Tag Archives: New Year’s

Ring Out the Old

Art Deco New Year

Ringing in the New Year (photo: adventuresinatlanta.com)

With so much of 2021 a blur of life disruption and quarantine, lets look back 100 years to see how our grandparents and great-grandparents dealt with one of THE social gatherings of the day, New Years!

One notable event was the implementation of the 18th Amendment in 1919. The amendment prohibited the manufacturing and sale of alcoholic beverages. Nine months later, the Volstead Act was ratified enabling the enforcement of the law beginning in 1920.

Art Deco New Year

Hollywood takes on New Years (Photo: cometoverhollywood.com)

If you were wealthy enough to have a well-stocked cellar prior to the effective date, you could legally drink your way through the years. Alas, not many people had the means to do this.

For those with the means (but not the cellar), travel abroad where no such law existed was a possibility.

Art Deco New Years

Travel in luxury and have a drink (photo: ssMaritime.com)

A loophole in the law allowed any person sailing 3-miles off coastal United States shores to engage in gambling and to legally consume alcohol. This was a little too close for comfort and the government quickly responded by extending the limit to 12-miles.  Therefore, any ship, luxury liners in particular, that passed into international waters became even more popular.

The exception being the Leviathan which was government owned and therefore subject to all laws of the United States at all times.

Art Deco New Years

SS Leviathan (Photo: Wikipedia.com)

As such, you would think ringing in 1922 without a celebratory drink was a dull affair. And in many ways, it was. But there were ways around the law – albeit, not legal.

Sure, you could and many did engage in “dry” New Years parties. This could be in the form of card games, bridge in particular, concert performances, or fancy-dress parties as examples.

More often, illicit and potentially lethal concoctions were procured. It was not unusual for law enforcement to look the other way as they enjoyed a nip or two themselves. Likewise, influential men of the day – judges, lawyers, politicians, etc.

Art Deco New Year

No social distancing necessary (photo: ebaumsworld.com)

Now, we are NOT advocating the need for alcohol to enjoy your activities. For those who do (responsibly) enjoy a drink, imagine the restriction imposed upon you by a largely unenforceable law!

Art Deco New Years

Partying on 1920 style (photo: ebaumsworld.com)

Needless to say, a number of our reader’s grands and great grands probably indulged in a little civil disobedience at this time of year – even if they deny it!

Happy New Years to all!

Chris and Anthony (The Freakin’ ‘tiquen Guys)

Farewell 2020, the Deco Way

Ring out the old, ring in the new (photo: flickr)

As the year winds down, it’s time to say Farewell 2020, the deco way! As we continue practicing safe social distancing, large New Year’s gatherings are out of the question.

Small partys are preferred (photo: adventuresinatlanta.com)

However, for those of you staying with family, let’s welcome 2021 with gay frivolity as they would in the day.

Joan Crawford in Our Dancing Daughter, 1928. Party like it's 1928.

Ready for a fun night? (photo: prohibitionparlour.com)

….

Turning to my trusty, The Party Book by Mary Breen, she states that this is one party where the host gets to inflict their own ideas of what their guest’s resolutions should be.

Billie Burke in Dinner AT Eight, 1933. She is looking forward to throwing the best party of the year.

It’s going to be a delightful evening! (photo: glamamor.com)

Starting with the invite, include the date and time, instruct them to “bring along something to get rid of” besides their bad habits.

 

A fancy party invite is always a hit.

Make your party invite as fancy as you’d like (photo: Pinterest)

 

And, “wrap it up so no one knows what you are trying to dispose of.”

What could it be? (photo: sporcle.com)

You can see where this is going.

Cut hourglass shapes out of stiff paper and write various times units – minutes, hours seconds, etc. – on them. Hide them all over the house before the party begins.

Simple hourglass shape (photo: kids-drawing.com)

Next, prepare a name tag for each guest and on the back, write a “resolution” the individual must adhere to the entire night. For example, the person who interrupts has to count to ten before responding to any statement made. An opinionated person cannot voice their viewpoint during a conversation unless asked for their opinion. A couple may not say anything endearing to their beloved.

Any dry bean will do. (photo: alibaba.com)

Each guest is given 30 beans. And, each time they are caught failing to follow their resolution, they pay a one bean penalty to the person who catches them. If someone loses all their beans, they must perform a stunt later in the evening.

A party favorite, the famous bean game in an elegant setting.

You keep her distracted while I grab her beans. (photo: gettyimages.com)

“Swaps” is an opportunity to get rid of, I mean re-gift, the present they brought. However, it is also an opportunity to get them to break their resolution during the bargaining process.

Using the beans as cash, players bargain each other for the gifts. Announce that a prize is given to the person who ends up with the smallest gift, largest gift and the person who ends up with the most beans. Players can keep bargaining as long as the gift is not unwrapped. Several people can barter for the same package at the same time. There is no limit in the bean price. And gifts can be swapped multiple times but everyone must end up with a gift.

,,,

The person with the most beans starts the next game, Preferred Personalities.  They pretend to be someone, living or dead, and the others have to guess by asking yes or no questions. The person who guesses correctly goes next. And so on.

In the meantime, prepare slips of paper each with a guest name. Guests randomly select a name and writes some “friendly” advice on the back. Collect the slips and redistribute them giving each person the paper bearing their name.  In turn, each guest reads the advice to themselves, declares what they think of it and what they intend to do about it. And then, they read aloud the uncalled-for advice.

Oh, the hilarity of it all.

Assuming your guests are speaking to each other, the next game is a pip!

The person who lost all their beans, or with the least beans, leaves the room. While absent, the other guests come up with some simple task they must perform. It can be something such as dancing with a chair or get on all fours and bark like a dog. The trick is, when the person returns, they have to figure out what they are supposed to do through trial and error. Clapping means they are cold. But foot stamping means they are warm.

 

Suggest dancing like Fred Astaire, you'll be the life of the party.

Suggest dancing like Fred Astaire (photo: pinterest.com)

Remember those hourglasses you hid? This is a party game that would be great for kids.  Players hunt for the hourglasses and the winner is the person who collects the most time, not hourglasses.

Small prizes are awarded to those with the most beans, and to those who collected the most time.

Being creative with food enlivens any party!

Get creative with Natalka UA on youtube.com

It is suggested that sandwiches be served decorated with thin slices of sweet pickles and a pimento stem. Cookies and cupcakes are decorated with citron “holly leaves” and red candy “berries”. Beverages can be coffee / hot cocoa and hot spiced punch.

Hope these games inspire you to have your own deco New Year’s party. Let us know if you tried any and how it went.

Marie Dressler and Billie Burke in Dinner At Eight, 1933. Billie Burke's party plans didn't pan out the way she expected.

I had a ball, my dear. We must do it again! (photo: deathlessprose.com)

Stay safe and see you all in the 2021. And support your local arts!

 

Keep the party small and have a swell time.

1922 actors fund (photo: flickr.com)

Happy New Year!

Chris & Anthony (the Freakin’ ‘tiquen Guys)