Historical reality programme. The Victorian farmers - Ruth Goodman, Alex Langlands and Peter Ginn - return to the Acton Scott estate in Shropshire to celebrate a traditional Victorian Christmas. There's an enormous amount of farm work to be done on the estate in the lead-up to the festive season, including the hay harvest, to make food for the animals over winter. Having been thwarted last time by rain, the team anxiously monitor the weather. Peter travels to the Royal Agricultural Society's annual show with sheep expert Richard Spencer to choose a new ram for the flock; back at the farm, Ruth makes mincemeat for the Christmas mince pies. She also prepares for the hoped-for hay harvest celebration with some essentials - bread and butter.
The Victorian farm team tackle their biggest project yet: restoring the village blacksmith's forge. First they must make bricks to restore the chimney - a full five day and night process in which the farmer gets no sleep. As winter marches on and Christmas nears, they must source a yule log: firewood to burn for the Twelve Days of Christmas. At the cottage, Ruth winter-proofs the house, making a paper blanket and remedies for chilblains, rheumatism, coughs and colds. It is also a chance to begin preparations for the Christmas banquet in earnest - in particular, a very Victorian invention, Christmas crackers. Ruth enlists the help of Christmas cracker historian Peter Kimpton.
Christmas is coming to Acton Scott, but first there's a huge amount of preparation to do. Ruth Goodman and food historian Ivan Day try their hand at making a Christmas pudding using the same methods as Bob Cratchit's wife in A Christmas Carol. Meanwhile, Alex and Peter light the forge for the first time to re-shoe the farm workhorse Clumper - the first time a horse has been shod at this forge in over five decades. Alex goes in search of a Christmas tree for the banquet, while Ruth and Peter head for the Victorian town of Blists Hill for Christmas shopping. At the cottage, Ruth meets Debbie Bamford to dye an array of colourful Christmas ribbons to decorate the tree and the presents that sit beneath it. Finally it's time for the Christmas meal in the estate's School Hall. With a rapturous toast to Queen Victoria and a quick trip to the cattle shed to wassail the animals, day turns into night and the drunken Victorian parlour games commence. The next morning it'll be time for the team to bid a fond farewell to Mr Acton as they depart Acton Scott for good.
Alex from the Victorian Farm shows how to make wassail punch, a warm and spicy cider drink traditionally shared with carol singers.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm shows how to make a keepsake gift box using popular Victorian techniques.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm shows how to make turkey and stuffing using a recipe from 19th century cookery writer Eliza Acton.
The Victorian Farm team take part in a carol service and sing 'The Holly and the Ivy' to a traditional Shropshire tune.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm shows how to put together your very own toy theatre using a Victorian-era design by Benjamin Pollock.
Ruth and Peter from the Victorian Farm show how to make traditional Victorian tree ornaments like cornucopias and paper chains.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm shows how to make your own scrapbook and use the popular Victorian technique, decoupage, to decorate the front cover.
Ruth and Peter from the Victorian Farm try out some popular parlour games from the 19th century.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm shows how to make paper flowers, as decoration for your Christmas dinner table.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm shows how to make a picture frame, a personal gift to give at Christmas.
Ruth and Peter from the Victorian Farm show how to make a mistletoe ball for kissing under, a tradition which grew in popularity during Victorian times.
Alex from the Victorian Farm makes mulled wine, a traditional festive drink which is still popular today.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm shows you how to make Christmas crackers, a tradition invented by a sweet seller in Victorian England.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm shows you how to make an authentic Victorian Christmas pudding using a 19th century recipe.
Ruth and Peter from the Victorian Farm show how to make your own Victorian wreath using evergreens, fruit and pine cones.
Alex from the Victorian Farm makes mince pies with a 19th century recipe which uses meat as its main ingredient.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm shows how to make gift bags which can be used to put small presents in and hung on the tree.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm shows how to make sugar plums, a popular Victorian treat.
Peter and Ruth from the Victorian Farm decorate the Christmas tree using traditional tree ornaments and decorations.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm reads from Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol', a text which sums up a Victorian Christmas and has influenced the way we celebrate today.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm shows you how to make your own Christmas Cards using paper lace, a popular Victorian technique.
Alex from the Victorian Farm shows how to make your own Victorian wrapping paper using the popular technique of marbling.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm shows how make festive table mats to decorate your Christmas dinner table.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm shows how to make ivy ribbons, an authentic Victorian room decoration.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm shows how to make artificial holly berries using some red wax and peas.
Ruth from the Victorian Farm shows you how to make your own bread sauce, using a recipe from 19th century cookery writer Eliza Acton.
