First, a large wooden bowl should be obtained, or any large tin pan or dish. This can be covered with white cloth or not, as the maker pleases; a wreath of evergreens around the edge is an improvement.
The contents of the pie may be sugar hearts, rings, kisses, or any bonbons, mock rings, or gold rings, indeed, any article which can be easily tied up in a small bundle. It is desirable that there should be many articles in this pie that will cause fun and laughter. Blanks, such as an empty box, or some trifle rolled up in many papers. A bright piece of silver, called a lucky piece, or a half-sixpence, enclosed in a nut-shell, and like all the rest of the articles, tied up in paper, adds to the sport. All these bundles should be placed in the large bowl or dish and covered with bran. A large spoon can be laid on the top of the pie.
This pie should be placed on the table, after a Christmas dinner or supper, the guests or family all remaining in their seats around the table. If there are many little ones, it can be arranged beforehand, and have a servant, or some member of the family, place the pie at the front door, and ring the bell furiously and blow a trumpet; also place a paper on the top of the pie, on which is written, “A present from Santa Claus.” As soon as the bell is rung, the ringer must disappear at once, as children are wide awake at Christmas. We had a bran pie brought in that way; the children rushed to the door, and in their eagerness to see Santa Claus, ran past the pie some distance, looking eagerly on all sides; when they returned, one little boy declared he saw him whisking round the corner of the street. When the pie is on the table, everybody is invited to partake. Each in turn takes a spoonful; whatever bundle the spoon touches is theirs; the bundle must be opened at once and exhibited before the next person dips. The very inappropriateness of some of the gifts helps to create laughter, and there is a good deal of amusement in the after exchanging, or refusing to exchange, when the pie is all distributed.
3.—TWELFTH NIGHT.
In England their festivities continue twelve days. Twelfth Night is sometimes called “Old Christmas,” as it was the day celebrated as Christmas before the almanac was changed. The change was made by Pope Gregory XIII., during the year 1752. Therefore Twelfth Night has its own peculiar festivities. In some portions of England they have a large gathering of friends. During the evening two dishes of little frosted cakes are passed round, one for the gentlemen and one for the ladies. In each there is one cake with a ring, and one with a broken sixpence. The two who get the ring will be married before the year is out. The broken sixpence indicates an old bachelor or an old maid; but if the two agree to join their broken sixpence, there is a chance for them. So says the old tradition.
A lady, whose early youth was spent in England, says where she lived Twelfth Night was celebrated especially by the children. At their social parties they selected a king and queen, who regulated the festivities of the evening. Sometimes the lady of the house prepared cards, with various figures written or drawn upon them, among them a king and queen. Each child drew a card on entering, which designated the character he or she was to represent. Of course the lady managed to slip the cards of king and queen into the hands of those best able to preside.
In one of our small cities, where there are several families who unite in keeping Twelfth Night every year, they have but one ring, and whoever gets it must give the party the next year.
4.—THE CHRISTMAS BAG.
Make a large bag of thin white paper or silver paper, fill it with sugar plums, and tie a string around the top, to keep it fast. Then suspend it from the ceiling, or from a large door frame, and provide a long, light stick. Each little child is blindfolded in turn, and the stick put into his or her hand. She is then led within reach of the bag, and told to strike it. If she succeeds in her aim and tears a hole in it, the sugar plums are scattered on the floor, and the little ones scramble for them; but it is by no means easy to strike a suspended object blindfolded; generally many attempts are made unsuccessfully. Each child is allowed three trials. The maker of the bag can put in it tiny books, pincushions, or any little toy, with the sugar plums. This bag would add to a child’s party; it is often used at birthday parties. An older person should always superintend, for some children would be greedy or rude.