Christmas

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Mary E. Blain

"Christmas comes but once a year and when it comes it brings"—a whole lot of things. If there doesn't seem to be anything to be thankful for, there was a Christmas hundreds of years ago which gave us One who comprised and radiated everything to be thankful for, so let us rejoice in memory of that Christmas and be merry and cheerful and glad.

Children, especially, love to have games and amusements at this time of the year, so a number are suggested as appropriate, some of which will prove entertaining to grown-ups.

JOLLY ST. NICHOLAS

One child is chosen to represent Jolly St. Nicholas or Santa Claus and stands in the center of the room. The other children stand around in a circle while Santa Claus reads his rules of good behavior to them which are as follows:—

"You must speak when you are spoken to. Do you understand?" (The children reply, "Yes, sir.")

"You must come when you are called. Come here." (The children run toward Santa Claus and stand still when he raises his hand.)

"You must keep your place." (The children return to their former places.)

"You must be asleep by eight o'clock." (Santa Claus counts eight and the children must all close their eyes by the time he says 'eight.')

"It is more blessed to give than to receive." The children are supposed to keep their eyes closed and when Santa Claus gives them something (which will be a little tap on the hand or a light trod on the foot, a kiss, a hug or gentle pull of the hair or ear or something of that sort,) the recipient must pass it on to the next who passes it on to the next, and so on.

If Santa Claus observes anyone disobeying his rules he tags them and they are out of the game. If any of the children succeed in being perfectly good children they are given a suitable prize by Santa Claus, and another Santa Claus chosen if it is desired to continue the game.

CHRISTMAS STOCKING

Paint or draw on a sheet the picture of a fireplace. Tack this to the wall and after providing each child with a small stocking and pin, blindfold them in turn, telling them to hang up their stocking at the mantel. Drop a small toy in the stocking of those who succeed before taking the handkerchief from their eyes. Those who fail may have one more turn after all have had a chance.

CHRISTMAS CANDLES

Place on a low table a small Christmas tree, on which there is arranged lighted candles. Blindfold each child in turn, having them stand about one foot away with their back turned toward the tree. He is then told to take three steps forward, turn around three times, then walk four steps and blow as hard as he can. A prize is awarded to the one who blows out the most candles.

HOLLY WREATH OR SNOW BALL

Make several snowballs from crepe paper or white cotton. Hang a large holly wreath in the doorway and let each child in turn try to throw his snowball through the wreath. The players who are successful throw three balls through the wreath, and the one who throws them all through receives a prize.

AFTER DINNER GAMES FOR CHRISTMAS

A DINNER FOR CONTEMPORARY CELEBRITIES

The Guests

  1. The first month of the year. Janvier.
  2. Strong and sturdy. Hardy.
  3. An out of date arrangement for the front hair. Bangs.
  4. An author whose name is on every page. Page.
  5. The poet laureate of England. Alfred Austin.
  6. A medium for transatlantic messages. Cable.
  7. One form of single blessedness. Bacheller (Irving).
  8. The pedestrian's aid. Caine (Hall).
  9. What springs eternal in the human breast. Hope (Anthony).
  10. A dignitary of the church. Abbott (Lyman).

The Menu

  1. Soup—Toe not found on man. Tomato.
  2. Fish—A unit of measurement. Perch.
  3. Roast—A lean wife. Spare rib.
  4. Vegetable—The result of pressure. Squash.
  5. Game—Timber and the herald of the dawn. Woodcock.
  6. Salad—He who fights the Japanese. Russian.
  7. Pudding—An aborigine. Indian.
  8. Cake—A tropical sea plant. Sponge.
  9. Fruit—To waste away and Eve's temptation. Pineapple.
  10. Wine—A part of the foot and a letter. Tokay.

A LUNCHEON FOR LITERARY WOMEN

The Guests

  1. A verdant one. Greene (Anna Katherine).
  2. To evade. Dodge (Mary Mapes).
  3. A head covering and a tavern. Wiggin (Kate Douglas).
  4. What ships and schooners often cross. Barr (Amelia E.).
  5. A thistle's product and a head dress. Burnett (Frances Hodgson).
  6. A part of the human body. Foote (Mary Hallock).
  7. A pig's house and a measurement. Pennell (Elizabeth).
  8. A guardian's trust. Ward (Mrs. Humphry).
  9. Act of a poor cook. Burnham. (Clara Louise).
  10. What the rebellion made of every negro. Freeman (Mary E. Wilkins).

The Menu

  1. Fruit—Small shot. Grape fruit.
  2. Fish—A soft shelled sign of the Zodiac. Crab.
  3. Roast—A genial English author. Lamb.
  4. Sauce—A money maker. Mint.
  5. Vegetable—A city of Belgium and what a leaf does in spring. Brussels sprouts.
  6. Salad—Elizabeth and her German. Garden.
  7. Tarts—Water in motion. Currant.
  8. Cake—A precious metal. Gold.
  9. Ice—A celebrated prince. Orange (William of).
  10. The floral Decorations—The flowers that bloomed on their lips. Roses.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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