Christmas Entertaining in 1905
As Christmas gets closer, you may be wishing for a little touch of old-fashioned comfort and joy. So here is one from my all-time favorite party book, Bright Ideas for Entertaining by Mrs. Herbert B. Linscott (1905, George W. Jacobs and Co.). It’s a plan for a children’s party, but I’m sure you could adapt the ideas to fit any crowd!
Sadly, Mrs. Linscott did not illustrate her book, so this illustration and the ones below are from another great old book, Safe Methods of Business by J. L. Nichols (1894, self-published).
I cannot believe the huge amount of preparation this party would have required. Braving a crowded mall seems easy in comparison. I like how they tell you to play “old-fashioned romping games” but don’t give any instructions on how to play them. And who has a “star-shaped table?” Also, I wonder what happened when a boy got a girl’s toy and vice versa!
Well, the party plan may not be something you can actually use. So here are some “ornamental pen drawings” from the business book. They were given as exercises for improving one’s handwriting. I think they would make pretty gift cards or decorations!
reckon this may be a case of how the other half lived!!! servants anyone! x
You are probably right. Usually she wrote about church socials and fundraisers for the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, but this does sound like a party that only the leisured class could throw!