Breakfast Party Etiquette of 1912

Giving a breakfast in 1912 was more like hosting a “brunch” in 2024. These breakfasts could last a few hours and have elaborate entertainment, with a quartet of musicians, or something more along the lines of a simple harpist. The menu should suit the formality of the occasion, however, and as Saratoga Chips (aka potato chips) were still a trendy novelty at the time, Etiquipedia supposes that including them in the menu then would certainly be amusing, but would most definitely raise her eyebrows at seeing them served at brunch or a formal breakfast in 2024.
– Above, 2 Gilded Age Saratoga Chip Servers from the book, “What Have We Here? The Etiquette and Essentials of Lives Once Lived, from the Georgian Era through the Gilded Age and Beyond...” One sterling, with a matte gilded bowl and the other, sterling silver without protective gilding. ~ Image source, Etiquipedia Private Library

Hosting an Entertaining Breakfast

Would you kindly give a few suggestions as to the menu and entertainment suitable for a breakfast for about 25 young ladies? This is for no special occasion, but I wish something a little different. – A FOLLOWER

For so many guests you will probably seat them at small tables. It would be pretty to have a different color of candle and flowers at each table. Serve first a chilled fruit mixture, chicken and mushroom patties, Saratoga potatoes, tiny hot, buttered biscuit, olives, salted nuts, radishes. Asparagus salad or tomatoes stuffed with shrimps,

A strawberry mousse, with small cakes or a tutti-frutti ice cream makes an acceptable finish. Grape juice, iced tea or coffee may be the choice of beverages, with a cordial. Afterward have a reading or a short musical programme. Perhaps you have some friend who is clever enough to entertain with personal reminiscences of some unique or interesting experience in travel at home or abroad.– From Madame Merri, 1912

 🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia