Category Archives: Themes Across Eras

Victorian Store-Bought Christmas Presents

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Victorian Store-Bought Christmas Presents
The heart of the shopping district a few days before Christmas, 1903

‘It was the afternoon of Christmas eve. The weather was delightfully mild for the season, and the sky was without a cloud. The streets of Philadelphia were unusually crowded, and the whole appearance of the city was gay and animated. The fancy stores were resplendent with elegant ribbons, laces, scarfs, and reticules, and the shops for artificial flowers, made a display which rivalled nature in their most blooming season. It was a pleasing spectacle to see so many parents leading their children, all with happy faces; some full of hope and others replete with satisfaction; some going to buy Christmas gifts, others carrying home those already purchased.’ (The Pearl, 1830, p. 106) Continue reading Victorian Store-Bought Christmas Presents →

Victorian Christmas Decorations

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Victorian Christmas Decoration
Christmas decoration of entrance hall (The Book Of The Home, 1900)

‘Many housewives object to Christmas decorations, fearing that the furniture and paper may become scratched and spoiled. The decorators should bear this fear in mind, for beauty at Christmas will not pay for ugliness all the year round. Holly, the very prettiest and most Christmas-like of all adornments, does undoubtedly scratch and tear; it is therefore
best used chiefly in bouquets for jars and vases. In this way it can be scattered about the room very effectively, and can also be kept in water. People are apt to imagine that holly, as an evergreen, needs no nourishment; but, like all other plants, it lasts twice as long if kept moist. Continue reading Victorian Christmas Decorations →

Victorian Mourning

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Victorian Mourning

Wearing mourning clothes are an ‘outward token that they loved those they lost.’ (Ladies’ Magazine and Literary Gazette, 1831, p. 117)

In the Victorian and Edwardian era, wearing mourning was a social obligation but it also helped to protect the feelings of the mourners: Every stranger would instantly recognize the mourning dress, know of their loss and wouldn’t hurt their feelings with unnecessary jaunty remarks.

The colors of Victorian mourning are black, white, gray, purple, lavender and scarlet. Black is the color most associated with mourning wear. However, not all extant black dresses are mourning dresses: Continue reading Victorian Mourning →

History Of Dog Food

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History Of Dog Food

Since millennia, humans and dogs lived together – dogs are the oldest domesticated animal. In ancient times, dogs guarded flocks and farms. Later they were used as hunting dogs. And especially since the 18th century and Victorian era, lap dogs became fashionable. So there’s a long history of dog food. For many centuries, dogs were just fed with barley flour soaked in milk or broth. Then in the 19th century, the first dog biscuits factory opened. But the Edwardians thought dog biscuits weren’t an ideal food: meat mixed with flour or bread and vegetables was considered the best dog food. Continue reading History Of Dog Food →

Victorian Laundry: Washing And Stain Remover Recipes

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Victorian Laundry- Washing And Stain Remover Recipes

‘As the appearance of many articles of dress depends greatly upon the skill of the washerwoman, it is thought that a few hints on the subject may not be misapplied; these have been collected from experienced laundresses’. (The Workwoman’s Guide, 1840, p. 234) Continue reading Victorian Laundry: Washing And Stain Remover Recipes →