Did you live in the era of old fashion birthday parties like the one pictured in this 1949 photo?  For me it brings back memories of birthday parties long forgotten.   Oh, how I loved those old fashion birthday parties when you went to your friends house to celebrate their birthday.  I remembering playing games such as

• Drop the clothespin in the bottle  — We would kneel on a chair facing the back of chair lean over and drop the clothespin in a milk bottle.  The one who got the most clothes pin in the bottle won the game.
• Walk the potato — We would put a potato on our foot and try to walk across the room without the potato falling off.  The one who went the furthest won the game.
• Pin the tail on the donkey — A big picture of a donkey would be taped to a wall.  We would be blind folded then turned in circles with a pin though the donkey tail and then sent on our way to pin the tail on the donkey
• Musical chairs — Several chairs would be lined up facing opposite directions. There was one less chair then there were children.  The music would start and we would walk around the line of chairs and when the music stopped we had to sit down.  The one who couldn’t find a seat was eliminated and another chair removed.  It went on until there was only one chair and one person left.
• Memory game  — There was a tray with about 10 items on it.  We were to study it and try to remember all the items.  Then the parent would take away the tray.  We each had to tell the parent what items were on the tray.  The  one who remembered the most items won.

There were prizes for the winner of the game.  The birthday girl or boy would open the gifts after the games. It was exciting watching the birthday girl or boy open their gifts and see their reactions. and always hoping they liked what you gave them.  

After opening the gifts, we would gather round the table to sing “Happy Birthday” and to eat cake, ice cream, and root beer.  At the table by your plate would be a party hat and party favors.  In the picture you can see little baskets that probably contained the party favors.  At the table we would play another game, “Telephone” where someone would whisper a phrase in the ear of the first person, then they would repeat to the next  person and so on around the table.  The last person would repeat out loud what they heard.  Usually, it was very different from the original phrase. 

The parties were simple, fun, and lasted a couple of hours.  I always came home with some kind of prize and candy.   The parents of the birthday girl or boy were involved organizing and running the party.  They made sure everyone got their turn and everyone got along.  I don’t remember anyone ever going home angry, upset, or crying.  There was no out doing each other for a bigger and better birthday party.  They were all pretty much standard and every party had games, opening of gifts, ice cream, cake, and root beer.  All were at the homes of the birthday girl or boy. 

As much fun as it was going to the parties, it was really exciting when it was my birthday party with my house decorated and table set with hats and party favors.  It was also fun shopping with my mom when we picked out favors and prizes. 

I remember at one of my birthday parties (I think I was 4 or 5), I liked one of the little boys and he gave me scarf.  I got up went over to  him and tried to give him a kiss.  Of course, he did not want to be kissed and started to run and I chased him.  I think I embarrassed my mom.  It took her by surprise and she caught me and told me to sit down.  I imagine that I embarrassed that poor boy too.  When my mom told my dad, he laughed and said that I took after her.  After all that is how she got him!  Of course, he was joking.  That was my dad!

Birthday parties have change since those days.  Now a lot of times they are not at home, but at a venue of some kind.  They will have things like one of those bounce houses, and they will have clowns or magicians to perform and usually a theme.   

If you had the pleasure of attending an old fashion birthday party, let me know what you think.  Did you enjoy them?  Do you think they are better now?  I look forward to your comments.