Puzzles and GamesBelznickle Blogspot : Puzzles and Games

Left, Middle-class drawing room in Blackheath, London, 1841, painted by James Holland. Drawing rooms and parlors served the same purpose, to entertain guests. Center, An old-fashioned parlor from the Spencer-Pierce House. Right, Victorians loved to play games with their children at Christmas time.

Parlor games were group games played indoors. During the Victorian era in Great Britain and in the United States, these games were extremely popular among the upper and middle classes at Christmas parties. They were often played in a parlor, hence the name.

During the 19th century, wealthy men and women had more leisure time than people of previous generations. This led to the creation of a variety of parlor games to allow these gentlemen and ladies to amuse themselves at small parties. Parlor games decreased in popularity in the first half of the 20th century as radio, movies, and later, television captured more of the public's leisure time. Though decreased in popularity, parlor games continue to be played. Some remain nearly identical to their Victorian ancestors; others have been transformed into board games such as Balderdash.
Many parlor games involve logic or word-play. Others, such as blind man's bluff, are more physical games, but not to the extent of a sport or exercise. Some also involve dramatic skill, such as in charades. Most do not require any equipment beyond what would be available in a typical parlor. Parlor games are usually competitive, but cumulative scores are not usually kept and the only reward for winning a round is the admiration of one's peers. The length and ending time of the game is typically not set; play continues until the players decide to end the game.

I have included some up-dated versions of old Christmas parlor games for you and your loved ones to play during this holiday season: Christmas Charades * Jolly Cobweb Party * Miserable Music * The Christmas Elf * Tiddlywinks for children * The Stage Coach * Musical chairs * Twenty Questions * Snap-dragon * Buff * Fictionary * Blind Man's Bluff * Hunt the slipper This is an adult game only. Although it has no violence in it, we do not recommend it for children under sixteen years of age. The game actually plays out like an elaborate game of tag in a narrative form. * How,When and Where You Like It? * The Emperor of Morocco * Thus Says The Grand Mufti *

More video of parlor games: Duct Tape Teambuilding Game * Paper Toss * Caterpillar Traverse * Bus Stop * Ladder Game * Back To Back Balloon Race * How to play the cup game * Eye of The Tiger * Human Hungry Hungry Hippos * Missing Chair Game * The Newlywed Shoe Game * Noodle Thief * Ducky Wucky * Magic Carpet * Trinity Retreat Games *

Print these fun puzzles out for your next family gathering. There are puzzles for adults, teens and little ones here. Puzzles are either made entirely by Kathy Grimm or redrawn and adapted from very old newspapers.

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Puzzles and Games

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