As you may know, I write historical fiction set in early 19th century England, a period called the Regency era. A large part of writing fiction set in another country more than 200 years ago is research, which I (thankfully) enjoy. I have especially found it interesting to discover similarities and differences between how the British used to celebrate Christmas—and in many cases still do—compared to how Americans celebrate today. (Research that helped me to write An Ivy Hill Christmas, which came out last year.)
In America, our yuletide celebrations seem to culminate on Christmas Day, with one last hurrah on New Year’s Eve. But in 19th century England, celebrations extended longer. After all, the Twelve Days of Christmas begin on December 25th and continue all the way until January 5th or 6th to Twelfth Night or Epiphany.
And, in the early 19th century, festivities centered more on socializing and less on gift-giving. Charity was also a big part of an old English Christmas.
For example on December 21st people observed St. Thomas Day. On this day, elderly women and poor widows went to the homes of their wealthier neighbors to gather gifts of food or money to help them celebrate Christmas. It was not considered begging on this day, but their due. It was called “Thomasing,” or in some places “mumping,” or “a-gooding.” The women might sing or give out sprigs of holly or mistletoe. In return, wealthy landowners would give them a little money or parcels of wheat and tea, which were very expensive then.
But it was not only the very wealthy who were charitable. Many people prepared extra food to share with the less fortunate. Here’s a line from a letter from 1818:
I have been busily employed in preparing for passing Christmas worthily. My beef and mincemeat are ready (of which, my poor neighbors will partake), and my holly and mistletoe gathered.”
—A letter from “a wife, a mother, and an Englishwoman”
Clergymen often hosted Christmas dinner after divine services for their poorer parishioners, as this diary entry from December 25th, 1784 illustrates:
I dined today at 1 o’clock and [several] poor old people here also. After they had dined, I gave to each one Shilling 0.7.0. Pray God ever continue to me the power of doing good.”
—James Woodforde, The Diary of a Country Parson
Boxing Day is another example. On December 26th, servants would traditionally have the day off, and they were given “boxes” containing gifts of cast-off clothing they could sell or make over (fabric was expensive), food like leftovers or preserved fruit, and perhaps a few coins.
Also, churches collected money in alms-boxes during the season and distributed it to the needy on this day. (Boxing Day is still observed in Britain, but from what I understand, it is now a day for shopping sales and relaxing.)
At its heart, an old England Christmas was a time of family and faith, hospitality, and Christian charity, and those are things we can put into practice for all 12 days of Christmas, and all the year through.
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Lovely to read. I’m English and it’s great to explore English Christmas traditions. Christmas TV schedules tend to include some period drama and there will be some Dickens in the mix, A Christmas Carol is a firm favourite! Charles Dickens taught us a lot about the Victorian Christmas celebrations and so we think of him as a sort of godfather of Christmas.
Thomasing sounds like a great idea! I suppose the modern version for us is making a donation to charity or a foodbank. So sad this has to exist in this day and age!
Boxing Day tends to be the first day of the January Sales, but more sensible people will stay home, watch films and eat chocolates and Christmas Day leftovers.
Hi Kirsten, so enjoyed your reply. And you’re right; there are plenty of ways to be charitable even today.
An Ivy Hill Christmas was one of my 5-star reads of 2021. My first time to read of “Thomasing.”
Thank you so much, Robin. Your high marks mean a lot!
Even here in America many church traditions follow the sacred calendar of Christmas season from Christmas day to Epiphany. I always also loved the family fun that lightened the days before Christmas also: Dec 6, Feast of St. Nicholas when the children put out their shoes in the hall and received a little treat, and Dec 13 Santa Lucia where one of my daughters would wake the family with home baked sweet bread and hot cocoa. The caroling to shut-ins and feeding of homeless or at shelters… all led to the understanding and joy of the season. And…being of Polish origin, we hid the glass pickle for the little ones to “find” in the tree for a treat from Grandpa. Our favorite tradition when living in England was the parade complete with mummers and Morris dancers from Salisbury Cathedral Lessons and Carols into the Market Square. Looking forward to your book.
I’ve always wondered what the story was behind those pickle ornaments I’ve seen. Thanks for explaining, Susan! And how wonderful that you lived in England for a time.
This is why I love historical fiction! And you are one of the best at it. An Ivy Hill Christmas is one of my favorites!
Reading about the English customs over the past years has made me feel okay about extending the Christmas season. I could never understand so much preparation and then shutting it down the day after Christmas. Fortunately, my family always left up the tree and decorations until the day after New Year’s. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve extended the season both before and after, enjoying “the after” by relaxing and reading.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Sounds delightful, Betty. Love your Christmas spirit and kind words. Enjoy your relaxing and reading!
I love reading about Christmas in the regency era. Thanks for sharing your research with us! It would be fun if our Christmas stretched that long, wouldn’t it? Focused on charity, family, and love. Ahhh.
We keep our Christmas decorations up through Epiphany too. Most of our neighbors do the same. I’m still listening to Christmas music, online or CD.
I enjoyed reading “An Ivy Hill Christmas” when it was released; it was a lovely finish to the “Ivy Hill” series.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!
I find these things so interesting! 😀 Thank you for sharing! 😀
I enjoyed reading about the Regency era and the old traditions. Thank you!
Ďakujem za krásnu knihu Vianoce v Ivy Hille. Bolo mi ľúto, keď som ju dočítala. Rada by som ostala v tomto nádhernom prostredí. Neplánujete ešte ďalšie pokračovanie Ivy Hille? Potešilo by ma :). Mám všetky Vaše knihy, ktoré vyšli na Slovensku. Som Vašou veľkou obdivovateľkou. Prajem Vám všetko dobré do nového roku a ešte veľa krásnych kníh pre nás :).