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We Victorians are not without our fun-loving side. Young and old enjoy playing games, especially during the holidays. I thought you might like to join me in a few. (I hope you don't mind the joyful song in the background, "Here We Go A Wassailing".)
Besides outdoor activities and board games--checkers, chess and backgammon or tables as we call it--there are a number of other parlor games we like to play. The first is "Squeak Piggy, Squeak". There are 15 of us here including a couple of children who I'm sure will enjoy this one. We're going to place 14 chairs in a circle. Who is brave enough to volunteer to be "It"? OK, now we'll put a blindfold on you and give you a pillow which you will hold in front of you with both hands. When I say go, you will find a lap to place the pillow on and then sit on it. Then you say "Squeak, Piggy, Squeak". The person on whose lap you are on must squeal like a pig and you have to guess who it is. If after 3 tries you are unable to guess correctly, you move on to another and try again. Once you identify the person, that person then becomes "It".
The second game we'll play is called "Change Seats". We'll take the last person who was identified in the first game and put you in the center. Will everyone else please take a seat. Our new "It" will repeat "Change seats" as many times as they like. All are to remain seated until the following phrase is added "The King's Come". It is then all must get up and change seats, but not to the one that is on your immediate left or right. The player left standing will become the new "It". Be careful though, "It" may sometimes say "The King's not come" in order to trick you out of your seat. Is everyone ready to play?
The next game we'll play today is "Find the Ornament". I'm going to ask all of you to leave the room for a moment while I hide this elephant Dresden. When you come back, you will all search for the item. When you find it, do not give away its location. Just go back to your seat. The person unable to locate it, loses the game. (And, please no cheating. I will be handing around pencils and slips of paper for you to put your name and its location on while you are waiting for the others to find it.)
The last game we are going to play is called "Throwing the Smile" where the winners are the ones who don't smile. Let's gather into a circle. I'll be "It" this time. I am the only one allowed to smile. I will walk about the room, trying to get others of you to break your "straight" faces. At one point, I will wipe the smile off my face and toss it to another who will then attempt to make you laugh. If you let out a giggle, smirk or a laugh, you are out.
Wasn't that fun? On Christmas eve, there's a real treat in store. We are going to go on a hay ride, sip on hot apple cider and sing carols. When we return, we can play charades or perhaps be entertained by someone who will read a Christmas tale out loud to the group. Now if you'll all join me in the dining room, we'll have some holiday punch.
