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Yet another busy and successful year for our Family

Tree Group. This is our 7th Christmas Newsletter. We


now have 70 members in the group. We have our
usual active members but quite a few we would like
to hear more from and see what progress they are
making with their trees. So, a new year approaching,
shake those branches and see who is missing. We
have so many resources now. Thousands of useful
websites and millions of records to search through,
courtesy of Ancestry. So, come on, a new year, a new
look at your trees…

We asked for a recent roll call and thanks to the


following that responded:
Tracy, May, Grace, Janice, Melissa, Dianne, Kathleen,
Pat S., Joy, Pat W., Annette, Irene, Liz, Randy, Sue,
and Frank. Still not too late to write in and let us
know you are still active in your research.

Here is just a quickie update on how members have


been getting along with their trees. We don’t have
the space to comment on everyone’s tree so we have
just written about those who are currently active.

Elizabeth in Texas - She recently has had bone


surgery and we wish you a speedy recovery! Her
mother is also unwell at the moment and is spending
time seeing to her so has put her family tree research
on the back burner for the moment. Elizabeth still
searches for her ancestor, John Joseph Dwyer
(O’Dwyer) who emigrated from Ireland to the USA in
the 1860’s.
Kathleen - Researching her Fothergills and family of
Atkinson Heap.
Tracy - New member 9 Oct. Interesting date on her
family, her Gt. Grandfather was killed on the 8 August
1918, her eldest son was born on the 8th August, as
was her second son. Spooky!!! Tracy is researching
her Vivash family tree from Surrey and Wiltshire, for
which Vera set up a tree on Tribal for her. Tracy is
currently researching the Bristow family on her Dad’s
side, Born 1891 in Stourbridge.
Irene - She has recently applied to work on the 2011
census as a person who collects census form from
residential places - a very important job, well done.
Irene has recently been researching her very wealthy
ancestor called Samuel Sunderland. He was from
Bingley in Yorkshire but was a wealthy wool draper in
London and also Mayor of London. She is keen to find
his will, although not find it yet, we have been able to
find out that he left property and land, so the search
continues.
May - Is researching her ancestor, David Munro from
Inverness, born 1905 and his family. Good luck with
the search May.
Helen - She continues to research the family of John
Lloyd and Mary Ann Hughes, who were from the
village of Llanelli in Carmarthenshire.
Sue - Has been away lately but came back to find her
grandfather as ‘Photo of the Week.’ Sue is very proud
of him.
Janice - Still continues to research her Wilton family
tree, they were from Cornwall and sailed the high
seas to Australia. En-route, they had a stop in Cape
Town, South Africa, where two of the daughters spent
a little longer at the shops than planned and missed
the boat to Australia. Fortunately, they were able to
board another ship to join the family very soon after.
Janice has recently been researching her ancestor,
John Deeble from Cornwall; he had three wives and
died in the U.S.A. We have also been helping her find
more info on her ancestor, Jonathan Tipple Green and
his family from Norfolk.
Candy - She has been busy moving house in October
but it keen to find out more info on her grandfather,
William Plotts, who was born in New Jersey, U.S.A. but
so far, we have been unable to find him for sure as
there are quite a few there with the same name but
we continue to look.
Pat Wareing - Pat has been a busy bee and has
recently been on a trip to Canada to see relations and
think whilst there, has found more information on her
family for her tree. Pat and I have recently been over
to Liverpool together (we do this every few months or
so) to try and find more details on the death of her
ancestor, Mary Smith (nee Chapman). Quite a
daunting task trying to find the death of a Mary Smith
in Liverpool but we knew it was between 1891 and
1892 and we had the address at the time of death. It
was quite ironic how we found the details, we whizzed
through the microfiche too fast and had to back track.
We weren’t going to bother and just carry on as we
had been looking for so long, but we said no, we will
go back and BINGO, we found Mary. There before us
was a photocopy of the piece of paper that showed
the purchase of a grave, the time of the funeral,
place, address and from that we were able to find the
grave number. We had a choice of two cemeteries
where she could have been buried but we found her
quite quickly and now Pat is just waiting for a reply
from the Cemeteries Office to say where the grave it,
then Pat wants to go and see it and find out who also
is buried with her etc.
Pat Selman - Poor Pat has had a nasty fall recently
and had to go to hospital but pleased that she is now
recovering at home and actively takes part in the
group. We are still helping Pat with her Scott family
from Hammersmith in London, with just a few more
queries to clear up. So pleased you are recovering
well, Pat.
Maureen - Maureen has for years been searching for
information on her ancestor, Sabina Dunford who
came from Ireland to Tasmania and then to Australia
in the 1800’s. Sabina is associated with the Breen
family and Maureen has recently found some new
information, which we are hoping will lead
somewhere.
Grace - Thanks for attending the roll call in October.
Grace has had a recent addition to her family tree, a
new grandson called Jackson Drew. You have been a
little quiet lately Grace, hope all is well.
Sue - Has been researching her Grainger/Walker
family tree from Staffordshire.
Melissa - Our resident photo restorer, who does a
marvellous job repairing any old photos we send to
her. Melissa always makes time to write in, even
though she has lots of teenagers in the house and no
doubt fights for her own computer time.
Diane- We are still helping with her research on
Joseph Redfern, born 1655 in Tattenhill, Burton-on-
Trent. Such an interesting family, luckily with quite of
bit of info considering the date he was born. Dianne is
also researching her ancestor David Stafford from
Casterton Magna Born 1785.
Susan - Susan has been busy researching her
Sparhams/Davenports in Doncaster.
Alison - Vera recently set up a Tribal Tree for her but
at the moment having trouble trying to access it
again due to mix up with passwords etc. Let us know
how you get on Alison!

