Traditional Regency Christmas

Donna Hatch
There’s nothing quite like the glimmer of a Christmas tree, brightly wrapped packages, and a yule log burning in the fire to invoke wonder and excitement. You may be surprised to know that many Christmas traditions are quite new–at least in both England and the US. Most Christmas customs we think are ancient actually sprang up during the Victorian Era. Regency Christmas traditions varied widely from region to region and even family to family. Generally,…

Of Blessings and Gratitude

Donna Hatch
Even though this past year and a half have been brutal in many ways, this season of giving thanks is a great reminder of all the things for which I am grateful. This is a short list so you won’t burn any of your Thanksgiving dinner while reading this 🙂 First of all, I’m grateful to you, my loyal fans, who have stuck it out with me even during this pandemic, reading my books, recommending…

Introductions, Regency-Style

Donna Hatch
In our informal modern society, it’s socially acceptable to introduce ourselves to a stranger without needing a third person to get involved. Meeting someone new might start with a clever (or corny) pick up line or be as simple as saying, “Hi, my name is____.” We can be confident that the other person will tell us his or her name. And thus an acquaintance, or more, begins. During the Regency, an introduction was much more…

Regency Dining, the Ultimate Decadence

Donna Hatch
Those fortunate few who lived in the glamorous, ephemeral world of the upper class in Regency England enjoyed luxury the likes of which most of us modern-day, working-class people can only try to imagine. Gowns that cost more than most workers made in a year, gilded carriages pulled by fine horses, jewels rivaling that of royalty, castles filled with an army of servants all belonged in their world. One of the many extravagances the Regency…

Birthday Club!

Donna Hatch
Birthdays are special. After all, we each only get one per year. I’d love to celebrate your birthday with you. Sign up for my Birthday Club–exclusive to fans like you–and I’ll send you a birthday surprise. Plus, you’ll be automatically entered to win a birthday gift basket with lots of fun stuff! (one person per month) You don’t have to buy a thing and none of the information you enter will ever be used for…

Wacky Valentine’s Day Trivia

Donna Hatch
Here’s some wacky and fun Valentine Day’s trivia: Valentine’s Day was once a Saint’s Day named after two (or three, depending on the source) different martyred priests all called Valentinus, a common Roman name. Some legends also claim a priest named Valentinus performed illegal Christian marriages when Rome was in power so he was executed as a criminal. The  Shakespearean “Hamlet” mentions Valentine’s Day.  Ophelia sings, “Good morrow! ‘Tis St. Valeintine’s Day; All in the…

Valentine’s Day in Regency England

Donna Hatch
Celebrating Valentine’s Day in Regency England was very different from the way we celebrate it today. It consisted of gentlemen and ladies–even people of all classes–exchanging hand-made cards with hand-written verses. During the Victorian Era, Valentine’s Day cards became mass produced, but in the Regency, such a gesture required more thought and care. Cards sent were as varied as the senders. Some made their cards with gilt-edged paper, trimmed with lace–real lace, not paper lace…

Thanksgiving and Gratitude

Donna Hatch
This thanksgiving day, here are 10 things for which I am grateful: my husband my 6 children and their loving spouses my granddaughter and wee grandson turkey feasts and all the trimmings including whipping cream which makes pumpkin pie edible hot apple pie and ice cream loyal fans who buy, read, and recommend my books a Thanksgiving Season that reminds me to feel gratitude for my abundance religious freedom surviving 2020 without loss of life…

Have a Little Class — Social Classes in Regency England

Donna Hatch
The social structure in Regency England was a lot more complicated than it is in today’s world. As an American who is an Anglophile as well as a certified history geek, I delved into this topic like Alice going into the rabbit hole and found a plethoria of fascinating tidbits. At the top of the social structure is royalty. These include the monarchy and their offspring, and siblings who were often royal dukes. According to…