The stockings are being hung, the trees are being decorated and lanterns are being prepped for lighting as a popular holiday tradition is ready to take people back in time.
The Simcoe County Museum Victorian Christmas will take place Dec. 12 and 13 from 6-9 p.m.
The annual event allows visitors the opportunity to see what Christmas was like in the Victorian era (1837 to 1901).
Museum events programmer Shaughna Crew says the event is always popular, and she believes it's due to folks getting back to a simpler time.
“I think a Victorian Christmas brings people back to a time when things were simple and maybe more calm,” she said. “The Victorian era is not only when a lot of the traditions we know now began, but also was when being family meant more than purchasing gifts. The consumerism wasn’t such a big stress for the holidays.”
Even with the planning that goes into the Victorian Christmas, Crew says the excitement in the air is palatable at the Highway 26 building in MIdhurst.
“We’ve been decorating for a while now and getting all the programs ready for the two nights next week,” she said. “Honestly, I believe it is one of the events the staff and volunteers look forward to the most each year.”Sponsored by the Friends of the Simcoe County Museum, Victorian Christmas has a full schedule of things to do for those checking it out. A horse-drawn carriage will take people around the museum grounds, while lantern-lit paths allow for evening walks.
Crafts throughout the building include ginger-bread people, tree ornaments and, out in the schoolhouse, there will be copies of the original Christmas card from 1843 for people to colour and keep.
“There are so many things to do this year," Crew said. "It really will keep you busy when you and the family are here.
“Everyone really enjoys the way the snow looks as they walk the lantern path, but it's always nice to get inside the building and enjoy hot chocolate or hot cider and some shortbread or sugar cookies," she added.
There will be traditional Christmas music playing as well as visitors walking the grounds and a Magic Lantern show, which is an illuminated story on a screen.
The Victorian Christmas evenings are Thursday, Dec. 12 and Friday, Dec. 13. Admission is monetary donation with proceeds going to the Friends of the Simcoe County Museum.
