Olivia recently invited her famiy and friends to help celebrate her birthday with a Vintage Birthday Brunch. "Vintage" meaning old, "from another time." We focused mainly on the 1940's and 1950's, but had many items from other eras as well.
Olivia dressed in a vintage reproduction dress. She wore her great-grandmothers gloves (maternal grandmother's mother's) and her great-grandmother's necklace (maternal grandfather's mother's). We also fixed her hair in "Victory Rolls," a popular 1940's hairstyle.
We decorated the house vintage 1940's style focusing on the popular colors of the day - pink and turquoise. Floral women's handkerchiefs, pink and blue hydrangeas, and pink roses were used as well as vintage pink rose floral plates dating from the 1930's-1950's.
Olivia was greatly honored to have her great-granddad and great-grandmother make the trip from Arkansas to attend her party. It was indeed special having them present to help contribute their knowledge of the past with Olivia and her friends of days gone by.
As Olivia's guests arrived they searched through a wide array of vintage buttons. They made selections for a vintage button ring and later a vintage button bracelet.
Once everyone arrived, brunch was served. Brunch consisted of Waffle Sticks, Maple Syrup served in vintage syrup dispensers, Sweet Potato Biscuits, Sausage Patties, Strawberry Jam, Hard Boiled Eggs and Deviled Eggs, Bacon & Cheddar Scones, Bacon, Cucumber Tea Sandwiches, Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches, Seasonal Fruit, Tea Cakes, Vanilla Bean Scones, Powdered Donuts, Pirouettes, White Skim Milk, and Chocolate Milk.
Olivia surrounded by her sweet friends
As everyone ate I shared stories of Vintage Handkerchiefs. Ms. Katie Dix of The Story of Vintage Hankies graciously supplied background stories of women's hankies. Some of the things the girls were introduced to were Elizabeth I's Language of Handkerchiefs, which shape of handkerchief Marie Antoinette thought was the best, how soldiers of the Civil War used handkerchiefs, the 4 most popular holidays depicted on women's hankies, the 2 most popular pets depicted on 1940's hankies, what type of hankie the actress Joan Crawford encouraged to be made in the 1940's, what types of hankies became popular when WWII was over and Americans began to see the US in their Chevrolets, and what company caused the hankie industry to fade away. As I shared stories I showed examples of the vintage hankies for the girls to see.
Olivia and I displaying our personal favorite vintage hankies
After the storytelling of vintage hankies, each girl selected a vintage hankie and a bandana (a modern-day hankie). I taught them how to fold their handkerchiefs to make Twins in a Cradle (a pastime mothers used to teach their children to keep them entertained during church services) and a bandana bracelet. Finally, we folded their vintage selections onto a paper doll form for them to take home.
Olivia with Granddad and Grandma (with one of my paternal grandmother's hat)
I also shared with the girls that during WWII Americans were asked to plant Victory Gardens. "As part of the war effort, the government rationed foods like sugar, butter, milk, cheese, eggs, coffee, meat and canned goods. Labor and transportation shortages made it hard to harvest and move fruits and vegetables to market. So, the government turned to its citizens and encouraged them to plant "Victory Gardens." They wanted individuals to provide their own fruits and vegetables." from Wessels Living History Farm
Victory Gardeners were encouraged also to can and preserve their produce to provide for their families through winter months. Strawberries were one fruit that were encouraged in victory gardens and were easily made into jam to use throughout the year and to use as gifts at Christmas.
Here Olivia is with one of her friends making strawberry jam as many Americans did during the years of WWII.
Olivia's 4-layered birthday cake was decorated with her great-great-grandmothers vintage buttons (that she undoubtely collected off of worn out clothing to reuse).
After eating pink and turquoise birthday cake and before Olivia's friends left they decorated vintage style hats with felt flowers that they made themselves.
Olivia donning her vintage reproduction apron and my grandmother donning her mother's (Olivia's great-great-grandmother's) apron
Four generations
Many thanks to Olivia's Great-Uncle Robert for getting her great-grandparents to her party.
Olivia with her Dad and Mom (I'm wearing my paternal grandmother's feathered hat.)
Olivia with the traditional gift from my grandparents (Been going on through 19 grandchildren and now through great-grandchildren.) One dollar for each year old you are turning.
HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY TO OUR OLIVIA!!!
See "Olivia's 11th Birthday" in the right hand column under Photo Albums for additional pictures from Olivia's party.
I would like to personally thank my mom, dad, husband, grandmother, grandfather, and Uncle Robert for helping me carry this party through, to my sister for providing many of her vintage buttons to making rings and bracelets, and to Ms. Katie Dix for providing The Story of Vintage Hankies and handkerchiefs. I am grateful to you each!!
You could have your own birthday party business------after your children are grown. Great theme, awesome party! Enjoyed seeing pictures and reading about Olivia's 11th birthday. Fun.
Posted by: Aunt Jane | June 26, 2012 at 02:34 PM
From Cusco, Peru to Corinth, MS -- Allison and I wish you, Olivia, a very happy birthday tomorrow. You are so special to us and we send our love and God's rich blessings to you.
Granddad and Auntie Allie
Posted by: Dad | June 26, 2012 at 07:41 PM
We are happy that we live close enough now that we could celebrate with Olivia at her brunch. The food was delicious and everything was decorated so beautifully. What a blessing to have four generations together! I was glad to see all your photos especially the ones from the parts of the party that we had to miss by leaving early. I hope Olivia has a very special day today on her 11th birthday!
Posted by: Renee | June 27, 2012 at 12:59 PM