Victorian Decorating Ideas for Christmas

The image many of us have of Christmas today is based on the Victorian traditions introduced and made popular during the reign of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. These Victorian decorating ideas are based on these ideals and the popularity of "all things old are new again" to create a holiday look that finds its finest stage in a heritage house.

Heritage houses look best when the choices made for holiday decorating are in harmony with the style and era of the house. Today this is surprisingly easy to do, since so many holiday decorations are replicas based on older ornaments.

During the late Victorian Era, the new middle class seemed to find it morally reprehensible to have empty, undecorated spaces in their homes. Every corner of hearth and home was filled with the accoutrements of wealth, learning, travel and family. This type of clutter became a hallmark of that style.

The new century ushered in a more modern, restrained look that was suitable for the simpler architectural styles of the era. Arts-and-crafts-style homes, introduced in the late Victorian period, continued to influence housing styles for another 20 years. Simpler décor and natural materials created a warm, albeit more austere look than its Victorian antecedent. Here are some ideas to create the look of a heritage home at Christmas-whether you own one or not:

1. Use combinations of natural handmade ornaments with commercial decorations such as mercury glass figures (first available in 1870). Hang gingerbread cookies from ribbons, or decorate the tree with ropes of popcorn, cranberries, holly berries or peanuts.
2. Display handmade gifts from times past. Creating special gifts with one's own hands was important regardless of the individual's financial circumstances. Many objects that are available today as collectibles started life as a handmade gift to someone special.
3. Display old children's toys at the base of the tree, on the mantle-anywhere they can be seen. Greeting cards from the past show toys unwrapped under the Christmas tree, so display them amongst your wrapped gifts.
4. Decorate the tree with photos (or reprints) of your ancestors or use vintage greeting cards to achieve the same effect. Attach them to garland or hang them from tree boughs.
5. Use flowers freely, especially in the dining room. Botany became a very popular science during the Victorian Era. Combine flowers with natural greenery, silver candlesticks or crystal to create a worthy centerpiece or, if you are fortunate enough to have one, use an epergne. Keep the centerpiece below eye level so that your guests can see each other to talk across the table.
6. Decorate doorways, fireplace mantles, chandeliers and stair banisters. Use plain or variegated holly and cedar boughs. Keep it simple if your home leans towards Arts and Crafts or add bows or garland if you like a more decorated look.
7. Don't forget the exterior of your house. Embellish doorways, verandas and stairs and light fixtures with greenery. Decorate your mailbox, add old skis and pile old or reproduction Santa sleighs filled with wrapped boxes on the front porch.
8. When you're done, sit in your favorite chair and toast your creativity with a cup of hot cider, tea , chocolate or brandy. Have a merry Christmas.