A NOVEL EASTER PARTY WITH NEW EASTER GAMES
THERE are no end of delightful things to do at an Easter party, and
every game may be in keeping with the season.
The game of
=Egg Tennis=
is particularly pretty. As you play this new Easter game, showers of
color will fill the air, sometimes descending in sparkling bits of
orange, again reds, then greens or blues, yellows or purples, with
all their beautiful tints. Quivering and shimmering, down the colored
rain will fall, lightly covering your hair, clothing, and surrounding
objects, while you stand, racket in hand, watching the result of your
stroke. Your companions, seeing your success, will be eager to try
their skill, also, with one of the pretty magic eggs. These colored
showers do not even look wet, and they will not injure the most
delicate of fabrics, for they are composed of countless bits of bright
tissue paper.
=The Number of Eggs=
needed for the game depends upon the number of players. There should
be three eggs provided for every two players. In case the first player
succeeds in breaking two eggs in succession, the third egg will not be
used during the game, but may do duty at another time in another game.
Should the first player fail in breaking the second egg, then all three
eggs will be required.
[Illustration: Fig. 26.—Carefully bore a hole in each end of the shell.]
[Illustration: Fig. 27.—Fold the paper like this.]
[Illustration: Fig. 28.—Cut the paper in fringe like this.]
=How to Prepare the Eggs=
Select eggs as nearly of a size as possible; take one egg at a time
and with a very coarse needle carefully bore a hole in each end by
pressing the point of the needle against the shell and then turning the
needle around and around until a little hole appears. Be very careful
when boring not to press the needle with too great a force, as there
is danger in so doing of cracking the shell and rendering it useless.
When both holes are made, increase the hole on the large end of the egg
until it is about as large around as the head of a common hat-pin (Fig.
26), then place the small end to your lips and blow out the contents.
[Illustration: Playing the New Easter Game of Egg Tennis]
[Illustration: Fig. 29.—Cut off the ends of the fringe.]
[Illustration: Fig. 30.—Gilt paper disk.]
[Illustration: Fig. 31.—Fold the disk through the centre.]
[Illustration: Fig. 32.—Fold the disk a second time.]
[Illustration: Fig. 33.—Fold once more.]
[Illustration: Fig. 34.—Cut out the point.]
=After the Shells Are Emptied=
leave one white and color all the others, making each shell of a
different color. When this is done, allow the inside of the shells
to become thoroughly dry; then fill them with pieces of tissue paper
cut in small squares a quarter of an inch or less in size. These can
be quickly made by folding the tissue paper like Fig. 27 and cutting
it into strips of fringe (Fig. 28); then cutting off the ends of the
fringe little by little (Fig. 29). Fill the red egg-shell with bits
of red paper, the yellow shell with yellow paper, and so on, making
=The Shower of Paper=
in each egg-shell correspond to the color of the shell. Fill the white
shell with squares of white tissue paper, and when the shell breaks in
mid-air, the shower will resemble the dainty petals of cherry blossoms
as they fall when shaken from the trees by a light breeze. The effect
is very pretty, calling to mind the Feast of Cherry Blossoms in Japan,
when the girls and boys accompany their elders to see the cherry trees
in full bloom.
=Cut Gilt Paper Disks=
two inches in diameter (Fig. 30); fold each disk through the centre
(Fig. 31), then fold again crosswise through the middle of the first
fold (Fig. 32). Fold once more (Fig. 33), and, following the dotted
lines on Fig. 33, cut the points as shown in Fig. 34 and you will have
the eight-pointed star (Fig. 35). While the point is still folded with
a sharp pair of scissors clip off the point (A, Fig. 34). This makes
the hole in the centre of the star (B, Fig. 35). Through the hole in
each star thread the two ends of a strong string. Cover the under side
of the star with paste, separate the two ends of the string and hold
them down on each side of the egg (Fig. 36), then draw the star down
on to the shell over the strings, and press tightly in place until the
paste holds (Fig. 37). Clip off the ends of the string that extend
below the star.
[Illustration: Fig. 35.—The star unfolded.]
[Illustration: Fig. 36.—Hold the two ends of the string down on each
side of the egg.]
[Illustration: Fig. 37.—Draw the star down and press tightly in place.]
