Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is a fictional, yet heartwarming novel, about four sisters in New England (Massachusetts). Set in the 1860s during the American Civil War, this story will pull at your heartstrings.
While not solely a Christmas story, much of the story takes place during the Christmas holidays and winter months. It is a story about a family of women.
Little Women Values
Four young women, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March grow up in poor circumstances. They aren’t exactly in poverty, but they are also not very well off. While their father is off to war serving as a Union Chaplain, their mother- warmly known as Marmee- takes care of the girls at home.
All four girls have a close relationship with one another (as close as sisters can be). Each woman has unique personality traits, wishes, aspirations, and weaknesses.
Through examination of Little Women, we learn what each woman’s characteristics are and what they mean as time carries on. Each March daughter experiences hardships, blessings, laughter, and sorrow, among other human sufferings and joys.
Lousia May Alcott’s ability to construct the March family universe extends to the reader the opportunity to step into unique perspectives and appreciate the view of a 19th Century woman.
The story is Christian based and reflects various ideas and beliefs pertaining to Christianity. While mildly religious in nature, Little Women accentuates certain aspects of the nature of women which many can personally relate to regardless of their beliefs.
Topics such as poverty, illness, family love, romantic love, perseverance, forgiveness, gratitude, and even foolishness are all touched upon in this beautiful novel.
Christmas Traditions & Aesthetics from the 1860s
Candles
There are different types of candles which could be used to create an authentic aesthetic or feel to your Victorian Christmas.
Here are some of my favorites found online for creating that perfect Victorian aesthetic.
Stick candles and candlestick holders are a great addition to any vintage decoration.
I found these hand-painted stick candles on etsy to go with the candle holders.
If you are not keen on anything which may start a fire, you can try these LED candles which are also quite appropriate.
Candied or dried oranges give a colorful look and Christmas scent to your Christmas tree or snack table.
Decorating with antique books could really set the feel for an authentic Victorian Christmas. Books in red and green or black and brown could go nicely with your home or party decor. There are a lot of websites which offer real antique books for decoration
We offer them at Books for Decor and have a special Christmas deal.
Quilts
Not that everyone is going to rush out and buy the fabric to make a quilt for Christmas, or maybe you are going to do that, but if not, we suggest you take a look at some of these Victorian style quilts to drape over your furniture or beds as Christmas decorations.
Old Fashioned Rag Curlers
When I was little, my mom used to put my hair in rag curlers made from old t-shirts and cotton fabric to make my hair curly for Christmas day.
Any kind of old fabric will do as long as it is cotton as it absorbs really well.
Fabric Wrapped Gifts
Go to your local fabric store or Hobby Lobby and get some cute Christmas fabric and use it to wrap up your presents under the Christmas tree.
Caroling
This one seems self-explanatory, but really, there are a lot of ways to do it. You can go out and walk in the cold if you want to and sing to your neighbors. Or, if you don’t want to be cold, like me, you can sing with family and friends around the piano or go visit your parents or your grandmother. However, you want to do it, caroling is a good way to celebrate in an old-fashioned Victorian way.
Related:
Little Women, 1994 Film Adaptation
