Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Christmas postcards were a common way to say hello and wish family and friends a Merry Christmas. Since postage at the time was a mere penny, they were also affordable.
Alma Mae Lucht used a variety of mixed media to make this unique ornament in the early 1900s.
In the late 1800s, Edyth Piper likely used this cookie press during the Christmas season.
Long before Pinterest and 5-Minute Crafts, someone has a clever idea to create a cream whip out of their discarded Christmas tree. This particular whip was donated to the Eddy County Museum by Eva Flaskrud.
Eddy County must have been an interesting place to have lived in the early 1900s, especially at Christmas.
Despite being isolated, it is quite likely that the passenger train would have brought in plenty of visitors throughout the winter holidays.
Those who could not visit loved ones would send brightly colored and highly ornate Christmas cards. This particular card pictured at top left was sent to Maud Johnson of Barlow, N.D. from 'Maggie' on December 18, 1911. In the text Maggie wrote about being busy making Christmas gifts.
It is hard to say what materials Maggie was working into her gifts, but we do know that Alma Mae Lucht was up to some creative Christmas crafting as well,circa 1910. She used foil, hair, bristles, paper, an angel and stars to make the one-of-a-kind ornament pictured far left.
Other holiday crafts seemed to have served a more functional purpose. The bottom photo depicts a handmade whip that was upcycled from the tip of a Christmas tree. For years it likely ensured cocoa drinkers and waffle lovers plenty of whipped cream.
The sweet treats didn't stop there. In the late 1800s, Edyth Piper was likely preparing for the holidays by using her starburst-shaped cookie press, which had a metal exterior and wooden interior. I bet those cookies not only tasted good, but they looked festive too!
