18. “Colonial Mitten” sounds really frustrating.
Apparently, the came Colonial Mitten was around since the 1700’s, and George and Martha Washington would have their house guests play when they came over for dinner.
Guests were forced to wear thick wool mittens, and they were given a number of tasks to accomplish that would be impossible without using their fingers. Some of these tasks included buttoning teeny tiny baby clothes, picking up individual grains of rice, and whatever the party host could come up with. When it was time to eat, everyone had to keep the mittens on as well, and the party hosts had to think of food that would be nearly impossible without their fingers.
Whoever had the talent to get through all of the tasks faster than everyone else was the winner. This game continued on into the 1930’s.