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS

Dating back to Rome in 330 AD, the Christian holiday


of Christmas is one of the oldest and most powerful
celebrations in human history. Originally celebrated
as a simple mass, Christmas has come to replace a
number of other holidays in many countries, and a
large number of traditions have become a cherished
part of the family Christmas celebration.

Why December 25?


From the words Cristes maesse, or "Christ's Mass,"
Christmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of
Jesus. What's interesting about this is that Jesus was
not born on December 25 as many assume. Actually,
no one is sure when Jesus was born as the exact date
is not mentioned in the Bible. December 25th is just a
date picked by the Catholic Church to eclipse the
festivities of a rival pagan festival, Saturnalia.

Christmas has a long history within England, dating


all the way back to the days of the legendary King
Arthur, who was said to have made "merrie" in York in
the year 521, celebrating the season with minstrels,
gleemen, harpers, pipe-players, jugglers and dancers.
There was a brief period where Christmas was not
held in high regard by the country's leader and his
many followers (Cromwell's reign), but other than
that spot in history England has always been an
abnormally special place for Christmas.

Although the Victorian period cannot be credited with


resurrecting the Christmas season entirely,
wandering minstrels went from hamlet to hamlet and
castle to castle to tell tales and sing about the
season… a tradition that many still follow today.
We actually have the English to thank for making the
Christmas tree a popular, jovial tradition. The
Christmas tree as we know it today became most
popular with Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert,
who was originally from Germany – where the idea of
the Christmas tree was invented. The tree was placed
right besides the kissing bough, a mixture of
mistletoe and evergreen.

So this was Christmas in England in Victorian times,


but spare a thought for the people from England who
decided to seek a better life on the other side of the
world, in Australia. These pioneers soon adapted
Christmas English traditions, even though the season
then was actually summer.
Christmas Poem

'Twas the night before Christmas


When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even my spouse.

The dining room table with clutter was spread


With pedigree charts and with letters which said...
"Too bad about the data for which you wrote;
Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat."

Stacks of old copies of wills and such


Were proof that my work had become too much.
Our children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

And I at my table was ready to drop


From work on my album with photos to crop.
Christmas was here, and such was my lot
That presents and goodies and toys I'd forgot.

