The folks of yesteryear knew how to keep Christmas merry and bright. Here from the Weekly Butte Record and the Chico Courant are reports on community Christmas celebrations. You could dance all night at a Christmas or New Year’s Ball, given at a hotel and organized by leading businessmen, and you could take your children to a festive party where they were sure to come away happy, over-excited, and clutching a precious Christmas gift.

THOMPSON FLAT BALL — The ball at the Western Hotel on Christmas Eve was a splendid affair. Every one present to participate in the “mazy,” expressed the greatest satisfaction. The good music, the spacious hall, the splendid supper, the large attendance and the general sociableness of the guests made it a complete success. There were present on this occasion some twenty-four guests from Oroville, a number from Morris Ravine and a goodly number from the elite of the village. Music and dancing commenced at early candle light and continued till the dawning of another day. The sun in the eastern horizon guided many of the gallant party to their homes, heartily satisfied with the Merry Christmas meeting. We are glad to announce that it was profitable to our old friend Prince of Landlords, F. C. Thomas.

(Thompson Flat, formerly known as Rich Gulch, bordered the Feather River just north of Oroville.)

A grand time was to be had at Cherokee too, organized by the Sunday School.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AT CHEROKEE FLAT–

A beautiful and fruitful Christmas tree had been prepared for the occasion, and was loaded down with valuable gifts for the little ones.

In the distribution of gifts, especial care was taken that no child, whether a member of the Sabbath school or not, should go without something.

And in Chico, the Chico Courant reported on a community party at the Armory Hall. The digital microfilm image is too degraded for easy reading, but here is the text.

CHRISTMAS AT CHICO — The Christmas arrangements for our town were well conceived and successfully carried out. Two large pines that reached from floor to ceiling were loaded, literally covered, with gifts of all kinds and descriptions. One tree was for the children and the other for the older folk of town and country. During Monday, Armory Hall was flooded with packages, the ladies arranging order, beauty and form from chaos, and at night, the trees lighted by colored tapers, presented a magnificent appearance.

The large Hall was crowded at an early hour, and before the time for distribution of gifts, not a foot of unoccupied room remained. When the time arrived, old Santa Claus himself, clad in his unique costume, with ancient beard and long silver locks, made his appearance amid the cheers of the audience and the screams of terrified little ones, and commenced the delivery of the thousand gifts on the right hand and on the left. Everybody, from the oldest to the youngest received one or more Christmas gifts. The Sunday School children were remembered by the patrons of the Sunday School, and each received a pretty book besides the other gifts distributed.

After the distribution of gifts, the ladies brought forward a beautiful “Guess Cake,” which was won by Mrs. Chapman. Then come the “Grab-bag” and fun, from which was realized many a two-bit piece, all of which will be appropriated to a worthy object by the ladies. After the Hall was cleared, a merry dance wound up the festivities of the “Merry Christmas.” It was one of the most pleasant gatherings we ever attended, and everybody seemed highly please, old and young happy alike.

I don’t know what a “Guess Cake” is, and Google is no help with that question. I am guessing that the grab-bag was a chance to reach in and get a mystery gift for 25 cents.

I hope that your Christmas and New Year celebration is every bit as happy and fun-filled as it might have been if we were living in 1865.