|
An important activity for children was parties. Here the enducements wee games and treats. But their were some rather unattractive aspects. The children, at lewast in the 19th and early 20th century were epected to dress up. The girls didn't mind this too much, but often the boys were not particularly happy avout this. There were different kinds of parties. Girls might have tea parties. Here little girls would emulate their mothers and perhaps convince a yuger brother to participate. The favorite parties for younger children was of course birthday parties because of the cake and ice cream, games, and of course presents. There were also holiday parties. Here Haloween and Christmas parties were especially popular. Churches might sponsor parties of various kinds. Older children might have socials where there was dancing. There might be graduation parties. After World War II we see more elaborate parties like pool parties. And birthday parties became much more elaborate. Dress trends of couese varied over time. Children in the 19th and early 20th century dessed up for parties. Formal dress was quite common. After World War I and especially World war II, dress became much more informal. There wre some ethnic and religious parties. Jewish children might have Bar and Bat Mitzvas. Hispanic girls might have Quincenillas. Luthern children celebrated their Confirmations.
An important activity for children was parties. Here the enducements wee games and treats. But their were some rather unattractive aspects. The children, at lewast in the 19th and early 20th century were epected to dress up. The girls didn't mind this too much, but often the boys were not particularly happy about this. The rewards of course was the ice cream and cake. The games were also fun, but here mothers hd different ideas as to what was appropriate. We note some images whre the children are sitinging stiffly at a big table and do not look to be having much fun.
Dress and activity trends at American parties of course varied over time. Children in the 19th and early-20th century dessed up for parties. Parties, even children's parties, were much moral formal events than is the case today. Formal dress was quite common. We don't have much information from the 19th century, butvwith the invention of the Kodak Brownie and familt snap shot, we do from the early-20th century. After World War I and especially World War II, party dress became much more informal. This varied from family to family and was especially the case with afluent families. The overall trend was pronounced even with working-class families. And as dress became more comfortable and informal, the activities became increasingly important. For many years games like pin-the-tail on the donkey or musical chairs suficed. Gradually with rising incomesand child sophistication, more seems to have become required, we bein to see clowns and ponies and the invention of theme parties.
There were different kinds of parties. Girls might have tea parties. Here little girls would emulate their mothers and perhaps convince a yuger brother to participate. The favorite parties for younger children was of course birthday parties because of the cake and ice cream, games, and of course presents. There were also holiday parties. Here Haloween and Christmas parties were especially popular. Churches might sponsor parties of various kinds. Older children might have socials where there was dancing. There might be graduation parties. After World war II we see more elaborate parties like pool parties. And birthday parties became much more elaborate. There wre some ethnic and religious parties. Jewish children might have Bar and Bat Mitzvas. Hispanic girls might have Quincenillas. Luthern children celebrated their Confirmations.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main party page]
[Return to the Main U.S. activities page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossary]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]
