As the season begins to turn, friends and families will be gathering soon to celebrate the holidays—whether in person or virtually. With this in mind, we hope many of you might draw inspiration from the lives of the Martins by adapting a few of their traditions for a new generation.
Sitting down to share a meal?
Why not silence all cellphones and consider taking turns to recite a pre-written poem or freestyle a rhyme in which the personality of your favorite loved one is humorously described? Take for instance this playful jingle composed by daughter Dorothy in honor of her father Darwin D. Martin. It was attached to a table setting favor so as to be read aloud by family over Christmas breakfast:
Photo credit: Louise F. Mueller; Collection: University at Buffalo Archives
Now father is our traveler to continents far,
But yet for his travels needs no boat or car.
He sits in his arm chair and journeys for miles
From books and from papers from out of his files;
And if you ask questions ‘bout any country
He’ll give information exact as can be.
You never can stump him and he always is right
For he has heaps of references laid away and in sight.
He bobs out of the room to look for a map
And if you disagree, look out for a scrap!
He has volumes in sets and volumes alone,
He has volumes down town, and volumes at home.
He reads ‘til his fam’ly is ready to weep.
He reads on the car where ref’rences are rare,
So here is a gift to use when he’s there.
Giving the gift of art or literature?
Darwin D. Martin was generous when it came to his family. He was known for having gifted them portraits in oil and John James Audubon’s 7-volume edition of Birds of North America, of which only 1,000 sets were ever published.
Photo credit: John Young-Hunter; Portrait of Darwin D. Martin, 1926; Collection: The Martin House
And while most of us might not be able to lavish our loved ones with rare books or even a commissioned painting, we can try to support our community of authors and artists. Shop from our Museum Store, your local independent bookseller, or simply make your own handmade gift. If not, you can always default to something practical.
According to Darwin, his purchase of a water softening system for Martin House was a bigger household hit than the portrait he gifted to his wife Isabelle that same year. *
Christmas Tree at the Martin House; Collection: University at Buffalo Archives
Presenting your host with a thank you gift or aiming to get your shopping done early?
Forgo traditional metallic wrapping papers and plastic ribbons and bows.
Be creative and grab reusable fabric wrap as an alternative.
For oversized presents, try wrapping them in a plaid blanket – just like the Martins did. The result is not only original, it is also very eco-friendly.
Happy Holidays – from our house to yours.
* Entry, December 1926, Memorandum of Events in the Life of Darwin D. and Isabelle R. Martin, 1865-1934, University Archives, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York.
