LEISURE

INDOOR LEISURE TIME

The Victorians were very good at amusing themselves indoors – with the advent of better lighting for domestic use, hobbies and activities became a feature of many middle and upper class households.
Putting together scrapbooks; decoupage was popular. Playing the piano and holding impromptu concerts, plays and dances were also popular amongst families and friends. The performances at home were amateur, but they entered into the spirit of do it yourself family parties with elaborately organised entertainments which would also include magic lantern shows and charades.
Music helped to pass the winter evenings and all governesses were expected to teach this skill to young ladies.

The women would occupy themselves with sewing and embroidery and general tasks required to maintain the garments worn by family members.

Books were also on the increase in households and schools often gave out books for prizes for children who were well behaved or had perfect attendance. Authors such as Rudyard Kipling, Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Barratt Browning were always popular choices.

Card games were played often but whist and bridge were particularly favoured by older members of society and they were also keen players of Checkers, Chess, Backgammon and Cribbage.