Page 40 2025 Home For The Holidays Lincoln Daily News When families gathered, “large, festive meals were a central part of the celebrations, and people would often spend hours cooking and preparing food.” Additionally, “children and adults alike would participate in games and activities such as sledding, ice skating, and snowball fights.” As for décor at holiday gatherings, a December 1901 Lincoln Daily News Herald said, “table appointments should harmonize and combine with those of the house, and the dining room especially should be made to appear warm and bright. Holly, with its bright berries, should be everywhere.” A December 26, 1906, report in the Lincoln Daily News Herald said at the state asylum, festivities included “a number of inmates presenting a cantata entitled ‘The Three Bears’,” presents being given on Christmas morning and turkey dinner being served at noon. At the Orphans’ home, the newspaper said children received a lot of presents, had entertainment in the chapel and “gathered in joyfulness about a handsome tree to feast on candies, nuts and fruits.” For Christmas dinner, they had “turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, turnips, pickles, plum jelly, cherry pie and bon bons.” During that year, various area churches celebrated the holidays with song services and cantatas.
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