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.

Practical and Pretty - A Short History of Hair Combs by Jo-Ann Roberts

 

I've discovered a few trends in my writing over the past five years. The majority of my tropes are second-chance romances; I write mostly as a pantster (loosely translated means I'm a person who writes by "the seat of her pants' as opposed to a plotter, or one who outlines her writing); and my heroes always, always insist on courting their ladies. So, when my hero--Lucas Harmon--in my Love Train release, 'Ainsley' sees a pair of hair combs with blue-colored stones reminding him of Ainsely's eyes, he knows they'd make the perfect courting gift.

While researching hair combs, I learned these fashion accessories date from earliest times and were created from wood, bones, ivory, feathers, and other natural materials. Sometimes they were embellished with gems or painted with designs. At first, they were flat in construction, but over time they evolved into curved pieces to better fit the shape of women's heads.

During the Victorian era, decorative combs came in handy for pinning into place the false hair needed to achieve the illusion of abundant tresses. By the Civil War, mass manufacturing meant the combs were often adorned with paste jewels, making them within the reach of almost every pocketbook. Large, straight combs, many in graceful fan shapes were the centerpiece, accompanied by smaller side and curved back combs. In coiffure lingo, four teeth or more made a comb a comb. Three teeth qualified as a "hair ornament", while two marked it as a "hair pin".  

Hair combs were one of the key items used to adorn women's coiffures and helped them achieve the popular upswept hairdos of the times. Their importance was noted in the 1862 edition of Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine.

"The hair is rolled over a cushion in front, and arranged in a waterfall at the back, round which is twisted a heavy plait. The comb is of black velvet and gilt. The coiffure is composed of a black barbe and lilies of the valley. 

Plaits and puffs are also arranged with these combs in endless variety. When worn in the daytime, these small combs are made of light tortoise shell, with a row of small pearls. For the evening they are made of gold, either plain or studded with pearls, coral, steel, gilt, or even precious stones..."

 

Yet, the same publication encouraged readers to make their own.

"Fancy combs are still the rage, and very economical ones may be made by cutting a fancy design out of cardboard, such as knots, bows, linked rings, etc., and covering them with gilt, steel, or jet beads, and fastening them on a small plain comb." 

Types of Hair Combs

Initially, combs were widely made of steel, gilt metal, brass, and other types of metals. 

 

Tortoise shell has been used since ancient times. Its popularity began with the trend of the Spanish mantilla and would remain until it became scarce, being replaced by gutta-percha.

 

  

Although tortoiseshell and gutta-percha were popular, the most plentiful and popular material for hair combs throughout the 19th century was probably horn--partly because it was easy to find and cheaper than tortoiseshell. It was also extremely flexible, acting almost like plastic that could be easily cut, bent, stretched, pierced, or carved. Horn also easily lent itself to imitating the popular tortoiseshell pattern.

 

Decorative hair combs of the 19th century ranged from Gothic and Renaissance styles to Napoleonic and Oriental designs. Materials used to create combs also changed so quickly as the styles and what was popular one day was out of fashion the next.

Still...I'd like to believe that Ainsley will love the set of hair combs not only because they are beautiful but because Lucas gave them to her along with his love.

Ainsley - Book 8

Available for Pre-Order June 1st

Christmas Puppies in Victorian America by Kristin Holt

 

by Kristin Holt, USA Today Bestselling Author
of Sweet Romance set in the American Old West

~ this post contains affiliate links ~

Christmas Puppies!

Meet the newest addition to our family. I'm just a little over-the-top in love with our new pup. "Gotcha Day" was Black Friday, making this little guy a Christmas Puppy. My heart is so full!

Puppies in History

Humans and dogs have been friends for millennia. Pups have been companions (and hunting partners) since well before written history.

But what about our great-great grandparents? Did Victorians think puppies and Christmas went together?

Puppies for a Victorian Christmas

Vintage newspapers tell the story! Notice this sampling of newspaper ads for puppies ready for Christmas gift-giving. All sources are cited, including the 19th century newspaper's name and date published.

Here are a few of the very Victorian lines:

"Dogs for the children--"

"St. Bernards for Christmas--Thoroughbred puppies..."

"Finest Christmas display of puppies in the city..."

"If you want to please the little ones, buy them them a fox terrier for Christmas..."

"...fine bred puppies; make Christmas last all year..."

Isn't that sweet? I enjoy knowing families have done the puppies for Christmas thing for a long, long while.

A Christmas Puppy, 19th-Century Style

I have a book recommendation for you! Our own Shanna Hatfield wrote a very special Christmas story, with a sweet puppy as a Christmas gift. You won't want to miss this one. I wrote a review of the book, and the story resonates with me still.

Invitation

Do you know of family stories (a few generations ago, or present) where a pet made for a happy Christmas present?

Please scroll down and comment.

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Copyright Ⓒ 2021 Kristin Holt LC

Victorian-American Boot Jacks by Kristin Holt

 by Kristin Holt, USA Today Bestselling Author
of Sweet Romance set in the American Old West

 

Necessity, the Mother of Invention

While men's boots were loose enough to be pulled free with a man's own two hands, no one knew they needed something like a boot jack. As so often happens, changing fashions dictate the need for an invention (i.e., sleeve supporters). This time, fashion's wily ways effected men.

The story presented in this 1871 newspaper article explains how "boot-jacks came in shortly after the introduction of tight boots."

North Star of Danville, Vermont on September 22, 1871.

Imagining a Boot Jack

Are you familiar with boot jacks? Could you recognize one in a museum?

Image: Wilson 55 Auctioneers

This beautiful mahogany piece allowed the user to remove his tight boots. Yet not all boot jacks were so fancy.

Image: Every Thing But The House

Yes, many boot jacks were wooden, such as these examples. Manufacturers also cast jacks out of iron.

Image: Urban Remains

Even mail-order catalogues got in on the boot jack market. Montgomery, Ward & Co. Catalogue sold boot jacks made of iron.

Montgomery, Ward & Co. Catalogue Spring and Summer 1895, No. 57.

Boot Jacks: A Necessary Contraption?

Boot Jacks have gone the way of the dodo. Most of us haven't seen one--but many of us have. Any able-bodied man could remove his own boots, couldn't he?

Consider the tale related in 1876:

The Mendocino Democrat of Ukiah, California on May 20, 1876.

Reminiscing About Boot Jacks

Ah, the good old days. Some of those golden days of yore included boot jacks.

Now that's a charming tale. Worth a chuckle.

This next old-time reminiscence tale recalls his father's discipline applied by paddling the boy's backside with a boot jack.

Boot Jack Patents

 

Invitation

Have you seen or used a boot jack? Do you have something to add? Please scroll down and comment.

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Copyright © 2021 Kristin Holt LC