Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-21
CHILDREN'S PARTY
GARDEN FETE EASIEST AND Pref
TEST DEVISED.
Good Suggestions for Fairy Plays OF
Games-The Table for
Goodies.
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star
A garden party is the most charming
form of entertainment devised for little
folks. 1t offers more opportunities for
amusing them than any indoor function
can possibly muster. For instance, 1t is
alone delight for the youngsters to romp
and play on the grass under the trees. The
fresh air and the sunshine are themselves
an exhilaration.
More children can be entertained at
garden party than at an indoor festivity.
The lawn should be carefully moved for
the occasion and flower beds fenced in,
so that thoughtless little feet do not pat
ter over favorite plants number of
tents should be put up, the larger ones
to serve as refreshment rooms and the
smaller ones to afford amusement and
shelter from the sun. Swings should be
erected or suspended from the trees and
hammocks swung in the shade. A small
plot where croquet may be played and
another for tennis Should be laid out. in
case any of the children like those games
In town where merry-go-round can
be hired for the afternoon a wonderful at
traction may be provided for the children
The charges of the merry-go-round men
are not high and are quite within the reach
of persons of means. Each child should
be given a check and compelled to wait
his or her turn. or there will be danger of
the more importunate monopolfzing the
machine
The tent in which the refreshments are
served should be long one, open at one
side. Boards laid across trestles or small
tables will accommodate the guests. The
refreshments should be light. For children.
iced tea, lemonade, milk. sandwiches, fruit
and cake with ices and bonbons, is a suit
able list. Bowls of lemonade may be placed
about the grounds in picturesque hooks
A large punch bowl, with prettily at
tired little dispensers of the lemonade.
will be both comforting and amusing for
the youngsters.
Fairies as Helpers.
The little girls who preside over the lem
onade bowls may be attired as fairies. In
short, flaring tarlatan or gauze skirts,
trimmed with gold or silver spangles, and
with tinsel crowns upon their heads and
gauze or tinsel wings upon their shoulders.
Older girls who asked to help the chill
dren in their games may be attired in COS
TUNES similar to the fairy godmother in
Clnderella-that is, with a long red cloak
and a high peaked hat worn over ruffied
cap. A plain dark gown may be worn I'M
der the cloak, and low shoes, with large,
shining buckles upon the feet white
kerchief should be crossed over the chest.
The little guests themselves may come In
fancy dress. A pretty idea is to have them
appear as flowers. Their costumes forsthis
may be quite simple. The little girls may
wear white frocks, trimmed with the flow
ers which they are to represent, and with
their hats draped with the flowers or with
wreaths of them upon their heads. Each
child should be asked in the invitation to
learn a little verse about the flower which
he or she is to represent. At the head of
the table one of the older girls, preferably
a daughter of the hostess, should preside
IN the costume of queen of summer. White
robes, a tinsel crown. a flower crowned
scepter-in fact, anything that suggests
itself appropriate may be added to the
costume.
Queens Loyal Subjects.
The children should be addressed by the
queen as loyal subjects" and she should
call on each in turn for little verse. To
add to the effect the ices should be served
in the shape of flowers. The table itself
should be decorated with flowers, strands
of daisies around the border and great
heaps of them in bowl in the center being
very pretty and easy to arrange.
Little souvenirs should be laid beside each
plate, or, better STILL given to the children
as they leave. These may consist of small
boxes of candy or little toys carefully put
up in mysterious looking packages.
For the games in the afternoon prizes
also may be given-awarded by the queen
of summer. The games should be quiat