Decorating the Christmas tree
Planning what you will hang on your Christmas tree for many is quite an undertaking. First of all, have you planned your colours and whether or not you will have tinsel? Lastly how big is your tree and where will it go!
It was so much easier in Victorian times. At the start of the Christmas tree phases it was customary to hang food on the tree. Decorating the tree would happen very close to Christmas, if not Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve is when the Christmas feast would begin, starting with eating the beautiful, sweet treats from the tree.
Albert and Victoria
Albert and Victorina popularised the Christmas tree (please see A Christmas tree a German tradition) decorating them on Christmas Eve for each of their children. Traditionally a German Spruce fir https://amzn.to/3GjjP14
Hanging homemade Gingerbread. Now it’s probably safe to say, these were made by their many cooks that they had on hand. However, in other households these were freshly baked by their own fair hands, then hung to the tree with care.
The gingerbread that was hung could be any shape – it doesn’t have to be shaped like a man!
Other Hanging Treats
Homemade sugar plums were very popular with middle class children and were a must have treat. Let’s not forget every child’s favourite, candy canes https://amzn.to/3gOnZDS
Designed in the 17th century by a Bishop to keep children quiet during the nativity service. These hooked shaped treats became very popular during the Victorian Christmas festivities.
Sweet Cones
Most children of the time would have had great fun making sweet cones to hang from the tree, filled with nuts and sugared fruit and sugared mice.
Gilded Walnuts
Gilded walnuts started life by being cracked on New Year’s Eve when their fruit became popular, but it didn’t take long for the customer to change to cracking them Christmas Eve. Also, at the same, this is when all the delicious treats from the tree would be eaten.
These Gilded Walnuts are covered (gilded) in gold leaf and hollowed out with a small love note inside for that special person.
Dried Oranges
I can almost smell the oranges from here, what a great way to add colour and smell to the Christmas tree. Very easily made during the Victorian times.
For garlands around the tree Victorians would have added dried cranberry on string and some evenly strung popcorn.
Making your own Victorian Christmas tree decorations
See my own sugar Plum recipe
Gilded Walnuts
For the gilded walnuts you will need walnuts hole https://amzn.to/3VBDEFl
Crack in a clean break in two, hollow out the middle getting rid of all the nuts.
then either paint with gold paint or cover with gold leaf. Https://amzn.to/3idR6kb
add a small gift or love note inside
glue together with hot glue https://amzn.to/3XIxiWv
all items needed are linked, once you click on the link i may get a small commission.
Making your own Dried Oranges
You will need
5 large orange slices
Cinnamon sticks https://amzn.to/3OPxL5c
Cloves https://amzn.to/3XJ7XM4
String https://amzn.to/3XJiBm4
These are very easy and make your house lovely and Christmassy.
I’d use large oranges, slice them evenly, lay them on a chopping board. With a dry paper towel dab some of the moisture out, this will help the drying out process.
Set your oven to around 80 degrees. and lay the oranges on a baking sheet and put in the oven. Turn them periodically – this will ensure they dry evenly. You will know when they’re ready by the fact the fleshy part will not be sticky anymore.
You can then add cinnamon sticks or cloves to decorate them to hang on your tree.