Everyone loves the charm of a Victorian Christmas. Is there anything more magical? The raw wood, the fresh garland, the candlesticks, and other old-world relics that make you feel like you’re living in a Charles Dickens novel. But, these holiday trinkets aren’t always easy to find, not to mention they can be quite costly for the Christmas shopper on a budget. But, don’t get discouraged, Victorian Christmas-lovers! Thanks to a well-known shopping source known as Amazon, we have at our fingertips a world of affordable and endlessly creative ways of adding the magic of Charles Dickens to our modern Christmas without ending up like Tiny Tim.
Check below to find 10 creative and budget-friendly ways to bring the charm of Christmas into your home!
Ornate Candlesticks
Image by Jonas Brorson from Pixabay
We couldn’t possibly recreate the charm and wonder of a Charles Dickens Christmas without a plethora of ornate candlesticks. Why? Aside from the obvious (no electricity during the Victorian era), candlesticks were both a practical and stylish way of bringing light and elegance into an otherwise dark and gloomy abode. Whether your preference was gold-plated, silver, or even a birdcage-style, candlesticks were all the rage. The more candlesticks, the merrier (and brighter!) your living space would become.
- For gothic Victorian: Click to view this set of Birdcage style candlesticks
- For gilded Victorian: Click to view this 3-set of Gold taper candlestick holders
- For opulent Victorian: Click to view this Cherub’s Harvest candlesticks set
Victorian Holiday Wall Decor
Photo by Stephanie Klepacki on Unsplash
Victorian homes were big on portraits, mirrors, glass, and shrubbery. The walls were commonly adorned with these touches of uniqueness that modern designers might overlook. The Victorians were decidedly not minimalists; the more fanciful and ornate, the better! So, one couldn’t bring Charles Dickens Christmas into their home with a minimalist approach. We are going full out, readers. In some Victorian homes, the walls were positively crammed with portraits, sconces, candelabras, and – of course – floral wall plaques. While wall plaques are no longer a popular decor item, they are easily (and affordably) accessible, for those looking for a flair of worlds gone by.
- For the maximalist Victorian: Click to view this cast iron set
- For the mirror-friendly: Click to view this vintage oval hanging mirror
Old Fashioned Books
Image by wal_172619 from Pixabay
Now, now – Before you jump in, this decor item is not reserved for the holiday bookworms.
Libraries in the Victorian era were a sign of wealth, intelligence, and culture. Great socialites and aristocrats boasted about their large literary collections without reading a single page! There is something truly whimsical about a Victorian Christmas library. It screams “A Christmas Carol” meets “Harry Potter” in the most delightful way. (BTW—check out these Harry Potter Christmas sweaters. LOVE.)
And, while most of us don’t have an entire room dedicated to our literature, there are ways to incorporate the charm of old and well-loved books into modern spaces.
- For the book lovers: Click to view this Bronte sisters box set
- For the faux book lovers: Click to view these vintage prop books
- For the Victorians in need of additional storage: Click to view this vintage bookend storage set
Lush and Lavish Velvets
Image by Michelle Raponi from Pixabay
So, we all know that the Victorian era was big on opulent finishes. Naturally, this extended to their fabrics. Breathable silks, satins, and – of course – velvet. Is there anything more regal, stately, and holiday-esque? No, probably not. While velvet (and its faux-fabric neighbors) is seemingly everywhere you look in the modern world, there was a time when it was quite the hot commodity. Fortunately, the Victorian Era was also the time of the Industrial Revolution, which made textiles like velvet more accessible and affordable. Whether you’re wearing a velvet accessory, donning a velvet robe, or staying warm by the fire with a velvet blanket, this fabric is an absolute must.
- For the Victorian fashionista: Click to view this velvet choker with Cameo pendant
- For the blanket-lover: Click to view this emerald green sofa throw
Charming Wood-Burning Fireplace
Photo by Stéphane Juban on Unsplash
Let’s hang some stockings! Stay with me on this one, readers. If this list item gave you pause, I probably know what you’re thinking: How does this apply to me? I don’t even have a fireplace!
