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The bran pie is often used in England, in place of the Christmas tree, or as an addition to the “Twelfth Night” party.

It is within the means of every family, as its contents can be inexpensive or expensive, according to the taste and means of the maker.

First, a large wooden bowl should be obtained, or any large tin pan or dish. This can be covered with white cloth or not, as the maker pleases; a wreath of evergreens around the edge is an improvement.

The contents of the pie may be sugar hearts, rings, kisses, or any bonbons, mock rings, or gold rings, indeed, any article which can be easily tied up in a small bundle. It is desirable that there should be many articles in this pie that will cause fun and laughter. Blanks, such as an empty box, or some trifle rolled up in many papers. A bright piece of silver, called a lucky piece, or a half-sixpence, enclosed in a nut-shell, and like all the rest of the articles, tied up in paper, adds to the sport. All these bundles should be placed in the large bowl or dish and covered with bran. A large spoon can be laid on the top of the pie.

This pie should be placed on the table, after a Christmas dinner or supper, the guests or family all remaining in their seats around the table. If there are many little ones, it can be arranged beforehand, and have a servant, or some member of the family, place the pie at the front door, and ring the bell furiously and blow a trumpet; also place a paper on the top of the pie, on which is written, “A present from Santa Claus.” As soon as the bell is rung, the ringer must disappear at once, as children are wide awake at Christmas. We had a bran pie brought in that way; the children rushed to the door, and in their eagerness to see Santa Claus, ran past the pie some distance, looking eagerly on all sides; when they returned, one little boy declared he saw him whisking round the corner of the street. When the pie is on the table, everybody is invited to partake. Each in turn takes a spoonful; whatever bundle the spoon touches is theirs; the bundle must be opened at once and exhibited before the next person dips. The very inappropriateness of some of the gifts helps to create laughter, and there is a good deal of amusement in the after exchanging, or refusing to exchange, when the pie is all distributed.