The Victorian Christmas Pudding and the Twelfth Night

by Kimberly Keagan

When we picture a Victorian Christmas, many of us imagine a glossy Christmas pudding carried to the table, crowned with holly and glowing with blue brandy flames. It feels wonderfully nostalgic—but the pudding we know today has taken quite a journey to earn its place at the holiday feast.

Its earliest ancestor appeared in the Middle Ages as plum pottage, a savory mixture of meat, root vegetables, dried fruit, ale, and spices. “Plums” meant raisins or currants, not the fresh fruit. This early form wasn’t dessert at all—just a hearty winter meal.

Over time, the recipe shifted. By the seventeenth century, the meat had mostly disappeared, and the mixture thickened enough to be tied in a cloth and boiled into a round shape. Even this version caused a stir—the Puritans tried to ban it for being “too indulgent"!

 

 Picture downloaded from www.thebritishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

The pudding truly came into its own during the Victorian era. Christmas celebrations blossomed, Charles Dickens immortalized the dish in A Christmas Carol, and ingredients like citrus peel and raisins became easier to find. One of the most charming traditions around the pudding is Stir-Up Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent. The name comes from the opening words of that day’s Anglican prayer, but Victorian families took it as a reminder to stir up their pudding batter. Each person took a turn and made a wish as they stirred. The pudding was then wrapped and stored for weeks, deepening in flavor as Christmas approached. Steamed for hours and richly spiced, the Christmas pudding became the crowning jewel of the holiday meal.

The Stir Up 

Picture downloaded from www.thebritishnewspaperarchive.co.uk 

 

My Christmas Pudding

 

Christmas Pudding doused in brandy and lit on fire 

Depositphotos.com

But Christmas Day wasn’t the only time it appeared. For many families—especially in Britain—the pudding was served again on Twelfth Night, January 5th, the eve of Epiphany and the final night of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Long before Christmas Day became a marketing phenomenon, Twelfth Night had been one of the most festive celebrations of the season. Families sang, played games, and enjoyed a final holiday meal before returning to ordinary life. A well-aged pudding fit perfectly into this farewell celebration.

 
Serving the Pudd!

Picture downloaded from www.mumwhatelse.com

Twelfth Night also carried echoes of older customs, like hiding charms in cakes to predict the coming year. Some families transferred these traditions to their pudding, tucking in a coin for prosperity or a ring for marriage. Even as Twelfth Night gatherings faded in the late 1800s, old cookbooks and newspapers still mention serving pudding on Epiphany as a fitting close to the season.

Today, many of us have never tasted a steamed pudding, let alone saved part of it for Twelfth Night. Yet I find something meaningful in the tradition. Epiphany celebrates the moment Christ was revealed to the nations—the Magi following a light they didn’t fully understand, trusting it would lead to something wondrous. Christmas pudding, made early and quietly ripened over time, mirrors that rhythm of anticipation. Much of God’s work in our lives happens in the waiting, and the trusting in His grace.

As we close another Christmas season, may we notice the quiet ways the Lord is at work—and look forward with hope.

 

Kimberly Keagan is a former corporate financial writer (not very romantic) who now crafts historical romances filled with strong heroines, swoon-worthy heroes, faith, and a touch of humor. Her debut novel, Perfect, released in May 2025. Go to KimberlyKeagan.com and download her free Christmas novelette!

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by Cindy Regnier

Did anyone hang a sprig of mistletoe in a doorway this Christmas? We all know the tradition. A couple caught under the mistletoe must share a kiss. But what exactly is mistletoe and where did this tradition start?

Maybe you know that Mistletoe is actually a parasitic plant. In other words, it embeds itself into other plants (often trees) and steals its nutrients from the host. It can then multiply rapidly and infect surrounding trees, sometimes to the point of killing them. Because of its parasitic nature and the stories from Norse mythology, those in ancient times attributed mystical powers to mistletoe. Celtic Druids cut it from oak trees with golden sickles on the 6th night of the moon. They believed it to have life giving powers, bestow fertility, protect against poisons and ward off evil spirits. 

Mistletoe on a tree

The mythological story of mistletoe says the god of peace, Baldur, was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe but his parents Odin and Frigga restored his life and gave mistletoe to the goddess of love. Therefore, it was decreed that anyone who passed under mistletoe should receive a kiss.

