"Victoria and Albert loved to give gifts to each other, usually ones that reminded of what they had done together that particular year or included portraits of their children. The royal family also helped promote the idea of charitable deeds as the old year was replaced by the new, distributing Christmas trees, presents, food, and useful goods like blankets and coal to the poor."
"This happy day has again returned, & it seems but yesterday we had last celebrated it. Time flies too fast. I feel certain that our Heavenly Father through His blessed Son, whose birth we at this time so joyfully & gratefully commemorate, will grant that we may celebrate many more happy Christmas Eves together, & with our Children. (Cooling, 10)"
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert turned family Christmas rituals into visible public traditions that influenced Victorian Britain. Prince Albert introduced the German custom of decorating a Christmas tree, while their children helped popularize sending Christmas cards. The royal couple exchanged sentimental gifts recalling shared events and portraits of their children. The royal household conducted end-of-year charitable acts, distributing trees, presents, food, blankets, and coal to the poor. Media coverage and illustrated magazines repeatedly featured royal Christmases, making these practices familiar to the public. After Albert's death, Victoria maintained many family traditions and continued celebrating at Windsor, Osborne House, and Brighton.
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