A former teacher, Susana Ellis
is finally living her dream of being a full-time writer. She loves all genres
of romance, but historical—Regency in particular—is her favorite. Today Susana
joins us to talk about Christmas decorating traditions from the Regency period.
Learn more about Susana and her books, at her Website and her Susana’s
Parlour and Susana’s Morning Room blogs.
Regency Christmas Traditions: Decorating the Home
Christmas Trees
Although
Queen Charlotte was the first to have a Christmas tree erected in 1800 (an idea
imported from Germany,) it was for private viewing and was not an idea
disseminated to the public. It wasn’t until 1841 that Victoria’s husband Albert
introduced the Christmas tree tradition to the English public.
So…there
were no Christmas trees during the Regency.
Regency Christmas Decorations
During the
Regency, Christmas was a much more subdued holiday than it is today. The
emphasis was, in fact, on the season
more than the actual day, beginning with the first Sunday of Advent, when one
would traditionally make the Christmas pudding, and ending with Epiphany on
January 6th, although the season of Christmastide didn’t begin until
the day after Christmas. (Note: if
you are interested in learning about other Regency Christmas traditions, check out
the posts on the Holiday Tour for A
Twelfth Night Tale.)
Regency
homes were decorated tastefully with holly and mistletoe and evergreens—usually
not until Christmas Eve—and promptly taken down on January 6th, as
keeping it up longer was bad luck. Bright ribbons and paper stars and crowns
were intertwined with the branches and hung from ceilings, chandeliers, and
doorways to add holiday cheer. Beneath the decked-out mantel would be a roaring
fire with a pot of wassail for visiting guests, since one never knew when
neighbors and friends would drop by for a holiday toast and a strain or two of
a well-loved Christmas carol.
From
Advent on, there were card parties, house parties (for overnight guests,)
balls, skating parties (if the ice was solid,) dinners, and small gatherings.
The Kissing Bough
In the Middle Ages in
Europe, the kissing bough was the top of an evergreen tree hung upside-down (a
symbol of the Holy Trinity) in the doorway of the home to represent heavenly
blessings for the members of the household. In addition, visitors would
exchange embraces with the master and mistress of the household upon arrival to
demonstrate friendship and goodwill.
In Georgian times, the
kissing bough is a round ball of mistletoe (wound around a circular wire),
evergreens, apples, oranges, paper flowers, ribbons, colored paper and dolls
representing the Mary, Joseph and the Christ child. In many places, households
would vie with each to produce the most elaborate kissing bough.
The custom of stealing
kisses beneath the kissing bough, or even a sprig of mistletoe hanging from the
ceiling or doorway in a place where people were certain to walk beneath it,
became popular in the late eighteenth century.
In A Twelfth Night Tale, the Barlows and their guests decorate
neighboring Livingston House—which had been sadly neglected since Mrs.
Livingston’s death several years ago—on Christmas Day, mostly because Mrs.
Barlow is anxious to find a suitable way to divert the rambunctious children
away from her home furnishings. While the children eagerly make paper flowers
and chains at the neighbors’ home, Lucy and Andrew spend some quality time
together as they set out in search of greenery for their part of the project.
Celebrate the Holidays With a Kissing Bough
History
becomes real to children when they become a part of it themselves, thus the
reason for Thanksgiving and Christmas pageants and plays. Creating a kissing
bough for your home is a Christmas tradition the entire family will enjoy. You
can use wire or oasis balls and decorate with ribbons, paper flowers, mistletoe
and greenery, holly berries, and whatever you choose.
Instructions
For Making a Kissing Bough
Susana is going all out to celebrate the release of A Twelfth Night Tale!
A Twelfth Night Tale Giant Treasure Box*
·
lovely gift box
·
A Twelfth
Night Tale Christmas charm bracelet (silver-plated)
·
Father Christmas figurine
·
Three Wise Men figurine
·
Thomas Kinkade photo collage
·
Treasuring
Theresa mug
·
Treasuring
Theresa necklace
·
Treasuring
Theresa keychain
·
two Christmas ornaments from Scotland (Mary Queen of
Scots and fleur-de-lys)
·
two decks of Ellora's Cave playing cards
·
two perfumed soaps from Scotland
·
fizzing bath salts from Scotland
·
Celtic pen from Scotland
·
“jeweled” soap
·
nail clipper keychain from London
·
stuffed toy bear
*In lieu
of the treasure box, a winner from outside the U.S. will receive a gift card
from the book retailer of their choice.
A Twelfth Night Tale
A wounded soldier and the girl next door find peace
and love amidst a backdrop of rural Christmas traditions.
Without
dowries and the opportunity to meet eligible gentlemen, the five Barlow sisters
stand little chance of making advantageous marriages. But when the eldest
attracts the attention of a wealthy viscount, suddenly it seems as though Fate is
smiling upon them.
Lucy knows
that she owes it to her younger sisters to encourage Lord Bexley's attentions,
since marriage to a peer will secure their futures as well as hers. The man of
her dreams has always looked like Andrew Livingston, her best friend's brother.
But he's always treated her like a child, and in any case, is betrothed to
another. Perhaps the time has come to put away childhood dreams and accept
reality…and Lord Bexley.
Andrew has
returned from the Peninsula with more emotional scars to deal with than just
the lame arm. Surprisingly, it's his sister's friend “Little Lucy” who shows
him the way out of his melancholy. He can't help noticing that Lucy's grown up
into a lovely young woman, but with an eligible viscount courting her, he'll
need a little Christmas magic to win her for himself.
