Ruth Kellogg's Diary at Christmas, 1929

This is one of the many segments of Ruth's diary that is in Pieces of a Life, which focuses on her life and her husband John's.  They were married only about 7 months earlier.

Wed., Dec. 25, 1929 - Christmas Day
   "Up at 6:45.  We had a good time opening our gifts.  We didn't get many, bu those we did receive are nice.  Called up Florence to see if she got what she expected & she did!!  She is satisfied with it.  
    We arrived at folks' at 10:00 - before breakfast even.  Had a cup of coffee with them.  Had fun exchanging gifts there.  After big turkey dinner, we played rummy while Jimmie was at show.  Fun.  Home again at 8:25."

Ruth and her family enjoyed playing card games - a far cry from Ruth's Grandmother Meredith, who threw playing cards in the fireplace. She said, "They were the work of the devil."  As I was growing up, we played cards or board games often on Sunday afternoons.  I started playing at 5 years old and most likely my older brother, Ken, did too.

Ruth's friend, Florence Childers, received an engagement ring from Clyde Ballentine, her beau, for Christmas.  They were married a year later.  Ruth and Florence, who was from Iowa, met through their clerical jobs at Montgomery Ward in Chicago.

Ruth listed all of her gifts as she did every year and who the giver was.  She had ten gifts with the black kid purse from John being the star of the group.  Ruth also listed the seven gifts John was given with the standout being the fur-lined gloves she gave him.  John's car was stolen and wrecked a year or two earlier, so they walked long distances and took public transportation as well.  The gloves probably were warmly appreciated.