One of the things I like to collect and read are old magazines, especially holiday ones. These games are from one of the Dennison Party Magazines in my collection.
If you're interested in bringing an old time feel to your Halloween party, why not try a few of these games from a 1927 party book.
The magazine suggests that a real Hallowe'en party should include all the old-time games that have come down from the time of the Druids and ancient Britons. These old games include Ducking for Apples, Roasting Chestnuts, Cutting the Flour Cake and Pulling a Root of Kale. But no instructions are given for those games, perhaps we need to find an old Druid book for help.
Suggested games include:
Ghosts
Use about a dozen white paper bags and put a different object inside each bag. Hang the bags up with a strong
light behind them. Turn out all the other lights in the room and give everyone a few minutes to guess what the
ghosts are. Bags should not be touched.
Witchery
Each player is blindfolded and gets to touch three different objects placed on a table. Depending on what objects
are touched, their fortune is told. Objects should be moved around before each person has their turn.
Objects include:
- A Tea Cup -- means an old maid or bachelor
- A Saucer with Water -- a trip abroad is in their future
- A Dollar Bill -- a fortune will soon be inherited
- Deck of Cards -- means business success
- Toy Car -- A romance will begun during an automotive trip
- Pen -- fame through writing
- Ring -- a wedding or engagement
- Stone -- problems will arise, but not difficult ones
- Cookie -- will become successful as owner of a tea room
- Saucer containing Dried Beans -- will indicate the size of the future family
- Bride Doll -- indicates a second marriage
Harvesting Corn and Beans
Use a large dish with an equal amount of dried corn and beans. Empty it on the floor and the guests are to
grab as much as they can, but boys gather the corn and girls only gather the beans. The one with the most wins,
but 5 points are deducted for each wrong kernel or bean.
Sources include:
Dennison's Party Magazine, October-November 1927
