Victorian Parlour Games

 

Last month, we toured a museum all decked out for Christmas, then visited the gift shop. 

When I spied a colorful box, I knew it had to come home with me.

Victorian Parlour Games is just that - parlor games the Victorians used to play. And this set contains 50-era appropriate entertainments.

From the description it states:

"Deal yourself in for a good time as you choose from a selection of games enjoyed in many a Victorian parlour. The box comes with rules to fifty games that can be played without any extra frippery, except perhaps a deck of cards if you fancy a game of Whist. Each game is good for two or more players, with most designed for a group to play together. Card games and guessing games, pantomime and word play—all provide an after-dinner evening of fun, or an afternoon of amusement on the couch or around a picnic table. These games are simple to learn, quick to play, and have silly penalties for when a player is “out.” One side of each card provides the category, the number of players, and the setup for the game while the other has the rules so you can keep them handy as you play.

Test your memory with What’s in Grandmother’s Trunk?, where each player must remember all the other items that have already been named.
Take on The Poet’s Chair by remembering more poems, songs, or rhymes than any other player
Perhaps you wish to Pass the Slipper? Then close your eyes as players pass a small object and on the count of ten, guess who is holding it.
Be careful not to break the rules, or you may have to shake hands blindfolded, pretend to be a parrot, or pay another silly forfeit to account for your blunder."

I'm looking forward to exploring all of them just to see what kind of fun the Victorians had, especially during long winter months that kept them indoors more. 

My Hardman Holidays series includes several scenes of the characters engaged in parlor or after-dinner games. 

Start with The Christmas Bargain to check them out!

One Old West Cinderella discovers Prince Charming is a . . . Cowboy?

The death of her mother left Philamena Booth grieving and at the mercy of her drunken father. After spending more than a decade held captive on their run-down farm, she’s left speechless and dazed when her father strikes a bargain to settle a long overdue debt. In lieu of payment, a handsome cowboy agrees to take her. Mortified yet relieved to leave the farm, Philamena unexpectedly finds herself married to a charismatic, caring man.

Luke Granger might own Hardman’s bank and the fanciest house in this Eastern Oregon town, but he’d much rather be outside riding his horses or wrangling his herd of cattle than keeping his account books straight. In a strange, unsettling turn of events, he finds himself accepting a farmer’s daughter instead of money to cover a loan. If the man hadn’t threatened to sell her to the saloon owner, Luke might have refused. He has no idea what to do with beautiful Filly or their marriage of convenience, but he’s about to get far more than he bargained for.

Full of western charm and holiday warmth, The Christmas Bargain is a sweet Christmas romance filled with the spirit of the season.

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield is a farm girl who loves to write character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances are filled with sarcasm, humor, hope, and hunky heroes.

When Shanna isn’t dreaming up unforgettable characters, twisting plots, or covertly seeking dark, decadent chocolate, she hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller.

Shanna is a member of Western Writers of America and Women Writing the West. Connect with her online at Shanna Hatfield.

Taffy Pulls

Years ago, when I was in high school, I talked my mom into making taffy one cold winter day. She'd never made it before, but was game to try. Two of my nephews happened to be there, and after the candy cooled enough we could work with it, Mom told us to butter our hands, then we started pulling. 

As we pulled, Mom added food coloring to the long ropes of sticky-sweetness. Unfortunately, she grabbed the black food coloring instead of blue, so the more we pulled, the more the candy looked like it had been mangled by dirty, grubby hands. 

In spite of the gross gray color, it was good and we had such a wonderful time pulling the taffy.

I was thinking about that fun memory, and it made me wonder about the origins of taffy.

There are references as early as 1817 of  "a treacle thickened by boiling and made into hard cakes," the earliest form of taffy. 

Throughout the 1800s, one of the most popular types of parties were called candy pulls, which involved buttering one's hands and pulling candy into long ropes. The parties were entertaining to young and old alike, and offered a suitable chaperoned pastime for courting couples.

The requirement for a good candy pull included a warm kitchen, copper pans, plenty of butter (for greasing hands), and a well-stocked supply of aprons and napkins.

Candy pulls hit their height of popularity during the 1840s. The parties were considered a great way to entertain guests, or to celebrate special events, like birthdays. 

To make the taffy, molasses candy was created by boiling the molasses, then spreading it in greased pans until it was cool to the touch. The candy was then pulled until it was a light yellow color. Once the color was achieved, the candy was cut into pieces, or shaped into ropes, braids, or sticks. It could even be cut with scissors into drop-like shapes. 

In the 1870s, the name candy pull segued to taffy pull as even the wealthy got in on the fun. Taffy pulls became a social event attended by the fashionable as a source of amusement. 

If you want to make your own taffy, I found a recipe that looks incredibly easy (although I haven't tested it!).

Old-Fashioned Taffy
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup molasses
Dash of salt

Butter a jelly roll pan and set aside.

In a heavy saucepan, heat milk, molasses, and salt. Stir and cook over low heat until a hard ball forms when tested in cold water. Spread mixture into prepared pan and cool until you can handle it. Butter hands and pull pieces into a long rope, working until color of taffy lightens. Cut into pieces. Works best pulling with a partner.

If you enjoy old-fashioned treats, events and parlor games, don't miss out on my Hardman Holidays series!

Today, you can download the first book, The Christmas Bargain, for free on Amazon!

Happy reading and Happy New Year!