You want an example of history and iconography in the Capital District?? Something that our little corner of New York State can call our own?
Then check this little picture out.
Friendly Home Parties Catalog, circa 1973. Posted by flickr user Calsidyrose.
That?s right. It?s the Friendly Home Parties catalog.? Just in time for Christmas, 1973.
Friendly Home Parties, which actually had its distribution center on Railroad Avenue in Albany, was one of those services where people could distribute catalogs, buyers could order from the catalogs, and around November the buyers would receive their purchases ? just in time for the items to get re-wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree.
And the gifts offered? um? this wasn?t the same as ordering from the Neiman-Marcus catalog.
I remember that my aunts used to order from this catalog.? The catalog would include several Christmas gifts, board games and toys.? There was always a page or two for ?adult novelty toys? ? usually swizzle sticks with a plastic pair of lady?s legs at the top of the stick ? but for all intents and purposes, the products were cheap and cute and kitschy.
Examples?? You could purchase a target-shooting game ? essentially a suction-cup dart gun and a bullseye target ? for the staggering cost of $2.98.? How about a little shoe-shine kit, all packed in a 6? plastic football shell, for only $1.00?? Makes a great stocking stuffer, it does?
Friendly Home Parties also offered billiard tables for sale.? Now before you think ?billiard table? and imagine some beautiful hardwood table with soft beize fabric and ivory billiard balls? listen to the description.
Enjoyment for the whole family.? 41?x21? table, 28? high with forward sweep styling and deluxe finish.? Warp-proof hardwood playing bed is covered with real billiard cloth ? Molded plastic pocket liners.? Chrome plated, heavy duty tubular steel legs solidly braced and fitted with plastic glides.? Foldamatic feature for easy storage.? Automatic ball return ? 2 cues ? 1? dia. balls.? $22.95.
Wow, 28? high?? And it?s got the Foldamatic feature for easy storage?? Dang, where?s this been all my life?
Friendly Home Parties "winking snowmen" salt and pepper shakers. Originally offered in eBay auction by seller letibeedra.
The Friendly Home Parties products were equally cute and goofy and totally packed with 1970?s kitsch.? I remember that all three of my aunts on my mother?s side of the family were involved with Friendly Home Parties products, whether hosting parties or distributing the finished products.? There?s very little information on Friendly Home Parties on the web; at some point in time they changed their name to Ideal Gifts, and I?m not sure if they?re still in business.
But I do remember those catalogs.? All the wonderful things you could buy from a Friendly Home Parties catalog? in time for Christmas? right here in beautiful downtown Albany.
Source: http://blog.timesunion.com/chuckmiller/friendly-home-parties-albanys-christmas-tradition/16622/
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