Christmas - Victorian Society and the Culture of Christmas
The story of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol is significant not only during the festive period but throughout the year, as any good GCSE English student knows. Published in 1843 by the renowned Victorian novelist and journalist, the novella sold out by Christmas Eve of that same year, cementing its place as a holiday classic. During the Victorian period, Christmas evolved into a grand celebration, influenced by symbolic gestures like introducing the Christmas tree—famously popularized by Prince Albert in 1840—and the growing emphasis on family, charity, and festive traditions. These developments established a Christmas culture that continues to shape how we celebrate today. By examining Victorian customs and their influence on modern festivities, I argue that Victorian society laid the groundwork for today's Christmas consumerism while promoting the enduring themes of generosity, family, and joy. 1848 colour drawing of Queen Victoria and Family celebrating Christmas 1848 I...