The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-12-26
XMAS CtilLDREN'S PARTY.
Merry Times For the Little Folks OF
the Household.

the HOusehOlO.
Christmas is the children's own season.
The youngster who goes through child
. hood without having stored up the mem
ory of many whole souled Christmas frol-
les is being robhed-a robbery Of the
worst character. Not only the great day
itself. but the entire holiday week should
be remembered in the mind of the small
person for its Jolly good times
But, apparently, in the whole range of
entertaining there is nothing so difficult
to give" successfully as a simple party
for children. This comes about because
little sensible thought is not brought to
bear upon the subject beforehand.
The keynote of catering for children
should be extreme simplicity, says What
to Eat
Do you remember that rabid little joke
which accompanies one of Du Maurier's
society drawings: Papa. dear" says ten
der hearted mamma, who can't bear to
see the tots disappointed, the children
have been invited to party at the John
sons on the 10th. to one at Ihomsons
on the 18th and at the Simpsons on the
Goth. May | write and accept for them,
papa?'
"Oh, | suppose So" growls the pater
savagely land while you're about it,
suppose you drop i'll at DR.. Browns and
tell him to stop here on the 11th, the
10Th and the 21st."
Plain, wholesome food, of which the
youngsters can eat plenty without injur
| ing their health should be provided i'll
| satisfying quantities. Serve everyday
| vands. but serve them in such a way
| that they will appear to be of most un
| usual varieties.
| For example, plain bread and butter
| cut in the usual way the youngster who
| goes a-partying would scorn; but cut
the bread into fancy shapes-diamonds,
hearts, triangles-wth a cake cutter;
| form it into sandwiches. tied with bebe
| ribbon--such sandwiches will be consid-
| cred dclectable feastinS.
| Don't serve tea coffee. Pure milk,
| chocolate not too rich and lemonade are
| the more sensible beverages.
| For Il buffet rcfreshment serve cold
| sliced meat, preferably lamb, beef or
| chicken: bread and butter sandwiches,
| with perhaps a little good marmalade
| spread between we'll baked rolls, hot
| bouiIlon. pure ice cream with homemade
| cake, fruit and simple bonbons. II the
| feast is to be sit down. affair, have
| something on the following order: Clear
| beef soup with croutonS, chicken with
| cranberry sauce and one or two of the
vegetables in season. or chops with peas
| or spinach and baked potatoes, a simp!"
| pudding. ice cream and cake, with fruit.
But whatever the plan of the festivity
NAV be let a number of merry little
catches he introduced. Children love
mysteries and surprises. Provide plenty
of the german favors which contain pa
per caps etc. Have a bag suspended
from the ceiling which, when struck
with a cane bursts, showering sugarcd
almonds and other good things.
| In the center of the table on which the
feast is spread have a miniature Christ
mas tree arranged to stand upright in a
green basket or box. This tree is re-
splendent with tinSel paper, and from its
branches bangles an inexpensive gift fol
every child of the number.
| Around the tree, upon the cloth, may
extend wreath of red carnations. Aft
er the meal this wreath is discovered tc
be composed of boutonneres-as many
as there are children in the gathering
Each child receives his gift by drawing
the red ribbon which lies nearest hi:
hand.
If it is desired to make the children's
Christmas party a fancy dress affair. the
Yulctide season may be ceverly suggest
ed by Il Injecting of the Toys" This i:
a version of the costume ball. 1t is new
er than the Mother Goose or fairy bool
ideas. which are by this time pretty wei
worn out.
To the invitations issued for an affai
of this kind a note is added. requesting
each invitee to come costuned as Il toy
Little girls are invited to come. if the,
prefer to do SO. representing their favor
ite dolls And when the great day ar
rivc~. what Il motley gathering. Dogs
wolves. bears monkeys. elephants, horses
goats, sheep. donkeys, and so on-me
chanical figures, too - jumping jacks
wooIly Sambos, acrobats. gymnasts, or
gan grinders.
No merrier plan for a Christmas car
nival could be invented.-Buffalo Express