Christmas gift buying and Christmas Trees with ornament decorations were as prevalent in Britain in 1850 as now. So was buying good food, like Christmas Pies, as these adverts illustrate.
“Robert Ostler, Confectioner and Wedding Cake Maker, 9, Silver street, HULL, respectfully invites his friends and the public generally to an early inspection of his Ornaments from France and Germany, suitable for the Christmas Trees now so generally in use; also that he will have on hand his far-famed Christmas Pies, Twelfth Cakes, Mottoes, Crackers, Bon-bons, &c., for the Christmas season.”
“CHRISTMAS PRESENTS and NEW-YEAR’S GIFTS. At MYERS’ Berlin Wool and Fancy Repository, Mercer-row, LOUTH, every Novelty of the season of the most unique character, useful as well as ornametal, consisting of a rare and extensive assortment of superior Papier Mache Pole Screens, Work Tables, Hand Screens, Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Dressing Cases, Writing Desks, Bohemian Toilet Bottles, Lustrea, Vases, Bronze Card Racks, Spell Pots, the greatest variety of different designs in Bronze and China, Gold and Silver Pencil cases, Lockets, Brooches, Bracelets, Rings, Chains, &c., the very best choice of Berlin Wools, Crochet Patterns, Beaded Purses, Pocket Books, Tortoiseshell Combs, Hair, Hat, and Nail Brushes, Dominoes, Cards, Games and Dissections, and Foreign Toys of every description. Louth, Dec. 18th, 1850”
“Nearly 50 beasts have been slaughtered in Lincoln for Christmas cheer, and the show of meat is exceedingly fine. In the butchery slaughter-house (which has been put in a very neat and clean state by the present keeper) there were 24 beasts. The finest was a heifer fed by Mr. Cartwright, of Timberland, killed by Mr.Kent, and weighing 90 st. An ox slaughtered by Messrs. Mansford and Maples wighed 100 st.; and another Scotch ox, fed by Mr. Slater, of Carlton, & killed by Mr. Wilmot, weighed 76st.”
Stamford Mercury, 20th December 1850