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Kissing Boughs to Electric Lights: Christmas Evolution
17 Dec
Summary
- Kissing boughs with berries allowed gentlemen to kiss ladies in Georgian times.
- Queen Victoria's family popularized Christmas trees after 1848.
- Mass-produced advent calendars and artificial trees emerged around the 1930s.
Christmas celebrations have transformed over centuries, with traditions evolving from simple customs to elaborate displays. In the Georgian era, "kissing boughs" were a popular decoration, featuring hoops adorned with festive items. These offered a playful opportunity for gentlemen to kiss ladies, linking to the enduring mistletoe tradition.
The popularity of Christmas trees surged in the 1840s, notably after a widely circulated illustration of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their children with a decorated tree. This German import quickly became a cherished holiday symbol in wealthy homes and beyond.
Further innovations appeared in the early 20th century, with the 1930s seeing the market debut of the first artificial Christmas trees and the widespread availability of mass-produced advent calendars. Many of these enduring traditions continue to shape modern Christmas celebrations.
