How to Entertain the Guests at Halloween
Any innocent joke, perpetrated in a spirit of friendly mischief, will befit the night. The idea of the olden time centered on the pairing of lad and lass, hence the chestnuts were put before the fire to test the future of those whose names they bore: If they burned steadily the courtship will go well, if, they popped apart the course of true love would not run smooth. Hand glasses with apples beside them should be placed here and there, so that the modern Eve may eat her apple and wait for Adam to peep over her shoulder.
Great pleasure, however, will be found in the games, which all may play. The tub of water, with floating apples, which must be lifted out by the teeth alone, and the fork suspended from the ceiling, with its lighted candle at one end, and the apple, from which a bite is taken, at the other, will cause much merriment. The search for the ring in flour is also much enjoyed. The flour containing a ring is packed upon a large platter. The guests each cut off a slice with a knife and the one uncovering the ring must pick it up with his teeth.
There are many other Halloween tests, but none better than these.
