The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-09-08
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE.
Garden Parties-InformaI Entertainment
of the Ont of Door Season.

Garden Parties-InformaI Entertainment
of the Ont of Door Season.
At this time of year the idea of garden
party presents itself in bright colors We
fancy we can enjoy the society of cur friends
In less formal manner than we are able to
do at dinner parties or evening lat homes"
The first thing to be done is to send out the
invitations on which do not put r. s. V. P
Ask q certain number and reckon that a GER
tain proportion viii turn up when the day
comes; a few more or less will not matter
and it gives feeling of ease when a family
party know they can arrange as they like. If
people are requested to answer they often ac-
cept and then find later that they are unable
to come. In the country this is often the
case. The number of guests will naturally
depend on the size of your grounds, but do
not ask too many; it is better to give two
moderate sized parties than one unwieldy
one. The arrangements must also provide
for the possibility of wet day.
Now, as to refreshments The dining room
Is often used, but, except in case of rain. this
is fatal to the al fresco nature of a garden
party. In any case the table must be en-
tirely removed, and buffet substituted. be-
hind which the servants can stand, and across
which they can reach with ease; this is easily
managed by placing a suitable board on
trestles, which can be hired for the purpose
either in town or country. An excellent ar
rangement lately used was one adopted where
long wall at one end of the garden was fitted
with an awning just wide enough to shade
narrow table, or buffet, behind which stood
the servants, the guests moving to and fro at
rN1a This Mo l,o
near the house, in front, dotted over the
grass, can stand several small tables, at which
the guests can sit comfortably, and thus pre-
vent too much crowding at the buffet If
you have not a sufficient number of small
tables borrow them from friends o. hire them
from some large firm who supply such things,
but they must be small and light SO as to be
easily moved. One or more servants should
be told off to attend to these tables, and to
see that no crumbs or empty cups, ETC., are
left standing about. In the event Of rain the
buffet can be placed in the dining room or
hall, as already suggested, and if a conserva-
tory is available the small tables will be found
useful. Near the tennis lawn should stand
table in shady spot, plentifully supplied
with cooling drinks.
If the hostess has sons and daughters they
will naturally look after the different depart
ments; but if she is not blessed in this way,
she should collect a staff of helpers among
her young friends, each OF whom should take
a share of the responsibility, as the hostess
will be entirely occupied in receiving her
guests, and should not be worried with minor
matters, after having made every possible |
provision before hand. One of these assist |
ants should take the guidance of the tennis |
and make up The sets; another should be at |
hand near the refreshments to see that every |
one is attended to; another should gather the |
guests who mag wish to stroll round the gar
lens and point out the prettiest views, and |
show any new or rare plants that are of in
crest The hostess should make few notes |
or the guidance of her helpers, as to people
who wish to meet and those who have inter.
'sts in common.