Below are some links which you might enjoy as you prepare for the Christmas holidays this year.
Victorian decorations appeal to the senses - colour, frangrance, sound, and touch. As an artisan, that is one of the many reasons I so enjoy the simplicity and sensory qualities of the Victorian celebrations.
How to make Pomanders
http://www.christmasiscoming.co.uk/Orange_pomanders.html
from
Christmasiscoming.co.uk
How to make CandyCanes
According to 'Santa's Postbag'
The first record of candy canes dates back as far as 1670, when a cathedral
in Germany made sweets to give to the children during a nativity service.
The sweets were shaped to look like a shepherd's crooks.
Candy Cane Recipes:
1.
RazzleDazzle Recipes
http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/christmasfun/candycane.htm
2. Santa's Postbag
http://www.santaspostbag.co.uk/christmas-tree-candy-canes.shtml
By Mamie Dickens
"The Daughter of Charles Dickens"
This is a fascinating account of Christmas in Dicken's time - everything from the gift-giving, to dancing, games, conjurer tricks, Christmas dinner, New year's and Twelfth Night. Wonderful read. You can find an excerpt here:
www.victoriana.com/christmas/dickenschristmas.htm
http://charlesdickenspage.com/fast-facts.html
Follow the Victorian Farm team's step-by-step guides to making your very own Victorian Christmas. Discover how to make traditional Victorian decorations, indulge in delicious Victorian Christmas recipes, create the perfect gift and more. There are 25 activities, one for every day in December leading up to Christmas.
The
"Scrap Album"
is an absolutely must-see website for those who are interested in the
Victorian Christmas tradition. I recently happened on these wonderful
pages and I can't wait to make some free time to study them further. http://www.scrapalbum.com/vxp11.htm
Do consider visiting the next time you are sitting down to relax with
a tea or coffee. The expereience will sweep you away to another era so
richly full of tradition, decor, design and holiday spirit. Enjoy!
To hang on Christmas Trees
While this may not be 'Victorian' , it is in keeping with the spirit of the paper baskets & cones which were filled with candies and treats and adorned the Victorian Tree.
http://www.stavanger-web.com/jul/kurv.htm
Christingle Orange
Victorian Christmas Trimming Ideas to Make
http://www.santaspostbag.co.uk/christingle-orange.shtml
http://www.victorianornaments.com
VictorianOrnaments.Com
Make a raisin and Nut Garland
http://www.victoriana.com/christmas/craft5-2000-5.htm
Or,
an Orange Basket:
http://www.victoriana.com/christmas/craft5-2000-4.htm
http://www.victoriana.com
GillianCrackers
Hand-filled, Victorian style Christmas crackers.
http://www.crackers.gilliancards.com/Christmas.htm
Carols.org
http://www.carols.org.uk/
The Caroling Corner
www.chebucto.ns.ca/~ai251/xcarol.html
Christmas-Carols.Net
http://www.christmas-carols.net/
Victorian Christmas Recipes
Christmas Plum Pudding
Roast Goose with Sage & Onion Dressing
Mincemeat
NewYear's Cake
www.biblicalquality.com/Christmas7.html
Victorian Christmas Recipes
Yorkshire Christmas Pie
& Mincemeat Pudding
http://www.historicfood.com/Harewood%20Christmas.htm
Pet Breed Holiday Stockings
http://www.victoriantradingco.com/store
a Victorian Christmas Tree
Victorian Jewelry Box
http://www.victoriasjewelrybox.com/decorating-a-victorian-christmas-tree.html
Fashion-Era.com
http://www.fashion-era.com/Christmas/christmas_customs_tree_history.htm
Making Christmas Crackers (1910)
I was thrilled to find this historical silent short film revealing
Christmas cracker production 100 years ago.
Oh, how I'd love to have that paper hat cutting machine!
The first 2 mintues are kind of slow action but hang in as it becomes more interesting
as it tours the various stages of production
and ends in a family celebration around a tree
while everyone opens a giant cracker!
This film may be 100 years old but a couple of the scenes
look just like my cracker workshop today!
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT2nqHU6f7I&feature=player_embedded