Paper flowers were very much en-vogue during the Victorian Era because generally speaking people made their own decorations.
So instead of popping down to the shops to buy some decorations why not give this a go.
16 Wednesday Nov 2011
Posted Paper Flowers
inPaper flowers were very much en-vogue during the Victorian Era because generally speaking people made their own decorations.
So instead of popping down to the shops to buy some decorations why not give this a go.
12 Saturday Nov 2011
A well dressed Christmas tree is a beautiful thing, a grand sight to behold where as a tree that is dressed like a dogs dinner is an affront to all humanity!
During the Victorian era (not unlike today) trees were decked with tinsel, silver wire ornaments, candles, strung beads, finely painted glass baubles and the first electric lights were patented in 1882, before that it was candles!
When Queen Victorian took to the throne all decorations were still hand made, you had crocheted snowflakes, stars, paper baskets for sugared almonds, paper flowers in all colours with twists of candy, candles, gingerbread shapes and figures molded from wax.
Of course nowadays you can pretty much buy what you want but here is Ruth Goodman to show us how to make Christmas Ornaments.
23 Sunday Oct 2011
Posted Christmas Decorations, Crackers
inAh Christmas Crackers…what would a Christmas meal be without a pop, poor joke and an ill fitting paper hat!
The origins of the cracker or ‘bonbon’ is somewhat murky. The tradition tells of how Thomas J. Smith of London invented crackers in 1847. He created the crackers as a development of his bon-bon sweets, which he sold in a twist of paper the fore runner for sweet wrappers.
Of course bon-bons are still sold and were certainly wonderful for removing my fillings what I was younger.
Anyway sales of bon-bons hit a down ward spiral so motto’s were added as a promotional gimmick, and a little later with the ‘crack’ (inspired by the crackle of his fire) and the bon-bon eventually replaced by a small and usually a small gift, I doubt if Smith could ever of foreseen the rather poorly made, and excuse the phrase ‘crap’ gifts we get today!
So that’s the basic tradition, however it appears that may not hold water because a letter dated 1817 by Lt. Colonel Felton Hervey, he tells us
The night before last Arthur Hill desired me to give a letter to the Duchess of Richmond, which I did very innocently. It contained one of these crackers, called Cossacks, which are sold in the fair here. It went off, and the duchess also, into one of the most violent fits of laughing hysterics ever witnessed. I am happy to say she does not think me guilty. I wonder it did not kill the old woman.
Anyway we join the most excellent Ruth Goodwin in a masterclass on cracker making.
22 Saturday Oct 2011
Posted Christmas Decorations, Christmas Tree
inTags
Christmas, Christmas Decorations, Christmas Tree, How to decorate a Victorian Christmas tree, Yuletide
Having discovered that I can add video by URL I have found to find so great video’s from the BBC.
Ruth Goodman is a free-lance historian working with museums, theatre, television and educational establishments. She has presented several Television programmes but the Victorian Farm and more so in this instance the Victorian Christmas Farm which is fascinating viewing, not only that but is really very helpful in understanding how the ordinary Victorians celebrated Christmas and made their own decorations.
So the first in a series of video’s is How to dress your Christmas Tree