See how Christmas was celebrated at Lanyon Homestead, Calthorpes House and Mugga Mugga Cottage.

Christmas trees, decorations and the family Christmas Cake recipe – we’ve decorated Calthorpes House and Mugga Mugga Cottage with Christmas objects from the Calthorpe and Curley family collections. At Lanyon Homestead, we’ve recreated a Victorian Christmas, complete with handmade Christmas tree decorations, bon bons and jellies.

CHRISTMAS AT LANYON

See Lanyon Homestead dressed for an Australian Victorian Christmas. Homemade Christmas tree decorations, bons bons, jellies and a festive Christmas dining table setting.

How did the Cunningham family celebrate Christmas at Lanyon Homestead? Did the menu include Roast Sirloin Beef, Suckling Pig or a more local Roast Wombat? And for dessert, Christmas Pudding and jelly or a fruit platter with exotic pineapple? These were a few Christmas ideas in Australia's first cookbook, The English and Australia Cookery Book (1864).

Read more about how Christmas was celebrated in colonial NSW at our online story linked here.

Book Christmas at Lanyon Homestead tour here

CHRISTMAS AT CALTHORPES HOUSE

Experience a Christmas with the Calthorpes with Christmas objects from the collection.

Growing up at Calthorpes House, Dawn Calthorpe had the special job of putting out the Christmas tree and decorating it with velet Santa Clauses, glass baubles, candles and homemade decorations. Mrs Calthorpe would make Christmas pudding and Mr Calthorpe would order a plump goose for Christmas lunch. The house was filled with the songs of 'Jingle Bells', 'Ode to Joy' and 'Noel'. and the dining room was decorated with streamers.

Book Christmas at Calthorpes House tour here

CHRISTMAS AT MUGGA MUGGA

See how the Curley family celebrated Christmas.

Sultanas, Currants, Raisins, Peel, Almonds and Figs - Mrs Curley purchased the ingredients from Hayes and Russell in Queanbeyan and then used the receipt as a bookmark for the Christmas Cake receipe in her Commonsense Household Cookery Book. See the Christmas recipes and cooking utensils from the Mugga Mugga Collection and be inspired to bake your own Christmas Cake.

Book Christmas at Mugga Mugga Cottage tour here