Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-13
CHILDREN,S CHRISTMAS CLUB
NOTES.
Various SuggestiOns for This Year.

Various suggestions for This Year.
To the Editor Of THE EVENING STAR
Now that the good work Is about to be en-
tered upon again. II may prove helpful to have
presented some thoughts this labor oflove gave
rise to last year, including facts noted down at
the time Tor future reference, by an active par
ticipant.
First Of all. IN the eagerness to do good. let
Us guard that we do not lose sight Of the ethic
impress such work must ever bear, lest its re-
suit prove alike an injury to the laborer and to
those We would benefit directly. Let this whole
manifestation of Glove for the neighbour be
strictly the
ACTUAL WORK OF THE CHILDREN
to the fullest extent this possibly can be done.
Ii 1t is to serve the purpose the originator in
tended it should, adults must. ON the whole,
simply act in an advisory CAPACITY and at most
Cooperate. Just as soon as we do more than
merely guide and lend helping hand. this form
OF activity in good cause is berett of its beauty
ana ITS lnvainable lesson to child life lost. I
Thought to notice in some instances last year a
too prominent activity on the part of adults. and
a corresponding lack of participation on the
part of children. Now that another opportu-
nifty for the outpouring OF good will on the part
OF children presents itself. and the way has been
made plain. let them actually do the work and
the adults merely direct, guide and assist. Es-
pecially let the
CHILDREN OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
as a body. take hold, and thus manifest a
kindly regard for the less favored OF their own
number. as well as also for Others
In East Washington, last year, the marked or
der which prevailed. and the decided success
which attended the Carrying out OF the arrange
ments made for the festival were largely due
To the part taken by the teachers and older
pupils. Accustomed to discipline, there was no
uncertainty noticeable. no hurry. or furry! AS
at the last festival there SO let it be at the
Coming one-place teachers or the older scholars
at the .iead of each subcommittee. On the ar
rival OF guests have them directed by Gordon
OF members OF the club to an apartment well
heated. where their wraps can be taken off by
the attendants and duly checked-the checks
given being securely hung on button or other
wise fastened to the guest. Ample benches to
SEAT THE GUESTS
in the waiting rooms should be provided. At q
given signal. to the music of q march by the
band in attendance. the guests should then be
marshaled and marched. two by two to the
tables. where a seat should be in place for every
one. Let it be understood that very small
children may be attended by their mothers. No
children enjoyed the festival more last year than
the
LITTLE ''TODs'
whose mothers sat at table with them-apd the
mothers themselves seemed to enjoy it quite as
much as the little ones. For the table provide
in addition to cold turkey, ham, &c, also steam
ing not boiled potatoes, of medium size, so that
the children get
SOMETHING WARM
into their stOmacLs-an oversight which was
cod isfo loo
or of water if preferred. should be offered to
every guest before the meal is over. As it
proved last year. wooden plates and dishes serve
better purpose than stone or tin ware A
knife. fork and teaspoon should be provided for
each guest. but the attendant members OF the
club should be quick to cut up for the younger
guests the pieces of turkey or other meats
served.
of course. grace will be said before commence
Ing the meal, and as is the German custom
could some
LITTLE CHILD
standing on its chair say it, the more effective
would it be
At the close Of the meal return the guests to
their reception rooms for wraps and then march
them to the Christmas tree and toy bazaar In
two lines each, single file. girls and boys. sisters
and brothers. or companions opposite or follow
ing one another. if of the same sex. The toys,
wearing apparel, such as gloves, stockings
wraps and other presents, including paper bag
OF frult and nuts for each child should be
arranged according to the age OF children.
These should be placed in charge of committee
OF Tour, two to each line of girls and boys AS
the children slowly come forward the foremost
committee members delivers to each passing
guest the present handed him or her by the
other member In the rear. who, with one or
more assistants, is always looking forward to the
advancing line Of guests and so by the time
each approaching guest reaches the deliyerer
his present is ready and awaits him. The line
OF girls and boys being thus served at the same
time, it will be seen Obviates the necessity of
SEPARATING BROTHER AND SISTER,
or the older and younger companions whilst
the arrangement of the gifts beforehand greatly
facilitates their better disposal
As was the case last year so this-large ON
nibusses should at stated hours take up guests
at designated centers. and after the festival re-
turn them. The Knox brothers last year by
their liberal action in this matter delighted
many grateful little one whose only ride the
year around was the one it had on that occa-
sion-in fact many a little ones lite, no doubt.
was saved by this prOvison-inclement as the
weather was at the time. For those who, on
account OF sickness or being crippled. are
UNABLE TO ATTEND,
the visiting or invitation committee should, az
it did last year. provide sob. -four paper bags.
writing thereon clearly the name, age and ad-
dress of each guest to so be provided previous
to filing them with appropriate gifts. putting in
first suitable clothing. then toys, and finally
another smaller, but also strong, paper bag
containing on wooden plates and In wooden
dishes eatables, such as turkey, bread. fruit.
cake and nuts or jellies and preserves in glasses
for invalids. These bags can then. as they were
last year, be arranged as to locality and SO ex-
peditiously delivered. But, q committee of at
least two members Of the club should 60 along
with the delivery wagon. 1t is then the
CHILDREN's GIFT
really. They enjoy the giving and learn to feel
for those less favored OF course
number Of the visiting committee who have
visited the party to be served must
be along to guard against contagious diseases
and ensure the proper delivery, especially on
premises where several families reside.
AS it was last year so this: Let there be
NO INSIGNIA WHATEVER.
upon members Of the club. upon guests, officers
or others assisting, as 1t relieves the whole
from Objectionable distinction. DR.. W. B. Hay
den. of Portland Maine, Ga member OF whose
church was the first to organize a Christmas
club), in his address to the children of East
Washington last year. after stating that the
Lord made all the presents they had received,
said in effect now will tell you how you
D. ll.Av