the biggest annual celebration and took on the form that we recognize today. The transformation happened quickly, and came from all sectors of society. Many attribute the change to Queen Victoria, and it was her marriage to the German-born Prince Albert that introduced some of the most prominent aspects of Christmas. In 1848 the Illustrated London News published a drawing of the royal family celebrating around a decorated Christmas tree, a tradition that was reminiscent of Prince Albert's childhood in Germany. Soon every home in Britain had a tree bedecked with candles, sweets, fruit, homemade decorations and small gifts. A family’s Christmas, 1897 The Night Before Christmas, 1898 A Victorian Christmas party A woman returning home with a Christmas tree, 1895 Children around a Christmas tree in Russell County, between 1870s and 1890s Children on their Christmas morning, 1856 Children on Victorian Christmas Christmas morning, 1897 Christmas morning, 1898 Christmas, 1860 Little Victorian girl looking at the lighted Christmas tree Man and his Christmas Tree, 1860 Santa Claus and Christmas Tree, 1897 Santa Claus telephone call, 1897 Two girls under a Christmas tree with their dolls, December 25, 1899 Victorian Christmas shopping Victorian Christmas tree with flags and paper cones for candies or nuts on it, ca. late 1840s Victorian Christmas, Scranton, Pennsylvania Victorian family on their Christmas Victorian woman sitting next a Christmas tree with candles Woman with her daughter on Christmas, ca. 1890s
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Little Women Inspired Christmas Craft for the November edition of the Pinterest Challenge. This month was an ornament.
The Christmas ball was made all the more exciting by the addition of my brother and his girlfriend, Amy, and her friend, Becca. We were charged with dressing the trio - who had never reenacted before - for the event. Fortunately, only a few alterations were needed to fit the two ladies in our dresses. And we had more than enough extra accessories to complete their looks! Above, Becca poses with LuAnn to show how dresses made from identical silk fabric can look so completely different. Both of the dresses were stunning. Other ball-goers didn't realize that the two dresses were made of the same silk until the end of the evening when they posed together. I love the sleeve treatment on LuAnn's dress. The sleeve is edged with pleated black velvet ribbon. She also wore a black belt with large gold buckle and other accessories that sadly had been removed by this point in the evening because she was helping to clean up after the ball. Becca wore my mother's red silk ballgown. The ballgown has attachable pagoda sleeve and a bertha so that it can be worn in the daytime as well. I styled Becca's own curly strawberry blonde hair by sausage curling it, and pinning it in place, mixing in some fake hair. The two hair colors matched so perfectly that close up it was impossible to tell the real hair from the fake.
Christmas could be merry or dismal for Civil War troops depending on their situation. Back home, families missed their husbands and sons gone to war or already dead. Learn about the 1860s Christmas.
How our ancestors celebrated Christmas
by Paul R. Spitzzeri As the last post in this series noted, the use of Christmas trees in America was just starting to take root (!) in the late 1840s and early 1850s and the first appearance of a …
How our ancestors celebrated Christmas
How our ancestors celebrated Christmas
The ‘door was thrown open leading into the great exhibition-room. Here was a magnificent Christmas-tree hung all over with colored wax tapers; here were tables covered with white cloths, and glittering from head to foot with the most bewitching doll-babies, work-boxes, card-cases, silk dresses, rattles, penny whistles, shawls, sashes, drawing-implements, and I don’t know what … Continue reading The Victorian Christmas Tree →
How our ancestors celebrated Christmas
Writing this series on Christmas Traditions, I was shocked to find how more than any other time in history, Victorian England shaped our modern-day version of Christmas. So you'd be surprised how easy it is to have your very own Victorian Christmas this year! In fact, some of your favourite Christmas customs might indeed have
Half of a stereoview. 1860s, unidentified photographer. I got no clue if and what they are playing. Hit the pot?
Back in the 19th century, Victorians thought nothing unusual about sending their loved ones bizarre and creepy images with the words “May yours be a joyful Christmas.” From frogs stabbing…
Writing this series on Christmas Traditions, I was shocked to find how more than any other time in history, Victorian England shaped our modern-day version of Christmas. So you'd be surprised how easy it is to have your very own Victorian Christmas this year! In fact, some of your favourite Christmas customs might indeed have
I'll be home for Christmas; You can count on me. Please have snow and mistletoe And presents on the tree. Christmas Eve will find me Where the love-light gleams. I'll be home for Christmas If only in my dreams. I'll Be Home for Christmas Kim Gannon, Walter Kent (c) 1943 Please feel free to use the last image in your work, personal or to sell, with the exception of incorporation into collage sheets for resale. I am linking to Faded Charm White Wednesday # 128 enJOY Your Blessings, Kimberly
When we think of the Victorian era, we usually think of lace and silks and cashmere shawls, of crinolines and bustles. That’s because rich people can afford to have their portraits painted. T…
Explore TDFTKTS' 571 photos on Flickr!
Jordan & Co. American (active 1860s) Untitled (portrait of a girl and doll), 1860s Photograph 19th century Albumen silve...
Writing this series on Christmas Traditions, I was shocked to find how more than any other time in history, Victorian England shaped our modern-day version of Christmas. So you'd be surprised how easy it is to have your very own Victorian Christmas this year! In fact, some of your favourite Christmas customs might indeed have
Hi everyone. So many of my favorite images and pictures are tied to the ocean. There is something about the salty air and pattern of the sound of the waves make that replenish my being. . My grandmother lived a mile from butterfly beach near Monticieto. She always had beach towels in the car "in case". As a little girls we would go down the steep road between some houses and onto the sand.After getting sand in every crevice and our cheeks and nose a little sunburned we would head home. Then lower bathroom was where we washed off the saltiness. The bath tub would be left with a ribbon of sand running into the drain. I just loved taking those baths. The bathroom was a soft blue with white eyelet curtains and lovely grandmotherly nic nacks tastefully arranged on the white tile. It seemed the sun was always streaming through the mottled glass window. To top off the crisps clean sunny memory my grandparents had a turquoise station wagon with white leather upholstery.( I wonder what kind of car it was). With my family we vacationed on Balboa Island and went to Santa Monica. As a teenager a drive through the canyon to Leo Carrillo and the Malibu was great fun. Then lived in Morro Bay for college. So many happy times by the ocean. Isn't she the cutest little thing. Another children's illustration that says all is well with the world. How this mother adores her new baby! So many portraits of this time do not convey so much emotion. A sweet little bird and a 1700's lady to finish off the post. Another mix of images, free for your use, in clip art, ATC, scrap booking and collage work. Thank you for all the get well messages. Much love to you all, Louise
Bronson Alcott, Concord, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Transcendentalists, Unitarians, Christmas, Charles Follen, films,
I was surfing along on the internet, looking for reproduction brass Christmas tree candle holder clips. I stumbled onto the Dresden Ornament...
Victorian era engraving depicting party around Christmas tree. c 1840s. Life Magazine collection.
From 1893, some directions as to how the dining room should be decked and how the dishes should be prepared and served for the Christmas celebration!
