Wednesday, December 22, 2021

The Christmas Number

The girls are going through the Christmas number of the fashion magazine, The Delineator, for December, 1904.  If you would like to read it along with them, please link to it HERE.  The numbers in parentheses below are the timestamps in the video for the pages the girls are looking at.

It was Christmas Eve, and Mia Bella was in the parlor with a pot of hot chocolate and a plate of cookies, going through the December issue of The Delineator, checking out the latest fashions for the coming year.

“So that’s where the Christmas number has got to,” said Katherine Alyse as she came into the room.

“Pour yourself a cup of hot chocolate and look at it with me,” offered Mia Bella.

 “Look at these dresses, Katherine,” said Mia Bella, “This one is very much like our dear Samantha’s favorite dress; you know, the one she wore when we met her.”  (10:00)

 “Ah, yes, the Russian look!” said Katherine Alyse as Mia Bella handed her the magazine.

 “Ooh!  Doll clothes!”  Katherine Alyse practically squealed with delight.  “My dolly could certainly use a new frock!  And look at this!  A Santa Claus costume!”  (10:40)

 Mia Bella took the magazine back and admired the doll clothes, then flipped back and forth looking over the adult fashions. (5:36)

“These dresses for grown-up ladies are just to die for,” Mia Bella sighed, “but by the time we’re old enough to wear them, they’ll be out of fashion.”

“The style this season is supposed to be inspired by fashions from the Eighteenth Century, like the couple on the cover,” remarked Katherine Alyse, “but I don’t see it.”

“Here’s an article on throwing a Christmas party,” said Mia Bella, turning to the life-style section, “with someone dressed in the Santa Claus costume to hand out presents.” (20:25)

Katherine Alyse thought for a moment.  “If we had a costume like that, which of us would be willing to wear it for a party.  I certainly wouldn’t.”

“Kelly Ann might,” suggested Mia Bella, “she has a flair for the dramatic, and might even see it as Seasonal Ritual Disguise.  But never mind that, look at these party dresses!”

 Katherine Alyse pulled the magazine closer so they could look at it together.

“Here are even more pretty party dresses on the next page!  Oh, I want them all!”  (20:39)

 Turning the page they read an article on how to handle Christmas shopping with children.

“That’s easy,” said Mia Bella, “make sure you get them everything they ask for!  Hahahaha!”  (20:47)

“And here,” put in Katherine Alyse, “is an article on manners for children.  I’m sure it contains nothing we don’t already know and do.” (25:03)

 They reached the end of the magazine with a mutual contented sigh. (28:11)

“I hope,” said Mia Bella, “that Santa Claus thinks we’ve been good girls this year and brings us patterns for some of these nice things!”