Breakfast in bed . . . those three words convey the ultimate in pampering to me. A century-old article in a popular women’s magazine, suggested that breakfast in bed may have been more popular than it is now. American Cookery showed several examples of beautiful place-settings that could be used to serve breakfast in bed. The article indicated that breakfast is bed was not just a luxury for wealthy people, but a nice change of pace for anyone:
But to all, even hum-drum women, there dawn days when a bit “under the weather” we merit the pleasure of a secluded breakfast. When a rarity, it is a joy. Many women who could not stand it daily – who like to be “up and at it” – confess to a veritable delight in a dainty bedside breakfast when overtired or indisposed.
A Hundred Years Ago 
The only time I can remember eating from a bed tray is in childhood, when I was ill. Now, breakfast in bed just doesn’t appeal — but I don’t read in bed, either, so I’m probably just weird. 🙂
I also remember my mother serving me meals in bed when I was ill as a child – though I never served my own children meals in bed. It never seemed as if any of them were so sick that they couldn’t make it to the table.
I wish those were colored photos. I love seeing China patterns.
So you I. Some magazines a hundred years ago contained a few colored drawings; but actual pictures were always black and white.
I wonder what a “hum-drum woman” is? If I have breakfast in bed, I made it myself!
To me, “hum-drum” tends to imply that something is boring – though in the context of this sentence maybe it means average or typical.
When are women not “overtired”? 🙂
Maybe we’d all benefit from a little pampering and an occasional breakfast in bed. 🙂
I can almost remember those days, though I never experienced it myself, except for when I was a kid with one of my fairly frequent sick-in-bed occasions. Then my mother did try to make the tray look nice — but not with our best china.
My mother would occasionally bring me meals in bed when I was sick – but she just served the food on the melamine dishes that we normally used.
I always wanted to have breakfast in bed. How romantic. NOT. My back was uncomfortable, crumbs over the sheets and bed clothes and guess what I had to wiggle out and take care of my own tray. Not so glamororus
Sorry, but I enjoyed a giggle at the recognizable image.
It’s the thought that counts. 🙂
Nope, I don’t get the attraction of breakfast in bed either. Crumbs, risk of slopping the coffee. What’s to like? A lazy morning for me means reading in bed for as long as I feel like, before getting up,showering and getting dressed, then having a nice civilised breakfast in the kitchen, preferably prepared by someone else.
Your lazy mornings sound very nice.
I suddenly feel indisposed! Edith Wharton used to write whole novels in bed! But then she was wealthy.
“The rich are different from you and me.” 🙂 Who said that? . . . Fitzgerald?
It was supposedly something he said to Hemingway, but if Hemingway was reporting it I wouldn’t believe it hahaha.
Beautiful dishes! I’d be happy to serve someone breakfast in bed, but don’t do it to me. I loathe crumbs in bed!
hmm. . . I think I prefer eating breakfast in bed. I can ignore a few crumbs. 🙂
Love the dishes. I’m reading that most of the ladies wouldn’t like to be served in bed. 😁 Me neither! But I do enjoy being served coffee in the evening when my feet are kicked up.
It sounds lovely to be served coffee after your feet are kicked up.
Those bluebird dishes: Absolutely adorable. I wonder what food was under the covered dish? Perhaps the toast ; ) Like most of the commenters, I prefer eating at table!
Maybe . . . there are a lot of different dishes on the tray. One of them might be for serving a soft-boiled egg – so it would make sense if toast was also served.
Strange, but just before your post came up I had ordered a breakfast tray. No idea why, but if I order a pretty tea set now too, the answer may appear!
Most women I know could use a bit of pampering: someone to deliver a warm, delicious meal. I mean, how often do we give ourselves a bit of love.