A Victorian Christmas

by Kennedi Forsythe

Image © Science History Images and Alamy Images

The wonders of Christmas that a young Amelia Earhart would have experienced in her grandparents’ home derived from the traditions brought over to the Americas from England. The customs of Queen Victoria and her family, inspired by the German customs of her beloved husband Prince Albert, became a staple in American life and developed into the customs we now celebrate today (1). The Otis home, where Amelia spent her childhood with her grandparents, would have been decked with beautiful evergreen garland accompanied by a German-inspired fir tree covered top to bottom with decorations such as glass figures, fruits, and paper ornaments (2). Amelia may have also had the modern experience of witnessing the bright electric Christmas lights Thomas Edison developed in the 1880’s, but many Victorian families still preferred the presumed safety of candles to light their trees instead of the newfangled string lights (3).

 The family also may have participated in parlor games, such as the popular Snapdragon. Participants would sit around a bowl filled with brandy and raisins, then light the brandy on fire (4). The goal of the game was to take as many raisins from the bowl without burning yourself or others. Another popular game at the time was a practice of memorization known as Kim’s Game. A tray would be taken out, filled with many different objects, and shown to a group of players. Once the tray was covered, the players would have to use their memory and repeat what they saw. These games, along with games more familiar to the modern reader like charades and sardines, brought families together and got them into a celebratory mood (5). It isn’t hard to imagine Amelia and her grandparents deepening their bond this way, either. 

*disclaimer: Snapdragon is very dangerous game and the AEBM discourages readers from trying this game for themselves. The Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum (AEBM) accepts no responsibility or liability for participation in any of the activities described in this blog post. Under no circumstances will the AEBM be held responsible or liable in any way for claims, damages, losses, expenses, costs or liabilities whatsoever resulting or arising directly or indirectly from your participation in the activities or from your reliance on the information and materials provided. If you choose to participate in any of the activities you do so at your own discretion and risk.

Image from Diefenbaker Canada Centre.

Despite its medieval pagan roots, caroling was a popular Christmas pastime in many towns. Families would gather around a grand piano or go door-to-door greeting their neighbors with holiday cheer. Many famous Christmas songs even had their start in the Victorian era, such as Jingle Bells (1857) and Deck the Halls (1862) (6). Gift giving became more popularized as well, especially with the rise of production and lowering of costs of goods during the Industrial Revolution (7). Men received practical items such as cigars and coats, while women were gifted with jewelry and purses. Little girls Amelia’s age received dolls and ribbons, and the young boys of her generation received mechanical toys and games (8). 

To top it off, Amelia and her family would have gathered around their table to enjoy a great Christmas feast, with a turkey or other fowl as the centerpiece (9). Domesticated turkeys were an expensive product, so many lower class people couldn’t enjoy this costly bird. Different places had different alternatives, such as rabbits and other smaller birds. Eventually, with the increase in turkey production, the cost lowered and more middle-class families were able to enjoy turkey in their Christmas feast (10). 

Image © World History Archive and Alamy Images

Many of the traditions that Amelia may have celebrated are still done today. People in the modern era can feel a connection to a young American heroine through the touching and impactful traditions of Christmas, now and for years to come.

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Endnotes

1. "Victorian Christmas Traditions," English Heritage.

2. Penne Restad, "Christmas in 19th Century America," History Today.

3. "American Christmas Traditions," Tobacco Farm Life Museum.

4. "A Reason to Celebrate: The Meaning of Victorian Christmas," Diefenbaker Canada Centre.

5. "Victorian Parlor Games," Clermont County Public Library.

6. "Victorian Christmas: Sugar Plums," Hearthstone Historic House Museum.

7. Restad, "Christmas in 19th Century America."

8. "Victorian Christmas: Sugar Plums."

9. "Victorian Christmas Traditions."

10. "Victorian Christmas: Sugar Plums."

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Bibliography 

“American Christmas Traditions.” Tobacco Farm Life Museum. Friends of Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Inc., December 18, 2020. https://www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/post/american-christmas-traditions. 

“A Reason to Celebrate: The Meaning of Victorian Christmas.” Diefenbaker Canada Centre. University of Saskatchewan. Accessed December 2024. https://diefenbaker.usask.ca/exhibits/online-exhibits-content/a-reason-to-celebrate-the-meaning-of-victorian-christmas.php.

Restad, Penne. “Christmas in 19th Century America .” History Today, December 12, 1995. https://www.historytoday.com/archive/feature/christmas-19th-century-america. 

“Victorian Christmas: Sugar Plums .” Hearthstone Historic House Museum. January 2019. https://www.hearthstonemuseum.org/christmas#:~:text=Victorian%20society%20transformed%20the%20idea,family%20and%20society%20in%20general. 

“Victorian Christmas Traditions.” English Heritage. Accessed December 2024. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/christmas/victorian-christmas-traditions/. 

“Victorian Parlor Games.” Clermont County Public Library. Accessed December 2024. https://clermontlibrary.org/victorian-parlor-games/.