Meet And Greet And Time To Learn About "Victorian Christmas" (Page One)
Let The Dance Begin....
Ho Ho Ho
"Hurry, do NOT be late to the Nightlighters Victorian Christmas Dance
Did You Know? - The Victorian Era began in June, 1837, and concluded in January, 1901. The name of this time period comes from Queen Victoria's rule in the United Kingdom. At this time, the British people enjoy a long period of prosperity. The middle and upper classes were greatly interested in theater, music, and the arts. The effects of industrialization were also beginning to be felt on a wider level, leading to new comforts in the home.
Kathy and Tom were attracted to the tree and the cameras flashed
Click click click.... The place sounded like a paparazzi
festival
Did You Know? -
It's hard to imagine now, but at the beginning of the 19th century Christmas was hardly celebrated. Many businesses did not even consider it a holiday. However by the end of the century it had become the biggest annual celebration and took on the form that we recognise today.
The transformation happened quickly, and came from all sectors of society.
Victoria and Albert gathered around the Christmas tree with their children.
Many attribute the change to Queen Victoria, and it was her marriage to the German-born Prince Albert that introduced some of the most prominent aspects of Christmas. In 1848 the Illustrated London News published a drawing of the royal family celebrating around a decorated Christmas tree, a tradition that was reminiscent of Prince Albert's childhood in Germany. Soon every home in Britain had a tree bedecked with candles, sweets, fruit, homemade decorations and small gifts.
There's nothing like a Victorian Christmas,
Barbara and Richard got in on the act
A bartenders view of the world
How it seems iwhen one is in line....
Barbara explains how the camera operates
Did You Know? - The exchange of presents, of ancient origin, symbolized the good luck, prosperity, and happiness wished for friends. The Victorians began planning their presents many months ahead. Most cherished were handmade, needlework, or something useful. People exchanged remembrances with family and friends. Children made their gifts as well.
The centerpieces were cute
and he/she with a birthday closes too July 4th wins! (July 4th??)
Joe and the Rhythm Kings were roaring to go!
The Rhythm Kings vintage 1940's
The room is filling up
Roberta and Amy are getting ready to dance
The tables were perfect.... Plenty of room to hold the wine glasses
Dance supervision is underway
It's in the air....
Notice how carefully the wine glass is clutched so as not to spill a drop
Now this is a REAL idea!!
First on the floor
... Testing it out for the other members
"Let's be off to the Nightlighter's Victorian Christmas Dance"
"OK.... Who has the mistletoe... I mean the Kissing Bough???"
Did You Know? - Before the middle of the 19th century, the kissing bough was the primary piece of decorative greenery in the Victorian home for the holidays. A kissing bough, sometimes called a kissing ball, is a double hoop of evergreen boughs, holly, ivy, apples, pears, ribbons, lighted candles, and other ornaments with streamers going up to a central point and a sprig of mistletoe hung from its center. Victorian Christmas traditions dictate that any woman who wanders under the kissing bough has to allow herself to be kissed.
"Oh oh.... here they come!"
The floor begins to fill up....
Warming up for dinner (Courtesy of Ted)
Decked out for Christmas (Courtesy of Ted)
Victorian tree trimming is underway
Finding our table (Courtesy of Jose)
Wine is served (Courtesy of Jose)
Serious discussions underway (Courtesy of Jose)
The room is filling up *Courtesy of Jose)
OK Jose.... Let's dance... Put the camera down!
(Courtesy of Jose)
Jose whispers under his breath....
Wine is magically disappearing.... Life is good (Courtesy of Jose)
"This is great... Dance instructions on the cell phone!"
Did someone say "dinner is served"??
If the clock were turned back 60 years....
"Better get the camera out dear... The dancers are finally sitting down all at once"
Break time.... Let's eat! (Courtesy of Ted)
Did You Know? -
The custom of caroling is a purely English tradition which was quickly taken up by America. In cities, the approaching holiday season was marked by strolling carolers, usually in groups of three, one caroler to play violin, one to sing, and one to sell sheet music. Holiday shoppers would pause to purchase music, joining in the trio for a few stanzas, before hurrying homeward. Carolers would stop at houses to sing, hoping to
be invited in for a warm drink.
