Snapdragon – a 19th century Christmas game with fire!

Christmas day a little slow? Feel like it could use a little more danger? You should play the 19^th century Christmas game snapdragon!

To play all you need is a dark room, a shallow bowl or platter, brandy, and raisins. Simply pour some brandy into the platter. Add some plump raisins or sultanas. And light the brandy on fire.

A low burning blue flame will come from the brandy, dimly lighting the faces of the participants.

The game then starts. Each person taking turns attempting to ‘snap’ a raisin from the flames. The raisin, and their fingers, will come out of the brandy on fire. The burning raisin is then popped into the mouth and the person appears to be breathing fire – like a dragon!

The game appears to have been a very popular Christmas game in England. It arrived in New Zealand with the early settlers, and there are several mentions in the newspapers of it being played at Christmas in 19th century New Zealand.

But it’s popularity waned – probably because Christmas is in summer here and it’s more of a night-time game. By 1900 it appears to have largely fallen out of fashion in New Zealand.

But if you find yourself bored this Christmas eve why not challenge the family to a game of snapdragon? Detailed instructions for the game can be found in the 23rd December, 1899, edition of the Auckland Star.

I can’t see any possible downsides!

The featured image at the top of the page is ‘Snapdragon’ by Gabriel Nicolet, 1889.