included four essays on old English Christmas traditions that he experienced while staying at Aston Hall near Birmingham .
Among earlier authors who influenced Dickens was Washington Irving , whose 1819 -- 20 work The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon , Gent .
included four essays on old English Christmas traditions that Dickens experienced while staying at Aston Hall near Birmingham .
Among earlier authors who influenced Dickens was Washington Irving , whose 1819 -- 20 work The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon , Gent .