Had I not been busy with grandparents' wills,


I'd not have forgotten to shop for such things

Tracing the History of a Victorian Christmas

Before 1837, there was no talk of Santa Claus in Ye


Olde England. There were no Christmas crackers and
it wasn’t until 1841 that the jokes you’ll read on the
25th, were first circulated! The Royal Mail would have
had no excuse for delayed mail during this time of
year because nobody sent any Christmas cards. Oh
yes and as for days off, you could go and whistle.

Twas the industrial revolution that changed the face


of Christmas for our "bah humbug" souls. As more
money was earned from the factories, their middle
class owners decided that they could afford a couple
of days off, Christmas and Boxing Day. The 26th got
its title as it was the day in which servants and other
working folk, opened the boxes in which they had
collected gifts of money from the richer population.

As mass production increased, the price of toys was


significantly less than their handmade predecessors.
Of course, this new found affordability was only really
opened up to the middle classes. If your ancestors
were from the poorer side of society, then their
stocking was slightly less interesting than middle
class children’s, games, dolls or books. They might
get an apple, orange and perhaps a selection of
nuts…if they were lucky!

Now, are you a Santa person or do you prefer Father


Christmas? No, the two are not the same thing; they
are two totally separate stories, forged together
through years of Hallmark cards. Father Christmas
was originally a bit part character in an old midwinter
festival. Dressed in his usual red…er… green, his
appearance was a sign of the returning spring,
nothing to do with a fat chap committing multiple
counts of breaking and entering. As for Santa Claus,
well I do hope that nobody from the BNP uses this
term, as we got it from Dutch settlers. Their original
Sinter Klaas was transformed, almost unrecognizably,
to Santa Claus and along with that came the story of
the Reindeer and sleigh. A natural progression, I'm
sure you'll agree. Point of interest, a friend of mine
genuinely believes in Santa, a fact I can happily
mention, as he doesn’t read this! He’s 33 years old.

As for the decorating of the Christmas tree, well it’s


Vic’s husband that we can thank for that. In the
1840’s he brought one over to Britain as they were
already popular in his native Germany. Today a lot of
people allow their children to decorate the tree and
then try to make it look less like it was caught in an
explosion at a tinsel factory, by changing it once
they’ve gone to bed. Kids are like dogs, they live in
the moment, they'll never know. Although replacing
the Barbie doll that adorns the space where the star
or fairy should be, might be a little difficult to
explain.

I mentioned the use of Crackers earlier and what


Christmas dinner would be complete without the
worst jokes you’ve ever heard or shrieks of alarm
from various areas of the table, due to the loud bang
they give off. Look out for it at your dinner and I bet
you it’s there, usually from a Gran or an Aunt. It’s as
much of a custom as the X Factor winner making it to
the Christmas number 1. Anyway, it was a gentleman
by the name of Tom Smith that we need to thank for
their invention. In 1846 he started off with sweets in
colourful paper but this developed into love notes,
paper hats, small toys and the customary ‘Bang’.
Remember to save one of these sonic boom bad boys
till later so you can wake up the olds after they pass
out from eating too much dinner...you have to get rid
of them somehow!

The Famous Christmas Crackers

Tom Smith, a baker of wedding cakes from


Clerkenwell, London, invented the Christmas
cracker in 1847. The events that led to these
wonderful creations were quite a story. In 1940,
Smith went to Paris and came across 'Bon bon', an
almond sweet wrapped in paper that was twisted.
He liked the taste so much that he began selling
the 'new' sweets in London and they became very
popular. Tom, who was always on a lookout for new
promotion opportunities, noticed that his sweet
had become popular gifts for loved ones and
sweethearts of young men. Chinese fortune cookies
inspired him to introduce small slips of paper inside
the wrapping that had love mottos on them.

By 1846, he had become a successful businessman.


