Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-14
XMAS cHlLpREN's PARTY.
Merry Times Tor the Little Folks of
the Household.

merry Times Tor the Littie oAAs oA
the Household.
Christmas is the children's own season.
The youngster who goes through child
hood without having stored up the mem
Dry of many whole sou!ed Christmas frol-
les is being robbed-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 q 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 Il party at the John
sons on the 10th, to one at Thomsons
IN the 18th and at the Simpsons ON the
both. May l write and accept for them,
oapa?"
"Oh, 1 suppose So" growls the pater
savagely, land while you're about il,
mppose you drop in at DIR. Browns and
tell him TO stop here on the 11tb, the
18th and the DIST"
Plain. wholesome food. of which the
youngsters can eat plenty without injur-
ing their health should be provided in
satisfying quantities. Serve everyday
viands. but serve them in such n way
that they will appear to be of most I'M
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-with 4 cake cutter;
form it into sandwiches. tied with bebe
ribbon-such sandwiches will be consid-
cred delectable feasting.
Don't serve tea or coffee. Pure milk,
chocolate not too rich and lemonade are
the more sensible beverages.
For a buffet refreshment serve cold
sliced meat, preferably lamb, beef or
chicken; bread and butter sandwiches,
with perhaps n little good marmalade
spread between well baked rolls, hot
bouillon, pure ice cream with homemade
cake, fruit and simple bonbOns. If the
feast is to he n 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. n simple
pudding, ice cream and cake, with fruit.
But whatever the plan OF the festivity
may be let a number of merry little
catches be introduced. Children love
mysteries and surprises. Provide plenty
Of the german favors which contain pa
per caps, etc. Have n bag suspended
from the ceiling which. when struck
with n cane, bursts, showering sugared
almonds and other good things.
In the center of the table on which the
feast is spread have n 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 for
every child of the number.
Around the tree. upon the cloth, may
extend n wreath of red carnations. Aft
er the meal this wreath is discovered to
be composed of boatonnieres-as many
as there are children in the gathering.
Each child receives his gift by drawing
the red ribbon which lies nearest his
hand.
IL it is desired to make the children's
Christmas party n fancy dress affair, the
Yuletide season may be cleverly suggest
ed by n Meeting of the Toys" This is
a version of the costume ball. 1t is new
er than the Mother Goose or fairy book
ideas. which are by this time pretty well
worn out
To the invitations issued for an affair
of this kind n note is added, requesting
each invitee to come costumed as n toy.
Little girls are invited to come, If they
prefer to do so, representing their favor
lite dolls. And when the great day ar
rives, what n motley gathering. Dogs,
wolves, bears. monkeys. elephants, horses.
goats, sheep. donkeys, and so on-me-
chanical figures, too - jumping jacks,
woolly Sambos, acrobats, gymnasts, or
gan grinders.
No merrier plan for a Christmas car
nival could be invcnted.-Bcffalo Express.