I wasn't aware of them until I lived across the street from a party supply store in the Lower East Side. The first time I saw a group leaving the store with the big, fancifully decorated chair in tow I assumed they were buying it. When they returned with the chair the next day, I assumed they didn't want it, or it was broken. When the very same chair was picked up that evening by a new group of people who also returned it the next day, it was clear the party supply store rented it out. But for what? Well parties, yeah; but what's its purpose at the party? It's gotta be pretty important to lug a five foot tall, three foot wide piece of furniture around the streets of New York City, in and out of subways, up and down narrow hallways in six story walk-ups--and do it all again the next day.
Now here, in my apartment in Brooklyn, wedged between a strip of 99 cent/party supply stores and the subway, I see the Crazy White Wingback Wicker Rental Chair go past my window once a week on average. And that's only what I'm witnessing when I'm home. It's a must have for parties, obviously. A must have for some kind of party I have yet to be invited to in my near forty years. Someone, somewhere in my neighborhood, right now as I type, is discussing an upcoming event and saying, "And of course we'll have to rent the big white wicker chair..." The forgone conclusion of festivities that it is.
Have you ever rented the Crazy White Wingback Wicker Rental Chair? Have you ever been to a function that included the Crazy White Wingback Wicker Rental Chair? What do they DO with it there? I mean, it can't just be...a chair.
Posted by Antigeist at December 29, 2005 01:46 PMI'm thinking it's probably for a quinceanera? (Forgive my lack o' tilde)
Though I can't find anything mentioning a throne or chair and quinceanera specifically. But doesn't that seem like it could be?
Posted by: z at December 29, 2005 02:12 PMI had thought of that...however isn't quinceanera (for those unfamiliar: the festival of the transition into womanhood. Like a bat mitzvah) a Mexican tradition?
I've also seen the chair on several bridal and baby-shower websites. Obviously it's "the very special chair" for "the very special person" for those big occasions as well.
All I want to know is...(a) how'd it come to be THAT chair and (b) how come no one rented the crazy wicker chair for MY BIRTHDAY! HOW COME I DON'T GET TO SIT IN THE INSANE, CREPE PAPERED, BALLOONED AND BEDAZZLED WICKER CHAIR! DON'T YOU LOVE ME?
Posted by: antigeist at December 29, 2005 02:37 PMWhy don't you get off your High Horse and follow that Wicker Chair? Just go out there and casually stroll behind it and see where it is going. And report back, if you get back.
Posted by: Mortimer Shy at December 29, 2005 03:00 PMIt seems like it's a general Latin American tradition.
Well, dammit, woman. Why didn't you say so? I'll get you a goddamn chair for Valentine's Day! Or Easter! And then we'll carry you down the street IN it!!!
Posted by: z at December 29, 2005 05:19 PMMortimer-- What? And wind up in the Hot Seat? (rim shot, thank you!) No, I kid. The festivity throne is a intriguing item indeed, worthy of further exploration.
Z--...if it's not *too* much to ask, m'dear. With the crepe paper, please.
Posted by: antigeist at December 29, 2005 07:56 PMGive the party supply place a call and ask 'em what people rent the chair for. Granted, this is an obvious solution, but at least it would put the question to bed. You have us all curious now! Happy New Year to all!
Posted by: Kathleen at December 30, 2005 07:01 AMA little Googling leads me to the conclusion that these are primarily used at showers. As to why THIS chair, I dunno- maybe 'cause the wicker is water resistant? Get it? Showers?
It might be because a wicker chair is easiest to decorate- y'know, with all the holes to thread stuff through.
Now I've got one for you- what are those crowns people put in the back of their cars?
monk: in South Texas where I grew up, I saw tons of those crowns in rear windows. I thought they were strictly a Mexican thing because I saw them in shops just over the border, but apparently have wider appeal than that. They are air fresheners. That's all.
See http://www.snopes.com/business/alliance/crown.asp
for the origins.. although it says they gained popularity in 1993, I had seen them since the late 70s in Texas.
Posted by: susannah at December 30, 2005 09:28 AMI was always fascinated by those crowns, too.
Posted by: z at December 30, 2005 11:45 AM