There was also a difference between the North of England and the South of the UK when it came to poverty and Christmas. The South was and still is, more affluent than the North. This difference was apparent those in the North and South celebrated Christmas. However, poorer areas in the South, such as the East End of London, were more like the North, in terms of poverty and the way that they celebrated Christmas.
For poorer Victorians, it was customary for them to eat things such as rabbit or beef. Whereas, for richer Victorians, they ate things such as swan, pheasant and turkey. It was the Victorians who made turkey a popular dish at Christmas. So, it became more common for both poorer and richer Victorians to eat one food at Christmas - turkey. It wasn't until the end of the Victorian era, that most people were eating turkey. With that gap being closed, in terms of there not being a difference in the main course for Christmas dinner - turkey. In Scotland, Christmas wasn't the main festive celebration, like it was in England. Scotland performed to make Hogmanay the main festive holiday. It was only really at the turn of the century, some years after Queen Victoria's reign, that Christmas became the main holiday in Scotland. With Hogmanay being pushed to second. However, even today, Hogmanay is still a big event in Scotland. Many poor people in the Victorian era, spent their Christmas in the workhouse. This was a place where those who didn't have a home usually lived and worked. The workhouse wasn't a place which was mandatory, people could come and go if they pleased. However, the alternative for people, was to live on the streets. So, they didn't really have much of a choice. The poor living in the workhouse, received a meal of either beef or mutton, with alcohol, cheese and pudding gave to people. However, not all workhouses did this. For many workhouses, the day wasn't given off, it wasn't a special holiday for people and Christmas was virtually non-existent. These things were particularly true in the early Victorian era. The workhouse would be decorated with Christmas decorations. And, the families of those in the workhouse, could visit their relatives every Boxing Day. The Christmas spent in the workhouse, was vastly different from those outside of the workhouse, especially compared to the wealthy. Poorer Victorians couldn't afford Christmas cards when they were first created. The Christmas card was something for richer Victorians, in the early Victorian era. But, as time went on, more and more people could afford Christmas cards. Poor people would also get money and gifts from their employers on Boxing Day. The idea of gift giving was started with the Victorians. Eventually, it was a custom where everyone gave gifts to one another and not just the wealthy. Poorer Victorians would also leave out Christmas stockings for children. These Christmas stockings included things such as; oranges, nuts and apples. It wasn't something that they did until the late Victorian era though. The work of A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, was influential in creating a more altruistic Christmas. Were gifts were given, especially from the rich to the poorer, where the poor were given time off work and where there was more of a celebration surrounding Christmas. Before that, none of this happened. Therefore, Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, helped shape the Christmas that we see today. Sources: http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/A-Victorian-Christmas/ http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Christmas/
5 Comments
17/12/2019 11:45:58
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E
10/12/2020 20:27:22
Bruh
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Megan
14/12/2020 10:43:44
Very useful. thank you
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