Why do many modern Christmas decorations have an early 1800s aesthetic?
- Thread starter SPJ
- Start date
I believe it's because a lot of the elements of celebrating Christmas that are retained today were first introduced in the 19th Century.
Like how the Christmas tree (which originated in Germany) only really caught on in Britain after Victoria married Albert (in 1840).
And then of course, there's stories like A Christmas Carol, written in 1843.
Like how the Christmas tree (which originated in Germany) only really caught on in Britain after Victoria married Albert (in 1840).
And then of course, there's stories like A Christmas Carol, written in 1843.
Because "Christmas" as we know it today was an 19th century invention.
Largely the work of two literary writers: Charles Dickens and Washington Irving.
Before that the celebrations included more religion (and more alcohol).
Largely the work of two literary writers: Charles Dickens and Washington Irving.
Before that the celebrations included more religion (and more alcohol).
Alex Richards
Donor
Because Christmas decorations basically fall into two categories:
1. 'Traditional' (read: idealised Dickensian Whimsy from the end of A Christmas Carol), which tries to capture what people think an old fashioned christmas was like with 19th century stylings because that's what decorations used to look like.
2. 'Modern' which tends to be updated versions of traditional designs or more abstract pieces in glass or plastic. With the advent of pine trees which don't drop needles and artificial trees which can be stored in the attic, this style is even more restricted commercially than you might think as people in very modern homes can, and often do, have traditional style christmas decorations for the short period around the date, even if they otherwise go in for very modern designs.
1. 'Traditional' (read: idealised Dickensian Whimsy from the end of A Christmas Carol), which tries to capture what people think an old fashioned christmas was like with 19th century stylings because that's what decorations used to look like.
2. 'Modern' which tends to be updated versions of traditional designs or more abstract pieces in glass or plastic. With the advent of pine trees which don't drop needles and artificial trees which can be stored in the attic, this style is even more restricted commercially than you might think as people in very modern homes can, and often do, have traditional style christmas decorations for the short period around the date, even if they otherwise go in for very modern designs.
Alex Richards
Donor
Because mostly that stems from Tschaikovsky's Nutcracker, which being 19th Century and harking back slightly to earlier times used Napoleonic uniform (and least in Britain) and so the sort of 'traditional costume' for the Nutcracker is Napoleonic uniform, hence that leads to the traditional uniform for the inspired decoration to be so also.
