Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-22
GOTH CENTURY DINNER
NOVEL WAYS TO DECORATE A
THANKSGIVING SPREAD.
Just the Thing for the Those Who
Will Spend the Day in
the Country.

Written for The Evening Star
If Thanksgiving came once every ten
years what host OF thankful hostesses at
least would come with it! When this season
of Thanksgiving plenty and cheer comes
round again, why do our ideas get COM
pletely deadlecked and refuse to bulge an
artistic step beyond the same old orchard
and garden neutrality-suspicious., apples
and bright leaves? Now, for this twentieth
century celebration of the day suppose we
ring change upon the eternal old and
speed in with a brand new record breaking
decoration and menu. Eliminate the tur-
key; even relegate to another occasion the
pumpkin pie like mother used to make"
Having cut ourselves off from these time
honored dainties, what shall be substituted?
First let the table decorations be thought
out A round table is always nicer than a
square one II chosen few are to be asked,
and home celebration usually brings to
the board only real friends. At a round
table the current of talk seems to circulate
more freely. No one is below the salt, and
every one is a ease and happy If the people
are selected with regard for congeniality.
The table is first spread with a heavy
silence cloth, over which is laid a cloth of
heavy gray linen something of mesh eff
feet in weave. This cloth fits the top of the
table perfectly, and is finished around the
edge with a fall of heavy gray Russian lace
eight inches vide. The napkins are square
and of the same linen, trimmed with lace
three inches wide. In one corner small
initial inclosed in a wreath is daintily en-
broidered.
Having a handsome foundation to work
on, the next thing to be considered is a
centerpiece. This ornament Is a miniature
automobile, the size being regulated by the
table dimensions. The auto may be made
of red-colored wood with brass trimmings
exactly reproducing the French racing ma
chine, or Of red and yellow flowers. How
ever worked out, it must be large enough
at the back to be filled with punches of
purple and white grapes and their leaves.
Inc chaufeur Is a pert little squirrel
dressed In the proper costume, possibly red.
A roadbed Of nuts is built under the ma
chine, forming a circle, and to simulate
grass feathery green stuff is laid around
the edge. Tiny electric lights among the
nuts brighten the effect wonderfully. Four
pieces of red ribbon run out from under
the auto to what would be corners of a
square table. These are to represent roads,
and end at a pretty distance across the
table under a pole wound with red ribbon,
bearing at the top little satin signs desig-
CRANBERRY lane" or Turkey turnpike"
Candelabra of cornhusks half stripped, with
an electric light in each one, would be
very appropriate.
Hang over the table four horns of plenty.
filled with grapes, grasses and vines. in
which twinkle the little bulbs of electric
light. These must be artistically arranged,
or the good effect will be lost. At each
place squirrel standing on his launches
holds a menu or place card These cards
should be Of birch bark or leaf, but any
thing symbolic of the season and celebra-
ton will do. A pretty and attractive favor
is an open chestnut burr filled with bonbons
fashioned to resemble nuts. The small
dishes, to carry out the color scheme
should be of green Bohemian grass The
menu must be left to the individual taste Of
the lord and lady of the manor" CARRYING
out, when possible, everything in designs
appropriate to the seasons fruits and vege-
tables A Delmonico salad, apples, nuts
and celery with mayonnaise, an ice In the
shape of an ear of corn and the ubiquitous
turkey, conspicuous by his absence, might
be replaced by game of some kind. These
are simply offered as hints, for the epicure
always prides himself upon composing
choice and original gastronomic symphony
A Country Spread.
Such a dinner Is particularly pleasant If
given at a country home The simpler
furniture and hangings lend themselves
readily to scheme of this sort To be ex-
actly harmonious, have the walls hung with
a soft shade of pale yellow cheesecloth
"fulled" on from floor to ceiling and
frieze of vivid autumn leaves picked out
in a design with apples and pears. Moth
ing could be more charming. If these ideas
are carried out an absolutely unique and
beautiful effect is obtained, and the hostess
will enjoy the proud distinction of having
given a dinner on an entirely new plan
When affairs of the same kind are talked
about by her smartest friends she will per-