Evening star., 1904-02-27
LITTLE FOLKS PARTIES.
How to Make Them Entertaining-A
Good Book for Our League List.

Il rom Dfoohiyn
If there is one time more than another
that young and old feel the need of social
gatherings and merriment it is during the
first months of the year, when Dame Nature
sulks and turns the cold shoulder on man
kind. To the little folks at this season a
party means much All the more timely,
therefore, is little volume just published
by the Century Company, entitled "The
Book of Children's Parties, by Mary and
Sara White, which will doubt be hailed
as boon by mothers, teachers and others
concerned in giving growing children
perfectly lovely time The different chap
ters of the book treat respectively of mid
winter. springtime, out-of-door and autumn
parties, supplementary parties and games,
properties, gifts and favors and suggestions
for simple menus.
chapter on the giving of parties con-
tains some helpful and practical sugges-
tions as: In making out the list keep the
number under thirty If possible. and there
should not be too great difference in the
ages. A carefully thought out program
of games is of the first Importance. Ring
games. air ball or character games are suit
able ones with which to begin. Character
parties are especially helpful in taking
away self-conscfousness. Story telling
should come after a romp. Prizes and
favors play an important part, but should
be made appropriate rather than elaborate.
A bonbon favor should be found at each
place on the supper table and let the menu
be simple. The gift surprise is the last joy
of all. A rose tree. gift ball or one of the
many new and charming devices for hiding
toy or game, which originated in the Old
fashioned but ever-popular Jack Horner
pie. is the most suitable ending to a sue
cesSfui party"
Directions for giving a Twelfth Night
party might equally well be followed for
other nights than January G. Cards are
| provided. upon which are painted king,
queen, Jester, page, knave. herald and lords
and ladies of royal court. AS the children
arrive each girl draws one from tray on
which are placed face downward cards for
the queen and her ladies. Each boy takes
a card from another tray, which contains
those for the king and his lords in waiting.
The child then goes into another room,
where he is given some bit of costume be-
longing to the character his card bears,
crowns for the king and queen, trumpet for
herald. cap and bells for the Jester, and
wands tipped with golden star for lords
and ladies. The first game played is air
ball. Two bright-colored paper balls are
provided for this game, one red and white,
the other blue and white, also two palm
leaf fans tied with ribbons of the same col
ors Two captains are elected, who choose
sides and colorS- A goal is arranged at
each end of the room by placing two chairs
or footstools yard apart. A chair is also
placed half way between the goals in the
middle of the room. Each team takes pos
session OF goal and the ball and fan in
its colors. Two players at time contest,
one from each side. Each stands in front
of his goal fan in hand his paper ball at
his feet. At signal from the hostess who
acts as umpire. each child fans his ball
toward his opponents goal The object is
to send the BAH between the legs of the
chair in the center of the room and through
The goal of the opposing team. The side
which first succeeds. of course. wins. The
players are not allowed to touch the ball,
which may be moved only by the breeze
from the fan. The team that scores the
n rnt nf don
which is divided by the captain among the
players.
STRAY quotations is next In order A
number of quotations, twenty or thirty per-
haps, taken from such familiar sources as
Alice in Wonderland The Visit Of st.
Nicholas and Stevenson's "Child's Garden
OF verses are written on long strips of
white paper apd each is cut into two or
more pieces. Before the children arrive
these slips have been pinned on curtains.
cushions and furniture Each child is told
to try to find the beginning of quotation
among the slips, and, having secured one
to look for the remainder. When he has
completed one he tries to find another
When all are found the player having the
greatest number of quotations receives a
prize. Kings armOry is a more elaborate
form Of spin the platter and the game
of beasts concludes the performance.
For a st. Valentines party in February
many attractive features are introduced.
Before the guests arrive small sugar hearts,
with notices printed in red upon them, are
hidden about the room, while a heart
shaped box of bonbons rewards the finder
of the greatest number of hearts. If pre-
ferred, the hearts may be made of paste
board in different colors, white heart
counting one point, blue two, yellow three,
pink four and red five. Archery is another
amusement. Cupid's darts being shot from
small bow by each child in turn at a
heart-shaped target of white with red heart
for bull s-eye. The one whose dart comes
nearest the center receives the gayIy be-
ribboned bow and arrow for prize. Broken
hearts is another game. For this the chill
dren take seats in a line or circle, each
being provided with a book or magazine
and heart-shaped card, and every fourth
child receiving pair of scissors. Each
child must then cut his heart twice across.
so as to make four pieces. These are then
mixed and passed to the right-hand neigh
Dor. At a signal each one tries to put his
puzzle together. and the first child who
succeeds calls out to that prize Each child
then mixes his puzzle and passes it to the
player on his right. The successful player
is credited with one mark on a tally kept by
the hostess. The game then goes on as be-
fore until half an hour has passed, when
time Is called, and the child with the big
gest score receives prize.
favors in the game of st. Valentines post;
there are gift tarts supposedly made by the
Queen of Hearts and Jack Horner pie in
the shape of a heart.