Another story says that Baldur, grandson of Thor, was sure every plant and animal on earth wanted to kill him. His mother and wife asked for kindness from every living thing to leave Baldur in peace. Each agreed but just as Baldur was released from the torment, he felt a sharp pain in his chest and died. He had been stabbed by an arrow of mistletoe because his mother had neglected to ask the mistletoe for kindness. And so came the tradition “never forget the mistletoe!” We kiss beneath it to remember what Baldur’s mother forgot. 

Regardless where it started or why, early customs said men could steal a kiss from any woman caught standing under the mistletoe, and refusing was bad luck. Furthermore, a berry must be plucked from the sprig of mistletoe with each kiss, and the kissing stopped once they were all gone. It was very fortunate to find a sprig of mistletoe with many berries! 

In American culture we consider mistletoe a holiday decoration without realizing it dates back to ancient mythology. During the Christmas season we hang branches of mistletoe in homes and gathering places, inviting couples to share a kiss underneath. It has become a symbol of peace, love, and reconciliation during the Christmas season, not to mention adding a little fun and romance as well.

Scribbling in notebooks has been a habit of Cindy Regnier since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born and raised in Kansas, she writes stories of historical Kansas, especially the Flint Hills area where she spent much of her childhood. Her experiences with the Flint Hills setting, her natural love for history, farming and animals, along with her interest in genealogical research give her the background and passion to write heart-fluttering historical romance.

The History of "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"

By Jennifer Uhlarik

 

Merry Christmas, everyone! On this busy holiday, I thought I would keep my post short and sweet, with a quick history of one of the tried-and-true Christmas tunes we hear at this time of year: “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” The song was originally written by music composer and lyricist James Lamont “Haven” Gillespie.

 

James Lamont "Haven" Gillespie

Gillespie was born in 1888 in Covington, Kentucky, one of nine children. He dropped out of school in the fourth grade and moved to Chicago, Illinois, to work with his sister and brother-in-law in their printing business. In 1908 at the age of 21, he married his childhood sweetheart back in Kentucky, and afterward, worked as both a typesetter for a Cincinnati-based newspaper and as a “plug man”, writing and performing music for Vaudeville. During this time, he would earn 1 ½ cents per piece of sheet music sold on the music that he wrote. He wrote over 1,000 songs and had numerous hits, including “Drifting and Dreaming,” “The Sleepy Town Express,” and “Louisiana Fairy Tale” (which was popularly used in the opening of the show “This Old House” in its early seasons).

 

In 1934, Gillespie was asked to write an upbeat Christmas tune for Eddie Cantor’s radio program—but the timing felt off to him. Not only was he stressed because money was incredibly tight, but he’d also lost his brother only a short time before. He couldn’t imagine writing a rollicking tune when he was so filled with grief. Gillespie nearly turned the job down. However, as he rode on the subway, memories of Christmases past with his brother began to flood his mind. He recalled the joy and anticipation of the holiday, and how their mother would warn every year that Santa was watching their behavior. Inspired by the memories, he pulled an envelope from his belongings and began penning the now-famous lines. They were completed in a mere fifteen minutes.

 

The down-on-his-luck composer called in a friend, J. Fred Coots, to write the jolly music that would accompany the lyrics, and the pair passed the finished piece along to Eddie Cantor. Cantor, in turn, had the song performed on his radio program. It was an instant hit! Within the first day, over 500,000 copies of the sheet music flew off the shelves, and it just kept selling. Ultimately, Haven Gillespie became a millionaire from that one song alone.

Original sheet music, autographed by
Haven Gillespie

 

Since its initial performance, the song has been sung by more than 200 artists, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Neil Diamond, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Bublé, Justin Bieber, Dolly Parton, and the Jackson 5. In addition, in 1970, a much-loved, animated movie was made, based on the song, narrated by none other than Fred Astaire, helping it weave itself into the fabric of Christmas traditions everywhere. The song continues to endure, even today, as a holiday classic.

Still shot from "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" movie.

