Magic sets are a popular form of entertainment and are widely enjoyed by people of all ages. These sets typically consist of various magical props and accessories, along with instructions on how to perform different magic tricks. The cost of magic sets can vary depending on factors such as the quality and complexity of the props included, the brand or manufacturer, and the overall content of the set. Basic magic sets designed for children or beginners can be relatively inexpensive, typically ranging from $10 to $30. These sets usually include a selection of simple tricks and props that are easier to learn and perform. They may feature items such as card decks, coins, ropes, cups, and balls, along with step-by-step instructions to help beginners understand and execute the tricks successfully.
Throughout Italy, children eagerly await the arrival of La Befana, and cities hold celebrations in her name. The biggest La Befana festival takes place in Urbania, her traditional home. Every year on January 5, residents of Urbania host an enormous celebration that attracts between 30,000 and 50,000 people. Activities include dancing and juggling, singing in the streets — and appearances by hundreds of Befanas, who begin their Epiphany gift-giving journeys by handing out sweets to children at the festival
Activities include dancing and juggling, singing in the streets and appearances by hundreds of Befanas, who begin their Epiphany gift-giving journeys by handing out sweets to children at the festival. While Krampus may be king of holiday scares, his fans may be overlooking an equally nasty, much more formidable queen a Christmas monster who lives further north, in the frigid climes of Iceland who goes by the name Grýla, the Christmas witch.
They may feature items such as card decks, coins, ropes, cups, and balls, along with step-by-step instructions to help beginners understand and execute the tricks successfully. On the other hand, more advanced magic sets that target older audiences or experienced magicians can be more expensive, ranging from $50 to over $100. These sets often contain a wider variety of props, along with more complex tricks and illusions.
Frau Perchta, Terrifying Christmas Witch
Frau Perchta isn’t as well known as Krampus these days, which is a shame, because this Christmas-time goddess/witch/all-around-terrifying-gal deserves a lot more press. She’s a staple in the Alpine regions of southern Germany and Austria, but relatively under-the-radar in North America. So let’s get to know Frau Perchta a little better, shall we?
According to Linda Raedisch, the author of The Old Magic of Christmas (a book we’ve blogged about and recommended before), Frau Perchta was also known as Berchta, or Bertha, and has also been called “Spinnstubenfrau” or “Spinning Room Lady.” She is often depicted with a beaked nose made of iron, dressed in rags, perhaps carrying a cane, and generally resembles a decrepit old crone. But this old crone packs a mighty wallop…. and carries a long knife hidden under her skirt.
She also bears a resemblance to the Scandinavian goddess Frigga, and both of them share one obsession in common: spinning, specifically, and domestic neatness generally. Frankly, she’s pretty judge-y about the state of your home for a woman who dresses all in rags. Legend has it that you’d better get all your flax spun by Twelfth Night (January 6th), “for when the Christmas season was over, it would be time to set up the big upright loom, at which time you must have enough thread to warp it and start your weaving.” And what’s Frau Perchta’s punishment for those lazy ladies who haven’t finished all their weaving? “In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, there were numerous tales of Frau Perchta trampling and even settling fire to the half-spun fibers.” And if should you really irritate her? Like, say, not only is your flax not spun, but your house is a total mess (this domestic goddess/witch hates a messy house) and you’ve even failed to leave out a traditional bowl of porridge for her? Well, then her rampaging will extend far beyond your slovenly spinning room. She’ll do nothing less than steal into your bedroom, disembowel you and replace your guts with rocks and straw.
Do not eff with Frau Perchta, got it?
But Perchta does more than just check up on your spinning. Other legends equate Frau Perchta with the legend of the Wild Hunt, and say that she flies through the night sky attended by an army of lost souls, including the demonic-looking Perchten, her army of servants who are visually nearly indistinguishable from Krampus. The only way to know for sure is context; Krampus rides abroad at St. Nicholas Eve while the Perchten tend more toward Epiphany, and the last three Thursdays before Christmas, also known as Berchtl nights or Knocking nights. Also among her army of the night are the souls of unbaptized children. Legend has it if you hear the wind and thunder roaring and rumbling through the mountains on the Berchtl nights, you’re really hearing the sounds of Perchta leading the Wild Hunt.
Another one of Frau Perchta’s names is Holle, a winter goddess who’s name means “shining” or “bright” — hence her association with Epiphany, the “Shining Night” on which the star of Bethlehem shone down. Her dual nature is expressed in the fact that there are both “Evil” or “Ugly” Perchten and “Pretty” Perchten, both of whom you might find in a typical “Perchtenlauf” or Perchten run in the Alpine regions of Europe. The Pretty Perchten are all well and good, but honestly, I’m a bigger fan of the Evil Perchta, and she’s the one I love to fear in these days leading up to Christmas. With every passing moment my anxiety mounts as I try to finish, if not all my spinning, all my housework and cleaning in time for the Christmas season.
As I sweep and mop and clean and dust, I visualize the old crone sneaking into my kitchen late at night, running her withered, clawlike fingers over the baseboards and tops of the cupboards checking for dust. She creeps through the house like a mad Martha Stewart crossed with the Grinch Who Stole Christmas… and if I should fail in my housekeeping…. well!
Let’s just say it really motivates me to pick up around the house.
So this January 6th, instead of bemoaning the fact that Christmas is over, why not celebrate “Perchtentag” by telling your kids they’d better clean up their rooms or Frau Perchta will come and disembowel them in the night. Kids love that sort of thing.
Happy holidays! May Frau Perchta smile upon you!
Happy holidays! May Frau Perchta smile upon you!
In addition to the props and instructions, some magic sets may also include DVDs or online tutorials to assist users in learning the tricks effectively. These visual aids can be particularly helpful in understanding the moves, presentations, and techniques involved in performing the tricks. When purchasing a magic set, it is important to consider one's skill level and interests. Beginners may opt for a basic set that provides a solid foundation in magic, while more experienced magicians might prefer sets that offer advanced tricks and techniques. In conclusion, the cost of magic sets can vary greatly, with basic sets being more affordable and advanced sets having a higher price tag. Regardless of the cost, magic sets offer an enjoyable way to learn and perform magical illusions, making them a popular choice for both children and adults..
Reviews for "From Trash to Treasure: Upcycling for Magic Set Costumes"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the Magic Set Costci. The tricks were incredibly basic and not at all impressive. It seemed like something I could have easily learned from a quick YouTube tutorial. The quality of the materials used in the set was also subpar, with flimsy cards and poorly made props. Overall, it felt like a cheap, poorly put together product that definitely did not live up to its price tag. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a decent magic set.
2. Mark - 1/5 - This magic set was a complete waste of money. The tricks were so simple and unimpressive that even my 5-year-old nephew could see through them. The instructions that came with the set were poorly written and confusing, making it difficult for even someone with some magic experience to understand what to do. On top of that, the props were incredibly cheaply made and fell apart after just a few uses. Save your money and invest in a better quality magic set.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I was looking forward to trying out some cool magic tricks with this Magic Set Costci, but it fell short of my expectations. The tricks included were very basic and lacked the wow-factor I was hoping for. Many of them were also quite common and could be easily found in other magic sets or books. The quality of the props was also disappointing, as they seemed to be made from cheap materials and did not hold up well. Overall, I would not recommend this magic set to serious magic enthusiasts.