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
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