One day, while he was enjoying the warmth of his
fireplace, the crackle of a log gave him a new idea.
He started experimenting to try to reproduce it in
his sweets. In his pursuit, there were many failures
and on certain occasions even his furniture and
hands were burnt. Finally, he got it right. He took
two strips of thin card and pasted small strips of
salt petre on them. When these cards were pulled
away, they produced a crack and a spark. Within a
year, Tom's latest inventions had become a
fashion. The sweets were first called 'Cosaques'
after the cracking of the Cossack's whips. It was
only after a decade that they came to be known as
Christmas crackers.

Christmas crackers became so popular that many


competitors sprung up in the market. The designer
and colorful wrappers were used as promotional
techniques and they were sold by half-a-dozen and
one dozen packs in matching boxes. Thus, Tom
Smith was virtually forced to get his designs
patented and his company came to be known as
the Tom Smith Crackers. By 1880s, Smith's
company had already produced over hundred
cracker designs. By 1900, Smith had sold more
than 13 million crackers that were not only used at
Christmas but also at other festivities, fairs and
coronations. Tom later added small toys to his
crackers. In 1933, printed foil wrappers were
introduced and then as the designs evolved glass
pendants, brooches, bracelets and other jewellery
were included in the collections.

With Christmas carols in the air, Christmas is a time


of celebration, beauty and fun. We decorate the
houses to contribute to the gaiety and festive spirit
of the Christmas holidays. We use lights, colours,
ornaments, wreaths, garlands, stars and the
Christmas tree to add more and more loveliness to
the homes. The grand and magical-looking
Christmas tree is undoubtedly the highlight of
these decorations. Today, people keep adding to
the list with fancy lights and musical décors but the
ones that are innovative and made by one's own
hands and the most favourite ones too for they also
bring the families and friends together as we trade
ideas signifying caring and sharing. So take your
cutters, papers, ornaments, glitters, ribbons and
glue to carve out your best Christmas ever.

An easy homemade Christmas star can be made in


a jiffy using shiny red wrapping paper, cardboard,
scissors, glue, glitter and some string. Draw a huge
star on the cardboard and cut it out. Make a hole
on the top. Cover it with the foil or shiny wrapping
paper. Paint glue in any pattern on the star and
spread the glitter over it. Dust off the excess
glitter, when the glue dries. Attach the string and
your star is ready to be hanged anywhere you wish.
Christmas wreaths made of evergreen leaves with
bright red ribbon bows look beautiful too along
with hollies and bells. Read this section for some
great tips and ideas for your Christmas decoration.

A little now on genealogy just to split it up

1907 Ramsgate Kent England Newspaper


Clippings
MARRIAGES
NOBES-ABBY Dec 19 at Christ Church, Ramsgate, by the Rev
CL Williams, John Nobes of Ramsgate to Fanny Clara Abby of
Norwich
ROBERSON-BRACKENBURY Dec 26 at St George's Church,
Ramsgate, by the Rev L P Crawford, Walter Alexander
Roberson to Alice Brackenbury both of Ramsgate
SOLLY-LONG Dec 25 at St. George's Church, Ramsgate by
the Rev L P Crawford, Walter George Solley to Flora Kate
Long, both of Ramsgate
SUTTON-CLARKE Dec 26 at Christ Church, Ramsgate, by the
Rev CL Williams, Alfred Samuel Sutton of Westgate-on-Sea,
to Ann Louisa May Clarke of Ramsgate
SPITTLE-ASHENDEN Dec 26 at the Wesleyan Chapel,
Ramsgate by the Rev T W Beck, William Arthur Spittle to Eva
Ashen den
SIMPSON-COOK Dec 26 at the Cavendish Church, Ramsgate,
by the Reve T Hancocks, Ernest George Simpson to Cordelia
Mary Cook [Lorine's English ancestors. Ernest and Corelia
immigrated to Toronto Canada]
TAAFE-WEST Dec 16 at St George's Church, Ramsgate by the
Rev GW Dickson, Archibald George Taffe to Jessie Annie
West, both of Ramsgate

