Holidays in the olden days: Feast your eyes on a glimpse of the Christmases past
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From the warmth of a crackling hearth to the clinking of glasses in toast, the holiday season has always been a time of indulgence and merriment. As we deck the halls and trim the trees, one constant remains at the heart of our celebrations: the Christmas feast.
We're taking a sleigh ride through history to uncover the lavish holiday meals of yesteryear. So, grab a cup of eggnog, and let's journey through the evolution of Christmas dinner in the USA, from the 1900s to the present day.
In the 1820s, Washington Irving penned a vision of Christmas that would shape the holiday for centuries to come through his book of short stories entitled The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon.
His stories depicted a bountiful feast that brought families together in a celebration of generosity and joy. Following his death in 1959, his memorable stories were published in a stand-alone book, Old Christmas, which remains the source of some of America’s best-loved traditions.
By the 1870s, the Christmas shopping rush had begun, and with it, the anticipation of a grand meal. New York City’s Fulton Market, during this time, was filled with a variety of delicious meats and game that can be used for feasting. Christmas was also made an official federal holiday in 1870.
It was also the tale of two Christmases because of the growing social divide between the rich and the poor. Wealthy men were able to buy turkey, while poorer families had to make do with scraps of meat.
As the 1900s dawned, charity became a hallmark of the season, with the well-to-do providing for those in need.
This time was known as the Gilded Age, where charity was popular during Christmas. The Salvation Army was known to provide hot Christmas dinners to those in need, giving out 300,000 meals across America in 1900.
Turkey, a symbol of opulence, was reserved for the upper classes, while others made do with simpler fare. Turn-of-the-century traditions saw the introduction of new dishes, such as oyster soup or stew and plum pudding, and customs that would become holiday staples.
The 1910s brought a festive feast for troops far from home, with roast turkeys serving as a warm reminder of the comforts of home. While they had to make do with their rations, some were able to enjoy full meals. Plum pudding was also made popular by Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol.
Christmas at sea in the 1920s meant finding joy in the little things, like sweet festive treats shared among sailors. Ocean liner travel could be afforded by those who were wealthy, and they often enjoyed intricately-made pies, roasted meats, and a giant cake.
The 1930s were a time of contrast, with the glitz and glamour of the great American office party juxtaposed against the backdrop of the interwar years. Despite the Great Depression, Americans found ways to celebrate with style and grace, rewarding themselves for hard work through tasty treats.
The 1940s saw a Christmas feast on the railway and multi-course meals that brought a sense of normalcy during wartime.
Dinner on the front lines was a poignant affair, with soldiers taking solace in shared meals. During the wartime years, food was the greatest comfort to soldiers and they usually pulled all stops to enjoy turkey dinners.
By the latter half of the 1940s, magazines like Good Housekeeping promoted the comeback of elaborate Christmas lunches with multiple courses like meat pies as starters and post-lunch teas.
By the 1950s, turkey reigned supreme, and a Southern Christmas brought its own unique flavors to the table. Variety shows and Christmas cocktails added a touch of Hollywood to the holiday.
Since there was also innovation in technology following the war, more households had refrigerators and freezers in their kitchens, allowing cooks to shop for turkeys and meats ahead of Christmas day. Cocktails were also introduced as part of the Christmas feast.
The 1960s introduced canapés and light bites, with Christmas punch providing a festive kick. It was a decade of culinary innovation and social change, reflected in the evolving holiday table.
The 1970s were all about appealing appetizers and cheese fondue, a side of presents complementing the communal dining experience. Christmas dinner remained almost the same in the 1970s – turkey or ham, stuffing, roast potatoes, and heaps of vegetables, all smothered in gravy and cranberry sauce.
Christmas desserts in the 1980s became a decadent end to the meal, while the 1990s saw Christmas dinner get an upgrade with gourmet twists on traditional dishes.
The 80s saw the rise of the layered ice cream cake introduced by Wall’s in 1982, gaining cult popularity until its discontinuation in the 1990s.
In the 90s, the era of the celebrity chef and food culture rose in the US, as the Food Network came to life. Bobby Flay and Emeril Lagasse inspired home cooks to create their own holiday dinners with a twist, while Martha Stewart’s Home for the Holidays inspired unique holiday creations.
The iconic Hershey’s Kisses We Wish You a Merry Christmas ad also aired in December 1989–one of the most loved and longest-running Christmas ads of all time.
Source: AllBabyCommercials / Youtube.
The 2000s brought a Christmas carve-up, with traditions both old and new shaping the way we celebrate. Similar to the the 1950s, this turkey platter is adorned with Brussels sprouts, and accompanied by honey-roasted ham and cranberry sauce.
The 2010s saw a rise in vegetarian feasts, reflecting a growing consciousness around health and sustainability. Brands such as Turtle Island Foods came up with the Tofurky and nut roasts as well as meat substitutes claimed their road to fame.
The 2020s introduced a different kind of celebration, as global events prompted us to find new ways to connect and cherish the holiday spirit. Zoom and Skype dinners became the norm as the world grappled with COVID-19.
And in 2023, we're witnessing a revival of Christmas spirit, with a renewed appreciation for gathering and feasting with loved ones. Holiday nostalgia is the biggest trend, too – with candy canes, gingerbread men, and an old-school turkey dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and all the classic trimmings.
Have you inherited any recipes from generations before? Do you have a favorite dish that must grace your table each year? Comment below and let's exchange stories of holiday cheer and culinary delights!
