Category Archives: Christmas

Twelfth Night, a Familiar Plot Point in Regency Romances, but What Was the Significance of the Celebration?

In Regency England, Twelfth Night (January 5th) marked the climax of the Christmas season with revelry, games, and masquerades. It was a time for breaking social norms, with balls, parties, and theatrical merriment, often including masquerades where guests adopted character roles. The centerpiece was the … Continue reading

Posted in aristocracy, British history, Christmas, customs and tradiitons, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, holidays, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, research, Scotland, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Boxing Day,” part of Christmastide in Regency England

“Christmastide” is a season of the liturgical year in most Christian churches. It is sometimes referred to a Twelvetide (for the Twelve Days of Christmas). For those in the Anglican Church, Catholic Church, Lutheran Church and for many in the … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Christmas, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, holidays, Living in the Regency, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Christmas Pudding, Mincemeat Pies, and Christmas Stories

I have debated over the last couple of weeks the nature of this post. Christmas? Something else? A mix? I finally decided we have had enough Christmas (at least, I have, for my decorations are up, presents wrapped, and the … Continue reading

Posted in book release, books, British history, Christmas, England, Georgian England, giveaway, holidays, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, publishing, reading habits, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, tradtions, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

“Old Lady Day” ~ No It is Not My Birthday!

Quarter Days are the four dates in each year that align with religious festivals. The days are roughly three months apart and are close to the two solstices and the two equinoxes. In British history, these days were the ones … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Chaucer, Christmas, Church of England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Living in the UK, real life tales, research, servant life, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

December 27, National Fruitcake Day with a Celebration of Both Truman Capote and the Fruitcake

Okay, I know many of you do not fruitcake, but I am in the minority. I am one of those who still, for example, makes a Christmas pudding. I begin it on Stir Up Sunday, which was 24 November this … Continue reading

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Some Facts About a Regency Christmas You May Not Have Heard Previously

I am often asked questions on tidbits of information I have accumulated over the years on this subject or that concerning the Regency era in which Jane Austen lived. Sometimes I have volumes of information to share and others not … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Christmas, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, holidays, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, religion, research, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Some Facts About a Regency Christmas You May Not Have Heard Previously

A “Christmas Eve” Tale from 1820

Today, I share with you a “Christmas Eve” piece from the Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. The piece comes to us from Washington Irving. The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., commonly referred to as The Sketch Book, is a collection … Continue reading

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Christmas Tales on Sale for Your Holiday Reading

These titles are on sale through Twelfth Night (5 January 2025). They are all set around Christmas or have a “holiday” theme. Grab them while you may. First, let us beigin with my Jane Austen Tales, which are set in … Continue reading

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Tidbits Regarding Some of Your Favorite Christmas Traditions

Below are some facts associated with Christmas, but are rarely mentioned in common conversation. Did you know… Sir Henry Cole was the first to send out a Christmas card. The year was 1843. Cole bemoaned the number of letters he … Continue reading

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Products of the Stillroom: Mincemeat Filling and Christmas Pudding, a Guest Post from Diana J Oaks

This post originally appeared on the Austen Authors’ blog on December 13, 2021. Enjoy! When we hear that Christmas trees and decorations didn’t go up before Christmas Eve in the Regency household, it might lead us to assume that Christmas … Continue reading

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