Twelfth Night, the evening of January 6 (twelve days from Christmas), has long been observed by English people, and so unusual and entertaining are its traditional features that it is more and more becoming an occasion in this country for home parties, dances and large club and public affairs. Originally a holy day, observed by the devout as "The Feast of the Kings," to commemorate the visit of the Magi to the manger of Christ, it gradually changed to a popular holiday. The following customs are, from long usage, peculiar to its observance. There should be a King and a Queen, chosen by cutting a cake (the man finding a bean in his slice is elected King; the lady finding a pea is his Queen). Paper crowns, a scepter and, if possible, full regalia, are given them. They are seated on a throne and the fun begins. At a small or home observance, old-time games may be played, as blindman's buff, charades, or stunts with forfeits. There should be a feast, at which all have a chance to guess the choicest dish, the winner only being served with it. Dancing and the singing of carols follow, and, finally, the burning of all Christmas greens.

Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Father Christmas, Happy Jack, St. George and the Turkish Knight are all old English characters often impersonated, and the larger observance sometimes takes the form of a carnival, cabaret or costume party with these and others as entertainers.

Entertaining on this night may be appropriately of a carnival nature, and brightly colored decorations and favors are much in vogue. We suggest a few.

Trumpet Banner: This can be used as a dance favor, also by the announcer of events, impersonating a herald, or, the banner without the trumpet, as a wall or balcony decoration. For this favor cover a tin trumpet with Purple Crepe Paper No. 23. Banner is of Dark Amber Crepe No. 63 and Purple No. 23. Yellow Crepe Rope No. Y3 and pompons of the same colors complete the favor.

of Twelfth Night

Carnival Decorations and Favors

Carnival Costume: Make a bloused waist and very full double skirt of Black Crepe Paper No. 12. Decorate with large disks of Red No. 81, Green No. 43, Blue No. 54 and Yellow No. 61 Crepe Papers, pasted on double. Suspend mat stock disks, covered with the same bright crepes, on vari-colored ribbons from one shoulder. The hat is a cone shape of Black Mat Stock No. 12. Red and yellow disks dangle from the top on ribbons. A black elastic snaps under the chin and keeps the hat on. The neck and wrist ruffles are of red, yellow and blue crepe paper stitched to a yellow ribbon.

Confetti Bell: Of White Crepe Paper No. 11 dotted with bright colored confetti. Pendent white silk ribbons dotted with confetti and ending in bright colored crepe bags of confetti. Start to make same as bell described on page 13. For large bell, paper will not be wide enough to double, so make single and turn up edge.

Inside this turned-up edge insert White Wire

No. 10, stretching crepe into shape as you insert.

Then proceed as for smaller bell.

Man Catcher: Make a hoop 15 inches in diameter of No. 15 Wire, fastening it with spool wire to a round stick 23 inches long. Wind both hoop and stick with White Crepe Paper No. 11. Cover surface of hoop smoothly with white tissue paper, pasting over wire edges. Apply paste about 2 1/2 inches deep completely around edges of hoop and stick to this (thickly) bright colors of confetti. Tie a bow of Red Crepe No. 81 on handle. This favor is used to drop over the head of a dancer.

Jester Wand: Wind a round stick 20 inches long alternately with Black No. 12 and White No. 11 Crepe Paper. To this attach by spool wire a jester's head in profile painted on white cardboard. Form cap of Black and White Stripe Crepe No. BW1 with tip of white pompon. For collar cut petals 7 inches long of alternate black and white crepe paper. Paste Wire No. 1 through center of each petal, attach pompon and bend petal in shape.