Isle of Wight school children have been spreading some festive cheer by creating a Christmas gift fit for Queen Victoria.
English Heritage set the challenge for pupils, whose presents will go on display in the Durbar wing at Osborne House.
Queen Victoria and her children spent many festive seasons at Osborne, and celebrated with a Christmas gift table for each member of the family.
Presents were shared on Christmas Eve and often included thoughtful, homemade creations for the Queen. Victoria’s diaries recall her delight at the beautiful drawings and paintings created by her children and grandchildren.
Osborne’s Christmas challenge celebrates this tradition of thoughtful gifting by asking Island schools to produce a special present to be displayed on a gift table at Osborne over the festive season.
English Heritage’s education team provided schools with information about Victorian Christmas traditions and invited the children to visit Osborne and see where the Queen celebrated.
Participants were encouraged to be creative with their dream gift – which need not be Victorian in style.
All 12 education groups responded with imagination - an Isle of Wight necklace, a Victoria inspired chess set, a marble run, and a working cam design of the Queen herself (complete with moving crown) are amongst the gifts created for the display at Victoria’s former seaside home.
Laura Bosworth, Education Officer for English Heritage, based at Osborne House said:
“It’s always a joy to work with local schools throughout our Christmas season. This year we wanted to set a challenge inspired by royal Victorian Christmas traditions, which would spark the children’s imagination – and the results have been incredible.
"We’re thrilled with the imaginative, fun and inspired creations we have received from the island’s schools and thank them all for their enthusiasm, hard work and fabulous creativity.”
Osborne House is the former family home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
The royal couple are credited with popularising many parts of a modern Christmas – including Christmas trees, crackers, cards, and figgy pudding. Following Albert’s death in 1861 the Queen, her children, and later grandchildren, spent many Christmases at Osborne and continued these traditions throughout the palatial estate.
Now in the care of English Heritage, the ground floor of the House, grounds and gardens of Osborne are open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday until December 23, and then every day from December 26 – January 2.
As well as viewing the Christmas presents fit for Queen Victoria, visitors can also join in a Christmas Adventure Quest throughout the grounds, and discover the festive traditions and folklore of the past.
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