Christmas Past

400 Years of Seasonal Traditions in English Homes

Tuesday 25 November 2008 - Sunday 4 January 2009

A drawing room in 1870 during Christmas Past

‘Christmas time! That man must be a misanthrope indeed, in whose breast something like a jovial feeling is not roused – in whose mind some pleasant associations are not awakened – by the recurrence of Christmas’. (A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens, 1843)

Many of the rich traditions and customs associated with Christmas in England are forgotten amid the hustle and bustle of the modern festive season. Each year, the Geffrye sets out to rekindle some of the magic of Christmas by decorating its eleven period rooms in authentic festive style. A visual and sensory treat, Christmas Past gives visitors the chance to experience what Christmas would have looked and felt like in English homes over the past 400 years.

This year’s public programme of events and activities will have a Victorian focus. Festive food will be served in the restaurant and a wealth of unusual gifts can be found in the shop.

There will also be a selection of Geffrye e-cards to celebrate the season, and from 1 December you can count down to Christmas with our evocative online Advent Calendar.

Related Events and Activities

Adults

Vintage Christmas Cards Workshop

Create a unique range of Christmas cards and gift tags using vintage letterpress blocks.

• Saturday 6 December, 1.30 – 4.00pm. Tickets £25 (includes all materials).

Concert by Candlelight

Acclaimed group Bocca Aperta returns to the Geffrye with a moving recital of a cappella Christmas music.

• Thursday 11 December, concert begins at 8.00pm, museum opens at 7.30pm. Tickets £14 in advance (includes a glass of sherry or port and a mince pie)

Exhibition Talk: The History of the Christmas Card

'May You Have A Happy Year' Victorian Christmas card

Printed seasonal cards to carry Christmas greetings were first conceived in 1843. They took some time to gain popularity but today they are a ubiquitous part of December – loved and loathed in equal measure. Find out how all this happened.

• Saturday 13 December, 11.30am and repeated at 3.00pm – in the Reading Room

Christmas Greens Workshop

Use fresh greenery and a range of other materials to create a wonderful, hand-made Christmas decoration to take home.

• Saturday 13 December, 1.30 – 4.30pm. Tickets £25 (includes short talk, workshop and all materials).

Families

Family Evening: Find Your Festive Spirit

Our Christmas open evening has a Victorian theme this year… enjoy a seasonal food talk with historian Kate Colquhoun, listen to festive music and carols by Pegasus singers, or bring children to a Christmas card making workshop. Seasonal fare will be available in the restaurant and visitors can do a spot of Christmas shopping in the museum’s shop. A fun-filled evening for all ages.

• Thursday 4 December, 5.00 - 8.00pm

Farewell to Christmas

Twelfth Night celebrations in the Geffrye's gardens

Join us in the Geffrye’s own 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!

• Tuesday 6 January, 4.00 - 5.00pm. Free admission.

Children

Free workshops for young people aged 5-16. Admission on a first-come, first-served basis.

Mini Christmas Trees Workshop (ages 5-16)

Make a miniature 3D Christmas tree and decorations to hang on it.

• Saturday 6 December, 10.30am – 12.30pm and 2.00 – 4.00pm

Winter Tales (ages 5-16)

Listen to seasonal stories to get in the mood for Christmas.

• Saturday 6 December, 12.45pm, 2.00pm, 3.00pm

Nursery Rhyme Time: Christmas Fun! (ages 3-5)

Listen to stories, join in festive songs and make your own decorations.

• Saturday 6 December, 10.30 - 11.30am and repeated at 12.00noon - 1.00pm