DEATHS

WOODWARD Dec 22 at Hogarth House, Sandwich, Annie M.,


widow of the late John Bushnell [Bushell?] Woodward aged
80 years

1910 Ramsgate Kent England Newspaper


Clippings
BIRTHS

DEACON May 23 at 84 High Street, Ramsgate, the


wife of Edgar Deacon, a son
LINNELL May 26 at Hanover, Addiscombe Road,
Margate, to Mr and Mrs Herbert Linnell, a son
SIMPSON May 15 at Toronto Canada, the wife of
Ernest G Simpson late of 10 Chapel Place Ramsgate, a
daughter [Lorine's English ancestors]

DEATHS

CULMER. June 3 at 18 Trinity place, Ramsgate, William


Peake Culmer in his 59th year
CLAYSON. May 31 at Minster, Clara Ann Clayson, aged
71 years
HANNA. May 27 at Manaos, Brazil, Wallace Joseph
Hanna of Margate aged 21 years
HOLLANDS May 28 at 10 Park Cottages, West
Dumpton, Susan hollands age 54 years
LOFT May 28 at the Crown Inn, Sarre, Mary Jane Loft
aged 58
POINTER May 30 at Winstanely Crescent, Ramsgate,
Ernest WIlliam Pinter, aged 2 months
SIMPSON, May 27 at Toronto, Canada, Edith the
dearly loved youngest daughter of Ernest and Mary
Simpson and granddaughter of Mr and Mrs D. G.
Simpson of 10 Chapel Place, aged 1 year 10 days
[Lorine's English ancestors. This is Ernest Simpson
and Cordelia Mary Cook's daughter Edith. Ernest was
the son of David George Simpson and Sarah Jane
Stead]
SMALL May 29 at 15 Augusta
The Victorian Christmas is a
joyous occasion. First and
foremost, it is a religious holiday,
but giving and family were
important themes. Most were
handmade, so were started many
month before. Mufflers, embroidered handkerchiefs,
bookmarks, pen wipers, and other useful gifts were lovingly
stitched, glued, and colored for family members and friends
through the fall and winter months. Wrappings of colored
paper, tissue, and cloth were chosen with ribbons to
Compliment

The air is filled with the smells and sounds of the


approaching holiday. The scent of roasted chestnuts from
street vendors wafts throgh the crisp air, the sharp scent of
evergreens draped around some doors, wreaths give a
festive look to doors and windows. Not all, some cling to the
superstition that says you must not put up greens until
Christmas eve. On street corners street musicians are
singing traditional melodies. Carolers stroll along, stopping
to sing for people and selling a sheet of music.
Busy shoppers hurry along on foot or in carriages getting
last minute gifts, a trip to the shop to match a bit of thread,
the bakery to order some little cream horns . . . so much to
do!
On Christmas Eve the last of the relatives arrive for the
holidays. Not only the immediate family, but aunts, uncles,
cousins, grandparents, it was a holiday devoted to one of the
most important aspects of Victorian times, the family. In the
afternoon, a long awaited event, the doors of the parlour
open and the children finally get to see the glorious
Christmas tree with it's candles, tinsel, beautiful ornaments
made of colourful scrap art, ribbons, baskets of candies hung
from branches. Ropes of popcorn and cranberries ring the
tree. Hung from branches are small wrapped gifts, and
under the tree the larger ones. Christmas eve is the time for
gift exchanges and everyone has a gift. After the grand
unwrapping, the children play with their toys, thoughtful
handmade gifts are admired and the best gift of all is used,
Papa's gift to the family was sometimes a phonograph, a
game, a stereoscopes, or maybe one of the new magic
lanterns with amazing pictures that enthralled the whole
family. Next came the program. Everyone has a part. Shy
children mumble recitations and poems while older children
and adults perform short plays and scenes from history.
Musical performances and group singing fills the house.
After, sleepy children are sent to bed as well as tired adults.

