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Christmas Crackers (The Strand, 1891) Step into a British store at Christmas time today, and you'll see row upon row of "crackers" - not the kind you eat, the kind you pull to get a bit of a pop and a gift. These were just as popular in Victorian days, and this article explains how they were made - eight to nine million per year for Britain alone, with more distributed to overseas colonies. Sentimental Cookery (Century Magazine, 1888) Cakes suitable for a variety of holidays, including pan-cakes - for which in some areas there was a tradition of going from door to door to collect the ingredients. Healthy Recreations: Skating (Girl's Own Paper, 1880) How to skate, tend your skates - and skate safely in Victorian dress! Christmas in the Olden Time (Peterson's Magazine, 1879) A look at the history of Christmas customs from ancient days. An Old Christmas Carol (Girl's Own Paper, 1880) You'll surely recognize this one... Christmas Dinner Menus (Demorest, 1880) Bills of fare for everything from the "plain Christmas dinner" (ham, roast goose, apple sauce, cabbage, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, cheese, apples, nuts, coffee) to a three-course dinner for ten persons (too long to reprint here!) Puddings and Pies for Christmas (Demorest, 1880) Who knew there were so many ways to prepare plum pudding? This collection also offers Mocha Pudding, Pumpkin Pie, Dartmouth Pudding, Mince-meat, and many other recipes that sound unbearably tempting! Them Old Cheery Words (Century Magazine, 1987) A charming post-Civil War poem by James Whitcomb Riley. Carols and Carol-Singers (The Home Magazine, 1898) A brief history of caroling. Our Christmas Decorations (Girl's Own Paper, 1884) If you're thinking of decking the halls in true Victorian style, this article will get you started. Only... please don't use ground-up glass bottles for glitter! (An alternative was Epsom salts!) A Vision of St. Nicholas (The Strand, 1891) This illustrated version of Clement Moore's famous poem inexplicably depicts a young woman as the narrator! Christmas at Court(Girl's Own Paper, 1883) A look at how Queen Victoria celebrated Christmas. Interestingly, though Victoria wrote of having enjoyed Christmas trees as a child, she and Prince Albert actually observed this tradition on New Year's Eve! Christmas Customs Here and Elsewhere (Girl's Own Paper, 1895) Customs "elsewhere" include the feast of onions, the dragging of the bachelors, the Polish "Christmas-guest," and the hunting of the wren. Flowers in History, Part 6 (Girl's Own Paper, 1889) The final installment of this series offers us the Passion Flower, Primrose, Rose of Sharon, Rose, Sunflower, Thistle, Violet and more. Christmas Fare for Rich and Poor (Girl's Own Paper, 1896) A delectable round-up of Christmas puddings, cakes, pies, and main courses. Christmas Presents in Art Needlework (Girl's Own Paper, 1892) Looking for the perfect gift? These craft projects may give you some ideas! Christmas Sweet Dishes (Girl's Own Paper, 1892) More tempting treats, including Currant Buns, Dundee Cake, Shortbread, Meringues, Creams, Biscottines, Fruit Compotes, and more. Fiction: Christmas in the Forest (The Strand, 1897) A charming short story for children, from the German, about two woodcutters' children who encounter some helpful gnomes. New Year's Eve (Girl's Own Paper, 1902) As this article reveals, many winter traditions are shared between Christmas and New Year's, including the essential task of wassailing the apple trees! Odds and Ends (Girl's Own Paper, 1895) A fascinating round-up of news, notes and trivia from around the Victorian world. Poetry The Frost Spirit (Whittier) Christmas Day on Dartmoor A Winter Picture The Month of December