Beautiful Sunday — A Dickens' Christmas

There is nothing in the world
so irresistibly contagious as
laughter and good humour.

~ Charles Dickens

The main parlour at Sir Allen McNab's estate decorated for the Christmas holidays in the 1840's. You can see the rich reds and burgundy colors and the ornate trim on the curtains and ceiling. The beautiful pink glass chandelier was imported from Italy and was one of the many gas lit fixtures in the estate, now known as Dundurn Castle.

Christmas gifts were not wrapped in this time period. Presents for the girls were placed on the left side of the table and to the right for the boys. Folded pieces of paper had numbers written on them so the children could pick a number then choose a gift with the corresponding number. The gifts were small, perhaps tin toy soliders, small china tea sets, books or some trinket. Adults did not exchange gifts.

The tree was also a table top tree, not a tall tree as we decorate today. Candles were used on the trees and lit only for a sort time for safety purposes.

The kitchen was located in the basement and managed by chefs, cooks, dishwashers, butlers and servers. They worked 18 hour days and had a half day off per month. Their living quarters were in the basement as well.

Sir Allen McNab's dressing room - the top hat very similar to that of Mr. Scooge!

Dinner is almost ready and the guests will be arriving soon. The smells of clove, cinnamon, breads and other dishes filled the estate and soon to fill many bellies.

Although, Dickens' Cratchit family would not have lived in such luxury, the time period shows the shared timeless traditions of the Victorian period.

and so, as Tiny Tim observed,
God bless us everyone!
~ Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

all photos by

Nikon D3100
Adobe Lightroom


Photos taken at Dundurn Castle - Hamilton, Ontario

Thanks to @ace108 for initiating the #BeautifulSunday photo challenge.