Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-16
READY TO- USE HELPS
A CLOSET FULL OF DECORATING
THINGS.
What It Should Contain Of Useful and
Cheap Articles-Have Plenty
Wax Candles.

written Tor The Evening Star
An emergency closet plentifully stocked
with readyto-use decorations is indispensa-
bic in well-ordered household With such
storeroom to draw from, the arrival of
an unexpected guest will not be a burden,
nor will an impromptu entertainment be an
impossibility.
Thls is quite as important a consideration
TO- the woman who lives in the city as it
is for her country sister Although it is
supposed that the city woman has access to
everything under the sun, she rarely has
the time for shoppng-when emergencies
arise, as day can easily be consumed in a
store going from one department to an
other.
The well-equipped emergency closet is
never without an abundance of paper nap
kins. These should be purchased by the
hurdred, they are often needed for pic
MICS, lunches and informal affairs. The pa
per napkin drawer should also contain pien-
ty of paraffine paper in which to wrap the
sandwiches and to line the ice cases when
necessary.
II the housekeeper is planning to equip
the closet for the entire year, a variety of
napkins should be selected. One dollar
wisely expended will purchase one thousand
plain white, violet, clover, wild rose, ping
pong, musical, playing-card and Fourth of
July and holly napkins.
Another necessity is plentiful supply of
paper cases, to be used for the ices, salads
or desserts. Then, too, there should be a
box of crepe paper tulips and chrysanthe-
NUNS in assorted colors, in which to set
the cases when they are ready to use.
A long stemmed paper chrysanthemum,
when twisted spirally around a tumbler.
will stand prettily at the plate when the ice
cup or salad cup has been inserted 1t is
usually necessary to clip the center of each
chrysanthemum before pasting the cup in.
Paper doilies and lace mats are also in
dispensable, and are considered smart to
use on plates at reception or luncheon
They come in plain hemstitched, drawn
work Irish crochet, teneriffe or with a
lace edge 1t is difficult to tell them from
the real article.
Cheap, but Pretty.
Paper handles for chops, game. chicken,
turkey and also croquette and pie frills, are
little luxuries which are useful to add to the
attractiveness of the table. They cost a
trife and if only used on occasions please
the eye and cater to the palate.
Aside from table decorations, there are
many other useful thugs which should be
added to the list of necessities. few rolls
of plain and decorated crepe paper will be
found handy in fashioning homemade cases
and in making costumes and favors for the
cotillon or party.
So many patriotic occasions arise to dis
play the nations flag that the emergency
closet should have at least one handsome
bunting flag and number of small silk
ones Paper flags also come in all sizes,
from tiny ones six of which set in star,
for dinner favors, to the large ones which
covers doorway.
Folding paper garlands afford desirable
decoration for children's parties, and for
booths at baZaars. These come in all coiors
including the various holidays, and help to
cover bare walls, unsightly columns and
dark corners such as are frequently found
ir public halls.
Paper garlands, folding novelty fans,
fancy paper fans and pafasols, and paper
balls are useful for decorating booth for
a garden party. A summer house on a lawn
can be easily transformed into real Jap
anese tea house by utilizing these ready-to-
use decorations.
Have Plenty Candles.
No emergency closet can afford to get
along without plenty Of wax candles of all
sizes and colors for the candelabra and
birthday cakes and also a box of candle
holders. One housewife has what she calls
a candleboard which is circular piece of
wood eighteen inches in diameter. and has
thirty perforations for the candles. The
center space is left intact for placing a
good sized cake. a candle snuffer is used
with this board, which is popular for chill
drens birthday parties, and to welcome an
invited guest at the dinner hour.
Swapping and surprise notices are con-
venience for the informal evening party
and to help to break the ice. Confetti and
serpentne should not be omitted. for they
add much to the jollity of cotillon.
Artificial holly, smilax, ivy and Japanese
peach blossoms are popular for ready-to-
use decorations. as they are exceedingly eff
fective. In the same drawer with them
should be kept artificial leaves of all sorts,
seed cups, wire, rubber tubing and pair
of pincers to be used in making flowers for
ice, salad and bon bon cases. bottle of
tinting fluid and another of filters will be
found handy accessories many times.