Candle Fortunes and the Snowball Fight are for
groups of not more that twenty-five children. Twelve candles
are placed in a row on the floor and lighted. If possible, the
candles should all be of different colors, but if that is not
possible that saucers on which the candles stand may be numbered
1 to 12. One by one the guests stand against a wall opposite
these candles, and then run towards them and jump over them.
If none of these candles goes out during the jump, the more
exciting year will be for the jumper.
As each guest jumps over the candles, the hostess notes the
candle which have gone out and immediately reads form the list
of prophecies the forecast for the coming year for that guest,
taking pains that all other guests shall hear her. This list
should have more than one prophecy for every month, so that
the hostess may vary her forecasts. The following prophecies
are typical: January. You will become a millionaire shoveling
snow off the walls. February. You will chop your way to fame,
via little hatchet. March. You will travel a great deal, being
blown from one place to another. April. Alas! You will become
more foolish every day. May. You will bloom into such beauty
as you never before known (this one being particularly good
for boys). June. You will be married before another hundred
years. July. An awful explosion will mar your beauty. Look out
for firecrackers at your heels. August. You will be in a terrible
catastrophe and will be blistered and burned beyond recognition.
Then you will shed you skin, and a brand new one will be given
you, especially if you go swimming enough on hot days. September.
You will be arrested and go into bondage for another year’s
work with a geography under your arm. October. You will be in
great danger but will escape real trouble only if you ran faster
than the lady on whose window you ran a tick-tack.
November. A serious illness awaits you, but your mother will
administer a large dose of Castor Oil at the end of Turkey Day,
and all will be well. December. A great change will come into
your life. Your whole character will change for the better and
you will become prompt, obedient, helpful and everything else
that you can think of to put Santa Claus into a good humor.
Our only regret is that it will not last after Christmas Day.
If the children are small, the candles should be very short.
In any case, the leader should watch very carefully to prevent
danger from clothing catching fire, although I have seen this
game being played over and over without the slightest bit of
danger. However, better be safe than sorry! |
