Although Christmas is of course an ancient religious festival, most of the familiar images we have of the festive season only date back to the Victorian era. Here’s a look at when we first started decorating our homes a Christmastime, and how the tradition has evolved over the years.

Festive greenery

One of the earliest forms of Christmas decoration is still widely used today: seasonal evergreens, such as holly, ivy, and mistletoe. English Heritage reports that church records dating back to the Middle Ages include entries for the purchase of holly and ivy. There were religious and spiritual associations with these plants, as evergreens symbolise eternal life, and remind us that nature will always bring renewed life and hope in the springtime.

The website also explains that the well-known carol ‘Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly’ originated from Wales in the 16^th century, while the folk carol ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ can be dated to the early 19^th century, but may have earlier influences. Evergreens were often placed over mantlepieces, and hung over window and doorframes.

Another familiar symbol of Christmas is the wreath, which can be traced back to ancient Rome, where they were used to celebrate success in war or sporting events. By the 16^th century, the wreath was adopted as a religious symbol, and it is now still widely used in homes and churches at Christmas.

How the Victorians shaped Christmas

The modern version of Christmas which we know and love today is largely the result of the Victorian revival of the festival. Around this time many traditions were introduced, such as the roast turkey dinner, the sending of cards, and the general spirit of goodwill. There was a renewed focus on the family, and it became traditional to buy each member a small gift.

Charles Dicken’s novel A Christmas Carol was a huge hit at the time, and it did a lot to popularise the values of charity and good cheer which we still celebrate today. Before this time, Christmas was not widely recognised as the major festival that it is today, and most ordinary people did not even have any time off work.

The tradition of decorating churches with evergreens continued, and expanded to include the use of Christmas trees in private homes. The Christmas tree was first introduced to the UK by Queen Victoria’s German husband, Prince Albert, who had been used to them forming a part of family celebrations during his childhood.

The BBC reports that in 1848, the Illustrated London News published a drawing of the Royal family posed around a decorated Christmas tree, and this launched the popularity of the domestic tree which still endures today. Common decorations included candles, fruit, sweets, and small wrapped gifts.

The traditional colours of Christmas, such as red, green, and gold, are enjoying a revival this season, as the mood of nostalgia creates a longing for past times. If you are looking for an original handmade Christmas gift or decoration this year, a great option would be a nativity themed Welsh lovespoon.