When the paste is quite dry and the paper firmly attached to the shell,
=Hang One of the Eggs=
directly in the middle of a wide doorway so that the egg will be about
as high as the shoulders of the players. If there is a curtain pole in
the doorway tie the string to the pole; if not, drive a tack on top
of the door frame and suspend the egg from that. Where the doorway is
quite wide, like the old-fashioned doors between two parlors, two eggs
may be hung and four players take part at one time. In that case you
will need four rackets; ordinarily two rackets are sufficient.
=Make the Rackets=
of flat rattan, taking two pieces, twenty-seven inches long for each
racket. Soak the rattan to make it pliable, then bind the two pieces
together with string as in Fig. 38. Bend the now double rattan to form
a loop, bring the four ends together and wrap them into a straight
piece for the handle (Fig. 39).
[Illustration: Fig. 38.—Bind the two pieces of rattan together.]
[Illustration: Fig. 39.—Bring the four ends together to form a loop.]
Lay the frame you have just made down on a large piece of strong
writing-paper and mark a line on the paper one inch from and entirely
surrounding the outer edge of the frame down to the handle. Draw
another line close to the outer edge of the frame, then cut out the
design along the outside line. Slash the edge up to, but not across,
the remaining pencil line (Fig. 39). Cover one side of the slashed
border with paste or glue, and, again placing the frame on the paper,
turn the flaps, one at a time, over the edge of the frame and attach
them firmly to the frame and to the inside of the paper (Fig. 40). When
the paste is perfectly dry, make another paper cover in the same manner
and paste its slashed edge over the frame on top of the first, putting
one cover directly over the other and so making it double; this will
make the racket quite strong and firm.
[Illustration: Fig. 40.—Turn the flaps of the border over the edge of
the frame.]
[Illustration: Fig. 41.—Finish with a bow of ribbon.]
Wind a strip of paper one-half an inch wide around the handle, pasting
it as you wind, and turn the end of the paper up over the end of the
handle (Fig. 40). Finish with a bow of ribbon, tying it on where the
handle joins the racket. Fig. 41 shows the completed racket right side
up.
=The Game of Egg Tennis=
is played in couples, and the object is to break the egg-shell and send
the paper rain flying in the air. The sport is adapted to all ages,
from the little child scarcely large enough to wield the racket to
grown girls and boys, and even older people will become excited as they
try to strike the fragile toy.
The players must stand facing each other at equal distances from and
on opposite sides of the suspended egg. The distance is decided by
swinging the egg and then placing the players within easy reach of it
before it swings above their heads. This is done by the umpire, who
takes charge of the game and decides any disputes.
Promptly at the signal,
=“Ready,”=
given distinctly by the umpire, the player who has been appointed
starter gently swings the egg outward toward her opponent, and the egg
is then “in play.” The other player immediately tries to strike the
egg with her racket, using sufficient force to break the shell or send
it flying swiftly toward the first player, who in turn promptly hits
or misses the egg. Whether struck or not, the egg will return to the
other player, who will surely be able to strike it the second time it
comes to her, if not the first. And so the egg is kept swinging rapidly
back and forth between the two players until the shell is broken. With
the breaking of the shell comes the beautiful shower of tissue paper
which is sent flying through the room by the stroke, and the player who
releases it wins a point in the game.
=When the First Egg is Broken=
a second one must be put in its place, and the unsuccessful contestant
has another opportunity to make good her record, playing with the same
opponent. If the breaking of the second egg proves a tie—that is, if
it is broken by the player who was at first unsuccessful—a third egg
must be suspended and the same couple continue to play until that,
too, is broken. Then the unsuccessful player drops out of the game, and
the winner of two points to his opponent’s one steps aside to await
his final play after the other couples have had their turn. Should one
player win two points in succession the third is not played, for two
points lost sends a player out of the game.
When all the couples have played, the successful competitors alone
remain in the game. These form new couples and play as before, each
in his order. This time there is but one egg for each couple, and the
player who fails to break the shell must withdraw, giving his place to
the next player, while the successful one holds his place until another
breaks the egg. In this way but one player comes out victorious.
When space allows two eggs to be hung in the doorway and two couples
take part at the same time, there must be two umpires, one for each
couple, for in the excitement of the fray, one person cannot watch all
the play.
RULES OF THE GAME
1. The umpire may not take part in the game while acting as umpire. She
shall keep tally and decide all questions which arise regarding the
game.
