The Classic Carolers
My beloved husband Hal was searching for some unusual Christmas decorations for his library. We had seen at Molback’s Nursery’s gift shop these wonderful Victorian Carolers, dressed in garments from the 1800s, beautiful, handmade and nostalgic.
We were going to put together several adults and children, to have a large group of carolers. They could decorate some of the shelves or stand in a group on my Hal’s desk. It would make a colorful decoration for Christmas, but also would tell the stories from the 1840s, 1850s and up to the 1950s when caroling was very popular again here in the United States of America, but the original clothing, of course, had dramatically changed by then.
As we found out these beautiful, handmade figures were hard to find, but we found quite a few at Wright’s Nursery in their large gift shop. In order to get a nice colorful group together we kept on adding new ones every Christmas. We ended up adding children to the adults, which made it more complete, thinking that whole families are going out into the cold, crisp night to sing Christmas carols.
Many traditional caroler costumes are based on 1840s-1860s fashions with large skirts, puffy sleeves and a cape for warmth, but there are two other, equally delightful periods, perfect for caroling costumes: Medieval/Early Renaissance and the 1950s.
Each costume era has a different feel and provides its own creative and comfort advantages.
My Hal and I made it a special day, picked during the weeks before Christmas for “hunting.”
We made it a challenge that day to find at least one couple or maybe two children. We were happy when we ended the “hunt” with some more of these beautiful handmade figures and my Hal’s library looked awesome and festive with these lovely carolers on the bookshelves among all the books.
For Christmas eve and Christmas day, when we would have guests coming through our home, we would display them in a half circle on my Hal’s desk, opposite a white flocked Christmas tree or a basket with two beautiful large pink or white poinsettias in it. Playing old, original Christmas songs in the background made this scene from Victorian times complete and our guests, as my Hal and I did, enjoyed this warm and lovely scene.
I had given some away as Christmas gifts after I moved and downsized, but now it is time to gift the rest to friends or family members.
My dearest Hal is no longer with me, and these beautiful figures are a painful reminder of what no longer can be, so I will give the rest away this coming Christmas.
Another painful moment for me, parting with something precious, that was my Hal, my love, and my life.
I remember the first time Ilona invited me to her beautiful home at Christmas, and how amazed I was by the magnificent and elegant decorations. The elegance was balanced with whimsical and fun items, like large gourds painted beautifully as Santa and Mrs. Claus, in Ilona’s kitchen, and in later years, the appearance of the delightful carolers. They added such joy to the beauty of Hal’s library, with the small flocked tree, beautiful Christmas village laid on angel’s hair, and hand painted by Hal, golden nuts. I can well imagine the fun Hal and Ilona had, picking out their wonderful carolers and finding just the right spot for them in their home to delight each other, friends and family, as they celebrated Christmas. Thank you , Ilona and Marcie, for sharing this special story.
What a dear story. I always associate Ilona with Christmas. The beautiful ways she always decorated with such exquisite detail and meaning. She was able to transport some of the flavor of Christmas from her home in Germany to her adopted home here is the United States. And I think she experienced great joy in doing so. I love this time of the year with Ilona by my side in my memories and imagination. Christmas is always richer because of her. You! My dearest Ilona!