Christmas Eve
Christmas Day

Christmas day starts with a Christmas Mass. After a quick


trip by some to the bakers to pick up the Christmas goose or
other meat, a flurry of cooking takes place. The Christmas
dinner is resplendent with all manner of foods. The meat
being served depends on the area you live in. Many rural
houses have beef. Chicken and goose is popular. Turkey is
popular in America, but not ususally used for Christmas in
England until in the late 19th century. The Christmas
pudding was mixed on Stir-up Sunday, the Sunday before
Advent. A Christmas pudding is made of beef, raisins,
prunes and sugar all packed into a pudding cloth and
dropped in the pot to cook, often with other food. It is
served, with great ceremony, with a coating of brandy set
alite and a sprig of holly in the top.
After Christmas dinner, cleanup, and afternoon naps, the
festivities continue with visits to friends. Most shops are
open. It is unusual for any of the trades to take a day off.
Charity is an important part of the Christmas season.
Sharing with your fellow man. The streets are filled people
wassailing, the less fortunate going from door to door hoping
for donations of food, drink, or money as they invite others
to share a drink from their wooden bowls. Families also walk
door to door carolling to entertain their neighbours.
Boxing Day

The Victorian Christmas is a joyous occasion. First


and foremost, it is a religious holiday, but giving and
family were important themes. Most were handmade,
so were started many month before. Mufflers,
embroidered handkerchiefs, bookmarks, pen wipers,
and other useful gifts were lovingly stitched, glued,
and colored for family members and friends through
the fall and winter months. Wrappings of colored
paper, tissue, and cloth were chosen with ribbons to
compliment.
The air is filled with the smells and sounds of the
approaching holiday. The scent of roasted chestnuts
from street vendors wafts through the crisp air, the
sharp scent of evergreens draped around some doors,
wreaths give a festive look to doors and windows.
Not all, some cling to the superstition that says you
must not put up greens until Christmas Eve. On
street corners street musicians are singing traditional
melodies. Carollers stroll along, stopping to sing for
people and selling a sheet of music.
Busy shoppers hurry along on foot or in carriages
getting last minute gifts, a trip to the shop to match a
bit of thread, the bakery to order some little cream
horns . . . so much to do!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve the last of the relatives arrive for


the holidays. Not only the immediate family, but
aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, it was a holiday
devoted to one of the most important aspects of
Victorian times, the family. In the afternoon, a long
awaited event, the doors of the parlour open and the
children finally get to see the glorious Christmas tree
with it's candles, tinsel, beautiful ornaments made of
colourful scrap art, ribbons, baskets of candies hung
from branches. Ropes of popcorn and cranberries
ring the tree. Hung from branches are small wrapped
gifts, and under the tree the larger ones. Christmas
eve is the time for gift exchanges and everyone has a
gift. After the grand unwrapping, the children play
with their toys, thoughtful handmade gifts are
admired and the best gift of all is used, Papa's gift to
the family was sometimes a phonograph, a game,
stereoscopes, or maybe one of the new magic
lanterns with amazing pictures that enthralled the
whole family. Next came the program. Everyone has
a part. Shy children mumble recitations and poems
while older children and adults perform short plays
and scenes from history. Musical performances and
group singing fills the house. After, sleepy children
are sent to bed as well as tired adults.

Christmas Day

Christmas day starts with a Christmas Mass. After a


quick trip by some to the bakers to pick up the
Christmas goose or other meat, a flurry of cooking
takes place. The Christmas dinner is resplendent
with all manner of foods. The meat being served
depends on the area you live in. Many rural houses
have beef. Chicken and goose is popular. Turkey is
popular in America, but not usually used for
Christmas in England until in the late 19th century.
The Christmas pudding was mixed on Stir-up Sunday,
the Sunday before Advent. A Christmas pudding is
made of beef, raisins, prunes and sugar all packed
into a pudding cloth and dropped in the pot to cook,
often with other food. It is served, with great
ceremony, with a coating of brandy set alight and a
sprig of holly in the top.
After Christmas dinner, cleanup, and afternoon naps,
the festivities continue with visits to friends. Most
shops are open. It is unusual for any of the trades to
take a day off. Charity is an important part of the
Christmas season. Sharing with your fellow man.
The streets are filled people wassailing, the less
fortunate going from door to door hoping for
donations of food, drink, or money as they invite
others to share a drink from their wooden bowls.
Families also walk door-to-door carolling to entertain
their neighbours.

