Keeping with December's theme of Victorian Christmas-last week was Create a Victorian Christmas-Tree decorations -this week we focus on gifts, wrapping them and holiday greens.
Gifts: Similar to tree ornaments, the Victorians started months ahead making
presents for one another. The homemade gift was considered more thoughtful and
meaningful than a store bought one. For the adults, presents might include:
Apron, stationary, muffler or scarf, jewelry, magazine subscription,
handkerchiefs or scarves, combs, needle-case, watch case, pomander ball, plant,
photograph frame, book marks, cookies, jams, jellies or sweets. Some of the
same presents would be suitable for a boy or girl. Boys gifts would include
sled, skates, model train, shoeshine kit while a girl would receive dolls and
accessories, hair bows etc. http://www.biblicalquality.com/Christmas8.html
As noted in last
week’s post, the feast was the gift initially. However, with the arrival of the
industrial age, manufactured toys became available and gift giving expanded.
Wrapping: In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas
Carol, presents were wrapped in brown-paper. However, as the holiday grew
in popularity, gift wrapping expanded. Presents were wrapped in colored paper,
tissue or cloth with ribbons to complement. “Christmas papers were intricately printed and
ornamented with lace and ribbon. Decorated boxes, loose bags, and coronets bore
cutout illustrations of Father Christmas, robins, angels, holly boughs and
other seasonal decorations.” How is wrapping paper made.
An interesting
aside- tissue paper was a spin off of toilet paper. Introduced by Joseph
Gayetty in 1867, by 1863, it was commonplace enough for Butterick to use it for
the newly invented sewing patterns. Learn more about gift wrapping. Other wrapping ideas:
Greens-Centerpieces, wreaths and swags: Christmas was a time to bring the outside
in. Pine cones would be gathered, greens would be cut and if there was no holly
berries, the Victorians would dip beans into red wax.
The dinning room
table would be set with a tablecloth or runner. Candles would be lit and greens
or flowers would be a focal point.
One year, having no
centerpiece, my brother-in-law, who is an artist, went outside and cut a
variety of pine branches. He laid them in the center of the table, placing
glass tree ornaments on top of them and adding two candles. It didn’t take him
more than 15 minutes to make, but it looked terrific. You can make a centerpiece
using a vase or container of some sort to hold greens. For inspiration, check
out 539 Victorian Christmas Decorating Dining Design.
I’m fortunate as I
live where there are lots and lots of pine trees, so I can pretty much go
outside and cut all that I need. I’ve been making swags for doors by taking a
bunch of greens and wrapping them together with floral wire. Since I also have
a lot of pine cones, I’ve been tying ribbons around them and draping them down
the front of the swag. The whole thing is tied off with ribbon.
If you don’t have
pine readily available where you are, the Dollar Store has plenty of faux
greenery that can be cut up and used in a similar manner. They also sell bags
of pine cones, which can be touched up with white paint to look like it’s been
snowing.
If a wreath is more
your style, check out the following links:
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