'Gilded Age Holiday Treats & Traditions' Webinar

Can't make it live? Register and get access to the full replay for one week! New York Adventure Club | www.AdventureClub.com

"The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.”

This nostalgic line from A Visit from St. Nicholas evokes the charm and indulgence of Christmas past. But what exactly were those sugar plums — and how did other beloved holiday customs take shape in America? It’s time to unwrap the sweet, surprising origins of holiday treats and traditions from the Gilded Age.

Join New York Adventure Club as we travel back to the Gilded Age to explore the festive foods and customs that defined the holiday season — from sugar plums and plum pudding to the rise of Santa Claus and the Christmas tree — and how these traditions laid the foundation for modern celebrations.

Led by author and food historian Becky Libourel Diamond, our fun and informative virtual experience will include:

• A look at how Mark Twain and his writings helped shape Gilded Age holiday traditions, from his reflections on the season to the values they represented in his era
• An exploration of the evolution of Santa Claus, including his red suit, sleigh, and North Pole residence, and how he became a central figure in American Christmas lore
• An overview of popular Gilded Age holiday treats, such as sugar plums, plum pudding, mince pie, and gingerbread, and the traditions behind them
• A discussion around the rise of holiday décor and customs, including Christmas trees, stockings, cards, and festive home displays
• A glimpse into New Year’s and Hanukkah celebrations, and how the Gilded Age gave rise to more diverse and elaborate winter holiday observances across American communities

Afterward, we’ll have a Q&A with Becky — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!

Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week.

See you there, virtually!

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***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Becky

Becky Libourel diamond is a writer, librarian, and research historian. She has been writing about food since 2008, parlaying her passion for food and history into the publication of The Gilded Age Cookbook (August 2023), The Thousand Dollar Dinner and Mrs. Goodfellow: The Story of America’s First Cooking School. Her current project is Process: A History of Processed Food. She lives in Yardley, PA.

Testimonials

"Presenter was very good. Learned alot and great pictures to go along with it. Great topic; got me in the holiday spirit!" -Lorraine

"Hearing about the different traditions, the pictures of the homes and foods involved." -Joel

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Categories: Virtual, Gilded Age