Mutual Desire
Dragonfyre
Mesmerized
In the course of researching our books, we get to do a lot of exploring. Many of the fascinating tidbits we learn never make it into our novels, but finding out about the Victorian Era in detail is its own reward. In the spirit of the season, we’d like to share a bit about Victorian traditions during the Christmas season.
Our celebrations today owe much to the mid 19th century. Decorating a tree, sending Christmas cards, and singing carols — all these were popularized in Victorian times.
The tree, a German tradition, took hold in England after Victoria’s marriage to Prince Albert of Germany. In 1841 he began the custom of decorating a large tree in Windsor Castle, and the above print, showing the royal family with their tree, appeared in the 1848 Illustrated London News. Of course, anything the Queen did, the rest of the country soon hurried to follow.
In America, the tradition of the Christmas tree was spread by German immigrants, but did not become popularized until 1895, when President Cleveland decorated a tree at the White House with newfangled electric lights.
Holiday cards were first introduced in England in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole. Cole had helped play a key role in initiating the Uniform Penny Post (standardizing postage throughout the country) three years earlier. Wanting to popularize the use of the post, he hit upon this brilliant idea to spread holiday cheer while making use of the postal system. The first holiday cards, rather than focusing on religious images, showed sentimental or humorous images of family and children, or fanciful designs of flowers, fairies, or other reminders of the approach of spring.
In America, printer Louis Prang was the first to offer cards in 1875. They proved so popular that he was eventually driven out of business by cheaper-priced imitators.
Although carols date back many centuries, the tradition was revived and popularized in the early 19th century. In 1822, Davies Gilbert published “Some Ancient Christmas Carols.” The collection was greeted with approval, and purportedly the British Museum said of it: “Mr. Gilbert has taken advantage of old Time, and made safe, for some centuries at least, a record of our ancient Christmas Carols; and for this good deed has secured the gratitude of Antiquaries yet unborn. These Carols are genuine national curiosities.” They included songs still popular today, including The First Nowell, I Saw Three Ships, and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.
This collection was followed by other scholars compilations of carols – most notably the work of William Sandys in 1833 and 1852.
What discussion of Victorian Christmas would be complete without mentioning Charles Dickens? A Christmas Carol was first published on December 19, 1843, to immediate popularity and critical acclaim. Indeed, the story has been in print continuously for the last 156 years. It has been credited with returning the season to one of festivity and merriment in England and America.
So however you celebrate the season, know that the traditions of the past are alive and well. Happy Holidays!
Anthea Lawson is the pseudonym for a husband-wife team who write spicy Victorian romance. Their debut novel, Passionate, was nominated for a Best First Book RITA in 2009. Their new release, All He Desires (in stores now!), is being called “luscious,” “sweeping,” and “a powerful love story.” Find them on Facebook , follow them on Twitter, and visit their website for all their latest news.
ALL HE DESIRES – in stores now! “Lush and lyrical”, “A great romantic adventure”, “A powerful love story.”
Far from home and her noble relatives, Miss Caroline Huntington has been injured in a fall from her horse. Called to her side, Alex Trentham knows he must assist her, though he has not practiced as a physician for a long while. Just to see so lovely a woman in a state of undress is a hard test of his self-control. Caroline is all that is warm and feminine, beautiful and pure. Brave to a fault, she does not flinch under his hands, and soon she is on the mend. Alex struggles to hide his feelings, knowing that his dark past shadows any hope of a future. But Caroline’s radiant innocence is dangerous to a worldly man, and she seems achingly eager to experience all the pleasure he could show her…
“Lawson, a RITA-nominated husband-and-wife writing team, deftly combines danger, desire, and a deliciously different Victorian setting into a sexy version of Victoria Holt’s classic gothic romances. (Copyright 2009 Booklist Reviews.)”
One lucky commenter will win a copy of All He Desires!
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Great information! Some of it was rather surprising. I love the Queen’s tree. looks rather like a charlie brown tree. lol.
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Really interesting to find out some of the history behind the traditions of the season. Its great background information for pieces in the period.
Thanks again for sharing it!
Gene
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You’ve gotta feel a little bad about the Chirstmas Card guy don’t you? Definitely didn’t know this story but it did remind me to go fill some of my cards out :)
Merry Christmas!!
“Passionate” was an excellent read, I just got it and really enjoyed it!
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I love Christmas cards! There is just something magical about getting it in the mail and knowing someone is thinking of you. :)
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Love the information. Thanks.
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I learned a lot from Anthea’s post that I never knew. Thanks for the information.
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Thanks for the comments so far!
Lori, lol at the Charlie Brown tree comment! Maybe it’s one of those Noble firs?
And yes, speaking of sending out cards, I’ve vowed to get mine in the mail today. Too bad they don’t cost a mere penny any more!
Back later — feel free to ask any questions!
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Great blog, I loved it!
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I have this one on my TBR list. I would like to win it or hope Santa brings it to me.
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I love learning all about the traditions from long ago and from the different places now.
This book I know is going to be a fantastic read. Will put it on my TBR list!!
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Great blog! Thank you so much. It gives us great insight into how you make your books so real.
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Great post!! Learned some stuff today that I didn’t know. Didn’t realize A Christmas Carol has been in print for a 156 yrs!!! Knew it had been around a while but didn’t realize that long.
Adding All He Desires to my wish list for Christmas. Hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!
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Thanks for sharing the true meaning of Christmas. History, tradition, and celebration!
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That was a really interesting post, thanks!:-)
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Thanks for sharing info on all of these Christmas traditions. I love learning about the past.
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What a great post. Thank you for sharing and enlightenting us on Christmas traditions. I love getting Christmas cards, but it gets so hectic around our house I don’t have enough time to get them out myself.
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I enjoyed your post, lots of fun information. All He Desires has been added to my “to buy” list, it sounds like a great read.
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Hi :)
Excellent guest post. I enjoy learning about history. That’s one reason I love historical fiction. Thank you for sharing.
Happy Holidays,
RKCharron
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Thanks all for stopping by! Glad you enjoyed learning a bit more about the Victorian influence over our holiday traditions.
Thanks Donna for having us at your blog – we’ve enjoyed being here!
We’ll be back on Friday afternoon to draw a lucky winner from the comments ~
Happy Holidays!
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Hi Anthea – great post! Thanks for sharing that information with us :)
Also – your book sounds great. Definitely making a note of that.
Happy Holidays! :)
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Great post! Thanks for all the interesting information, now I’m off to write some Christmas cards.
I’d love to read All He Desires!
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Interesting post, some of this I’ve read about before.
Ladies, All He Desires is such a good book, don’t miss reading it. Anthea and Lawson, I surely can’t wait for your next book.
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One book I am yet to read :D But sure want to one day.
Aww Xmas, I can’t believe it is just around the corner
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I like traditions and Christmas seems to have a lot of them! Great post, thanks!
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Great post, Anthea!! Nice to know who to blame (Cole!) for my guilt over not getting out Christmas cards the last couple of yours.
Best wishes on your fabulous book–loved it!!
Margaret Mallory
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I always send christmas cards but never stopped to think where the idea came from
Cherry
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Congrats to winner JOYE!
Santa must have heard your wish~ E-mail your mailing info to anthea at anthealawson dot com.
Thanks everyone for stopping by, (and Pam P, we’re glad you enjoyed the book! We appreciate it so much when people recommend it).
Happy Holidays!
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Big congrats Joye!