Figure 1.--Here we see what looks like a birthday party in an English home during 1954. I'm not entirely sure what the children who have dressed up are doing. An Enhlish reader writes, "Interesting picture because everybody seems to be holding a present. I wonder if the game was 'pass the parcel' as there is a rather large box on view. It was not the done thing in the 1950s to give party bags to the guests on their way home. Then the birthday holder got all the gifts and the lucky guests won prizes during the games.' Other snapshots for the party show many adult family members. The snapshot is labeled 'Lavington Putney Heath', a location in England.

Most outings children go on are family affairs. An exception are parties. Perhaps the most common type of parties for children are birthday parties. They are not the only type of children's parties, but are the most common for younger children. Younger children commonly invite motly friends of the same gender. Also family members commonly participated, inclusing grand parents as well as aunts and uncles. Parties used to be fairly simple affairs, although more formal than is now the case. Until after World War II, children often dressed up for parties. Activities included standards such as blind mans bluff, musical chairs, pass the parcel, and pin the tail on the donkey. Refreshments were icecream and cake. Birthday parties have since become more casual. And are no longer restricted to the child's home. They are now held at various fun sites as well. Here seasinality is a factir. And the acgtivities more diverse. Theme parties are popular. Older children have more diverse parties and not just birthday parties. And like the parties for younger children, dress has become more casual. And we see coed parties beginning at an earlier age.

Created: 2:48 AM 7/10/2011
Last updated: 8:09 PM 7/10/2011