Before the wonders of the internet, I would have completely agreed with you. However, thanks to the world wide web, there are dozens of ways to incorporate old fashioned finishes into your home without endless drilling and figuring out how to use a stud-finder (I have no idea). From faux mantels to electric wood-burning stoves, there are so many ways to bring rustic charm, storage, and even heat into your Christmas space!
Bonus, most affordable mini fireplaces and stoves have personal heaters!
Textured and Elegant Curtains
Photo by stephen packwood on Unsplash
Did Victorians use blinds? Did Charles Dickens write about crinkled paper screens?
No, readers, he did not.
Victorians did not skip on opulence when it came to their window treatments. This meant long, luxurious curtains. Lace, velvet, and anything that screamed wealth, class, and taste. For the budget-friendly modern Victorian Christmas, this means looking for full-length curtains in rich jewel tones that make your living room feel like you’ve walked into a BBC Masterpiece Collection.
- For the velvet fans: Click to view these floor-length velvet curtains
- For the lace fans: Click to view these floor-length floral lace curtains
Old World Christmas Ornaments
Photo by Stephanie Klepacki on Unsplash
Victorian Christmas trees were typically decorated with actual fruits, nuts, and even lit candles! While that sounds delightful, most modern-day Christmas observers don’t love the idea of having actual food and flaming candles sitting on their Christmas trees all month long. But, not to worry, readers! There are plenty of lifelike-yet-completely-faux-and-fire-free ways to add holiday cheer and charm to your otherwise drab Christmas pine.
- For the faux-fruit fans: Click to view these frosted holly ornaments
- For the candle-lovers: Click to view these LED tea light candle ornaments
- For the Gilded Victorians: Click to view these vintage metal bell ornaments
Lace Doilies
Photo by Marat Gilyadzinov on Unsplash
Yes, just like the doilies your favorite aunt or grandmother used to knit! Originally, lace doilies were popular during the Victorian era to protect furniture, but they later became wildly popularized for their unique styles and sizes. Much like elaborate libraries, they represented taste, culture, and wealth. Drape them over your couch, cover your end tables, or use them as a table runner for your Christmas feast! No doily is too large or too small for the charm of a cozy, Charles Dickens Christmas.
- For your Christmas feast: Click to view this table runner doily
- For floral fans: Click to view this 2-pack of French crochet doilies
Glass Bowls of Candies and Sweets
Did I mention the Victorian era was all about sweets? Cakes, pies, cookies, chocolate…decadence was the name of the game. Therefore, it would feel all wrong to bring a cozy Charles Dickens Christmas into your home without a few sweets along the way. For the most elegant Victorian homes, sweets were placed about social spaces in ornate glass jars. Place these on your front table, near your sofa or Christmas tree, or give them to friends as a Christmas gift. Just make sure to fill them with your favorite chocolates and hard candies!
- For the fans of color: Click to view this purple glass candy & ice cream bowl
- For the fans of simple elegance: Click to view this set of vintage glass lidded bowls
Garland. Everywhere.
Image by Laurențiu Mihai Badea from Pixabay
Remember the whole ‘Victorians loved plants and flowers’ thing? Well, the Christmas season was basically a shrubbery explosion. Every doorway and window frame of the most opulent homes was covered with garland, holly, and ivy. Imagine a cozy, Christmas forest filled with jewel tones, luminescent glass, and all the garland your heart could handle. Magical, right? While fresh garland is not always easy to come by (nor does it always stay fresh for the full Christmas season), the faux version is always an affordable and elegant option!
Bonus: Add a pine-scented essential oil diffuser for some added Victorian Christmas charm!
- For classic pine: Click here to view 9-foot pine garland
- For a modern twist: Click here to view 2-pack Eucalyptus garland
- For holly lovers: Click here to view 6.5-foot berry and greenery garland
Featured Photo by Stephanie Klepacki on Unsplash
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