Author, lecturer and London Blue Badge guide Vicky Bailey gave a lively lecture describing how Christmas used to be just for the rich up until about 1812. The Christmas tree became popular after Queen Victoria and Albert were seen to have one with their family. Henry Cole, the inventor, worked with Rowland Hill on the introduction of the Penny Post in 1841 and started sending out Christmas cards in 1843 with a pre-written message to cope with and acknowledge all the post he was receiving.
Christmas crackers were invented by Tom Smith, the confectioner, in 1847 and originally filled with sweets, but it was the writings of Charles Dickens that began to change people’s perceptions towards the poor and the giving of charity at Christmas.
Charles Dickens had the trauma of seeing his father in Marshalsea debtors prison and, being poor himself, had had to work in a blacking factory, which had marked him. At just 24 years old, he started writing the serialized version of “The Pickwick Papers” (1836) where he describes an idealized Christmas with mistletoe and party games. Through this, and in subsequent serialized stories where he would draw upon real people and events, his popularity grew enormously.
In 1843 Dickens wrote five novellas of which “A Christmas carol” was the first and by far the most popular. He had become obsessed with the dreadful plight of the poor and their terrible living conditions, and wrote this novella in six weeks – taking the then popular interest in the supernatural as his theme. Published on the 19th December 1843 it sold out its run of 6000 copies in just five days. Such was the impact of this novella that it encouraged the wealthy to give to the poor. Even the Queen of Norway sent gifts to children in Britain.
Charles Dickens became the most famous celebrity of his era, influencing greater concern and care for children and the poor through his social criticism and satire. “Dickensian” is still a term used to describe the poorer aspects of that period.
Liz Beecheno