As things would go, I picked up a used book over weekend on entertaining but I’m calling it vintage entertaining. This book was printed back in 2002, so it really isn’t that old but I’m finding some of the entertaining suggestions, to say the least, thought provoking. So here were go again, a stroll down memory lane.
You’re Invited Invitations
Getting an invitation to any event always creates a bit of excitement at Farmhouse Magic Blog. Everyone loves parties.
Although the book mentioned invitations by phone or email, it also added printer produced invitations.
Having a stationery budget is not something I give much thought to unless there is a marriage in the future. Remember the days of the very formal wedding invitations ordered well in advance of the wedding date which included R.S.V.P. return cards. They also had gold or silver foil-lined envelopes with a tissue paper insert. I never really figured out what that little square of tissue paper was for. Remember the times/dates/places and spelling were double and triple checked. Years ago, there was always a nook in card shops where you could sit down and look through a book of sample invitations before ordering.
Now a days, I think most people buy special paper and produce their own custom-made invites via their computers. This saves their money for something else.
I remember one person telling me that she was given personalized stationery and thank you notes as a main gift when she graduated from high school. I wonder if that gift would be appreciated in today’s world.
Table Settings and Vintage Entertaining
One of the book’s table setting suggestions was to never use more than three pieces of flatware at each side of the dinner plate. This sounds a bit fussy to me when planning a dinner party.
I never had a meal where there was even three pieces of flatware on each side of the plate. Buy perhaps I don’t generally eat out at those five-star kind of places or get invitations to those parties.
In thinking about this one, I’m sure I wouldn’t have enough pieces of mismatched flatware to do this at home, but I gave it a try anyway. Let’s see soup, coffee, and pudding for dessert.
Fast Centerpieces
Even though I am crafty, I was taken aback from one the suggested fast centerpiece photographs. According to the book, these centerpieces take only approximately ten minutes to reproduce. The one in question was an eight-candle chandelier with fresh greenery and small ribbons tied on the top level. Then hanging from each extension of the light fixture were eight green paper cones each filled with fresh holly and other greenery plus two candy canes. Even more, off of each green cone hung a silver charm. How is it possible to get all this done in only ten minutes.
My candle chandelier is always dusty, so I would first have to dust and wash out the dusty glass pieces, that alone, would take ten plus minutes. Not to mention, a little balancing while standing on a ladder or chair.
Appetizers, Spreads and Fillings
In looking over some of the book’s recipes I noted a theme. Many of the appetizers, spreads and fillings use blocks of cream cheese, sour cream and sticks of butter. When I entertain, I find a lot of people diet conscious who enjoy the fresh vegetables and fruit trays. Rarely do they eat up the cheese ball rolled in nut with crackers.
So, I probably will never make the recipes for blue cheese rolls, honey butter, chicken salad, salmon and shrimp fillings or turkey-cranberry sandwich filling.
Ending Blog on Vintage Entertaining
Well, that is about enough said of vintage entertaining. I enjoyed reading the book and looking at the photographs, but things have greatly changed over the last few decades. I’ve yet to read all the recipes through but will keep my Readers posted.
With the holiday season soon to be here, I’m always looking for that innovative or fresh idea in home entertaining, but I think I’ll keep looking.
Enjoy the Day and Happy Holiday Entertaining!