Boxing Day

Boxing day, the first weekday after Christmas, is


devoted to Charity. Gifts of money are put up in
small boxes to be given to servants, and tradesmen,
and distributed to the needy in the area. The more
affluent and upper classes of Victorian society see
charity as a duty they rigorously perform.

Christmas Traditions

Kissing beneath the mistletoe, Santa, exchanging


gifts, carolling,
all wonderful traditions embraced by the Victorian
Era, are
some of our best loved traditions. The Nativity has
been celebrated
since the 4th century. "The Colonies", however, were
slow to embrace the
idea of Christmas, as the celebration of a Father
Christmas in his long fur
trimmed robes was seen as a heathenish notion.
The Christmas tree

The Christmas tree has been a German tradition since as


early as the 17th century, but many ancient civilizations
held evergreens to be a symbol of life during the long winter
months and decorated trees as a symbol of eternal life. In
1841 Prince Albert, German husband of Queen Victoria,
introduced the charming custom to the royal family. In 1850
a tinted etching of a decorated tree at Windsor Castle was
published and the Tannenbaum became a necessity for
every fashionable Victorian home. It was a tradition quickly
embraced by Victorian England. Live trees were set up for
the Christmas season decorated with lighted candles,
draped with tinsel, ribbon, paper chains, cookies and
candies.

Although the Victorian idea of Christmas was not


commercial, having more to do with food, and the exchange
of handmade gifts, New York soon saw the commercial
advantages of a holiday full of the exchange of gifts. By the
1880's Macy's department store's windows were filled with
wonderful dolls and toys from Germany, France, Austria, and
Switzerland.
Another window boasted

scenes with steam driven moveable parts.


Homemade cornucopias of paper filled with fruit, nuts,
candy, and popcorn were hung from branches of trees in
America and England. Beautiful shaped cookies were hung
for treats on Christmas day. Often the gifts were also
wrapped and hung from branches.
With the growing popularity of Christmas trees
manufacturers began producing ornaments around 1870.
Also popular were moulded wax figures of angels and
children. Many ornaments were made of cotton wool
wrapped around an armature of metal or wood and trimmed
with embossed paper faces, buttons, gold paper wings and
"diamond dust", actually powdered glass.

Christmas Greenery

Christmas decorations began appearing well before the


holiday for many. The favourite plants were the berried
evergreens, mistletoe, holly and ivy. During the Roman
Solstice Ceremony known as "Saturnalia" holly was
exchanged, as it was believed the red berries would ward off
lightning and evil spirits. It had to be carried in the house by
a male, as the berries are only on the male plant. Ivy was
twined in the holly as a symbol of the 2 halves of divinity.
Mistletoe was not allowed in churches because of its pagan
origins. In ancient times, Druid priests harvested it from
sacred oaks on the fifth day after the new moon following
the winter solstice. Norse warriors who met under the
mistletoe declared a truce for that day. The Victorians used
mistletoe suspended from the ceiling. Those who met under
it could claim a kiss. The number of kisses allowed under
each plant depended on the number of berries. Each time a
kiss was given, a berry was taken off. No more berries, no
more kisses!
We Hope you will enjoy the news letter for xmas

Christine and myself would like to wish you all a very merry
Christmas and a happy new year and will see you all in the
new year with all those brick walls
Thank you for being with us we enjoy having you all around

Best regards
Christine and Vera
xx

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