What About a Measuring Party?

I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends. ~Nancie J. Carmody

I was looking through some of my vintage books and found this odd party idea in my copy of Bright Ideas for Entertaining from Mrs. Herbert B. Linscott. The small hardcover was published in 1905. The entry is for a "Measuring Party". She mentions that this is a "pleasing way" of raising money for charity. This verse should be printed on the invitations in addition to the usual where and when information:


A measuring party we give for you,
'Tis something pleasant as well as new.
The invitation carries a sack,
For use in bringing or sending back
Five cents for every foot you're tall,
Measure yourself against the wall.
An extra cent for each inch you'll give,
And thereby show how high you live.
Then with music and song, recitation and pleasure,
We will meet one and all at our party of measure.

The author also suggests that a "tiny bag made of a bit of silk or ribbon" should be sent with each invitation. On the night of the party guests will bring these little bags with their money and place in a bowl or basket by the door. She suggests:

"Care should be taken to carry out the program suggested in the last two lines of the above verse. Much amusement may be created by having some one appointed to take various measurements of the guests attending, such as the length of the nose, size of the head, size of the hand etc. "

This could be a lot of fun, especially if the hostess puts something on the invitations like "A Measuring Party from 1905!". The bags could be little party favor bags which as inexpensive and can be folded into the invitation. The author also suggests there be music, food and drink during the party. Here are some other ideas:

-Change it to anywhere from $1.00 to $10.00 a foot depending on what you are raising money for. This could work for many types of fundraisers, and it would be unique!

-Little sheets could be printed up with spaces for writing in measurements of the nose, head, arm, hand etc. and door prizes could be given randomly by having everyone turn in their sheets with their names on them.

-This would be a very neat party for the entire family. The kids would love it and you could have door prizes for the adults and the kids.

-To keep the cost down, ask for volunteers to bake cookies, punch etc.

What do you think about this party idea?

~Brenda