In this programme Bethan and Tudur learn about Christmas and New Year traditions and customs in Victorian times.
The Christmas tree is an important symbol or Christmas. The Christmas tree was a pagan custom originally but it’s a Christian tradition now. Today, we use the fir tree as a Christmas tree.
The Christmas tree became popular in Britain after 1840; Albert, Victoria’s husband, had put a tree in the castle in Windsor. Tudur wants to get a tree for Bethan.
In Victorian times people decorated the house at Christmas time. They used lots of green things and things with a good smell. Bethan talks about decorations in Victorian times.
Bethan and the chef Padrig Jones cook food that was popular at Christmas time. They make Christmas plum pudding and mince pies.
In 1840 the first one penny stamp came to Britain and by 1870 there was a half penny stamp too. Now everyone could send Christmas cards.
Sir Henry Cole was the man who made the first Christmas card. One of Henry Cole’s cards has sold for 22,000 pounds.
Bethan and Tudur and Dr Owen Roberts are having Christmas dinner. They eat goose and plum pudding.
In Victorian times only rich people went hunting. Tudur and Bethan go hunting for pheasant.
Tudur talks with Dr Russell Davies about religion in Victorian times. Religion was very important to people. There were many different denominations and sometimes people from different denominations were fighting in the chapel!
In Victorian times Christmas was starting to be more commercial. People could make lots of money at Christmas time.
The Mari Lwyd was a popular Christmas and New Year custom. People were going from door to door with the Mari Lwyd and singing verses outside the door of the house; the people in the house sang verses too. If the group outside win, they went in to the house to have food and drink.
Around the end of the Victorian times people started giving presents. Games and books were popular presents. People were giving presents on New Year’s Day usually, not on Christmas day.
Bethan goes to look for a Christmas present for Tudur. She talks with Nia Powell about presents in Victorian times. Many people made presents.
Tudur and Bethan have a New Year party to welcome 1871. Tudur prepares a ‘cream of tartar’ drink. They sing and they play games.
