Holiday Cards
The "Penny Post" was introduced in 1841 during Queen Victoria's reign, allowing a letter or card to be mailed anywhere in Britain for one penny. Soon after, the first Christmas card was designed and cheap postage helped boost its popularity.
Flcikr User Drew B. Saunders
Holiday Vacation
Thanks to wealth created by industry during the Victorian age, middle-class families in England could take time off to celebrate the holidays with their families. I'm glad that tradition stuck because I love lounging by the fire with my family every holiday season.
Mistletoe
A virtuous Victorian angel couldn't deny a man a kiss if she found herself standing under mistletoe.
Source: Flcikr User steve_willis
Christmas Carols
Classic songs like "O Come All Ye Faithful" (1843) and "Away in a Manger" (1883) were actually new hits during Queen Victoria's time. Children and adults would go from house to house singing the carols
Two Theories Behind Christmas Colors
In the 14th century on December 24, it was common for a Miracle Play about Adam and Eve to be performed for Adam and Eve’s Day. The play was used as a teaching method since most of the population was illiterate. Since the play took place in winter and no apple trees were available, it became the custom to tie apples to green pine trees to represent the Tree of good and Evil. Pretty soon, most churches included the pine tree with apples as part of their festive decorations. In Germany, individuals started bringing in pine trees to their homes and tying apples to them as a reminder of the Paradise Tree and from this the Christmas tree was born.
The other more common belief is that green represents eternal life that is given to all mankind by Christ’s resurrection. Since the pine tree is “ever green” it serves as a reminder of eternal life. Christmas red represents the blood he spilt for everyone when he suffered for our sins. When the two colors are used together we have hope for eternal life because of Christ’s suffering for us.
We have a brand new Christmas paper pad and embellishments from K & Co. that features traditional red and green. It is an incredibly versatile pack and perfect to start preparations with, so get yours before they are gone!
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