Charlotte Bronte's Christmas celebrations were probably comfortable but not lavish affairs, though many new Christmas traditions were introduced in the UK during Charlotte's time with the reign of Queen Victoria. Christmas trees became popular. Father Christmas became a celebrated figure. Christmas crackers added livelihood to Christmas dinner, which was probably a Christmas goose or turkey for Charlotte. In Jane Slayre's time with the vampyre Reeds, the holiday guests doubled as the meal-- now that's household economy. And of course, who didn't look forward to Christmas pudding, and finding the silver sixpence and thimble for luck? (If you were Jane Slayre, you needed it :))
