Welcome to day 11 of Blogmas! As we count down the days to Christmas, I’m excited to share a little holiday cheer with you. Each day until December 25th, I’ll be posting festive content to help get you into the spirit of the season. From the way we see the holidays in pop culture to the way Christmas is celebrated around the world, I hope these posts bring a little extra joy and warmth to your holiday preparations. So grab the eggiest of nogs, wrap up in your slanket, and let’s celebrate the most wonderful time of the year together!

Ah, the Victorian era—a time of top hats, corsets, and a certain Mr. Dickens penning a holiday classic that would haunt Christmas literature for centuries to come. But what exactly made a Victorian Christmas so… well, Victorian? Let’s take a stroll down memory lane, shall we? Mind the cobblestones and the ghost of Christmas Past.

One of the most iconic Victorian Christmas traditions was the practice of caroling. Picture this: a group of merry folks, bundled up in their finest woolen coats and scarves, going door-to-door and serenading their neighbors with festive tunes. It’s like a 19th-century version of a flash mob, minus the smart phones and with a lot more “fa la la la las.”

But caroling wasn’t the only musical merriment to be had. Victorians were also quite fond of gathering around the piano for a rousing singalong. And if you were lucky enough to have a musically inclined relative, you might have even been treated to a live rendition of “Joy to the World” on the piano. Talk about a Christmas miracle.

Of course, no Victorian Christmas would be complete without the sending of Christmas cards. This tradition actually began in 1843, when Sir Henry Cole commissioned the first commercial Christmas card. The design featured a jolly family raising a toast, flanked by images of people caring for the poor. It was a far cry from today’s glitter-encrusted, pop-up monstrosities, but it set the stage for a beloved holiday tradition.

But perhaps the most entertaining aspect of a Victorian Christmas was the plethora of parlor games. From charades to blindman’s bluff, these games provided hours of festive fun for the whole family. And if you were feeling particularly adventurous, you might have even played a round of “Snapdragon,” which involved plucking raisins out of a flaming bowl of brandy. Because nothing says “happy holidays” like a trip to the burn ward.

But amidst all the caroling, card-sending, and pyrotechnic parlor games, there was one figure who loomed large over the Victorian Christmas: Queen Victoria herself. It was during her reign that many of these holiday traditions took hold, thanks in large part to her German husband, Prince Albert. He brought with him a love of Christmas trees and gingerbread houses, both of which quickly became staples of the Victorian holiday season.

So there you have it—a glimpse into the ghosts of Victorian Christmases past. From the musical merriment of caroling to the delightful danger of Snapdragon, these traditions helped to shape the way we celebrate the holidays today. So the next time you find yourself belting out “Silent Night” or sending a festive card to a loved one, take a moment to thank our Victorian forebears for paving the way.

And who knows? Maybe this year, you’ll even be inspired to sit down at the piano and host a Victorian-style Christmas singalong of your own. Just be sure to keep a fire extinguisher handy for those rounds of Snapdragon.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on these Victorian Christmas traditions. Do you have any favorite holiday customs that have been passed down through the generations? Or perhaps you’ve put your own modern twist on a classic tradition? Leave a comment below and share your stories of Christmases past, present, and yet to come.