Why are Victorian Christmas cards so weird?

“Sentiments and designs that may seem unusual today were often considered signs of good fortune, while others poked fun at superstitions,” says Bradbeer. Folk customs influenced the design of many Victorian Christmas cards. In British folklore, for example, robins and wrens are considered sacred species.

Why were Victorian Christmas cards Creepy?

Some historians have suggested that the portrayal of dead animals on nineteenth century Christmas cards were meant to serve as a reminder of the poor and hungry during the holiday season. Stories of poor children freezing to death were common during the winter in Victorian England.

Why do Victorian Christmas cards have dead birds?

Though many cards seem to be capricious one-offs, a few themes did emerge. Dead birds in many of these cards are thought to either represent the plight of the poor—who were likely to die in the cold winter streets—or to be a more general symbol for the winter season.

Did Victorians send Christmas cards?

Queen Victoria sent the first official Christmas card, and Sir Henry Cole, who amongst other things was an assistant to Sir Rowland Hill in the introduction of the penny post and the first Director of the V&amp,A, commissioned the first commercial Christmas card in 1843.

How did Victorians feel about Christmas?

At the dawn of the 19th century, Christmas was hardly celebrated – at least, not in a way we would recognise today. Many businesses didn’t consider it to be a holiday. Gift-giving had traditionally been a New Year activity, but moved as Christmas became more important to the Victorians.

What did Victorians do at Christmas?

The Victorians also transformed the idea of Christmas so that it became centred around the family. The preparation and eating of the feast, decorations and gift giving, entertainments and parlour games – all were essential to the celebration of the festival and were to be shared by the whole family.

What did Victorians put on their Christmas trees?

Christmas trees were traditionally decorated with dried fruit, candies in wrappers, cookies, nuts, and strands of popcorn or cranberries. Small home made gifts were also popular. Decorations of tin, leather or glass would become cherished heirlooms.

Why is the robin on Christmas cards?

If you have ever wondered why red robins are associated with Christmas, postmen in Victorian Britain were nicknamed “Robins” because of their red-breasted coloured uniforms. So the Robin on the Christmas card came to represent the postman who delivered the card yet there are links that pre date this explanation.

How much did it cost to send a Christmas card in the Victorian era?

Sir Henry had the idea of Christmas Cards with his friend John Horsley, who was an artist. They designed the first card and sold them for 1 shilling each. (That is only 5p or 8 cents today(!), but in those days it was worth much much more.) The card had three panels.

Why were dead robins on Christmas cards?

Apparently, people back then associated dead birds, specifically robins and wrens, with good fortune. So sending someone a card depicting a dead, cute little songbird—or perhaps even an actual, tiny corpse—was a way of wishing them the best for the new year.

What 2 Christmas traditions did the Victorians introduce?

What was a Victorian Christmas dinner?

In northern England roast beef was the traditional fayre for Christmas dinner while in London and the south, goose was favourite. Many poor people made do with rabbit. On the other hand, the Christmas Day menu for Queen Victoria and family in 1840 included both beef and of course a royal roast swan or two.

When was the first Xmas card sent?

Reproduction of the Christmas card designed by John Callcott Horsley for Henry Cole in 1843. This is recognised as the first Christmas card ever sent.

How did Victorians wrap Christmas presents?

But the Victorians also knew fun ways to wrap small gifts or give money as a gift: Victorian Christmas gifts were disguised as faux snowballs, Christmas crackers or even sausages!

What did Victorians call Christmas crackers?

The original crackers were love tokens, neither more nor less. They were simply bits of twisted and fringed colored tissue paper, with a sweet and a little verse inside, and they were called “Kisses.” The French were the first to have these, and called them “bon-bons,” but the fashion soon spread to England.

What is a Victorian child?

Victorian children lived very different lives to children today. Poor children often had to work to earn money for their family. … Disease and early death were common for both rich and poor people. Victorian children did not have as many toys and clothes as children do today and many of them were homemade.