By Michelle Macdonald

*Christmas trees were small, fitting on tabletops

*Came to America in 1820s

*Garlands of popcorn, candy, and cakes

*Candles

*Real and fake fruit

*Small gifts hidden in the branches

*Yule log burned

*Church service

*Mince pies and brandy for “Father Christmas”

*Left stockings hanging on fireplace

*Caroling

*Went to church after breakfast

*Christmas dinner (lunch)

*Christmas crackers at dinner

*Dessert usually plum pudding

*Opened gifts after dessert

*Often had parties on Christmas night, usually with dancing

*Christmas gift exchange became popular in America by the 1840s

*Presents included dolls, musical instruments, sugarplums, candy, fruit, etc.

*Placed in or under the Christmas tree

*People started exchanging Christmas cards in the 1840s

*Some went door to door with spiced ale (Wassailing), and people let them in and gave them a drink and money.

*“The Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore published in 1823*The “commercialization of Christmas” occurred during Harriet Beecher Stowe’s lifetime.

Dover Studio. “A Victorian Christmas.” East Bourne Cousins. http://www.eastbournecousins.com/christmas.htm (2005)

McNamara, Robert. “History of Christmas: Many of Our Traditions Began In the 19th Century.” About.com. http://history1800s.about.com/od/entertainmentsport/a/christmas19thc.htm (2008)

Restad, Penne. “Christmas.” MSN Encarta Encyclopedia. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761556859_2/Christmas.html (2008)

R&R Creative. “Christmas Presents.” St. Charles Christmas.” http://www.stcharleschristmas.com/christmaspresents.htm (2008)

Wilson, Jerry. “The Symbols and Traditions of Christmas.” Wilstar’s Wonderland of Christmas. http://wilstar.com/xmas/xmassymb.htm