Arrange so that each guest is in his place standing, with a wassail cup in hand, and then at three minutes of 12, darken the room.  When 12 o’clock is struck, turn on the lights and drink a Happy New Year.

New Year merrymaking is as old as the history of England.  There the head of the house assembles the family around the wassail bowl to drink the healths of every one.  The Saxon phrase “Wasshael” means “Your health”; hence the wassail bowl.  In many of the shires and counties the lads and lassies secure a large bowl and ornament it with ribbons and artificial flowers, and, with this visit the gentry, all the while singing songs suitable to the occasion.

AN ENGLISH WASSAIL

Place two gallons of cider in a large punch bowl and add

  A large lump of ice,
  One-half dozen bananas, cut in thin slices,
  One-half dozen oranges, cut in slices and then in small pieces,
  One medium-sized bottle of maraschino cherries,
  Small baked apple.

Cut the cherries into tiny bits and use the juice also.  Put in one baked apple for each guest.  The apples are afterward eaten with a fork.  Mix and serve.

Here are some suggestions for supper: 

MENU NO. 1

Celery Olives
Home-made Pickles
Chicken a la King
Potato Croquettes
Cheese Crackers
Cake Jelly Coffee

MENU NO. 2

Radishes Celery
Home-made Relishes
Virginia Baked Ham
Potato Salad
Rolls Butter
Coffee Cake

COUNTRY SUPPER

Radishes Celery
Home-made Relishes
Roast Suckling Pig
Brown Gravy Apple Sauce
Mashed White Potatoes Sauerkraut
Coleslaw
Bread and Butter
Cranberry Pie Coffee

An old custom of the new year has been revived—­making calls.  Folks now visit about on New Year’s Day very much in the same way as grandma entertained and kept open house on this day.

To serve on New Year’s visits: 

Celery Olives
Pimento Sandwiches
Baked Ham Sandwiches
Celery and Cheese Sandwiches
Tea, Coffee or Cocoa

Other folks will prefer to entertain with a New Year’s dinner.  Perhaps this will give a suggestion: 

Oysters on Half Shell
Celery
Ye Olde-tyme Vegetable Soup
Boiled Fish Egg Sauce
Baked Ham Champagne Style Sauce
Browned Potatoes Peas
Coleslaw
Mince or Apple Pie Coffee
Nuts Raisins

COD BASSLANO

The serving of a fish entree with the Sunday dinner gives just the right zest to the meal.  Select two slices of cod or other sliced fish.  Cut into small fillets and season and then roll in flour.  Dip in beaten egg and then roll in fine bread crumbs.  Fry until golden brown in hot fat and serve with tartare sauce.