Many Christmas traditions and images of ‘old fashioned’ holidays are based on Victorian celebrations. Going back just a little further, to the beginning of the 19th century, the holiday Jane Austen knew would have looked distinctly odd to modern sensibilities.

How odd? Families rarely decorated Christmas trees. Festivities centered on socializing instead of gift-giving. Festivities focused on adults, with children largely consigned to the nursery. Holiday events, including balls, parties, dinners, and even weddings celebrations, started a week before Advent and extended all the way through to Twelfth Night in January. 

Take a step into history with Maria Grace as she explores the traditions, celebrations, games and foods that made up Christmastide in Jane Austen’s era. Packed with information and rich with detail from period authors, Maria Grace transports the reader to a longed-for old fashioned Christmas.

I won a copy of this audio book, but I didn’t really know anything about it. I didn’t realize it was a nonfiction book at first, so I was a bit surprised when the narration started. The book wasn’t what I expected, but I found it fascinating.

This book looks at all of the Christmas traditions from the regency era — the celebrations, food, parties, games, and more. I loved learning about the pomp and traditions, especially since we often sing/read about them (like plumb pudding) or participate in them (caroling) without really understanding where they came from or what they mean. I was quite surprised how many of the traditions are based in secular superstition, but it was still interesting to read about.

If you’re interested in either Christmas traditions OR life in the regency era, I think you’ll enjoy this book. (Get your copy here.)