Victorian Christmas Decorations

The Victorian’s loved Christmas and lavishly decorated their homes. Many Victorian Christmas decorations were homemade, as most Victorians had little money to spend on Christmas decorations, and so found inexpensive ways to decorate their homes. The whole family were encouraged to make colourful items to decorate the home, and Christmas gifts for boys and girls were also homemade.

Garlands and Wreaths were made from evergreens, such as ivy or yew. Holly with its brilliant red berries added a splash of colour.

Pride of place was of course the Christmas tree. With its gingerbread men decorations, cookies, dried fruit, tin soldiers and paper wraps holding sweets, nuts and small gifts hanging on the tree which was lit by small candles.

It was not uncommon to find many homemade christmas gifts for boys and girls on the tree, such as gloves and small hand made dolls.

It was often children who made tree decorations. They would make unique decorations made from popcorn or cranberries which they strung together and hung on the tree. Another favourite was paper flower chains.

Just like today it was the custom for Christmas gifts for boys and boys to be hidden beneath the chrismas tree- to be opened after breakfast when Papa lit the candles and opened the parlour door to the excited family.

Favourite Victorian Christmas Decorations

Favourite Victorian Christmas Decorations were -

• Most prized was the Nuremberg angel which was put on top of the tree. Less well off families would make their own angel for the tree top


• Garlands of popcorn or cranberries
  


• Paper chains and paper lanterns –which were homemade and cheap to make


• Ornaments
  


• Bows


• Wreaths - pearls and rose covered bows were often added to wreaths


• Colour Flowers such as poinsettias or roses were interspersed between the tree branches


• Small cakes, sweets, treats were very popular and traditional decorations

Christmas Gifts for Boys

Unique Christmas Decorations

Gradually imported ornaments from Germany took the place of the homemade ones. Glass icicles and hand blown globes were first to appear. These were quickly followed by gold and silver cardboard ornaments such as flowers, cars, butterflies and moons.

Most prized of all, and placed on top of the tree, was the Nuremberg angel with its glass wings, crinkled gold skirt and wax face Artificial Christmas trees were made from goose feathers; swan, turkey or even ostrich feathers and were usually table top trees.

Make your own Victorian Christmas Decorations

• Why not make some of your own Victorian Christmas Decorations, it’s great for keeping the family busy and it doesn’t cost a fortune. Paper chains and paper lanterns are quick, simple and cheap to make.


• Get the children to help make gingerbread men, when cooled they can each decorate their own. Place a small hole in the top and thread a coloured ribbon through it so that it can be hung on the tree.


• Help them make a pine cone Christmas tree. This is one of the easiest ornaments to make and great fun that even young children can help make.
  
  Collect a large, open pine cone (one that stands up easily and is shaped like a tree), stick some cotton wool balls to the bottom of the “tree”. They look like snow and help your “tree” to stand up.
  
  Add a sparkle to your tree by dabbing a little glue to the tips of the pine cone and then sprinkle with glitter
  
  String some small beads onto dental floss (to string the beads easily, firstly tie one bead securely to the string – then give it to your child to finish stringing) When the stringing is completed tie off the last bead with a knot. Wrap the finished beads around the pine cone and glue to the tree.
  
  Top off your “TREE” with a small bow or something similar.
  And there you have it- a lovely little “Christmas Tree” ornament.

Traditional Christmas Decorations

Making these lovely Victorian Christmas ornaments is something that would once have been a very popular family pasttime and is now a great way to decorate your home in the traditional way.

Great store was put on the decoration of the home at Christmas and many of today’s Christmas decoration ideas, such as our holly wreaths, came from Victorian ingenuity.

Many of our traditional victorian christmas decorations – like putting the angel on top of our Christmas Tree also came from Victorian times and it is with much thanks to them that we celebrate Christmas with family and friends today.