Forfeits

Forfeits can either be performed immediately after each game or can be done at the end of the evening (when everyone may well be a little full of festive cheer!).

Performing them at the end of the evening was known as 'crying the forfeits'.

An extract from Cassell's Household Guide to Every Department of Practical Life has some suggestions for traditional Victorian forfeits.

(Please note that I have hand-picked the ones which I consider to be the most appropriate - unless you know how to perform a quadrille some may no longer be appropriate for modern day celebrations!!):

"FORFEITS are in such general demand during the season when round and merry games are in vogue, that we add a few more to the list given in a previous paper.

Before doing so, however, we may be allowed to remind our readers that the spirit in which forfeit games should be conducted is to extract as much harmless fun from them as possible, avoiding everything rough and unseemly, or in which a mind exceptionally sensitive can find a cause of offence.

With those which are simply boisterous in character, or have any element calculated to cause a feeling of annoyance or pain, we have nothing to do.

But at the same time, all who enter on games of this kind should be prepared to give as well as to receive amusement."

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