Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-10
I IOUSE=
TOLD
LINTS

Christmas and possibly Fourth of July
excepted, there is no day in all the year
that means so much to a child's heart as
his own birthday. Then for a day at least
he is persona grata and undisputed king
At school his clamoring mates emulate each
| other in the administration of carefully an
notated smacks upon his small person, with
lone to grow on" At home his tastes are
| remembered, and his favorite pie or pud-
ding crowns the board. while if he has a
party (and what is child's birthday with
out a party? he is the central figure about
| which the whole function revolves.
A nice, old-fashioned, honey party for lit
tie girls is easily achieved. If they can
| bring their dolls or cats, play "tableaux,'
or any of the time-honored games dear to
childrens hearts, all is well-and all are
happy. But for young boys, AYE, there S
the rub Robert has just had his birth
day party" sighed one mother the other
| day. 1T was a very simple affair-just a
few of the boys and girls of the neighbor-
hood Soap bubbles on the carpenter 8
bench under the oaks few games, ice
cream and cake. But there We're 'unpleas-
antnesses.' Olivia came up weeping, say
ing that Kellogg had punched her with his
fists, and a tiny little boy was so sorely be-
set by both Robert and Kellogg that he de-
parted l am sure there was no malice in
either of the above attacks, but it does
seem that vast amount of lubricating has
:,
and l am, indeed, thankful that the party
is over"
The best lubricant" for a childs party
is to keep both host and guests so con-
stantly entertained that the shy and awk-
ward ones are at once indicted into the
holiday spirit, and the irrepressibles given
no chance to become boiSterous. To this
end there should be a carefully mapped
out program of games, songs, marches and
drills in which every child can take part,
and then one or two "grown-ups,' versa
tile, clever and able to keep the ball a
rolling" AS soon as the flrst Two or three
guests are assembled begin to play some
thing AS the others arrive they will join
in, and there is no time for ice to form or
dissension creep in Music Is almost in
dispensable at a childrens party; Tor even
though they do not dance they love to
march and drill, to take part in the various
kindergarten games that are accompanied
by music or join with infinite spirit in the
catchy, breezy, popular songs OF hatlohai
airs.
Let one game grow out of another, and
a standing running game alternate with
a sitting game, so that the children 90 NOT
grow bored. There should always be plenty
of action Children don't like to sit still
! and be told things. They want to keep do
| ing On this account the old-tlme games,
such as London bridge, drop the handker-
| chief, blind man't buff Lydia Jones. hide
| the thimble, hunt the slipper. are always
| popular All the children need is some one
to start them and make things go. II the
| to have the games out of doors and spread
| the table under the trees; but at this sea-
| son it is not always feasible.
| Supper is usually the easiest part OF a
child's party 1t is the first hour or two
| that makes or mars. After that the chill
dren are usually in good spirits and all is
| clear sailing. 1t goes without saying that
| the refreshments should be simple, digest
| ible and dantily served. Novelties of any
kind score immediate success. If each place
| can have it's name card, be it nothing more
| than g. frosted cookie with the childs mi
| tials outlined in chocolate, so much the bet
ter Extremely popular are the German
| swapping notices and caps, which come in
| prices ranging from 10 cents to S1.50 per
! per Dozen Still more effective are a SPECIAL
| line of fiowers-roseS, chrysanthemumS or
| lilies-each containing a tissue paper cap
| of some fanciful shape, a motto and a
cracker. These are more expensive, with
prices from 81 so to s.. SO per dozen. Not until
| the caps are adjusted to the small heads can
| the service of the refreshments proceed.
Children appreciate pretty table decorations
| as much as their elders, and flowers or au-
tumn leaves and berries may be used with
good effect. So, also, with the refresh
| ments. Things that look pretty are almost
| sure to taste SO. For the sandwiches make
| tiny baking powder biscuit, cutting them
| out with the top of tea caddy. Butter and
spread lightly with jam, SO that the chill
| dren need not get themselves sticky; or cut
a loaf Of white and loaf of brown bread
| in thin slices, cut in fanciful shapes with
cooky cutter, spread and put together