Parlor games

Parlor games to bring to your Christmas celebration this year:

The Laughing Game-  players are seated in a circle and the first player says “ha.” The next player says “ha ha.” The third player says “ha ha ha,” and so on until players get confused or someone actually starts laughing. 

The Minister’s Cat – Another circle game, this one begins the description of the minister’s cat by saying, “The minister’s cat is an angry cat.” The next player must continues using the letter “b,” and so on until an adjective is repeated or a player can’t come up with an adjective. 

Are you there, Moriarty? – This game involves two blindfolded players armed with rolled up newspaper rolls, who stagger about calling for “Mr. Moriarty” and trying to hit each other on the head. Nothing says Merry Christmas like a concussion! 

Victorian Christmas crafts

Orange and Clove

You will need:  Oranges or Clementine’s, Whole Clove

  • Stick the cloves into the peel of your chosen citrus pointy end first.
  • Experiment with different designs
  • Enjoy your perfume balls!

 

Popcorn Garland

What you need: Popcorn kernels, oil for popping, Thread or waxed floss, Needle

  • Use plain popcorn, so it lasts without spoiling.
  • Pop your kernels according to its directions.
  • Allow popcorn to rest for a day if you have time. Letting it get a little stale makes it easier to string
  • Use the needle to string each kernel on to your garland!
  • Enjoy your garland!

 

Cranberry Garland

What you need: Cranberries, Needle, Thread or waxed floss, Shellac (if you choose)

  • Work on a towel or other item you don’t mind possibly staining. Wearing a pair of gloves can make the job a little less messy.
  • Use your needle to carefully thread your cranberries on your string.
  • Firm berries work best, soft ones will create more juice.
  • If you’d like spray your garland with a shellac to make it last longer. For the safety of birds and wildlife do not place any shellacked garlands outdoors.
  • Enjoy your garland!

 

 

Paper chain craft

  • Cut strips of paper.
  • Glue or staple 1 strip to form a circle
  • Create your next link by running your strip through your first circle before securing it.
  • Continue adding links until you have the length you desire.

 

Victorian literature and carols to explore

Victorian Christmas cards:

https://bit.ly/3qB8QWu

 

Read A Christmas Carol for free online!

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46/46-h/46-h.htm

 

Find lyrics to all your favorite Christmas carols:

https://www.anoldfashionedchristmas.com/christmas_carol_lyrics.html

Listen to some Victorian Christmas Carols:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miZu3lLSwys&list=OLAK5uy_mgIVHtSrX-P3RKy6-FpDno8GiAJQTd0XU&pbjreload=101

 

Victorian Holiday cooking

Looking for some inspiration as you plan your upcoming holiday meals? Check out some of these Victorian favorites!

We’ve included some recipes close to what Victorian’s would have made. We have not vetted all of them– if you try them let us know if you enjoy them!

Mince pies– Eating mince pies on all 12 days of Christmas was believed to bring good luck in the coming year (one mince pie eaten for each month of the upcoming year). Mutton and beef, chopped sirloin, and sometimes fish filling was used inside the pies. Lemon and orange juice were added to add some sourness, and for sweetness a bit of honey. Spices like saffron and ginger were also used.

Figgy Pudding- This is a tasty pudding that was mostly enjoyed during festive seasons only and by more affluent Victorian families because the ingredients were not cheap! Figgy pudding is also mentioned in the popular Christmas carol, “We wish you a Merry Christmas.”

Nesselrode Pudding- This velvety looking pudding was made as a substitute for typical a Christmas pudding. The ingredients included chestnuts, lemon peel, single cream, and dried cherries.

Sugar Plums- These sugary sweet treats were sometimes hung on the Christmas tree. The Victorian sugar plum is a preserved plum coated in sugar with a crisp outer layer. Kind of like a candy apple.

Roasted Ham with Stuffing-  A goose or turkey weren’t the only meats adorning the table on Christmas! A delicious roast ham stuffed with grated ham, bread crumbs and minced onions with butter, pepper and salt was a Victorian family favorite. The ham was boiled for three hours or so after which the skin was taken out. Another thirty minutes were kept for roasting in the oven and it was coated with pounded breadcrumbs.

Mulled Wine- Still popular to this day, this warm, comforting cocktail was blend of red wine, citrus and spices like ginger and cloves. Kids were also allowed to enjoy this beverage- sans alcohol of course!