1. By Michelle Macdonald

2. *Christmas trees were small, fitting on tabletops *Came to America in 1820s *Garlands of popcorn, candy, and cakes *Candles *Real and fake fruit *Small gifts hidden in the branches

3. *Yule log burned *Church service *Mince pies and brandy for “Father Christmas” *Left stockings hanging on fireplace *Caroling

4. *Went to church after breakfast *Christmas dinner (lunch) *Christmas crackers at dinner *Dessert usually plum pudding *Opened gifts after dessert *Often had parties on Christmas night, usually with dancing

5. *Christmas gift exchange became popular in America by the 1840s *Presents included dolls, musical instruments, sugarplums, candy, fruit, etc. *Placed in or under the Christmas tree

6. *People started exchanging Christmas cards in the 1840s *Some went door to door with spiced ale (Wassailing), and people let them in and gave them a drink and money. *“The Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore published in 1823 *The “commercialization of Christmas” occurred during Harriet Beecher Stowe’s lifetime.

7. Dover Studio. “A Victorian Christmas.” East Bourne Cousins. http://www.eastbournecousins.com/christmas.htm (2005) McNamara, Robert. “History of Christmas: Many of Our Traditions Began In the 19 th Century.” About.com. http://history1800s.about.com/od/entertainmentsport/a/christmas19t hc.htm (2008) Restad, Penne. “Christmas.” MSN Encarta Encyclopedia. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761556859_2/Christmas.html (2008) R&R Creative. “Christmas Presents.” St. Charles Christmas.” http://www.stcharleschristmas.com/christmaspresents.htm (2008) Wilson, Jerry. “The Symbols and Traditions of Christmas.” Wilstar’s Wonderland of Christmas. http://wilstar.com/xmas/xmassymb.htm