2. The egg shall not be struck except with the flat face of the racket.
3. When an egg is broken by striking against the surrounding woodwork,
or in any other manner other than with the face of the racket, it
counts one against the player who made the stroke and scores one for
his opponent.
4. Two points scored during one play declares the successful competitor
the victor.
5. A play consists of any number of trials until the two eggs are
broken.
6. Two eggs shall constitute a play when there is no tie; in case of a
tie there shall be three eggs.
Butterflies as well as eggs are appropriate for Easter and the
=Butterfly Game=
will come in well as second on your programme.
All the girls are butterflies in this game and all the boys are
collectors. The collectors are stationed in different parts of the
room and stand some distance, at least six feet, apart. They may not
move their feet to step in any direction, but, standing in one spot,
may reach out on all sides with their hands as they try to catch the
butterflies flitting past them.
=Each Butterfly=
must lift the skirt of her dress with both hands and move it back and
forth as she flies among, around and between the collectors. This
moving of skirts as mimic wings makes the game appear very pretty
to the onlookers, and the collectors find it difficult to grasp the
fluttering draperies.
=It is the Part of Every Collector=
to catch as many butterflies as possible and as each butterfly is
caught she must stand close behind the collector to whom she belongs.
The second captive stands behind the first with her hands on the
shoulders of number one. The third takes her place behind number two
with her hands on the shoulders of number two and so on to
=The Last Captive=
The game becomes exciting when but one free butterfly is left, darting
about, skilfully evading the outstretched hands of the collectors, each
intent upon capturing this last and greatly valued prize. For in the
count the last butterfly captured is equal to two of the others.
The game ends when all are caught and the winner is he who possesses
the greatest number of butterflies, counting the last one caught as two.
=The Magic Dye Kettle=
will be a unique, amusing and mystifying feature in the entertainment
of your guests. For this some preparation is necessary.
First you must have the tinsmith remove the bottom of a new,
inexpensive, tin kettle, one that has a lid to fit and will hold
several quarts. Then in the bottom of a square wooden box, about as
large as a small table, have a hole cut a trifle smaller than the
bottom of the kettle. Knock out one side of the box, stand it bottom
side up so that the round hole will be on top, place it in the position
it is to occupy, and throw over it some kind of a cover which will
reach to the floor and hide the box completely on all sides. In this
cover you must cut a hole to fit the hole in the box, and place the
hole in the cover directly over the hole in the box. Place the lid on
the kettle and stand the kettle over the hole and it will appear to be
merely sitting on the table, as there will be nothing to indicate the
opening beneath.
=Under the Box,=
ready for use, place a shallow tin pan larger around than the bottom of
the kettle, and cover the bottom of the pan with sawdust; also place
under the box a basket filled with hard boiled eggs of various colors,
three eggs of each color.
In another part of the room have ready another basket containing the
same number of hard boiled eggs but all uncolored.
While the Butterfly game is in progress let some one who is in the
=Secret of the Magic Kettle,=
hide under the improvised table and at a given signal lift the shallow
pan and hold it tightly under the hole in the box.
Explain to your guests that you have for the occasion a magic kettle,
which, while they wait, will color eggs for them without water and
without heat. Pass around the basket of uncolored eggs and invite each
one to take an egg. Tell three members of the party to decide upon a
color they wish their eggs dyed (all three must be the same color)
then, as you raise the lid, to shout the color in unison, and carefully
place their eggs in the kettle.
As soon as the eggs are in quickly replace the lid and wave your hands
back and forth over the kettle. Apparently you will be working a charm,
but in reality you will be keeping the too curious from taking a peep
into the kettle to see what process is going on.
When the uncolored
=Eggs are in the Kettle=
and the lid is on, your assistant underneath must gently and without
the least noise lower the pan she is holding, and in which the eggs
have been deposited, remove the uncolored eggs and substitute three
others of the color she has heard wished for. Then lifting the pan she
must again hold it close under the kettle until
=The Colored Eggs are Taken Out=
and three more put in to be dyed.
Give your assistant several minutes to make the exchange of eggs,
then lift the lid and allow the eggs, so quickly and so marvellously
colored, to be lifted out by their owners.
When all the eggs have been dyed lead your guests from the room without
allowing any investigation of the workings of the magic kettle and
while they are out have box, kettle and eggs taken away so that the
charm of mystery may not be broken.