It was a much simpler time. A time before television and video games. A time before shopping malls and “made in China” goods. It's a time long forgotten, yet often depicted in the classics of Christmas - from movies to Christmas cards.
It was the post Queen Victoria era when her son, King Edward VII and his wife Alexandra held the reins of the United Kingdom. The “Edwardian” era, or so it was called, describes the first decade of the last century, or the years 1901 to 1910. It was a time when mass production was a new concept, a time of great innovation and a time of economic and social change.
In terms of Christmas, it was still a time of tradition. A time before Santa Claus and his team of reindeer were mascots for the holiday. It was a time when the real star of Christmas was Jesus, whose birth marked the Dec. 25 celebrations.
“Santa Claus was just starting to make an appearance,” said Helen Booth, curator for the Jordan Historical Museum. But he wasn't the jolly man in red we have come to recognize today. Edwardian Christmas cards depict Santa Claus as a more slender man with a long red coat as opposed to a round and jolly man. And even though he was becoming recognized, Santa was far from being a show stealer in these early times, said Booth, noting Christmas was a very religious time for families in this period.
“The families would have gone to church and come home for a special meal,” Booth said, noting Christmas season, which now begins around Nov. 1 when department stores take down their Halloween displays and swap it out with festive Christmas decor, did not really exist. It was a much shorter celebration, one that centred around Christmas eve and Christmas day. And for most families living in Jordan around that time, it did not mean everything came to a halt. “Most of the community was made up of farmers and work on the farm did not stop because of Christmas. The cows didn't care and it was business as usual for farm families.”
Even though the times have changed, the Edwardian era did have an impact on modern-day Christmas, said Booth.
The Christmas tree, which started out as a table-top version before being replaced by the floor-to-ceiling version we are used to, became highly popularized under King Edward's rule. The concept of a Christmas tree was first introduced by Queen Victoria's husband, Germany's Prince Albert. Most of the decorations at that time were home-made, said Booth, noting a lot of nature was incorporated into the decorations — from bird's nests to acorns and pine cones. The children would string together popcorn and cranberries to be draped around the tree. Electric lights were just being introduced, though they posed just as much of a fire hazard as their predecessor — the candle. Germany was beginning to mass produce delicate glass ornaments which could be purchased at dry goods stores located in the area.
Greenery was also big at the time — holly boughs and fresh wreaths would be placed around the home to give it a festive feel.
What was missing from Christmas trees in the early 1900s, that is now common place today, is a mass of brightly wrapped presents. Gifts were simple and often home-made. They were also very practical.
“Gifts were often books, a pair of gloves, very practical things,” said Booth, noting “a doll under the tree would be a wonderful thing to find.” Children would also relish in finding an orange, which were considered expensive in those time, in their stockings, Booth added.
Though it is a time often forgotten, the Edwardian era's influence can be seen in modern day traditions. To get a closer look at how Edwardian families would have celebrated Christmas, head to the Jordan Historical Museum between Nov. 14 and the new year to visit the Christmas exhibit. The Jordan Historical Museum is located at 3800 Main St., in Jordan Village. For information call 905-562-5242.