Friday, August 31, 2012

A Victorian Labor Day

Hello everyone! Who is ready for a holiday? I love decorating for holidays but how does one decorate for Labor Day? Hmmm, good question. Have you ever wondered what exactly Labor Day is anyway?
Well let me fill you in on what I found out. During the Victorian Era Labor Day was called "Labor's Holiday", which makes sense because we're taking a day off from labor, right? But the term Labor Day just sounds like a day that was made for labor. We may be off from work but still working around the house or in the yard.
Labor's Holiday grew out of organized parades of working men and women during the 1880's to protest the intolerable working conditions and the great wrong of child labor in sweatshops. In 1894, Labor Day became an official American holiday, and from that time until WWI, it was celebrated with lavish community picnics, grand parades and oratory. Everyone took the day off from work and enjoyed the fruits of their labor: recreation.
Okay, this is where my so called "holiday decorating" will come in. Since I can't decorate my house for Labor Day I'm going to have some fun using some of my antique tradecards (and a couple of postcards) to decorate this post instead. So here we go!

On Labor's Holiday...
the little red school house will be closed, the school yard and the desks will be void of children.


The shops on Main Street will be closed for the day. But don't let that stop you from enjoying a little window shopping.


The dress maker won't be sewing, the cobbler won't be making shoes, corset making will come to a halt and the mending will have to wait another day.


Why even the Heinz Company will be closed. And the farmer's oxen will be resting in the barnyard for the day.


So now for the recreation part...
It will be perfect day for relaxing at the seashore, or watching the sailboats sail by or just hanging out in a tree.


Fishing would be fun, but who will clean them and fry them? The kitchen might even be closed for the day.


The Zoo! Now that would be fun! Oh no, it's Labor Day, the Zoo Keeper probably has the day off too!
Maybe we could just drive by and catch a glimpse of some birds in the bird cage. Or maybe even the lion in his cage.


But if you choose to stay at home, you could sing or play the parlor organ.
Or maybe you could catch up on some letter writing...


And if it gets stuffy inside, you could go out on the front porch and have a cup of tea...


and enjoy a good book in the presence of a good friend...


  Have a great holiday weekend! 

I am joining AMAZE ME MONDAY with Cindy over at DWELLINGS, please come and join in the fun.


14 comments:

  1. Thank you for such lovely sharing!
    Wish you a great weekend to you too!

    Greetings from Turkey!

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  2. Hi Gina: You really have a beautiful collection of antique post cards and advertisments. I think it's so much fun to use something as a prop and then make up your own stories..Well done..Happy Weekend..Judy

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  3. I always enjoy your posts on Victorian traditions—or any of your posts for that matter! It was also a treat to see all of your beautiful trade cards. I have a small collection of them and hope to keep adding to it!

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  4. Gina, you pulled a wonderful collection of cards to celebrate Labor Day! My favorite? The Heinz pickle! I do love trade cards -- but I make a point never to look at them at a paper show otherwise they will want to come home with me. OK, I really mean that I will want them to come home...

    Debra

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  5. That was cute. Love all of your vintage cards.
    Sherry

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  6. Wow! What a collection of cards you have! Very enjoyable - thanks for sharing!

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  7. Beautiful photos, Gina. This weekend, I am definitely laboring in the backyard. Happy Labor Day!...Christine

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  8. Very nicely put together Gina! We enjoyed it!!

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  9. Loved all the photos... It really does get one into the spirit of the on coming autumn...Lovely post...Hugs

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  10. What a collection of post and trade cards. I like the Heinz pickle one. I also like the way you had one displayed on a easel. Informative post and enjoyed reading about the history of Labor Day. I wished I had the day off though. Still cooked and cleaned up after fixing dinner for family.
    Thank You for visiting my Christmas blog and leaving a sweet comment.
    Blessings
    Betsy

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  11. I actually didn't know about child labor being associated with "labor day" Thanks for the lesson! And girl those cards are making me all drooly! What a wonderful collection!....Color me "green" with envy *winks* Vanna

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  12. That bed!!!!
    I would have tried to sneak it out without anyone noticing...
    Lovely post!
    Victoria @Renovating our Victorian

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  13. I adore vintage cards. I really like the collection you have put together. Very creative post! I am a new follower and would love for you to visit me at Still Woods Farmhouse. I am sharing my favorite chocolate cake recipe. Stop by for a piece!
    Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

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  14. Love your cards and your sweet pup too...soooo cute!!!
    Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday, always a pleasure having you!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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