Decorating for a Victorian Era Christmas

Victorian Era Tree Decorations

German Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree to the castle while he was married to the queen. After it became a holiday staple at Windsor Castle, families across England and America began introducing it into their own homes for the season. Often put up on Christmas Eve, it was usually taken down on January 6, the 12th day of Christmas.

Tree decorations often included homemade ornaments or those from fruits and nuts. As factories industrialized the nation, the production of ornaments, especially glass, increased. Ways to decorate the tree included:

• Using an angel or flowing ribbon as a topper
• Hanging popcorn, cranberry, or nut strands around the tree
• Trimming with paper flowers or tinfoil decorations
• Hanging goodies, such as gingerbread men or cookies, upon the tree for eating the next day

Families gathered around the tree to sing Christmas carols, so playing popular Victorian era carols like "O Come All Ye Faithful", "O Little Town of Bethlehem", and "Away in a Manager" can add ambience to a Victorian home’s holiday décor.

Decorating for a Victorian Era Christmas Using Memorabilia

To create an authentic looking Victorian holiday home, seek out memorabilia and antique decorations.

Antique Christmas Toys

One way to do this is to display antique toys that were popular gifts from the era. Place them on a mantelpiece in greenery or beneath a tree. According to an article from Harper’s Bazaar in 1881, popular Christmas toys were:

• Dolls houses
• Animals (elephants, pigs)
• Musical instruments (drums, trumpets)
• Bicycles
• Spinning tops
• Building blocks
• Banks
• Alphabet blocks

Tying red velvet ribbons around bicycle handlebars also adds an elegant Victorian feel.

Holiday Windows

Create a stunning holiday window in homes with bay windows or large front windows. Popularized by the Macy’s department store in the 1870s, these windows can be done on smaller scales at home. Ideas and instructions for a holiday window at home can be found in an article Arthur’s Home Magazine from 1890.

Christmas Card Displays

Use vintage Christmas cards to create a stand-alone display or incorporate them amongst other decorations. The first card, commissioned in the 1800s by Sir Henry Cole and designed by J. Calcott Horsely, was actually a postcard featuring holiday scenes and wished a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday to the recipients.

Cards often depicted Santa Claus, Father Christmas, trees, children, winter scenes, and activities. Find them at stationary and antique stores. Reproductions are also widely available at home decorating shops. Hang them around mirrors, hang on trees, or hang a shadowbox display on the wall.

Christmas Greenery

Ivy, mistletoe, and other greenery were often put up in Victorian era homes. Thought to help usher in spring, greenery can be placed almost anywhere. Consider using greens in the following places:

• Fireplace mantels
• Doorways
• Around staircases
• Outside (mailboxes, doorways, porches)

Victorian Era Information

The style of the Victorian era was one of elegance. Decorating for a Victorian era Christmas in a modern home should reflect this standard. To find out more information regarding the Victorian era, visit these websites:

• Victorian Station: A listing of websites dedicated to the Victorian era.
• A Royal Christmas: Queen Victoria’s Christmas: Information on how Queen Victoria celebrated Christmas, from a government site dedicated to offering resources on the British royal family.
• Victorian Era Ladies Home Journal Christmas 1890: Purchase an authentic magazine from the era published during the holiday season to get ideas on holiday home décor.
• Victorian Era: Holiday Images for All Times: New York Times article with a listing of shops that feature Victorian era gifts. Although several years old, the article provides addresses and phone numbers that can easily be checked against today’s retailers.
• Christmas Ornaments: Instructions from the magazine The Delineator on how to make decorations for a Victorian tree.

People who love Victorian era decorations but do not have the time, resources, or inclination to decorate their home in the style can often find displays at the following places:

• Historical museums
• City department store windows
• Historical mansions/homes
• City displays with a Victorian era theme