Oh, there always was a birthday cake my mom baked, plus lots of other sweets n snacks.
I remember party hats, too… but that was about the extent of it.
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“We’re gonna break out the hats and hooters
When Josie comes home.”
“Josie”, Steely Dan, Aja
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The food that what was served in the 70’s, even in the late 90’s was what I call gloppy: China Meshi.
The family no longer has banquets there. With the blending of America, we eat BbQ and Italian, take out. Foil pans of food.
Only 1 aunt left, over 90 years old, she missed a recent wedding. we do not need a banquet room at a restaurant for get togethers.
Wine and Roses has changed from the 70’s, a small restaurant to: luxury hotel, cafe, wine bar, event hosting, high end restaurant, high end town houses. In the old days, We “took over” Wine and Roses for a few Mother’s Day get togethers.
Lodi has changed from tokay grape vineyards to tasting rooms.
Cherokee and Kettleman Lanes have changed. 99 from one lane each way with oleanders in the center divide to 2-3 lanes each way.
Victor’s used to have great bacon, they were bought and moved, I have not seen their bacon since the 90’s. Are Bruno’s peppers still around.
Interesting. I never thought of that as “party gifts” but rather “the other detritus to be cleaned up after my birthday party”.
They were/are called party horns.
Do you remember the party poppers? Pull a string, an explosive bang expelling confetti.
I pulled one at a younger person, he did not like it.
Only went to Wine and Roses once, in a group. Was good, but it was pricey even then (ca 1995?). Our neighbor across the street was the Executive Chef there for a couple of years.
Their processing plant on 99 shut down and was abandoned for a LONG time due to hazardous material. It’s only been in the last year that somebody knocked down the buildings and started cleaning the property up, but no idea what’s going to happen with it. We used to get free samples of their meats when Mrs. ricepad did some graphic design work for them - they’d give her packages of whatever they wanted depicted, so a lot of hams and other preserved meat.
My car guy used to live/work a couple of properties down from theirs on Ham Lane, but he retired and moved to Mexico a few years ago, and I haven’t had reason to drive past there since then. I see their peppers in the store, but no idea if they’re in the same place.
Man, this has been a quick walk down Memory Lane!
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sadly not just a US thing… I remember the first time I heard the term ‘baby shower’… I’m not classist, but…
But baby showers aren’t children’s bday parties. From what I gather, young mothers-to-be throw these to offset some of the insane costs that come with birthing a child and providing for it (diapers, toys, clothing, etc.).
I don’t know if upper class baby showers are different, of course, bc I don’t sail in those circles.
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no problem with the idea, just the words ‘baby shower’…
Here in the US, baby showers are usually thrown by the mom-to-be’s family or friends. The ones I’ve been to have been daytime affairs, lunch or brunch on a weekend. Sometimes at a restaurant, other times at someone’s home.
There are all sorts of games played… such as who can diaper a baby doll the fastest, or a bingo game with baby and parenting related answers. Cakes made of diapers are also popular.
My sister and I threw a shower for a close friend of ours a few years ago, and we did give out favors to everyone who attended–we had chocolate lollipops made up in the shape of rattles and storks, along with little votive candles in mesh bags with the baby’s name.
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Oh, sure. I mean… I don’t want to be showered with babies.
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Are you ok with being showered with brides?
Umm… I hear they can be almost as irrational as babies, so I think my answer is also ‘no.’
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What about puppies? Because I’d rather hang out with a dog than some people I have met 
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I am ALL for puppy and kitten showers. I think almost anyone’s life (or at least mood) would be improved by spending an hour or more a day in their company.
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Where do I sign up?
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IMO, there is no better mood booster than being at the bottom of a puppy pile. I think it’s been proven scientifically. If you disagree, your science probably sucks.
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Have to love that puppy smell, and their teeth.
I had the great luck to live in biking distance to a sheltie breeder when I was about 12. At one point, both of her bitches had litters, and I spent many an hour in the big dog house literally covered in 15 puppies. I had names for all of them, and they nibbled on my ears and my shoelaces & I was just about the happiest kid in the universe whenever I visited them.
Each week, at least one would be gone to its forever home until they were all gone.
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