Get ready to step back in time for the ultimate festive treat…

We’re thrilled to invite you to a cozy online evening with the wonderful Lucinda Dickens Hawksley. As the great-great-great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens, Lucinda doesn’t just know Christmas —it’s in her DNA.

Ever wondered why we send cards, pull crackers or decorate trees? It turns out we have the Victorians (and a certain Mr. Dickens) to thank for so much we love about the festive season.

Grab a mince pie and join us to discover:

• The ‘Dickens Effect’: How one little book, A Christmas Carol, saved Christmas.
• Victorian Party Vibes: From the chaotic fun of Snapdragon (yes, it involves fire!) to the very first Christmas cards.
• Decking the Halls: Find out about gorgeous handmade decorations like Golden Walnuts and Kissing Bunches.
• Family Secrets: Sweet stories of how Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Gaskell each celebrated behind closed doors.

Whether you’re a literary fan or someone who wants some Christmas joy in their life, this is the perfect way to get into the spirit this December. It’s going to be warm and wonderfully nostalgic.

So, dim the lights, pour yourself a glass of something mulled and celebrate like it’s 1843.

Lucinda Hawksley is an author, art historian, public speaker and broadcaster, specialising in literature, art, history and social history from the 19th and early 20th centuries. She is Patron of the Charles Dickens Museum.