On Christmas day in 1883, dinner at the Leicester Union Workhouse was served at the same time as always, noon. But for once, there was no segregation between the school-aged children and the adults. Instead, they all sat together. The boys wore clean collars with maroon coloured neckties, and the girls wore as much jewellery as they could find in their wardrobes - necklaces, bracelets, rings, and even earrings.

Christmas wreaths adorned the corridors and wards, beautiful artwork was hung up in the dining hall, and an enormous arch extending almost the entire width of the room was placed on a crimson background with dark green lettering forming the words “O come let us adore him, Christ the lord”. Vividly coloured rosettes added cheerfulness to the banner, stars and mottoes. The pulpit was decorated with a trellis of evergreen over a crimson ground and white rosettes, and the rafters displayed trophies and baskets of flowers. The windows were full of lush evergreen plants, and the windowsills were lined with colourful paper ornaments. On the far wall, an enormous banner made by inmates and officers was displayed. The banner was of evergreen and crimson, and it displayed the motto: 'A Christmas Greeting. The peace of the spirit, that flies not away, be with thee and round thee, and o'er thee today'.

A variety of drinks were served, including beer, as well as tobacco and snuff. One hundred and fifty-seven elderly inmates received half a crown each, donated by Mr Cooper of Corah Sons & Cooper, the hosiery manufacturers. The children received toys and pictures donated by a local resident, Miss J A Mackennal of Edina Lodge, Stoneygate. There were enough toys and gifts for each child, and enough parcels for the sick. After dinner, the entertainment and festivities continued.