During the 1800's Christmas evolved into a family centered holiday.  During this time Charles Dickens created a tale called The Christmas Carol. The book stressed the importance of charity and goodwill towards people and family. During this time, the family was becoming more sensitive to children and their needs. Christmas was embraced as a fun way to entertain and exchange gifts. Victorian England showed the world a way to celebrate Christmas. Americans took these ideas and created many traditions of their own over time. Some of these traditions were decorating a tree, sending cards, and giving gifts to each other.      

In 1819 Washington Irving wrote a book about Christmas in An English Manor House called The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon. The story featured a squire who invited the Poor into his home for the holidays. His book helped shape holiday traditions.

Victorians decorated weeks before Christmas by tying evergreen branches together on the front porch and rails outside the house. Later they made indoor decorations such as wreaths, Christmas stockings and dried fruit. . Earlier Victorian trees were decorated with dried fruits, nuts, popcorn, pine cones, Hand dipped candles and stars at the top. Gift giving became popular in the later Victorian era. City Stores began selling wide variety of goods. Stories were written in books about the virtue of giving and Parents had the Money to spend on gifts for children. Popular gifts were dolls, Board Games, wind up toys, rocking horses and sleds.