The publication of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" coincided with a decade which saw the invention of the Christmas cracker, the first Christmas card and Prince Albert's promotion of the Norwegian Christmas tree. In this volume Simon Callow presents a celebration of the traditional Dickensian Christmas: decorating the house with greenery and lighted candles; hanging kissing boughs and holly wreaths to welcome friends and family; carol-singing - here reflected in words and music; accounts of waistcoat-popping Christmas dinners alongside recipes; and not forgetting Christmas as a time of generosity to those less fortunate. The volume also contains the text of "A Christmas Carol" in its entirety.