Christmas Cake

christmas nThese men during the fall would play a series of games [forty-fives] for the "Christmas Cake"¹ One night the flour would be played for, ensuing games for molasses, and raisins. This continued until all the ingredients had been covered. The one who lost on a night when a particular item was played for would pay for it. On some nights during Christmas a big meal including a huge cake would be prepared. This would take place at the home of the person having the largest kitchen when all eight men and their wives would attend. It is interesting to note that the women of the day never took part in card games. (over) [reverse] ¹In later years when the Christmas Holidays became crowded with newer forms of entertainment, playing for the Christmas Cake was dropped. Playing for the Candlemas Cake then became the vogue. The big party was then held on Candlemas Day (February 2nd).PRINTED ITEM DNE-cit G. M. Story SEP 1974 JH SEP 1974Used I and SupUsed I and SupWithdrawnChecked by Jordyn Hughes on Mon 18 Jul 2016, reverse side of C_19476, stamped but not use