'I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all year.' - Charles Dickens

Between Charles Dickens' birth in 1812 and his death in 1870, Christmas had transformed from what was essentially a quiet family day to a bustling commercial celebration with cards, advertisements, pantomimes and even public decorative displays.

Through Dickens' writing, family recipes, time at the pantomime and festive tours of America, Charles Dickens' Christmas explores the sweeping social and technological changes of Dickens' lifetime that led to this surge of Christmas popularity – which Dickens so ably harnessed.

This festive season, step back in time with this delightful compilation to explore the delights of a Victorian Christmas through the eyes of a literary icon.