Many of our modern Christmas traditions have roots in the Victorian era: Christmas cards, trees and that family-centred spirit popularized by Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol.
I certainly idealize the Victorian version of Christmas*, which is why I really enjoyed my December visit to Black Creek Pioneer Village.
* Note: To keep the fantasy intact, I prefer to omit any thoughts about the dentistry that may have followed the overconsumption of Christmas treats
Black Creek Pioneer Village is one of those delightful fake historical towns that encourages you to a) be a peeping Tom and/or b) barge right into someone’s house.
I came here in the summer and spent a fanciful afternoon imagining that I lived in Avonlea or somewhere that required me to wear petticoats. But I think it’s particularly wonderful at this time of year, because they put on a whole host of authentic Victorian Christmas programming.
You’ll notice that the decorations are minimal and derived from nature.
Victorian Christmas trees were decorated with garlands of popcorn and dried apple, and the presents were actually hung directly upon the boughs – like ornaments – on Christmas eve because they didn’t have wrapping paper and, even if they did, they’d never waste it like that. Victorians: such hippies!
There are plenty of Christmas treats to sample in two separate buildings. All of the goodies at Black Creek Pioneer Village are baked from old recipes using Victorian gadgets and ovens.
There is part of me that wants to work here and bake all day in a bonnet.
This is what a Victorian child would have had for breakfast on Christmas morn: gingerbread, an apple, an orange (an exotic delicacy – omg, I am so spoiled), homemade peppermint and a molasses candy.
The main kitchen in the Half Way Inn sells treats you can either eat on the premises or take home. Again, they don’t cut corners when it comes to authenticity: we were warned that most of this wasn’t vegetarian-friendly because it’s made with lard.
We tried the old-fashioned gingerbread and the mulled apple cider. The gingerbread men were much softer than the ones we are used to, and had a deeper spice flavour.
These guys, mind you, are from the future! They came in their gingerbread DeLorean. (these are the results of some DIY decorating at the Town Hall).
Loved the demo on how to set your plum pudding on fire. I’m going to set everything on fire from now on. Cereal: blazing. Big Mac: fast food inferno.
Here are some of the highlights of Black Creek’s Christmas programming:
- Christmas by lamplight (sounds amazing!) : Dec 10, 17 and 18
- Wagon Rides
- Gingerbread Decorating
- Tour of Traditions
- Victorian dancing
And, last but not least….
The PERFECT Santa. Seriously, isn’t he just the supermodel of all Santas? He’d be the cover of the swimsuit edition for sure.
This was #5 of 5 posts on what’s going down in Toronto this holiday season.
To see #1, “Christmas Cupcake Workshop,” click here.
To see #2, “A Euro Village of Our Own,” click here.
To see #3, “On Top of Toronto,” click here.
To see #4, “An Evening at the Toronto Temple of Cinema,” click here.
SPECIAL DEAL: Until December 20, if you book a Toronto hotel package priced at $99 to $179 plus taxes, you will receive a Torontoland wristband worth 15% savings at more than 50 participating attractions, restaurants and retail locations, as well as a $50 gift certificate for The Bay. If you stay two nights, that gift card will swell to 100$. For more information, click here.
Travel arrangements courtesy of Tourism Toronto.
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There should be a rule that all Santa’s should have a real beard. As a kid, I was disturbed by the fake bearded ones.
Santa’s taken a shine to Reb.
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