Christmas is the children’s day more than any other holiday, and their tastes and feelings should be consulted on this day which commemorates the birth od a Child whom millions of people worship and adore. Read more »

Here are five vintage Christmas games for children.  They include Santa Claus Hunt, Christmas Tree Game, Trimming the Tree Game, Christmas Secret, and Stocking Hunt. Read more »

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup shortening

2 eggs beaten together

1/2 cup cold water

1 1/4 cups flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream sugar, shortening, eggs, and water together.  Sift and add dry ingredients.  Mix well.  Pour into greased muffin pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Home Life, December 1911

Homemade Potpourri and Rose Jar Scent
Adapted from Household Discoveries, 1908, 1909 Read more »

Setting the Table for an Informal Dinner
Adapted from Woman’s World Calendar Cookbook, 1922

The menu should be thought out some time ahead, in order to have it delicious, easily prepared, and simple to serve.  Like everything else that is well done, the success of a dinner depends upon forehandedness. Read more »

Adapted from Putnam’s Household Handbook, 1916

Most good housekeepers lay out a weekly schedule for the housework, doing laundry work on Monday, cleaning the second floor on Tuesday, ironing on Wednesday, first floor cleaning on Friday, baking on Saturday.  This leaves one day, Thursday, as an extra day.  This system enables one to accomplish more and not get tired out, as the ordinary household can be cared for during the morning hours.  Then the after is left free for entertaining callers, for visiting, or for sewing. Read more »

What Shall We Do Now?
1907, 1922

Many games of “Patience” can be played as well with numbered cards as with ordinary playing cards.  It does not matter much what size they are, but for convenience, in playing on a small table, they may as well be about an inch wide and two inches long, with the number at the top. Read more »

Make laundry aprons of strong material – crash, denim, or colored linen.  Cut kimona shape, with roomy sleeves, and to slip on over the head.  Set a deep pocket on each side, within handy reach.  Set a smaller pocket across the front just below the waist.

Carry clothespins in the big pockets, safety pins, a handkerchief, and wiping rags in the other.  Make wide enough for free motion, but not enough to sag under foot when the wearer stoops.  Let come almost to the instep.

Harpers Household Handbook, 1913

Save money by getting soap in boxfuls, piling it cobhouse fashion on a dry shelf in the air.  Borax soaps chap the hands least.  Naphtha soaps do the best work with cold water.  Cheap yellow soaps, having much resin in them, answer very well if the clothes are well rinsed.

Any sort of soap is best made into a jelly.  Shave a bar, cover with boiling water, and simmer until soft.  If there are very dirty things to wash, add a teaspoonful of borax in powder, and as much washing soda to the cake of soap.  This is for rubbing on dirty spots.  Other things had better be washed in suds, made by putting a handful of jelly in a tub of water.

Harpers Household Handbook, 1913

The New Century Home Book, 1900

The value of rest in the home life can hardly be overestimated.  For mothers expecially, the benefits of rest are beyond computation.  The constant strain of managing the daily affairs of a household is most wearing to mind and body.  You cannot expect good health or good temper if you are always tired.  you cannot give your best service to your family if you are overtired. Read more »