![]() ![]() Traditional gifts for children included skipping ropes, toy soldiers and beer, whilst adults would exchange fruit and books.īefore the 1870s gifts were not wrapped in paper - they were simply placed under the tree and everyone could see what they would be getting. Increased wealth generated by Victorian industry meanwhile also meant that the middle classes could take days off work for Christmas and New Year. ![]() Mass production as a result of the Industrial Revolution meant that items such as children's toys became more affordable for the middle classes. With the increasing popularity of Christmas as a time for family and charity however, giving gifts gradually became a Christmas tradition. Originally seasonal gift giving was reserved for the New Year’s celebrations. They were also sold under the name 'Bangs of expectation.'īy the 1870s they had the jokes and hats in them that we associate with crackers today. ![]() Originally Christmas crackers were called ‘cosaques’, as the noise they made was supposedly reminiscent of Russian Cossak horsemen cracking their whips. Tom Smith crackers are still made, and are the official cracker supplier for the royal family. Smith worked in music hall and so would have been well versed in these silver fulminates. However it is also true that silver fulminate ‘snaps’ had been in existence for a while, so it may well be that Smith simply wanted to use these to his advantage. The ‘bang’ was added later after Smith was reportedly inspired by the sound of a log crackling on a fire. Originally the cracker just contained a sweet and a small motto. However, the first person to sell crackers may actually have been Italian confectioner Sparagnapane, whose company described itself as 'the oldest makers of Christmas crackers in the United Kingdom.' The ability for anyone to pay half a penny to post cards across the country made sending Christmas cards a popular and affordable tradition.Įarly Victorian Christmas cards often depicted celebration and merriment, as well as acts of charity and helping the less fortunate.įirst Christmas card courtesy of Wikicommons History of Christmas crackersĬonfectioner Tom Smith is widely credited as inventing the Christmas cracker, supposedly after seeing bon-bons wrapped in twisted paper in Paris. The introduction of the halfpenny postage rate in 1870 also contributed to the growing success of Christmas cards. However, Cole's 'first Christmas card' would, along with Prince Albert's palace Christmas tree, set an example that would later become a key part of the Victorian Christmas.Īdvances in printing processes and colour techniques meant that by the 1860s complex designs could be produced on a large scale. At the time this was expensive, and the venture initially failed to take off. When postal service reformer Henry Cole created his own Christmas card in 1843 to send to friends and family, he also put them on sale to the general public for a shilling. Putting a star or angel on top of the Christmas tree is also a tradition that began in Victorian times. This could be seen as an attempt to bring the natural world into their homes in the wake of the Industrial Revolution. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Basket.Christmas Tree at Windsor Castle - first published in 1848 by the Illustrated London NewsĪs well as trees, the Victorians decorated their house with things such as holly and ivy. * Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee Her Golden and Diamond Jubilees were times of public celebration ![]() As a result of her seclusion, republicanism temporarily gained strength, but in the latter half of her reign her popularity recovered. After Alberts death in 1861, Victoria plunged into deep mourning and avoided public appearances. Their nine children married into royal and noble families across the continent, tying them together and earning her the sobriquet " the grandmother of Europe". Victoria married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in 1840. Favorite Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library Queen Victoria family tree 1897 ![]()
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