How did Victorians celebrate Christmas BBC Bitesize?

How did Victorians celebrate Christmas BBC Bitesize?

The Victorians also transformed the idea of Christmas so that it became centred around the family. The preparation and eating of the feast, decorations and gift giving, entertainments and parlour games – all were essential to the celebration of the festival and were to be shared by the whole family.

How did the Victorians celebrate Christmas ks2?

The family was really important to the Victorians. They saw Christmas as a time to focus on family relationships, and most of the Victorian Christmas traditions (such as gift giving, eating a Christmas dinner, decorating the Christmas tree) were shared by all of the family members.

What did a Victorian Christmas look like?

Turkey or Festive Bird for Dinner Like many of us, Victoria and Albert enjoyed turkey at Christmas time. They would sit together as a family for their main meal and enjoy turkey with all the trimmings. As you would expect, the royal family were fortunate to share in several courses.

How do you do a Victorian Christmas?

How to have a Victorian Christmas: 8 simple steps

  1. Buy (or make) gifts. (Image credit: Getty)
  2. Create a wreath. (Image credit: Getty)
  3. Write cards. (Image credit: Getty)
  4. Decorate the tree. (Image credit: Getty)
  5. Prepare the feast. (Image credit: Getty)
  6. Drink and be merry.
  7. Go carolling.
  8. Play games and enjoy the festivities.

Did you know facts about Victorian Christmas?

2. Victorian Christmas cards were the stuff of nightmares. Christmas cards were invented by Henry Cole in 1843, and by the end of the century everyone was sending them. But the festive illustrations favoured by the Victorians were far more wild and weird than the penguins and snowmen that adorn our cards today.

How did Victorians decorate their Christmas trees?

Christmas trees were traditionally decorated with dried fruit, candies in wrappers, cookies, nuts, and strands of popcorn or cranberries. Small home made gifts were also popular. Decorations of tin, leather or glass would become cherished heirlooms.

Who started Victorian Christmas?

Said to have been introduced by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, I don’t think many could imagine a Christmas without a tree. A tradition in Germany since the 18th Century, Victorians were soon including a tree in their house to celebrate too.

Why was Christmas so important to the Victorians?

The Victorian age placed great importance on family, so it follows that Christmas was celebrated at home. For many, the new railway networks made this possible. Those who had left the countryside to seek work in cities could return home for Christmas and spend their precious days off with loved ones.

What did Victorians invent for Christmas?

The Crackers – Invented by Tom Smith, a London sweet maker in 1846. The original idea was to wrap his sweets in a twist of fancy coloured paper, but this developed and sold much better when he added love notes (motto’s), paper hats, small toys and made them go off BANG!

What did Victorians eat for Christmas?

But instead of very large parties and gatherings, the Victorians saw Christmas as a family occasion. Most Victorian families had roast goose for their Christmas dinner, wealthy families ate beef, venison and turkey, often served with a chestnut or veal forcemeat stuffing.

What did the Victorians introduce to Christmas?

One of the most significant seasonal traditions to emerge from the Victorian era is the Christmas card. It was Sir Henry Cole, the first director of the V&A, who introduced the idea of the Christmas card in 1843.

What did the Victorians invent for Christmas?