How to lay a Victorian Christmas table
Much of the Christmas we keep today took shape in the Victorian years: the cracker was a London confectioner's idea, A Christmas Carol helped make the family dinner the heart of the day, and the parlour games after it were as much a part of the evening as the pudding.
A Victorian table is generous rather than formal. Layers of cloth, plenty of candlelight, something to pull, and a little ceremony.
Dress the table in layers
Start with a plain cloth and lay a runner down the centre. Deep reds, greens and gold are the classic colours, but white linen with greenery looks just as right. Napkin rings and placemats finish each setting.
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Candlelight
A Victorian dining room was lit by flame, and nothing else makes a table look the same. Group candles of different heights down the middle, or use LED candles if you have children, pets or a long cloth.
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Something to pull and something to pass
Crackers at every place, a cheese board to pass round, and decanters or a punch bowl on the sideboard. Serving dishes that people can help themselves from keep the evening relaxed.
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After dinner
Victorian evenings ended with games and stories round the fire. Keep a board game, a pack of cards and a book of ghost stories within reach of the table.
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