Monday, October 24, 2016

How were Christmas celebrations different in Regency England.

Christmas Trees weren't a part of Christmas
celebrations until the mid 1800's
As we near Christmas time, we usually celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with family and friends. So things have not changed all that much since the late 1700's through the early 1800's. The Gentry and the Nobles would go to their country estates and the family and close friends would congregate. Because of the remote locations of these estates and the slow mode of travel, guests would stay. 

Christmas Eve - Dinner and afterwards games or dancing. Retire at a reasonable hour. 

Christmas Day - Get up early and go to church. Drop money into the poor box at church. Enjoy a turkey dinner with your family. None of the homes around will drop in for visits, but you can still play games in the evening.

The Day after Christmas called Boxing Day. If you are the lord and lady of the home, you will have made up boxes filled with clothing and food that you will distribute to your tenants. The servants are given a holiday and if not a holiday a holiday bonus. The money you gave to the poor box will be distributed to the poor on this day. Usually a fox hunt will be planned for the day.

   

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