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Christmas Party Theme - Magical Christmas in King Arthur´s Court
In late October, I heard couple that was friends of mine had bought an old house and
were planning to fix it up. They were hoping to have it ready soon enough to have a
Christmas party there. By late November I had heard nothing and was just starting to
wonder if I should accept one of the other invitations I had received.
The next day I opened my mailbox and discovered a tri-folded packet with a golden
faux wax seal on the front. My address was printed in ornate script and the return
address read: “King Arthur, Camelot Castle”. Inside was a formal invitation for me
and a guest to attend a Magical Christmas celebration with their Majesties King
Arthur, Queen Gwenivere and their court. A pre printed R.S.V.P. card and envelope
was included. In more plain script was the actual location, day, time; instructions to
come dressed as any character from Arthurian legend (except for King Arthur, Queen
Guenivere and Merlin). I filled out the R.S.V.P. card that Sir Lancelot and a guest
would be attending.
I was dressed as Sir. Lancelot and my fiancée as Morgan Le Fay. It was not difficult
to figure out which house belonged to my friends. A wooden façade of a castle portico
was propped up against the wood fence to the right of the main house. A pair of men
in medieval guard costumes stood on either side holding wooden halberds. I knew the
party was going to be a good one when one asked me for my invitation and I replied
that the face Sir. Lancelot should be well known in Camelot and did not to need one.
He stammered an apology and let us in.
The main building looked like an old-fashioned carriage house that had been
converted into a living space. The double barn-style doors were open and medieval
chamber music came from within. Cloth coats of arms hung from the beams of the
ceiling and a large table divided the room down the center. The simple, but elegant
décor and lack of other furnishings made the room look like a medieval great hall. At
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each head of the table were throne-like chairs. Near the wall across from the table,
was a seven-foot Christmas tree. It was decorated with garland made from acorns and
real cranberries, realistic miniature bird and animal ornaments. At the top was a
gorgeous medieval angel.
A quartet of musicians stood next to the blazing fireplace playing their instruments.
There were plenty of costumed guests and a few servants one of which brought us
each a glass of Sebastiani wine. There was no sign of my friends, who I assumed were
playing the king and queen.
My fiancée and I chatted with some people we knew speculating about what would
happen next. I was actually hoping dinner would be next and I noticed the servants
unfolding a tapestry linen table cloth and setting the table; I was starving.
A half hour later, a man carrying a heralding trumpet marched thorough the open
doors put the instrument to his lips and sounded a dozen notes. He lowered the
trumpet and said, “His royal Majesty King Arthur and His Queen, Guenivere!”. The
Herald stepped just inside the door to make way. Our hosts entered the room arm in
arm. He was dressed as a regal Arthur in a tunic of gold and purple brocade with gold
trim and she wore a stunning gown of cream, gold and pink. Both wore crowns that
looked like they had been stolen from movie studio prop house. We all bowed and
curtseyed as they made their way past to the table each taking up the throne-like
chairs at either end of the table. The Herald called out the names of each character to
take their place at the table. Of course, Sir Lancelot was the first called.
Dinner was a hearty Medieval feast of beef roast, ham, roast duck, bread, carrots,
leeks and asparagus, (potatoes and corn hadn’t been brought over from the new world
yet) and a tasty stuffing made with walnuts, cranberries and pearl onions. The
servants kept our glasses filled with ale or Sebastiani wine. Everything was so good; I
ate so much I thought I might not be able to move.
After dinner, the guests mingled and chatted as the servants cleared away the food,
dishes, tables and chairs. A juggler in a jester’s costume strolled around entertaining
the guests. Mulled wine and trays of fruit tarts were offered to us by the servants for
dessert . I was pretty certain, since this was supposed to be a magical Christmas and
we hadn’t seen Merlin yet something else was going to happen.
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A white-bearded man dressed in a black robe and pointed hat, walked in a little while
later. He went directly over to King Arthur talking to him briefly. Then King Arthur
announced Merlin was going to amaze us with his skill. Merlin performed a few very
amazing illusions; we were all impressed.
The party went on until late. My fiancée and I had a great time and told our hosts
before we left, that we would definitely come next year and every year to “Camelot
Castle” for their Magical Christmas party.
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