As we dig further into the study of the year of 1942, we start getting more information of the life in the home and community.
This weeks study I found information of what people did socially and found that games were very popular.
People visited one another and had luncheons, bridge games, played Bingo, Rummy, Pinochle, Bronco and many other games such as dominos. Many of the games were informal and some were more formal. Very often there would be a prize for the highest scorer. Sometimes for the lowest score and sometimes for the person that drove the furthest.
The most common prize was handkerchiefs.
But there were many gifts depending on if this was a bridge game, a tea, a luncheon.
The Prizes were salt and pepper sets, Pot holders, Tea towels, Cream and Sugar sets, a bath mat...
Guest towels, Cigarette boxes, coaster sets, Ash Trays, Stationary, Luncheon sets....
Some were nicer, depending how large of a gathering there was for a game such as this apron set.
Bridge or other card sets, pillow cases, even waste baskets were game prizes.
Desserts, salad plates, Iced drinks were normally served for luncheons, bridge games and get togethers. My research found that the most common food for games were, Sandwiches, Salad plates, Fruit salad, Peach ice cream, Coconut cake, Potato chips, Angel Food cake normally topped with something such as fresh peaches and whipped cream, cocktail cookies.
I would probably serve Pie or cake. :)
Then things changed, world war 2, and I learned that in the social news the bridge game prizes changed to defense stamps.
These were the twenty five cent stamps that could be bought at the post office or bank. The booklets had places to put the stamps and kept the total of how much was saved in the book. Two of the stamps are missing in this book that we have.
Some home gatherings were pot luck and I thought about with rationing what would they cook for the pot luck? Maybe Chicken and dumplings?
Dumplings carried families through tough times as well as gravy with most anything.
Back to our Luncheons, Teas, Cradle Showers, Wedding Showers, and games.
Garden flowers were used for the table decorations. Most often for the smaller tables in the room and centerpieces for the main table.
The garden flowers mentioned were Sweet Peas, Larkspur, Cornflowers, Iris, Dahlias, Gladioli, Delphinium, Columbine, Pansies, Daisies, just to name some of them.
White tapers were often used for the main table.
The society news in the early 1940s is filled with parties, game gatherings, for most any occasions. It did not take much at all to find something to party about. Valentines , is our next occasion to celebrate here in the United States.
I looked ahead to see what people would be planning now for this upcoming event. It is full of Bridge games, Dances, School Events and Weddings. The Girls Home Economics class at dinner at noon had Valentine's day decorations for centerpieces. Valentines Day Dances were very popular and families gathered for afternoons of games and special treats.
For St Patrick's Day Games were played, Lace Cloth, with Sweet Peas Centerpiece, color scheme of Green and White. Individual cakes on Fancy Doilies surrounded by a chain of Shamrocks.
We are finding that in 1942 people continue to keep their spirits up and remain united. Traditions were important and I hope that those traditions helped our soldiers have fond memories of home.
In January 1942 women were taking men's jobs to keep the factories going as the United States Government began taking over factory production for weapons and military equipment. This was a time when much was changing and demanded people to do what they could to help. Somehow spirits were still mostly positive during this time.
I am trying my best to give a mental picture of what life was like during 1942, In my diaries, I am following along per day, they are doing their normal life of housework, laundry, ironing, listening to the radio, reading, and playing games.
I hope that you find this an interesting part of history, Charles and I find that we are embracing this time as we realize that we do not have the strengths today that they did during 1942, and so we are finding it helpful to adapt to the way of life as it was during this time in history.
I hope to hear from you in the forum, I would like to find out if you have made any changes or learned any new facts. Since our forum is a mixture of people from all over the world, I would like to know what is going on in 1942 in your country that may differ or be the same during this time.
Grandma Donna