Thank you all for joining me! I know I speak for all the HHH Bloggers when I say that we wish you a beautiful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Jennifer Uhlarik discovered western novels at twelve when she swiped the only “horse” book from her brother’s bookshelf. Across the next decade, she devoured westerns and fell in love with the genre. While attaining a B.A. in writing from the University of Tampa, she began penning her own story of the Old West. She has finaled in and won numerous writing competitions and appeared on various best-seller lists. Besides writing, she’s been a business owner, a schoolteacher, a marketing director, a historical researcher, a publisher, and a full-time homemaker. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband and fur children.

Available Now

Love and Order: A Three-Part Old West Romantic Mystery

 

Wanted: 

Family, Love, and Justice

One Old West Mystery Solved Throughout Three Short Romantic Stories

Separated as children when they were adopted out to different families from an orphan train, the Braddock siblings have each grown up and taken on various jobs within law enforcement and criminal justice.

 

Youngest child, Callie, has pushed past her insecurities to pursue a career as a Pinkerton agent. Middle child, Andi, has spent years studying law under her adoptive father’s tutelage. And the eldest and only son, Rion, is a rough-and-tumble bounty hunter. 

 

When the hunt for a serial killer with a long history of murders reunites the brother and sisters in Cambria Springs, Colorado, they find themselves not only in a fight for justice, but also a fight to keep their newly reunited family intact. How will they navigate these challenges when further complicated by unexpected romances?

 

The History of Christmas Cards

By Terrie Todd

In December, 1611, England’s King James I and his son, Prince Henry Frederick, received a hand-made card from someone named Michael Maier. The message said, “Greeting on the birthday of the Sacred King, to the most worshipful and energetic lord and most eminent James, King of Great Britain and Ireland, and Defender of the true faith, with a gesture of joyful celebration of the Birthday of the Lord, in most joy and fortune, we enter into the new auspicious year 1612.”

The card was not discovered until 1979, in the Scottish Records Office, by Adam McLean, but the date makes it the oldest known Christmas card ever sent.

Fast forward over two hundred years to 1843. Sir Henry Cole got a brilliant idea. Three years earlier, he’d introduced the Penny Post—a scheme whereby letters could be mailed for a penny each. Now, he commissioned John Callcott Horsley of London to create a design for what would become the first commercially printed Christmas card. The central image portrays a family raising a toast. On either side are depicted acts of charity. Cole had 2,050 cards printed that year and they sold for a shilling each.

Cole's card. Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3095682

The tradition began to take off, although cards did not display Christmas or winter scenes so much as flowers and signs of spring.

By 1874, the lithograph firm Prang and Mayer began selling Christmas cards in America, earning Prang the nickname, “Father of the American Christmas Card.” By the 1880s, Prang’s production had reached over five million elaborate, Victorian-style cards a year. By this time, the cards displayed nativity scenes, Christmas trees, and winter wonderlands, creating a job market for artists.

A Victorian-style card from 1885. Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4340233

In 1913, Joyce Hall and her brother Rollie established the Hallmark Cards company and strove to meet the demand for more personalized cards for every occasion. During the war years, Christmas cards began to take on patriotic themes and Hallmark produced cards specifically for sending to soldiers.

President Johnson’s 1967 White House Christmas Card, By Robert Laessig, commissioned by the Johnson Administration, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46951492

Along the way, the Family Newsletter became a tradition for many. Often tucked into a Christmas card, the author would include an annual update on the lives of family members for friends who may not connect from one December to another. With the advent of email, the sending of eCards and electronic newsletters has become a much less expensive way to accomplish this goal. Modern methods, however, will never replace the long string of colorful Christmas cards displayed across windows or around Christmas trees, nor can technology duplicate the nostalgia those cards evoke.

Terrie is the award-winning author of eight historical and two split-time novels, many of which have won Word Awards through The Word Guild. Her 2023 release, April’s Promise, was a finalist in the ACFW Carol Awards. She lives with her husband, Jon, on the Canadian prairies.

“Todd (Even If We Cry) delivers a pulse-pounding tale of survival at sea during WWII. Withdrawn 41-year-old piano teacher Mary Cornish is an unlikely candidate for wartime heroics, but when her reverend encourages her to apply for a program seeking adults to accompany children out of war-torn England to Canada, she finds unexpected purpose in the task. Fans of Historical Fiction will be rapt." (Publisher's Weekly Review)

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LETTERLOCKING

By Mary Davis

If you are of a certain age, you likely passed a note in class folded like this or something similar.

