The Riverside Press-Enterprise
A Winchester Christmas in 1914 included family, feast and Santa
The Hemet News reported on the festivities at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John G. Rice near Winchester, on Christmas Day 1914.
So many of the customs we enjoy today, over 100 years later, were observed at their home, as well as a few foods and customs that seem quaintly oldfashioned today.
The 85-year-old Mr. Rice was known in the community as Uncle John, and his 72- yearold wife, Ellen, was affectionately referred to as Grandma Rice. John was a veteran of the Civil War, having served the entire time in the calvary. The couple, married in 1862, moved to California in 1871 and settled in Winchester in 1884, making them early pioneers in the area. They had a ranch where they raised grain. They had five children: four sons and one daughter.
The News noted that there was no snow or sleighs at this typically Southern California Christmas.
Instead there was “the glorious sunshine warming the moist earth, calling to the springing grass and the sprouting grain.”
Seventeen members of the Rice family enjoyed the Christmas Day reunion. Those gathered included their son, Will, and his wife, of Winchester; their son, Phil, and his wife and three children, of Winchester; and their daughter, Ida, and her husband and four children, of Riverside. Also in attendance were Mr. and Mrs. James H. Rice, John Rice’s brother, who also lived in Winchester.
The Rice home was decorated with a beautiful tree loaded with presents and ornaments. Clusters of holly berries from Catalina Island surrounded the table centerpiece, which was a great mound of cake. Poinsettias from Santa Ana, most likely sent by their son, Arthur, who lived in that city, decorated the rooms. The children and some of the adults put on a program for those in attendance.
After the candles were lit on the Christmas tree, the sounds of far-off bells could be heard and soon the door was thrown open and Santa Claus arrived with a large bag on his shoulder. Everyone, adults and children alike, got a present from Santa’s bag. Afterward, the big mound of presents under the tree was unwrapped and lots of what were described as beautiful and useful presents were distributed and opened.
Afterward, everyone enjoyed a big Christmas feast. Grandma Rice was known as a famous cook and the meal did not disappoint. It included a roasted turkey, chicken pie, cranberries, pumpkin pie, mince pie and “other delicacies.”
After dinner, the family spent time reminiscing and taking photos, before the tired and happy guests returned to their homes.