What was in a stocking 70-80 years ago?

megasaver

why not be really OS and make your own sugar mice.... apparently really easy to do. I have a recipe if anyone is interested and I am going to get my dd1 to help me make them for the first time this weekend for the school xmas fair. BTW the recipe I have makes about 24 of them but I am sure it can be halved! Let me know if you want it and I will post it.

Mega xx

purplegirluk1

Megasaver, a recipe for sugar mice would be brilliant! If you wouln't mind posting it I would love to have a go, i'm not sure how I will be able to make them mice shaped though???

Spendless

megasaver wrote:

why not be really OS and make your own sugar mice.... apparently really easy to do. I have a recipe if anyone is interested and I am going to get my dd1 to help me make them for the first time this weekend for the school xmas fair. BTW the recipe I have makes about 24 of them but I am sure it can be halved! Let me know if you want it and I will post it.

Mega xx

Yes please post it. A member has told me a local source-Thank you, but I'll have a go, the kids won't mind if they don't look very mice-like-LOL

rchddap1

I'd also like to have a go....could be fun.

megasaver

Sugar Mice recipe - Makes about 24

450g (1lb) Icing Sugar (I know :eek: )
50g (2oz) Golden syrup Edited to correct typo! - now correct
1 egg white beaten
Various food colourings
silver edible balls (for eyes!)
thin white string

Sift the sugar into a bowl. Warm the syrup gently until it runs smoothly, then add the sugar with the egg white. Mix well with a fork then knead by hand to make a smooth mixture.

divide mixture into three or four pieces. Leave one portion white and tint the others lightly with pink, yellow or green food colouring. Knead the colouring in evenly.

dust a board and your hands with dusted icing sugar and shape mix into small mice, no more than 5cm (2inches long). For each one make a small roundish sausage shape and make sure that the nose end is pointed. cut a length of string, tie a knot in one end and press the knot into place under the mouse for the tail. For the ears, make two tiny balls, flatten and curve them and press into place. Use silver balls for eyes. Leave to dry- for a least 4 hours in a warm place. Should be eaten within 2 or three days!

These are so cute.....I can't wait to make them. If anybody else makes them I would love to hear how you got on!


Mega xx


EDIT Help...........
:eek: I have just realised that the recipe uses egg white....... so please don't make it if you feel it is unsafe- I know my dd won't have a prob with it - anybody out there know of a substitute for egg white, or I may have to make my usual biscuits for the xmas fair Sorry everyone!

freyaluck

Oh you lot have some great ideas, think I will send my nan a stocking this year, I never know what to make/give her.
I will also put a few into the kids stoching, they already get a tangerine every year. I will definately try to make some sugar mice I loved them when I was little.
thank you
frey

Rage_in_Eden

OH and I have a nice cheapo shop in the centre of Urmston - it stocks more tat than you can possibly imagine and we go in there and separate (whichis a bit difficult as it's a small shop) and get things like blow bubbles and glider planes and plastecine (OH can play with that for hours :rolleyes:). We also get stuff we need like cotton wool and shaving stuff. There however things that are non negotiable - chocolate coins and and orange. If I knew where to get coal locally I'd put some in there too.......................

sallypurple

My Nanna was one of 13 :eek: but she says that each year they all had hand knitted scarves and mittens in their stockings. Even when they were old enough to think it might have been their mum :shhh: they never caught her knitting them

Maisie

My Christmases don't go back 70/80 years but in the '40's I remember all the things mentioned except the coal! Maybe I was a good girl!

One year I got a book with cut out figures of dolls and their paper dresses. I loved that. Had a cardboard piece on back of dolly so she stood up with her different frocks. One year I got a real china doll and that was the tops.
Always wanted a doll's pram but that never came. Cost too much for our family.

I think you can still get those books.

Poor but happy memories.

omega_2

Great post. Couple of questions. Hope you don't think I'm too daft:

70 - 80 years ago: what type of stocking was used? I'm assuming it was one out of your sock drawer, rather the "oversized" commercially-produced ones of today????

Also, from conversations with my now dear departed Grandma I gathered that the contents of your stocking were ALL you got for Christmas. Did you exchange pressies with siblings, wider family members etc in addition to Father Christmas "filling" your stockings?