The San Francisco call., 1899-12-24
copyrighted. 1899.


" variations for Christmas joys and
pleasures occupy the hearts and
minds of "A vast majority OF the people at
thfs festive season. and as fresh as on the
morning OF the bi-th OF Him who was the
great founder and king OF Christmac IL
he Christmas spirit that fills our hearts
with tho Christmas carols TO which our
voices give uttcrance.
To the busy housekeeper Christmas IS
"a tirne not only of joy but somewhat of
care and anxiety ~ woll. fcr upon her
preparations for the great event of the
dav-.he Christmas dimcr-dcpends "A
g-cat deal OF the Christmas enjoyment.
not only 81 the members OF her house
hold but 81 the guess who are hidden 10
F.t a. her hospltable board on the king OF
DAYS ! have thought IL possible that A
might be Of some service 10 some OF these
busy housewives at this busy season by
giving them "A few hints with regard 10
The way in which they may make their
Christmas dinner table wear IL most
pleasing and attractive Earb. and find
;he greatest amount OF favor in the sight
90 those whc gather around IL. Il IS
really remarkable how few people know
how 10 SET sable 70 the best advantage,
and how 90 present good dishes and rare
wines ln the manner which shall best dis
play their most meritorious qualities.
Among those epicureans who have ma5e
q study of the great art OF dinner giving
for no matter what any one else may tell
SOU the giving Of dinners deserves 10 rank
as "A fine art-there is a wide difference OF
opinion as 90 how a perfect dinner may
hc achieved IL goes without saying that
bright silver. dainty china. spotless linen
and a handsome table are sine qua mons.
a gooG dinner ;hus served with genial
company rs delight. To give an elegant
Christmas dinner first learn how TO set
she table a round table is always pref
erahlo 70 a square one. because IL brings
guests into closer and more intimate re-
latiouship with each other. II was be-
cause they sat al a round table and thus
had fbeir infellects so stimulated by COM
ing into such close contact with each
other that King Arthur and his Knights
az the round table were the epitome OF
the VII and wisdom OF that day. II.
however. your room Is too small 10 admit
90 a round table. then YOU will have - be
satisfied with the ordinary oblong one OF
tho familiar extension" pattern. so COM
mon - every household II Is true. that
there are some women IN New York So
clety who decline 10 abandon the old
fashioned. long. narrow table Cor one OF
tho round type. but most OF these have
some special reason for clinging 20 the
old style table. IN the Astor family there
s. a gold dinner set which is best dis
played on the old-fsshioncd. long. narrow
table. and therefore. il you dine with Mrs.
Astor she viii ST YOU down 10 a table of
that kind. An oblong table has the call
IN the Belmont household. and the dinner
decorations arc of such a character as 10
ever more strongly mark its form.
Let me say. first % all. that flowers
are an indispensable accompaniment OF
every good dinner No matter how poor
The room or how humble the board I'm
which and or which the meal is served
no matter how coarse the viands or how
poorly cooked or indifferently served: no
matter waether in the humble home Of TIE
mechanic ~ the stately palace Of the vii
l!oraire. flowers add Zcst and an dp-
pet.zing quality 20 the meal that nothing
else can give Tho bunch of wild flowers
on the humble table In the hut OF the
poorest peasant are as beautiful and as
appropriate as the rarest orchids on the
gorseous table of the man OF wealth.
For the flowers and FOR your guests also
DO rot have tho Christmas dining-room
TOO hot. Better "A trife cool than a degree
too warm. First place a thick flannel
cloth on vour table 10 deaden the sound of
the dishes. Next lay a cloth OF snowy
white damask. Let this bear your family
crest or coat of arms. 4 beautiful effect
IS produced 10y placing over this white
cloth another OF satin Of whatever c0ior
you may have selected as the dominan nj
one for the table and room decorations.
over this satin cloth there is elabor- 1e
embroidery and lace The table flowers
must correspond with the dominant coio-
selected ana should be contained In a
large vase iE the center. not high enough
20 obstruct the view across the table. II
o - la
edge OF tho plates II is quite large enough.
Bouquets NAV be placed AT each end and
n very handsome effect produced by
decorating the chandelier. Corsage hou-
ouets for the ladies should be placed in
front OF me plates az the right hand. the
name cards being laid on the napkin and
the menu cards at the right % the plate
while the gentlemen's boutonnleres are
laid on The napkin with the name ,.a.ds.
Put your handsomcst plates or first as
they remain uH the soup rs removed.
Place your guests at least two feet apart.
Let the covers be laid equid!stant from
each other. Extra silver and china must
be on a side table in charge of the hut
ler. A very handsome appearance will be
given 10 your Christmas dinner table hv
having a decanter filed with claret or
sherry wine placed at each OF the four
corners. Lot these dccanters be- of c,t
glass overlaid with silver. and remernt t.cr
that no glass. no matter what II contains
should ever be more than three-quar.ers
full
To the left o. each plate place two
dinner forks and an oyster fork whose
prongs should rest on the edge OF tho
plate. Place a dinner knife and a SCUM
spoon on the right. where the glasses
should also be arranged. Next TO the
plate Is the water glass tie glasses for
other drinkables coming next dinner
bread roll is inclosed IN the cover fold OF
tho large damask napkin which bears the
monogram 81 the dinner-giver When
taken from the napkin the roll should be
placed at the left of the plate
Olives and sailed almonds 10 be served
nfter the soup. should he placed or six
silver shells. three on each side OF the
table. Candelabra. with cJlored satin or
flower shades. should be placed at each
end. Several dishes containing cakes
marron glaces and fruit glaces may he
used with advantage. and on either side
OF the centerp!ece place dishes OF favors
FOR the ladies. selected in accordance with
the taste and fancy Of the Christmas
dinncr-givcr.
On the table place six on eight hand
some salt cellars. two guests helping
themselves from one. Last OF all come
the finger-bowls. which are not put on
fl1l after the fees and fruite which con-