How did they celebrate christmas (the upper class and working class) in 1704?

Answer 1

The working classes in Great Britain probably didn't celebrate it very much at all. The upper classes may have had special meals etc., but possibly not much more. In 1647 at the time of the Commonwealth, Christmas - and even Christmas puddings - had been banned by Oliver Cromwell and whilst the ban was lifted at the Restoration the observance of Christmas wasn't the same. By the early 19th century their was a very real fear that Christmas as a special festival was nearly forgotten and the Society of Antiquarys tried to research and rediscover lost 'traditions'. In fact, what they did was invent them and give them spurious authenticity. For example, there is no record prior to that time of use of mistletoe, even by the Druids, not is their any evidence that 'ancient britons' took greenery into their houses to celebrate the 'winter solstice' Indeed, there is no evidence that they celebrated a festival at that time at all. Christmas, as we know it, didn't start until the 1840s with a kick start being given by Charles Dickens novel 'A Christmas Carol'. Queen Victoria had a Christmas tree long before her subjects who gradually began to copy her. Most the the 'Christmas Carols' we know today were either hymns written in the 19th century or words put to older tunes. In 1843, it had been 25 years since the Times newspaper had even printed the word 'Christmas'

Answer 2

A lot would depend upon where one lived.

In England, for instance, the upper class celebrated with house parties (which often included hunting), a lot of eating and drinking, and, in the evenings, dancing, music, and playing games.

This pattern was followed in colonies like Virginia and Maryland. The slaves were given a respite from their normal work, and in some places this continued until the Yule Log burned through--and I'm sure the slaves looked for the thickest trunk they could find. After all, who wouldn't?

In places such as Massachusetts, the day was not merely ignored, but the observation of it was illegal in many areas. There were Puritans who got in trouble with their church congregations for "joining in Christmas revels with the French Protestants"--I believe this occurred in Boston.

In New York, settled by the Dutch, the celebration of St. Nicholas' Day (December 5) was a time for children to receive gifts, while the day itself was spent quietly, often with church services. This was also true among the earliest German settlers as well.

In places like Pennsylvania, people did pretty much their own thing--to the Quakers, it was just another day. Since the colony had so many different groups in it (Germans, Swedes, Scots-Irish to name only a few), Christmas was observed or ignored as one wished. For the Catholic population, it was a day of hearing mass and then some jollity in the English/Irish tradition.

For the working class, it was much the same, only on a much smaller scale--after all, these folks had to be up and back at their normal occupations the next day. They certainly couldn't accommodate a lot of company, either, so the celebrations (if any) usually were limited to just the immediate family.

Answer 3

If you are discussing England or the British colonies in 1704, then the first answer gives a reasonably good description. There would have been some salutes to Queen Anne, as well, since she had taken the crown only two years before, and her accession was by no means secure.

I regret to say that I haven't studied the history of most other European nations as closely in this time period, and have little to say about Christmas customs of the time. In Catholic nations, the Yule celebration officially began at midnight with the "Liturgical Declaration of the Birth of Christ," intoned in one of the Gregorian modes by either the village priest, or in larger churches, the principal Celebrant, at the door of the church. A formal procession followed and then continued with a High Mass that took well over an hour.

Answer 4

church, dinner, dancing, some evergreens, visiting
No eighteenth-century sources highlight the importance of children at Christmastime--or of Christmas to children in particular
St. Nicholas filled children's wooden shoes with fruit and candy
no christmas trees yet
Wines, brandy, rum punches, and other alcoholic beverages went plentifully around the table on December 25 in well-to-do households. Others had less because they could afford less. Slave owners gave out portions of rum and other liquors to their workers at Christmastime, partly as a holiday treat (one the slaves may have come to expect and even demand) and partly to keep slaves at the home quarter during their few days off work.
As the colonies of the mid Atlantic became more established, Christmas grew more elaborate. Colonists decorated their homes with lavish greenery, held great feasts, sang carols and played games. A traditional Yule log was burned and affluent families held Christmas balls.

Answer 5

Agree with rdenig.
In Parson Woodforde's diary, he gave a dinner for the old people of the parish, held the services, and that was about it.

Answer 6

why in 1704?
probably they went to church and later they ate some special christmas pudding or cake or drink

Answer 7

Drinking, feasting and a bit of slap and tickle.