Christmas

It'd be unfair to suggest that Kiplin Hall, in Scorton, doesn't always look impressive, with its parquet floors, sweeping staircases and gold framed oil paintings adorning the walls. But right now, it's looking even more glorious than usual, and that's because they're decking the halls with boughs of holly... and a great deal more!

Dawn Webster is the curator there and has had help from several local groups and Friends of the Hall, as well as staff at Kiplin Hall, in bringing back an air of Victorian style to this 17th century building. In total, they've put up seven Christmas trees, as well as countless 'swags', or garlands, on the fireplaces and up stairs.

First impressions

When I visited, Elaine, the warden at Kiplin Hall, was busy making decorations for outside the front door, and according to her, it's easy: "It's just a bucket with gravel in. There are two canes in that, and there's an oasis tied on the top in a round ball, covered in cling film. You just put your greenery in it until it forms a nice ball. Put a nice big red ribbon on - or whatever colour scheme you're using - and put it outside your front door".

Eileen working with nature itself.

And do use natural materials in your door decorations and garlands. Although mistletoe, the cause of much frivolity, is very difficult to find at the moment, you can always find plenty of other things outside, as Elaine explains: "We've raided the wood and come back with holly and ivy - with berries. Basically, everything that's being used is from the estate itself".

Make and do

If you're tempted to do something similar, do what the Victorians did and make sure you rope the family in first, because there's a lot of work in it. Perhaps leave tricky jobs like arranging garlands to the older volunteers in your group, and get the children making tree decorations, as they would've done during Victorian times. Why not invite their cousins round too, and get even more done?!

According to Dawn Webster, it wasn't only Christmas decorations that were handmade - presents, especially those from children to their parents, were usually crafted with their own fair hands. They'd make pin cushions, photo album covers, and little satin covers for their prayer books or bibles. They'd also make toffees and sweets, which were put in little bags and hung on the tree.

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree...

Christmas trees became very popular after Prince Albert married Queen Victoria. Born and educated in Germany, he had long enjoyed the national tradition of putting up Christmas trees. Once wed to Queen Victoria, Albert introduced Christmas trees to the Royal Family, and as such, images of the family standing in front of a Christmas tree lit with candles, were seen by the general public. It wasn't long before the prickly arbors were popular with everyone.

Not everyone had the resources to have lit candles on their tree, however. As Dawn warns, only in very wealthy households were they able to do it safely: "In a house like Castle Howard, a footman would stand beside the tree with a sponge on a stick to put out anything that caught fire. And even then, they'd only have the candles lit for an hour at a time".

Return to sender

It wasn't only Christmas trees that were introduced to the British public during the Victorian period - Christmas cards came into being then too. But it wasn't through kindness, as you'd expect. In fact, quite the opposite.

All together now

If the thought of having all your relatives over for Christmas makes you groan with despair, take a reminder of the importance of families being together from the Victorians.

Two proud volunteers

During Victorian times, Christmas was a real family occasion. They gathered round the piano and sang songs and carols. They made things together. And for the next few days after Christmas, they played games - charades, theatricals, and blind man's bluff.

Caring and sharing was extended to those less fortunate. Boxing Day didn't use to be about rushing out to sales and buying as much stuff as possible; it was nicer in Victorian days. The family members at a house like Kiplin Hall, especially the ladies and children, would go out on Boxing Day handing out gifts and food to people living on the estate. Kiplin was over 5000 acres in size, so there was a lot of ground to cover!

The food of love

Finally, if you're bored with Nigella, and Jamie's just not pucka enough for you anymore, take a leaf from the Victorian cook's book. In the early Victorian times, they had goose or a side of beef for Christmas dinner - it wasn't until the 1880's that turkey became popular.

The drawing room fireplace

Delicious dishes weren't just the reserve of the wealthy. Poor people had 'goose clubs', through which they'd save money throughout the year for their Christmas dinner. On Christmas morning bakers would stay open and bake the geese, as the poorer people didn't have the facilities to do it at home.

Plum pudding, made with real plums, was usually for dessert. In the early days, there'd be suet and other meaty things in it. However, very quickly the plums were replaced by raisins and other fruits and it became a sweet dish. Even then, it was doused in alcohol, as is often the case nowadays. The pudding was then set alight and carried in grandly to the sound of cheers from everybody at the table.

So, now you know how to do it, what the Dickens are you waiting for?! Have yourself a happy Victorian Christmas!