Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-30
Table and Kitchen.
Practical Suggestions About What to
Eat and How to Prepare Food.

Conducted by Ida Ames Willis, Mar
quette building, Chicago. to whom all in
quiries should be addressed.
All rights reserved by Banning Company
Chicago.
SUGGESTIONS FOR A CARD PARTY.
card party is one of the most popular
forms of entertainment given by those who
have social aspirations; and the hostess
who does not consider herself "up to date
in every little point Of etiquette that regu-
lates social gatherings generally feels her
self secure in resorting to this mode Of en-
pertaining and discharging her social obli-
cations, as very little effort is required On
the part Of the hostess to entertain her
guests.
Like the informal 8 o'clock tea, all
traces Of formality are to be carefully con-
cealed and the guests made to feel perfect
ly at home
In order to successfully convey this i'm
preston to the guests the hostess must In
the first place, avoid overcroWding, espe-
cially If her rooms are small.
Card parties are appropriate for all
hours, morning, afternoon and evening, and
admit of a great variety OF arrangement.
allowing the entertainer to elaborate as
much as she may desire or to observe the
greatest simplicity SO long as the comfort
of the guest and good taste are not sacri-
feed to display.
Congenfal Guests.
The first and most essential point to be
observed is in the selection of the guests,
as the success Of the party depends on the
perfect harmony of spirit.
The nature of the game should determine,
in a great measure, who among your &C.
Quaintances should be invited to make up
the requisite number Of players. for unless
all the guests have practically the lame
knowledge Of the game to be played 1t wi
greatly lessen the enjoyment of the affair.
If your social obligations include large
number of acquaintance it is advisable to
give series of card parties, as you would
small teas. This allows you to vary the
game to suit the different tastes or pref
erenceS of your friends and also gives you
the opportunity of bringing together those
who are most congenial The most sue
cessful hostess is she who gives small card
parties and makes careful selection of
kindred spirits.
The Invitation.
Invitations to card parties must be sent
out from a week to ten days in advance in
order to allow ample time for reply; and
the recipient should acknowledge the in
vitation at once with an acceptance or
declnation, so that the hostess may make
arrangements accordingly, filling all va
cancieS at once.
The form of invitation may be an en-
graved and printed invitation If the affair
Is IOTIldl, OF simply an announcement
a small party of intimate friends. which is
written on plain white note paper.
The hostess may use her card, with day,
date and hour. and noting in lower left
hand corner cards, whist" etc.
The Decorations.
The surroundings add much tc the pleas
ure of the players, but it must be remem-
bered that all else but the cards are mere
ly accessory to the game and must hold a
secondary place to purpose of meeting.
Avoid elaboration in decorations; depend
more on the novel and artistic arrange
ment pleasing the eye and senses more
by their suggestiveness than by richness
and profusion. The pleasure and comfort
of the guests depend greatly on the light
and atmosphere. Therefore do not have
the decorations interfere with the lighting
of your rooms or allow the rooms to be-
come overheated or the atmosphere to be-
come oppressive from too great profusion
of strongly scented flowers; an enthusiastic
card player desires to keep his mind clear
and alert.
If the hostess desires to add music to
the other attractions of the entertainment
1t makes a pleasant feature, but Is only
desirable before the play begins or during
the intermssions. Instead Of indicating
by bells the different moves in the game,
a very good imitation Of chimes may be
given on the piano.
The Favors.
the aim of the hostess is to have all details
in keeping. She may exercise any amount
Of taste and originality in this line; the
more novel. the more pleasing to her
guests. If she has any artistic ability she
can employ it in this line; If not, she must
depend on suggestions from those who sup
ply her with these accessories to the game.
There are many young lady artists who
make a specially of carrying out novel
Ideas for card entertainments and their
services relieve the busy society woman of
all anxiety on this score In giving prizes,
Of course, the aim must be to select suit
able gifts, but prizes should never be os-
tentatious
The Luncheon.
AS the card playing is the prominent fea-
ture, light lunches are generally preferred,
especially when the lunch precedes the
game.
If the card party is given in the morning,
the breakfast or lunch follows It; If in the
afternoon or evening, the luncheon may
either precede or follow the games Cock
tails bouillon, sandwiches, Salads GRO
quotes, coffee, cocoa, fruits, sailed nuts.
olives, creams. ices and candies are gen.
orally served.
iced for special occasions to carry out q
color scheme or design
Punch, lemonade or grape juice may be
passed around to the guests during the
should not be placed on the tables If their
surface Is uncovered; to prevent this, have
the waiter or maid wait and relieve the
guest of the empty glass.
At present the Dutch luncheon is very
popular. This admits Of many pleasing
and novel features. Delft designs may be
used on the invitation cards and counters:
an orange ribbon fastened to a tiny wooden
shoe can be used for tally card and tiny
pretzels slipped the ribbon to score.
the favors, Of course, to be in keeping.
and the luncheon to consist of Dutch
dishes.
Dutch Luncheon.
Dutch Canapes,
Dill Pickles, Olives,
Assorted German Sausages
(Sliced thin and served on Delft platters).
Dutch Potato Salad (hot),
Rye Bread. Pretzeis,
Schmierkase, SchWeitzer
Pumpernickel,
Kolatschen, Coffee
POst-Easter Luncheon.
This card luncheon may be made very
attractive. Easter lilies and appropriate
spring flowers may be used for designs
and decorations. One dainty device for
rfoor to inv