Queen Victoria Christmas: 15 Victorian Tree Crafts That Bring Back Old World Charm

A Queen Victoria Christmas is the reason so many of us decorate a tree at all. Victoria grew up with a little tree in her room every Christmas, and at 13 she wrote in her journal about trees hung with lights and sugar ornaments. After she married Prince Albert, the royal trees at Windsor Castle became famous, and when a newspaper showed the family around their tree in 1848, families everywhere wanted one. Those first trees were filled with handmade treasures: paper cones of sweets, gilded nuts, lace and ribbon. These crafts bring back that old world charm, and you can make every one of them at home..

The Queen Victoria Christmas Tree That Started It All

Picture a tall fir in a royal drawing room, hung with paper cones of sweets, gilded nuts and ribbon. That was the look that won over a whole country. In 1848 The Illustrated London News printed the royal family gathered around their Windsor Castle tree, and the middle class rushed to copy it, as the history of the Christmas tree shows. The good news is that every one of those ornaments was handmade, so you can recreate the look today..

You will need: A real or faux fir tree, burgundy and gold ribbon, battery LED string lights in warm white, the handmade ornaments in this list.

How to make it: 1. Wrap the tree with warm white battery or plug in LED lights, never real candles. 2. Add bows and garlands first. 3. Fill in with the handmade ornaments below.

The Royal Tree That Families Copied

This painting from the Royal Collection by William Corden the Younger shows a royal Christmas tree in all its glory, loaded with gifts, toys and sweets. Notice how much of it is homemade and edible. After the Queen Victoria Christmas trees made the news, families copied them in parlors across the country. Look closely and you will spot ideas you can make tonight. Which detail would you copy first?

You will need: A printed copy of a Victorian tree picture for inspiration, a notebook, a pencil.

How to make it: 1. Study the picture and list the ornaments you see. 2. Pick three you can make with what you have at home. 3. Start with the simplest and build up your tree over the season.

Queen Victoria Christmas Paper Cornucopia Cones

Paper cones filled with sweets were the star of a Queen Victoria Christmas tree. Roll pretty paper into a cone, trim the top with lace and add a ribbon handle. Fill them with peppermints or sugared almonds for guests to take home. They are cheap, quick and look straight out of an old storybook. What sweets will you tuck inside?

You will need: Patterned scrapbook paper, lace trim, ribbon, a glue stick, hot glue (adult help), wrapped candies.

How to make it: 1. Roll a square of paper into a cone and glue the seam. 2. Glue lace around the top edge. 3. Attach a ribbon handle and fill with wrapped candies.

Lace and Ribbon Fan Ornaments

Lace fans look delicate and fancy, but they are simply strips of lace folded like an accordion. Pinch the bottom, add a bead and a little bow, and you have an ornament that looks like a family heirloom. Make them in cream and ivory for a soft Queen Victoria Christmas look. Do you have old lace in a drawer that needs a new life?

You will need: Wide cream lace, thin ribbon, pearl beads, fabric glue, a needle and thread.

How to make it: 1. Fold a 6 inch strip of lace back and forth like a paper fan. 2. Stitch the bottom ends together tightly. 3. Glue a bead and a small bow at the base and add a ribbon loop.

Gilded Walnuts for a Queen Victoria Christmas Tree

Golden walnuts were a classic decoration in Victorian homes, and they still look magical on a tree. Paint whole walnuts with gold paint, glue on a ribbon loop, and hang them in clusters. They catch the light beautifully. Children love helping with this one. How many will you make for your tree?

You will need: Whole walnuts in shells, gold acrylic or spray paint (adults spray outdoors), thin gold ribbon, glue.

How to make it: 1. Paint the walnuts gold and let them dry. 2. Glue a small ribbon loop to the top of each one. 3. Hang them in groups of three on the branches.

Popcorn and Cranberry Strings

Stringing popcorn and cranberries is a cozy tradition that dates back to the earliest trees of the Queen Victoria Christmas era. The red and white garland looks wonderful on a green fir and costs almost nothing. Put on some music and make it together as a family. Hang it outside later for the birds. How long can you make your string?

You will need: Plain popped popcorn, fresh cranberries, a large needle, strong thread or fishing line.

How to make it: 1. Thread the needle with a long piece of thread and knot the end. 2. Push through three pieces of popcorn and then one cranberry, and repeat. 3. Tie off the end and drape it around the tree.

Queen Victoria Christmas Velvet Bows

Rich velvet ribbon was a sign of a grand tree in Victorian times. Tie big burgundy bows with long tails and tuck them all over the branches. They fill gaps, add color and make even a small tree look luxurious. Velvet ribbon is easy to find in craft stores. Will you choose burgundy, deep green or gold?

