From the fur-lined Santas in subdued red to the bright tin soldiers, Victorian Christmas decorations exemplified the tactile, textured qualities taken up by steampunk. Christmas is an excellent time to explore the softer side of steampunk, using decorations that reflect the Christmases of a Victorian childhood.
Victorian Christmas Stockings
High-heeled, elegant Victorian boot-shaped stockings have been in vogue for a few years now. The stockings are usually made of silks, satins and lace, then lavishly decorated with strings of pearls, cameo brooches and filigree chains.
For a steampunk twist, it is fairly simple to add cogs, bird cages, pocket watches etc to the stockings. Other steampunks may prefer to kep a softer steampunk look for Christmas, emphasising the “Victorian” rather than the “neo-”. McCall's pattern #5261 includes six different designs for Victorian boot stockings.
A Steampunk Christmas Tree
Christmas trees lend themselves well to steampunk! It's easy to decorate a traditional tree with a mixture of old-fashioned Victorian ornaments such as candles and steampunk accessories – bunches of keys, watch parts etc. For a mad scientist look, stick the candles in test tubes and beakers.
For a more extreme steampunk look, consider the tree itself. Metal Christmas trees are available in shops – buy one and spray it with brass or copper paint. Or go one step further and construct a geometrical tree out of copper piping, fixtures or scientific equipment. They key is to balance the mechanical aspects with enough traditional Christmas elements to make the tree recognisably festive. “Soft” steampunk accessories could include gold ladies' pocket watches and cameo brooches hanging from the tree, along with lacy or velvet ribbon bows.
Victorian Santa Decorations
Victorian Santas were less obnoxiously red and white than the modern kind. Steam him up by envisaging the sleigh as a time machine and his reindeer as mechanical.
Victorian Naturalist Christmas Display
Steampunks of the Victorian naturalist bent are accustomed to wall-mounted displays of butterflies and insects, neatly labelled and encased in three-dimensional glass-fronted frames. The same principle can be used to make a quirky Christmas display. Use sprigs of holly and mistletoe, pinecones, gingerbread biscuits and so on to fill the frame. Add a few whimsical touches if desired, such as a feather from a Christmas angel or an antler from one of Santa's reindeer.
Make a Steampunk Advent Calendar
Along a long surface, such as a bookshelf or mantelpiece, arrange 24 small beakers, test tubes and pieces of Venetian glass. Pop a treat inside each for an Advent calendar. Suitably Victorian treats include sugared almonds, conversation peppermints, humbugs and individual filled chocolates. Surround the containers with evergreens, pinecones, candles, trinkets and so on to make an attractive display, and number each jar with a calligraphed label or hanging brass number.
Spice chests with many small drawers may be difficult to find, but make excellent Advent calendars. Decorate with bundles of cinnamon sticks and stuff each drawer full of goodies.
Gingerbread Steampunk Ornaments
Gingerbread snowflakes hanging from the tree are delightfully reminiscent of Victorian childhood. They're also an excellent way for the impoverished steampunk to decorate his or her home without shelling out a fortune on ornaments or watch gears! Use a cardboard template to cut out cogs (after all, they're practically snowflakes!), train carriages, fob watches, Victorian walking shoes and top hats.
Bake the biscuits until completely dry – a lebkuchen recipe keeps well – and then pipe royal icing to add detail. Depending on skill level this technique could produce cameo brooches, Santa's sleigh or even a steampunk gingerbread house! For an extra professional touch, buy edible metallic dust from a cake decorating store and gild or bronze the edges of the ornaments.
Make a Steampunk Christmas Wreath
Collect old typewriter keys and use them to spell out “Merry Christmas” on a wreath. Alternatively, use the gingerbread ornaments mentioned above, with royal icing forming the letters.
Use Old Sheet Music
Aged, yellowed sheet music gives instant Victorian charm. Use it to wrap presents, make origami Christmas tree ornaments or to line shelves.
Other Steampunk Christmas Decorating Ideas
- For a Victorian explorer or airship pirate look, wrap presents in old maps.
- Hatboxes, leather steamer trunks and old square camera cases look attractive under the tree, whether they're holding presents or simply props.
- Arrange a Victorian-style toy train around the base of the Christmas tree.
- Use mini top hats, known as fascinators, to decorate the tree.
- Homemade Christmas crackers provide ample opportunity for adding steampunk flair. Steampunk pen drives, calligraphy pens or steampunk jewellery make delightful favours to pop inside.
- Use Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol for inspiration.
Sarah Tennant - Sarah Tennant is a onetime English major who lives in New Zealand with her husband and two small children. Her interests range from ...
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