VACATION AND TRAVEL
Drum and Fife Marching Band
Some of the many employees of Williamsburg
You will find that Christmas stirs warm nostalgia on cold nights. Envisioning a simple, sentimental past, Americans have developed many misconceptions about the holiday’s beginnings in North America during the 1700s. As you will discover, Christmas in colonial and revolutionary America was not the wholesome, family-oriented holiday that Americans celebrate today. At Christmas beginnings, Christmas was often a time
for excessive drinking.
American settlers in the 1700s disagreed about Christmas. Virginia’s eastern, Anglican communities like Williamsburg enjoyed celebrating the holiday. But it was not an important event in many Scots-Irish, Presbyterian frontier communities. Other Protestant groups, including Quakers and Puritans, disliked Christmas.
Also, Colonial Christmases were less materialistic than they are today. It is true that family gift-giving was not an essential part of the holiday prior to the 1800s. During the holiday back then, custom dictated that servants, apprentices, and enslaved people accepted tips from those whom they served. Sometimes these were called “Christmas-box” tips. There is so many more facts on this holiday that would fill many pages.
Anyway, if you are there for one day only like I was, but you want more time here, then you can buy a 3-Day Pass for only Ten Dollars more than the single day admission, and they also sell an Annual Pass for the whole year.
Now, there are all the attractions you will see there during the day as you make your way through this place, such as; Gardeners, Gunsmiths, Farmers, Engravers, Cabinetmakers, Printers, Weavers, Tailors, Coopers, Carpenters, and many more workers you can see in action making things for you to view.
the Christmas season on weekends in December with the Grand Illumination. They illuminate the night sky above the colonial capitol. In the 18th century, illuminations, the firing of guns, and the lighting of fireworks celebrated major events back then such as the birthday of a reigning sovereign, military victories, or the arrival of a new colonial governor.
Also, during your visit during the holiday season check out the unique Christmas decorations throughout the historic area with Wreaths on government buildings, businesses, and residential homes. Then, enjoy musical performances on Multiple Stages throughout the streets and Fireworks Displays from the Capitol and the Palace. Every day they have a set itinerary of things to see and do at designated times.