We're taking a sleigh ride through history to uncover the lavish holiday meals of yesteryear. So, grab a cup of eggnog, and let's journey through the evolution of Christmas dinner in the USA, from the 1900s to the present day.
In the 1820s, Washington Irving penned a vision of Christmas that would shape the holiday for centuries to come through his book of short stories entitled The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon.
His stories depicted a bountiful feast that brought families together in a celebration of generosity and joy. Following his death in 1959, his memorable stories were published in a stand-alone book, Old Christmas, which remains the source of some of America’s best-loved traditions.
By the 1870s, the Christmas shopping rush had begun, and with it, the anticipation of a grand meal. New York City’s Fulton Market, during this time, was filled with a variety of delicious meats and game that can be used for feasting. Christmas was also made an official federal holiday in 1870.
It was also the tale of two Christmases because of the growing social divide between the rich and the poor. Wealthy men were able to buy turkey, while poorer families had to make do with scraps of meat.
As the 1900s dawned, charity became a hallmark of the season, with the well-to-do providing for those in need.
This time was known as the Gilded Age, where charity was popular during Christmas. The Salvation Army was known to provide hot Christmas dinners to those in need, giving out 300,000 meals across America in 1900.
Turkey, a symbol of opulence, was reserved for the upper classes, while others made do with simpler fare. Turn-of-the-century traditions saw the introduction of new dishes, such as oyster soup or stew and plum pudding, and customs that would become holiday staples.
The 1910s brought a festive feast for troops far from home, with roast turkeys serving as a warm reminder of the comforts of home. While they had to make do with their rations, some were able to enjoy full meals. Plum pudding was also made popular by Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol.
Christmas at sea in the 1920s meant finding joy in the little things, like sweet festive treats shared among sailors. Ocean liner travel could be afforded by those who were wealthy, and they often enjoyed intricately-made pies, roasted meats, and a giant cake.
The 1930s were a time of contrast, with the glitz and glamour of the great American office party juxtaposed against the backdrop of the interwar years. Despite the Great Depression, Americans found ways to celebrate with style and grace, rewarding themselves for hard work through tasty treats.
The 1940s saw a Christmas feast on the railway and multi-course meals that brought a sense of normalcy during wartime.
Dinner on the front lines was a poignant affair, with soldiers taking solace in shared meals. During the wartime years, food was the greatest comfort to soldiers and they usually pulled all stops to enjoy turkey dinners.
By the latter half of the 1940s, magazines like Good Housekeeping promoted the comeback of elaborate Christmas lunches with multiple courses like meat pies as starters and post-lunch teas.
By the 1950s, turkey reigned supreme, and a Southern Christmas brought its own unique flavors to the table. Variety shows and Christmas cocktails added a touch of Hollywood to the holiday.
What Christmas looked like and common food served during those feasts in the 60s to 80s. Image sources: NorwegianMuse via Reddit and Pexels / Nadin Sh, Polina Tankilevitch and cottonbro studio.
Since there was also innovation in technology following the war, more households had refrigerators and freezers in their kitchens, allowing cooks to shop for turkeys and meats ahead of Christmas day. Cocktails were also introduced as part of the Christmas feast.
The 1960s introduced canapés and light bites, with Christmas punch providing a festive kick. It was a decade of culinary innovation and social change, reflected in the evolving holiday table.
The 1970s were all about appealing appetizers and cheese fondue, a side of presents complementing the communal dining experience. Christmas dinner remained almost the same in the 1970s – turkey or ham, stuffing, roast potatoes, and heaps of vegetables, all smothered in gravy and cranberry sauce.
Christmas desserts in the 1980s became a decadent end to the meal, while the 1990s saw Christmas dinner get an upgrade with gourmet twists on traditional dishes.
The 80s saw the rise of the layered ice cream cake introduced by Wall’s in 1982, gaining cult popularity until its discontinuation in the 1990s.
In the 90s, the era of the celebrity chef and food culture rose in the US, as the Food Network came to life. Bobby Flay and Emeril Lagasse inspired home cooks to create their own holiday dinners with a twist, while Martha Stewart’s Home for the Holidays inspired unique holiday creations.
The iconic Hershey’s Kisses We Wish You a Merry Christmas ad also aired in December 1989–one of the most loved and longest-running Christmas ads of all time.
Source: AllBabyCommercials / Youtube.
The 2000s brought a Christmas carve-up, with traditions both old and new shaping the way we celebrate. Similar to the the 1950s, this turkey platter is adorned with Brussels sprouts, and accompanied by honey-roasted ham and cranberry sauce.
The 2010s saw a rise in vegetarian feasts, reflecting a growing consciousness around health and sustainability. Brands such as Turtle Island Foods came up with the Tofurky and nut roasts as well as meat substitutes claimed their road to fame.
Christmas from the 2010s to now. Image sources: Pexels / Pavel Subbotin, Kaboom Pics, Katrin Bolovtsova, and Tim Douglas.
The 2020s introduced a different kind of celebration, as global events prompted us to find new ways to connect and cherish the holiday spirit. Zoom and Skype dinners became the norm as the world grappled with COVID-19.
And in 2023, we're witnessing a revival of Christmas spirit, with a renewed appreciation for gathering and feasting with loved ones. Holiday nostalgia is the biggest trend, too – with candy canes, gingerbread men, and an old-school turkey dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and all the classic trimmings.
Have you inherited any recipes from generations before? Do you have a favorite dish that must grace your table each year? Comment below and let's exchange stories of holiday cheer and culinary delights!
