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Christmas Throughout Christendom (Harper's New Monthly Magazine, 1873) A lengthy but fascinating look at the origins, traditions, and customs of Christmas around the world. Recreations on the Ice (Illustrated London Almanack, 1853) Skating revelries on the frozen waters of London's parks. Table Etiquette (Good Housekeeping, 1889) Should children be allowed at the table? In Victorian days, not always! This question elicited a wide range of opinions and ideas on how "children at the table" should be managed. Household Amusements: Cardboard Modelling (Cassell's Household Guide, 1884) "Many beautiful little objects may be made by skilful modelling in cardboard... We give our readers directions for making a miniature brougham." The Christmas Dinner in England (Good Housekeeping, 1893) "In no country in the world does the Christmas dinner come nearer to perfection than in England." This menu includes ox-tail soup, oyster sauce, roast goose, seasoned pudding, sirloin of beef, Yorkshire pudding, forcemeat balls, a potato pyramid, apple sauce, currant jelly, plum pudding, mince pies, lemon tarts, and floating island. No wonder preparations began weeks in advance! Christmas Without a Tree (Good Housekeeping, 1899) "In these days of crowded flats and busy mothers, the good old-fashioned Christmas tree is often left out... But if we cannot have trees, we can have various devices to take their place, with little trouble and far less expense." How the Secretary of the Treasury Once Played Santa Claus (St. Nicholas, 1894) A true tale featuring a child's holiday correspondence with Hugh McCulloch, then Secretary of the US Treasury. St. Nicholas Day in Holland (St. Nicholas, 1897) In Holland, St. Nicholas Day, December 6, is every bit as important as Christmas, celebrated with St. Nicholas cakes, gingerbread men, gifts and more. Editor's Drawer: Christmas (Harper's New Monthly Magazine, 1889) "It would be a the pity of the world to destroy it, because it would be next to impossible to make another holiday as good as Christmas. Perhaps there is no danger, but this American people have developed an unexpected capacity for destroying things; they can destroy anything. They have even invented a phrase for it - running a thing into the ground." Our Christmas Week (Girl's Own Paper, 1885) A variety of tips on preparing for Christmas on a budget, including recipes, ideas on gifts to make for charity, handling the servants and more. Mince Pies and Plum Puddings (Good Housekeeping, 1891) "For several centuries the Christmas season has been sacred among English-speaking folk to that fruitful parent of nightmare, the mince pie, and that mighty dyspepsia breeder ycleped plum pudding." Despite such a beginning, the author, after giving us some history of the dishes, offers some tempting recipes for same. The Christmas Tree (Good Housekeeping, 1896) Tips on choosing a tree, decorating the tree, and creating inexpensive ornaments (such as popcorn and cranberry strings). Church-Going and Church-Goers (Good Housekeeping, 1892) Some etiquette tips for the church-goer. Our Christmas Plum-Puddings (Windsor Magazine, 1898) The plum pudding is "a miserable fraud, with all his swagger. There is hardly a pennyworth of patriotism in his composition." This article gives a remarkable look at where the various ingredients of the class "English" plum pudding actually come from (i.e., not from England!). The Christmas Tree (Godey's Lady's Book, 1860) A charming, romantic little Christmas story. Christmas Fare (Cassell's Household Guide, 1884) A look at the history of some classic British Christmas feast dishes. The Plants of Christmastide (Good Housekeeping, 1889) The folklore of plants associated with Christmas and the month of December, including mistletoe, holly, rosemary, ivy, laurel, and other evergreens. Carol: See, the Dawn from Heaven Breaks (Girl's Own Paper, 1886) What Children Ask of Santa Claus (Ladies Home Journal, 1898) Boys ask for soldiers and printing presses; girls ask for dolls. Some remember to thank Santa, and some remember to ask him to remember other family members. As to where Santa lives, it might be in "Rock Candy Castle, Fairyland," or "The Moon," the "Arctic Regions," or even "The Roof." A "Santa Claus" Bag (Demorest, 1893) "The value of a gift is enhanced by its careful arrangement for presentation. One of the prettiest devices for the purpose, especially appropriate for the season, is a figure of Santa Claus with a pack on his back. The gift may be in the bag, or the bag may be filled with perfumed cotton, to serve as a sachet." Recipes: English Puddings (Good Housekeeping, 1890)