A 1920 home economics textbook contained a running story about the activities of a “household arts” class. Here’s some excepts from the section about preparing foods for a Christmas party for younger children at the school:
When the Christmas party was planned each of the classes did its share to help. The household arts classes helped to fill the boxes and stockings with homemade candy and tied up many pop corn balls.
The girls enjoyed wrapping their boxes and pop corn balls in bright-colored papers to hang on the tree. Miss Washburn, the art teacher helped the girls make them attractive. Christmas gifts, however small, she said always give more pleasure when special care is given to the wrapping and tying. There was no danger in covering the pop corn balls with colored paper for they were first wrapped in waxed paper.
Household Arts for Home and School (Vol. II) (1920) by Anna M. Cooley and Wilhelmina H. Spohr
MERRY CHRISTMAS
A Hundred Years Ago 
That looks fun and worthwhile. Have a happy Christmas , you and yours, as much as you can under the New Normal.
That sounds like my grade school years, although we wrapped the popcorn balls in colored cellophone. Merry Christmas, Sheryl!
The popcorn balls brought back memories. We got them every year at school and I have not idea who paid for them. Maybe the PTA? Have a Merry Christmas and I hope you are enjoying many 100 year old treats! PS Do you make Sand Tarts?
And Merry Christmas to you 100 years later.
Love this: “Christmas gifts, however small, she said always give more pleasure when special care is given to the wrapping and tying.”
Thanks for this reminder of simpler times when Christmas seemed less complicated. All the best for the season and let’s hope for a kinder, gentler 2021.
Nice touch! Thanks Sheryl and Merry Christmas
Aww, I miss my grandpa’s popcorn balls anytime us cousins all gathered at their house.
It’s been decades since I thought of popcorn balls. Lovely memories.
So cute; happy holidays!
Popcorn balls were always a fixture at Christmas (and at Halloween too)! My in-laws usually make caramel corn but I doubt they will this year… seems some traditions are falling by the wayside. We don’t make popcorn garlands anymore either.
Merry Christmas! Popcorn balls sound good… although maybe I should just stick to Carmel… not so hard on the teeth.😄
Lovely, although the omission of the boys was a sign of the times! A merry Christmas to you and yours.xxx
I’d almost forgotten about popcorn balls, but I used to love those when I was a kid! Merry Christmas!