This is a very good time for all with decor, music, and menu planned around the pioneer era of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Tables are covered with plain or checkered cloth table covers. Centerpieces include anything “old” (kerosene lamps make great centerpieces). Around the lamps, place old kitchen utensils, small crocks, old glass jars and bottles, butter paddles, glass churns, tin cups, old blue coffee pots, etc.
Music in the background should be simple, a CD of fiddle tunes would be perfect. It’s a bit hard to find appropriate music for this time period, but the fiddle is best and these CDs are cheap.
The hostess would look very fine in a long dress and a plain cotton aprion. A sun bonnet would add much to the costume. If these items are not available, a pair of bib overalls and a flannel shirt or cotton chambray and a straw hat would also work well.
We have found that costuming the emcee makes quite an impression on those who attend the party and even more fun is had when the emcee then walks among the party goers, talking to them individually and may stop for a photo. This has been true at every party.
Churning butter was a common chore on the pioneer prairie and homemade butter is so good. As an activity, provide the ingredients for butter making at each table. You will simply need a small jar, a half pint will do or a jelly jar, lids for same, and a small amount of cream. Pour the cream into the jar until less than half full. Lid the jar tightly, and begin shaking. Participants are encouraged to pass the jar around the table so no one becomes too tired of shaking. Butter appears in fifteen to twenty minutes. A facilitator picks up those jars that have solid butter inside and takes them to a table to have the butter rinsed and lightly salted. A bit of color can also be added to make it more yellow.
The menu at this party includes homemade buttermilk biscuits served with a small bowl of homemade butter.
Dessert is vinegar pie. A recipe follows! Do not be afraid to try this recipe. It is a very tasty pie that is similar to lemon. The recipe exists because citrus fruit was scarce and in the winter there was no fruit at all but, there was vinegar and eggs.
The emcee can share information about the pioneer era in your region as the participants are making butter. Some of news bits people find interesting include the price of items in the 1800’s, to buy as well as to sell. What did farmers get for a dressed turkey or a whole pig? What did they have to spend to buy a one bottom plow? How long did it take them to break up one acre of land? What were the houses made of? What were the typical food items on the table? How did they survive the winters? What was in their garden? There are so many more questions, with different answers for different regions of the country.
Another fun activity is to simply ask individuals to share an item from their table decorations. It might be the butter paddle, or the lamp, or it could be an old flour sifter or an egg beater. Whatever item they choose, someone from the table could share their experiences with it from the “good old days”.
For the gentlemen, items might include a horseshoe, an old gopher trap (both well-cleaned of course), wooden handled tools, an old pocket watch, etc.
Below are some more resources for a Little House on the Prairie Party:
