 ~ MRS. SHARP'S TRADITIONS ~  NOTE: The entire text below is taken directly from the book Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions. I cannot take credit in any form for the ideas and creativity on this page unless so noted. The book is written by Sarah Ban Breathnach and is currently out of print. If you can find a copy (the softcover version is called Victorian Family Celebrations), definitely grab it and run…and DON’T lend it to a friend because you’ll probably never get it back! "February arrives outside cold, wet and gray. Some days it feels as if all the world is hibernating with us and that spring will never come. But the days are short and so is the month. With the holidays long gone now, the young people in our house are alert for new amusements. What does February have in store for the family? Old-fashioned fireside pastimes such as candle dipping, making patriotic desserts, and celebrating Valentine’s Day as a Family Affair. Come join us!" For Victorian families, the 2nd of February, or Candlemas Day, was the traditional ending of the holiday season, calling for the removal of every last trace of Christmas decorations. As well on this day, it was also customary for the lady of the house to make an inventory of the family’s supply of candles to see if there were enough to last through the remaining dark nights. All children love candles. Candlemaking is a lovely activity to do together as a family on Candlemas Day. This may seem daunting, but all it really requires is patience and enthusiasm in addition to the proper supplies. First the fragrant beeswax is melted, then strips of candlewicking are carefully lowered or dipped into the wax, quickly lifted out, allowed to dry and then dipped again. Slowly, the candle begins to make shape. Besides being fun, candlemaking is a cooperative venture; as the family becomes a candle-making crew working together, there is harmony and unity. An easy way to celebrate Candlemas Day is to gather as many candles as possible, then light them throughout the house for a festive and spectacular evening. For fun, and to help the children imagine what it was like to grow up long ago, try not to use any electric lights. Place the candles before mirrors to reflect more light throughout the house. Enjoy a candlelit dinner together and be sure to read a short story before bedtime by candlelight. Another favorite Candlemas tradition in Mrs. Sharp’s house: each child selects one special candle; when the candle burns down, it’s time for bed! Note: While candle dipping is relatively simple, it can be dangerous for small children because it does involve hot wax. Mrs. Sharp suggests that little ones make their candles by rolling a sheet of beeswax around a wick; the result is wonderful! In most Victorian homes families always observed the birthdays of both General Washington and Mr. Lincoln, the only two American presidents honored with a national holiday. At Mrs. Sharp’s house, the 12th of February is when she serves Lincoln’s log for dessert, an ice-cream-roll cake with fudge sauce. Our family also enjoys luscious Washington pie (naturally, a cherry pie!) together on February 22nd. Each dessert is served on the birthday of its namesake, providing a perfect opportunity for the family to discuss the life of each great man. Unfortunately, with the exception of Independence Day, today little attention is paid to the observance of patriotic holidays. One toy that Mrs. Sharp always brings out every February is Lincoln Logs, which were meant to inspire young children to build playthings from our American past, such as the log cabin in which Abraham Lincoln was born. To make history come alive for young children, maybe you can find some drawing or coloring books with a history or patriotic theme. Mrs. Sharp will often purchase a new puzzle or game with a patriotic theme, historical biographies for the older children and coloring books for the younger ones, when visiting museum and historical site gift shops. She then puts them away for Lincoln’s and Washington’s birthdays. Children remember best what their parents teach them to cherish. There is a reason that freedom flourishes first on front porches and in front of fireplaces. In Mrs. Sharp’s household the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day is a family affair, transforming this lovers’ holiday into an annual celebration of Home, Sweet Home. It is tradition at Mrs. Sharp’s house to let all members of the family know just how special and loved they are. VALENTINE’S DAY BREAKFAST On the morning of the big day the young folks in our family awaken in great anticipation. Mother always starts off the day with her early morning greeting, "Has any sweet child been stung by Cupid’s bow and arrow?" The children tell Mama that they must have been: Cupid left them a special old-fashioned valentine underneath each child’s pillow! After everyone is dressed, we eat heart-shaped cinnamon toast and strawberry muffins with hot drinks served in heart-patterned mugs. The table is bright and cheery with red and white heart placemats and napkins. SCHOOL SURPRISES It is time for the children to be off to school after breakfast. Later each child will find in his or her book bag a small gift they can use at school, perhaps a new heart-shaped pad, pencils, pencil sharpener or eraser. As well, there is also a funny valentine for Mama and Papa tucked into lunch boxes along with heart shaped sandwiches (use cookie cutters) and cookies. Festive red and white paper napkins complete their Valentine’s Day lunches. Mrs. Sharp also makes sure that each child has valentines for all of their schoolmates and their teachers. THE DOLLS’ TEA PARTY After school there’s a valentine tea party for all the dolls and stuffed toy friends who keep the children each good company throughout the year. When the small folk arrive at the party, they’re sure to find tiny foil-covered, heart-shaped chocolates and valentines waiting for them in the arms of their faithful companions. One old-fashioned family that has always enjoyed the happy company and conviviality of their dolls and toys is that of the famed children’s book illustrator Tasha Tudor, who authored a Valentine’s Day anthology All for Love (out of print). When her children were little, Miss Tudor used to create tiny little magazines, catalogues and cards for them and their dolls. Now a new generation of children can enjoy these tiny treasures for they are being republished for all of us by the Jenny Wren Press. You can be sure that this Valentine’s Day, Mrs. Sharp’s children will find tucked in their doll friends’ hands the tiny Jenny Wren Book of Valentines (out of print). THE WEDDING IN THE WOODS After tea, it is time for their children to offer homemade valentines to their wild feathered friends, the birds. For centuries it has been an old country superstition that on St. Valentines’ the birds select their mates; our children always enjoy preparing the wedding supper. Earlier during the week we made peanut butter balls with bird seed, raisins and chopped nuts. We chill them in the freezer and hang them in netted produce bags adorned with red ribbons on tree branches. THE TIE THAT BINDS For dinner, each person’s place setting holds a gold-foil cornucopia filled with penny-candy motto hearts, chocolate kisses, and pink mints. During dinner the children ask again to hear the story of their parents’ courtship. The children toast us with gifts of memorized romantic verse. After dinner, the older children, their eyes twinkling with fun, bring in a "special surprise valentine," with a tag that reads "For Mama and Papa." It is the baby all wrapped up in big sheets of white paper, tied with a pink ribbon and a little heart-shaped hole cut out for her face! The weekend before Valentine’s Day, why not have a "Cupid’s Tea" for all your family members and close friends? The purpose: to create homemade valentines! First assemble all your materials. Quality paper-lace doilies are a must: heart-shaped, round and square in white, ivory, red, pink and gilt. Of course you will need authentic late 19th century illustrations so popular on Victorian valentines: hearts, flowers, cherubs, fans, doves, little children, animals, birds and sweet messages. Today, beautiful reproductions of these are available as stickers. Now bring out embellishments – ribbon, lace trimming, silk fringe, pieces of floral fabric, as well as an assortment of craft materials – paper ribbon, cardboard, colored paper, wrapping paper, heart-shaped gift tags. Quality art paper that has been given a watercolor wash offers a dainty background. Don’t forget glue, rubber cement, double-sided tape and scissors. When you have completed all of your valentines, making them as lavish and sentimental as you can imagine, it’s time to "post" them. Take a large square gift box with a lid and cover the sides and top with Valentine’s Day wrapping paper. Decorate it with doilies, ribbons and crepe-paper ruffles, then cut a slit in the top so that everyone can deposit their "mail." If valentines arrive in the mail before the big day from friends and family who are far away, save them to go into the box as well. Finally, it is time for a delicious and rewarding late-afternoon tea party. Serve a heart-shaped cake with pink icing, heart-shaped open-face sandwiches (cream cheese and jam), and miniature heart-shaped scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserves. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO?
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