Shaunathan Sprocket here helping out Harold in this season of giving.  So, you’ve made and sent your Victorian Christmas cards,  and you’ve decorated your Christmas tree in true Steampunk fashion, now what?  Well my good Ladies and Gentlemen in a tradition as old as old Fezzywig himself, I present to you, The Christmas Party!

Dickens and Steampunk go together like Brass and Leather, so why not combine the two for a Steampunk Christmas experience your guests won’t soon forget.  Click the link below for some helpful tips on creating your own party.

Arrival

As soon as your guests arrive you should immediately offer to help with coats and hats. (note to party-goers: Do be considerate for the master of the house and remove your hat and outer coat as there are a few different hatiquettes out there.  The plurality of them agree that you should remove your hat when in a private home.)  After this three things should happen.  Beverages should be placed in the hands of new arrivals, some brief introductions to those already at the party, and perhaps a brief tour of the home if only to show off the Christmas decorations.

Drinks

As important as serving there is also WHAT to serve!  From my personal repertoire:

Rum Punch (makes 1 punch bowl): 

1 cup 151 proof rum

1/2 cup dark rum

1/4 cup coconut rum

2 1/2 cups pineapple juice

2 1/2 cups orange juice

1/4 cup lime juice

3 tbsp grenadine syrup                                                  

Hot rum Toddy (makes 12 servings):

1 pound Dark brown sugar

½ pounds Salted butter

1 teaspoon Ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon Ground cloves (sometimes I use whole)

1 teaspoon Ground white cardamom

1 Fifth top-quality dark rum (a standard “fifth” bottle; 750ml)

BATTER:

1. Put all batter ingredients (everything but the rum) in a food processor and run it until creamy. Fold it down once with a spatula to make sure the spices are blended in, and run the food processor some more.

2. Scoop the mixture into a leftover container, and refrigerate.

MAKING THE DRINKS:

1. Fill a coffee mug half-full of boiling water.

2. Add 2 generous tablespoons of batter. Stir until the batter dissolves in the hot water. I use a small wire whisk for this stirring.

3. Add 2 jiggers of the best rum you can afford. When I make this in quantities for parties I like to use Myers Dark Rum. One theory of hot-toddy making is that it is impossible to use too much batter, and you should keep stirring more in until you are bored with stirring. Another theory of hot-toddy making is that it is impossible to use too much rum, and that you should keep stirring in more until your friends panic.

Absinthe! (more on this under entertainment)

Food (From Suite101.com)

“For dinner, a traditional Victorian Christmas meal might include roast beef and swan for the rich. Toward the end of the era, more people began having turkey for their Christmas dinner, and sometimes quail. Side dishes might include rice croquettes and nesselrode pudding. Plum pudding is another popular treat to have for dessert, and is reminiscent of many classic Christmas stories, which will add charm to any Christmas celebration. Gingerbread is also popular.”

Entertainment

Blind Man’s Bluff: My personal favorite.  One person is blindfolded (the blind man), and he has to catch party goers and guess who they are without seeing them.  Those caught can not speak.

Absinthe Tasting & Hors Devours: We did this last year in my local Steampunk group and had a blast.  For inspiration you can find a link to our evening right over here.  You can also find photos of the evening just over here.

Parlor Games: Chess, Backgammon, Charades and card games like Bridge, Poker, and Rummy were also played when ever large groups of people with spare time were present.  Christmas time was no exception.  Perhaps update this tradition with a Steampunky game of  Mission: Red Planet.

Whatever you decide to do for your Christmas Party Steampunk Aesthetics with Victorian Tridition should make a wonderful Holiday all of your guests won’t soon forget.