 

Author image of a school note

You probably didn’t know you were doing the ancient art of letterlocking, though they didn’t call it that. That’s a term given, in 2009, to certain kinds of folded letters.

 

Before 1840, all envelopes had to be hand cut and folded, even in businesses. In this year, George Wilson of London was given a patent for an envelope-cutting machine, which greatly sped up the process. Even so, they still had to be folded by hand. In 1845, an envelope-folding machine was patented in England by Edwin Hill and Warren De La Rue.

 

Back side of machine-cut envelope

What did people do before envelopes were invented and more easily produced? People had to find ways to protect the contents of their letters. Sealing wax and a seal were often used to hold letters together. However, if you weren’t wealthy enough to have these luxuries or didn’t have them available, what would you do?

 

People developed intricate ways of folding letters so they didn’t come open, often by folding a flap into another part of the paper. But what if you had something super secret that you needed to send (like in a time of war or when Mary Queen of Scots was in prison) and wanted to make sure it wasn’t opened before it arrived at the destination?

 

A locked letter

Special folds, cuts, and tucks solved this problem. And if it had been opened, the recipient could tell. They would know that the enemy had the information within the missive. There were many variations of these methods.

 

A letter that had been spiral locked

In this video, you can watch a demonstration of the rare, spiral locking of a letter. It was nearly impossible to sneak open without the recipient knowing it had been tampered with. 

 

Mary Queen of Scots used this method for her final letter to her brother-in-law Henri III, King of France before her death. It was also used by Catherine de’ Medici, Elizabeth I, as well as many others in the 15^th, 16^th, and 17^th centuries.

 

I decided to try my hand at this one.

•  First, fold letter in half, bringing the short sides together. 

 

•  Open and fold about 3/4” down one long side and cut a thin strip about a 1/4” from fold, starting at the center fold and taper off before the end.

 

•  Refold paper in half with the strip pointing up.

 

•  Fold up about 3/4” on the bottom.

 

•  Fold up again in half to form a long skinny piece.

 

•  Fold in half the other direction.

 

•  Cut a slit with an x-acto knife through all layers. (Be extra careful when using a sharp knife.)

 

•  Thread the strip through the slit.

 

 

•  Flatten.

 

•  Cut another slit on the reverse side and thread it through again.

 

•  Then flatten.

 

•  Cut one more slit on the reverse side.

 

•  Thread the end through and tuck it under the first part of the spiral.

 

•  Sometimes the creator would wet this last little bit with water to cause the paper to swell slightly, making it difficult to pull back out of the slit without causing damage.

 

•  If you had wax—even from a candle—this would be a good place to put some.

 

•  Now if anyone opens it before it reaches its destination, the recipient will know.

 

Hand holding a letter that was locked

Next time you are short an envelope, try letterlocking. But don’t send it through postal system because their machine wouldn’t like this ancient art.

THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle 4)

Will Geneviève open her heart to a love she never imagined?

Washington State 1894

Geneviève Marseille has one purpose in coming to Kamola—stopping her brother from digging up the past. Deputy Montana has lived a simple life. But when a fancy French lady steps off the train and into his arms, his modest existence might not be enough anymore. A nemesis from Aunt Henny's past arrives in town threatening her with jail. Will she flee as she’d done all those years ago, or stand her ground in the town she’s made her home? When secrets come out, will the lives of Geneviève, Montana, and Aunt Henny ever be the same?

 

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over forty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. They include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a Selah Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles are The Widow’s Plight, The Daughter's Predicament, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection , Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in Love In Bloom, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW.

Mary lives in the Colorado Rockies with her Carolina dog, Shelby. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:

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Sources

https://libraryhistorybuff.com/folded.htm

https://www.origamiheaven.com/historyofletterfolds.htm

https://www.openculture.com/2018/11/the-art-of-letterlocking.html

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/letterlocking-virtual-unfolding

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-did-people-do-before-envelopes-letterlocking

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letterlocking

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210616-how-the-forgotten-tricks-of-letterlocking-shaped-history

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZRA8KZrNTQ