Victorian Christmas Traditions

The beautiful Victorian Christmas traditions that have been woven into America's most special of holidays hail from the 19th century-a time when decorations from nature were popular, but the results were still dazzling.

The Victorian Christmas Style
Victorian Christmas traditions included such simple tricks as incorporating fruit into Christmas decorations and using whatever Mother Nature provided, but the Victorian style was often elaborate. For example, though the garlands were made from simple materials, such as evergreen boughs, Victorians added different-sized pinecones, fruits and nuts, the striking red twigs from dogwood bushes and the white papery bark found on paper birch trees. Victorian Christmas décor always seems to go one step further by adding rich velvet ribbons and gold braiding to accentuate the beauty of the season.

Mixing Fruit In The Décor
Victorian Christmas décor almost always includes some type of fruit. Anything that could have a bedazzled ribbon will not be left bare. For the mantle, try arranging three pineapples studded with gold accented ribbon. Place candles on either side to catch and reflect the golden shimmer. Another glamorous way to add fruit to the mantle is to use a shiny bowl and fill it with dried pomegranates and citrus fruits.

Clove-Studded Oranges
When creating clove-studded oranges, it's best to use fruit that is medium to small in size. Not only will you need fewer cloves-which can be very expensive in season-but the orange can also double as the mistletoe. After the cloves have been inserted into the orange, it will begin to dry out, thereby removing a good portion of its weight. Add a looped ribbon around the orange, tack on a little bit of mistletoe or evergreen and a few sparkly beads, and hang the scented orange in the hallway as a kissing ball.

Cherubs And Musical Instruments
Victorian splendor is often accented with golden instruments and cherubs with unfurled wings. Hot glue real white feathers into the garland or wreath, and use wire to weave statues of angels into the décor. A Christmas tree, Christmas wreath or garland that does not have at least one fiddle, a few of pieces of fruit or the face and wings of an angel is Victorian holiday finery that has fallen shy of its mark.

A Decorative Plum Pudding
Even the foods for the Victorian Christmas were elaborate. A prized Victorian dish was plum pudding, which isn't really a pudding, nor does it have plums. It is, however, a domed cake with spices and raisins. For extra good luck, bake a silver coin into the cake. Whoever bites into the coin will enjoy good luck.

Bringing The Family Together
The Victorian Christmas was extremely family-centric, due to the popularity of Queen Victoria's family in England. You are already well on your way to following Victorian Christmas ideas if you invite your extended family into your home to help you decorate and to enjoy those decorations on Christmas Day.