You will need: Wide velvet ribbon, scissors, floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Cut 20 inch lengths of ribbon. 2. Tie each one in a bow and cut the tails at an angle. 3. Wrap floral wire around the center and twist it onto the branches.

Victorian Scrap Paper Ornaments

Victorians loved colorful paper scraps and Christmas cards like this pretty card covered in flowers. You can cut old cards or printed vintage images into ornaments. Glue them onto cardstock, add glitter around the edges and hang with ribbon. It is a perfect way to reuse the cards you get each year. Which old cards could you rescue?

You will need: Old Christmas cards or printed vintage images, cardstock, glue, fine glitter, a hole punch, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Cut out your favorite images. 2. Glue them onto cardstock and trim around the edges. 3. Add glitter to the edges, punch a hole and tie a ribbon loop.

Beaded Star Ornaments

Sparkling beaded stars have an old world feel and catch the light from every angle. Thread glass seed beads onto wire, bend it into a five pointed star, and twist the ends together. They are relaxing to make and last forever. Make a batch in gold and red to match a Queen Victoria Christmas tree. Which colors will you string?

You will need: Beading wire, gold and red glass seed beads, small pliers, thin ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Thread beads onto a 12 inch piece of wire. 2. Bend the wire into five points and twist the ends. 3. Add a ribbon loop at the top point.

Embroidered Felt Hearts

Felt hearts with tiny embroidered flowers feel like something from a Queen Victoria Christmas sewing basket. Cut two hearts, stitch a few simple flowers on the front, and sew them together with a bit of stuffing. They are soft, sweet and safe for homes with kids and pets. Who would you give one to as a little gift?

You will need: Red and cream felt, gold and white embroidery thread, a needle, stuffing, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Cut two heart shapes. 2. Stitch simple flowers or a star on the front heart. 3. Sew the hearts together with a ribbon loop, adding stuffing before you close it.

Gold Paper Doily Snowflakes

Gold paper doilies already look like lace, and folding them makes instant snowflakes. Fold one in half, then in thirds, snip a few shapes, and open it up. Hang them on the tree or tape them to windows for a soft golden glow. A pack of doilies makes dozens. Will you use gold, silver or white?

You will need: Gold or silver paper doilies, small sharp scissors, thread or ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Fold a doily in half, then into thirds like a wedge. 2. Snip small shapes along the folds. 3. Unfold gently and add a thread loop.

Queen Victoria Christmas Cracker Favors

Christmas crackers were invented in Victorian London and are still a holiday table favorite in Britain. Make your own with cardboard tubes and pretty paper, then fill them with a paper crown, a joke and a small treat. Leave out the snap strip if you want a quiet version. What surprise will you hide inside?

You will need: Cardboard tubes, patterned wrapping paper, gold ribbon, tissue paper crowns, small treats, printed jokes.

How to make it: 1. Fill each tube with a crown, a joke and a treat. 2. Roll the tube in paper with extra paper at both ends. 3. Twist the ends and tie them with ribbon.

Pomander Clove Oranges

Clove studded oranges were a favorite Queen Victoria Christmas decoration, and they make your home smell wonderful. Press whole cloves into an orange in swirls or stars, then tie it with velvet ribbon to hang or pile in a bowl. They are a calm, cozy evening craft. Do you love the smell of oranges and spice?

You will need: Fresh oranges, whole cloves, a toothpick, velvet ribbon, pins.

How to make it: 1. Poke small holes with a toothpick in a pattern. 2. Press a clove into each hole. 3. Wrap a ribbon around the orange and pin it at the top to make a hanger.

Gift Tags From Vintage Postcards

Victorian Christmas postcards like this one were full of bright colors, holly and charming scenes. Print a few free public domain designs and turn them into gift tags. Trim them, punch a hole and add a ribbon, and your presents will match your Queen Victoria Christmas tree. For more old fashioned ideas, see our handmade Christmas ornaments. Which design will you print?

You will need: Printed vintage postcard designs, cardstock, scissors, a hole punch, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Print the designs on cardstock. 2. Cut them into tags with rounded corners. 3. Punch a hole and tie on a ribbon.

A Simple Fabric Tree Skirt

A tree skirt finishes the look and hides the stand. Victorian homes loved rich fabrics, and you can make one with a big circle of velvet or quilted cotton. This handmade quilted skirt shows how beautiful a simple circle can be. Add a ruffle or trim for extra charm. What fabric would you choose for yours?

You will need: A large square of fabric, a string and pencil to draw a circle, fabric scissors, trim or ruffle, fabric glue or a sewing machine.

How to make it: 1. Fold the fabric in quarters and draw a quarter circle with the string. 2. Cut it out and cut a small center hole and a slit to one side. 3. Glue or sew trim around the edge.