This programme for the Dunedin Citizens' Ball, held in the Garrison Hall, included a decorative pencil to record bookings for particular dances. Many of the dances were sets, usually involving four couples. This made the dances occasions for socialising with a number of people, not just a particular partner.

Dance cards were produced for every formal dance in the late 1800s, listing all the dances during the evening. Men would ask women to dance and they would record their 'engagements' for the evening. Unmarried dancers interested in finding a spouse sometimes hoped that requests to dance might lead to different sorts of engagements.