The bran pie is often used in England, in place of the Christmas tree,
or as an addition to the “Twelfth Night” party.
It is within the means of every family, as its contents can be
inexpensive or expensive, according to the taste and means of the maker.
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.