Christmas Past: 400 Years Of Seasonal Traditions in English Homes

Each year, authentic festive decorations transform the Geffrye Museum’s period rooms, giving visitors an evocative and captivating insight into how Christmas has been celebrated in middle-class homes in England over the past 400 years.

Step back through the centuries and discover the origins and meanings of some of the rich and vibrant traditions of Christmas past, from feasting, dancing and kissing under the mistletoe to playing parlour games, hanging up stockings, sending cards, decorating the tree and throwing cocktail parties.

The Christmas Past exhibition has been mounted at the Geffrye for over 20 years, and on-going, original research into the history of Christmas adds a new dimension to the displays each year. A well-illustrated book, Christmas Past, Christmas Present, has been written to tell the history of Christmas in English homes and is available in the museum’s shop. Festive food will be served in the restaurant, and visitors can hunt for original gifts, decorations, cards and books.

Related events

ALL AGES

Open Evening: A Victorian Christmas

Experience Christmas Past by candlelight. Enjoy a musical performance inspired by The Pickwick Papers, watch a Christmas greenery demonstration, sing along to live festive music or bring children to a decoration-making workshop. Enjoy a seasonal supper in the restaurant, or find an unusual gift in the shop.

Thursday 6 December, 5.00 – 8.00pm. Admission free.

Farewell to Christmas

The Geffrye’s traditional burning of the holly and the ivy, celebrated with carol singing, stories about Epiphany and a taste of mulled wine and Twelfth Night cake. Please note that this event takes place in the garden, so wrap up warm.

Sunday 6 January 2013, 3.30 – 5.00pm. Admission free.

ADULTS

Concert by Candlelight

Acclaimed group Bocca Aperta returns to the Geffrye with a moving recital of a capella Christmas music under the Christmas tree in the reading room.

Wednesday 12 December. Museum open from 7.30pm, concert begins at 8.00pm.

Tickets £15 in advance (includes a glass of sherry or port and a mince pie)

Workshop: Christmas Greenery

Create festive arrangements with fresh greenery and a mixture of scented, natural ornaments, whilst learning about the origins of our Christmas traditions.

Saturday 15 December, 1.30 – 4.30pm. Tickets £30 (includes short talk, workshop and all materials).

Exhibition Talk: Christmas Past in Focus

Explore the ghost of Christmas Past and learn about Victorian Christmas traditions in this informal gallery talk.

Saturday 15 December, 11.30am and repeated at 3.00pm. Admission Free.

FAMILIES

Family Day: Saturday 1 December

A lively day of Christmas decoration workshops for children aged 2+, with carol singing for all ages:

2-5: Christmas Fun: listen to stories, sing festive songs and make Christmas decorations.

10.30 – 11.30am and 12.00noon – 1.00pm

5-11: Advent Wreaths: Count down to Christmas by creating an Advent Wreath.

10.30am – 12.30pm and 2.00 – 4.00pm

11-16: Wrapping Up! Create funky and festive wrapping paper and tags.

2.00 – 4.00pm

All Ages: Sing along to some favourite carols with The Toots.

2.00pm and again from 3.00pm

All activities are free. Workshop places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis 30 minutes in advance. Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult.

The Geffrye explores the home from 1600 to the present day, focusing on the living rooms of the urban middle classes in England, particularly London. A chronological series of period rooms show how such homes have been used and furnished over this period, reflecting changes in society and patterns of behaviour as well as style, fashion and taste.