"A beautifully frosty day." Christmas Eve, 1845: Queen Victoria

With joy do I hail the return of this blessed festival, & peculiarly so now, that all the Ministerial troubles are over. — After breakfast & writing, I walked with Ly Desart, Albert having gone out hunting. It was a beautifully frosty day. — In the afternoon, Albert took me a short drive & on coming home we were busy with our Christmas preparations, always such a pleasure, though somewhat fatiguing. At 6 Albert took me into the Blue Closet, where as usual my frosted tree stood & my presents were all arranged on a table. Amongst them was a most beautifully executed inkstand, with a stag in frosted silver, standing on Scotch stones, & at the sides views in silver has reliefs of Blair Castle, &c.; & a beautiful little onyx Cup set in enamel & precious stones. Dearest Albert had so wonderfully thought out all his gifts. From dear Mama, I received several pretty & useful gifts. I then took Albert to the little Music Room, where I had arranged my gifts for him, & there was also a tree. He was so much pleased with all. After this, Mama & the 4 Children received their "Bescherung", with a tree. Besides the important presents, the tables were laden with toys of every possible kind, with which they were enchanted. Dear kind Grandmama sent them a charming little china dinner set, & the Queen Dowr, a lovely table with 4 chairs, inlaid with their names. Lastly, we had, in the White Drawing room a tree, round which we had placed our little souvenirs for the Ladies & Gentlemen, with which they seemed much delighted. — Besides dear Mama, &c we had only the Ansons, F. Ansons, & our suite, to dinner. It was a very merry Xmas Eve. We had charming music after dinner. —

From queenvictoriasjournals.org