Early American Christmas

Holiday Traditions
From the Editor
Trimming the Tree

Very Near the North Pole
WINFIELD ROSS
Santas and themed trees in every corner transform Marilyn and Jerry Treichel’s colonial-style home into an elfin workshop.

Calendar of Holiday Events

Welcoming Christmas
JEANMARIE ANDREWS
For Gerald and Glenda Dinkins, living in Salem at Christmastime sometimes means opening their home to strangers—who soon become friends.

Christmas at Woodville Plantation
This Pennsylvania frontier mansion blends the traditions of German immigrants and Southerners during its holiday celebrations.

Directory of Traditional American Crafts—Holiday
The works of the top traditional holiday artisans decorate the restored rooms of the 1775 John Neville house.

Early American Life Sources

Take Joy
Illustrator Tasha Tudor brought a special sense of joy and wonder to the celebration of Christmas. We honor her legacy.

Holiday Entertaining

Savor a Frontier Feast
After work in the fields ended for the season, frontier neighbors celebrated with a hearty feast taken straight from the woods.

Houses of Gingerbread
The cooks at Colonial Williamsburg offer inspiration for creating these edible holiday decorations.

Gifts from Your Kitchen: Cookies from Across the Continents
Immigrants clung to the familiar foods of their native lands to ease the transition to America. Try some of their traditional holiday treats.

Holiday Projects

Decorate with Paper Filigree
DEBORA BLIND
This genteel art has its roots in illuminated manuscripts. These simple fl oral designs can adorn a tree, box, or tray.

Ornaments from the Museums
We borrowed folk art motifs from three museums to create these simple ornaments for your holiday tree.

Knit a Christmas Stocking
JAIN FARIES
Based on colonial patterns, these stockings work well for both Santa and someone with cold feet.

Build a Christmas Pyramid
BRIAN COE
A few branches lashed together gave way to a more ornamental four-shelf pyramid for holiday decorating by the end of the 19th Century.