An Old-Fashioned Penny Store {Little House Party}

One of the fun activities for the Little House party I had seen was to have a "mercantile."  Though it would have been ideal to have handmade items for the children to purchase, I took a different route.

(From left to right: popcorn balls, Juicy Fruit, Tootsie Rolls, peppermints, Twizzlers, candy corn, and aprons.)
I cut some brown paper bags with scrapbooking scissors and then mini-hole punches.  Each bag contained ten pennies so that each guest could go shopping at Big Sister's Mercantile.   I explained to the guests that they did not need to purchase everything; nor did they have to spend all of their money.  (One particular guest was very excited to save most of her money!)
After a bit of on-line research (here  was helpful), I determined that candy corn, licorice, peppermints, Tootsie Rolls, and Juicy Fruit gum all had origins in the 1800's and easily found.

Each of the old-fashioned candies were placed in a pint size canning jar with a sign explaining the cost for the party guests.
Popcorn was a great treat for the Ingalls family.  I made popcorn balls for the mercantile, too.  Though marshmallows, butter, and popcorn were all around in the 1800's, I do not know that anyone had combined them into popcorn balls yet.  Some things do not need to be historically accurate!
The mercantile was a big hit.  It was a fun way to send a treat home with the party guests.


More Little House Party Ideas
Little House Birthday Party 
Little House Party Invitation
Little House Book Activities
Little House Dress, Apron, and Bonnet
Little House Mercantile Store
Felt Costume Braids
Little House Birthday Party Food

~ Annette {This Simple Mom}

6 comments

  1. What a super neat idea for birthday "goodie bags."

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  2. I think this is a fabulous idea for any kind of party!

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  3. I love the idea of a Little House party. Very creative.

    What a fun way to give the guests stuff for their party bags. I remember going to the local candy shop when I was little and how fun it was to look and look and look and then choose.

    Thanks for the other Little House links too. I will pass this along to a friend who has young kiddos.

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  4. I LOVE this! I want to have one now.

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