Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-10-24
ushoxeriue" a Bride.eIect.

0ALOWV -
It certainly was charmingly success.
rul affair, this Japanese shower rendered
a recent bride by very original and
clever hostess. 1t was, indeed, q jap
anese affair, this idea being carried out In
the decorations and menu, every detail
suggesting the little Island Kingdom:
Invitations were sent out for an informal
luncheon. the guests, other than the
bride-elect, being secretly invited to
bring or send to the home OF the hostess,
a few days in advance, some piece OF
their handiwork for the bride-eiect's
room. The hostess prepared number
of CAV japanese lanterns by removing q
circular piece from the bottom. When
the gifts were sent in, she pinned each
gift to long streamer of red ribbon and
ran the other end through circle OF
tissue paper which she glued to the bot
tom of the lanterns. Each gift had the
name of the giver with some appropriate
quotation written on slip of paper and
pinned to it.
The nature of the affair had been kept
q secret, so the surprise of the guests
can be imagined when the hostess greet
ed them costumed as Geisha girl. The
house was gaily decorated with profu-
sion of Japanese lanterns, fans and um-
brellas in brilliant Oriental colors. A
huge Japanese umbrella hung in the
centre of the sitting-room with the
lanterns containing the gifts hanging
from each spoke, the ribbons from the
lanterns were tied around the umbrella
handle in big bow. The bride-elect
was seated under this umbrella, the
hostess placing the ribbons in her hands
and asking her to pull them one after
the other. 1t was, indeed, a genuine
surprise when dainty gift after gift was
thus showered upon her, the bride read
ing each quotation with the name of the
donor.
The dining-room was aglow with Jap
anese lanterns; they were hung about
the room, and the candelabra on the
table had small Japanese lanterns for
shades. The chandelier over the center
of the table was hung with the gay
lanterns, and just beneath it, in the GEN.
ter of the table, was dwarf Japanese
tree decorated with Japanese parasols
and fans; surrounding this were the
candelabra with their bright colored
lantern shades. Strips of Japanese flags
extended the length of the table. The
place-cards were hand-painted Japanese
girls. One of the hot courses served
during luncheon was served in little
wheelbarrows pushed by tiny Japanese
figures, and the ices were served in Jap.
anese figures holding tiny parasols over
their heads. The little fans and UNI.
brellas that decorated the tree in the
center were given as favors to the guests
1t was declared by all the girls presen,
to have been the most charming affair
they had ever attended.
A "Gift" luncheon full of delightful
surprises was the original way in which
a bright girl entertained prospective
bride and her most intimate friends
All save the prospective bride, when
they were invited, were asked to send a
gift-it mattered not what-the day be-
fore the luncheon to the hostess. Each
gift was done up in neat parcel with
the name of the prospective bride being
written on each wrapper. At the end Of
each course the servant brought on q
waiter a package, the hostess reading
the bride-elect's name and presenting
her with the package. Amid much OK.
element she opened each package, find
ing in each gift from one of the girls
seated at the table. The number OIL
courses correspondent with the number
of guests, so that the last package was
not brought in until just before the cot
fee was served.
An amusing party was "Kitcher
Shower" When the guests arrived they
were ushered into room adjoining thai
in which the prospective bride was seat
ed. When all had arrived the wedding
march was played and the guests march
ed in, each bearing some article for the
BRIDES kitchen. Bright and witty little
speeches were made as each kitchen
utensil was presented to the bride-to-b be
At "Pillow Shower" the bride-elect
was blindfolded, while the guests slipped
into another room for the hidden pill
lows. Imagine her surprise when the
bandage was removed from her eyes to
see banks and piles of pillows all around
her-pillows grave and pillows gay
Japanese, dainty satin, heavy damask
pillows, pillows of every name and color
The pillow given by the hostess was
most highly priced, it being friendship
pillow, with the names of the guests in 9
wheel effect about a circular disk in the
center, the names beginning at the disk
and branching out like the rays of the
sun. The pillow was in white with the
names embroidered in yellow silk. The
guest whose pillow the bride-elect sue
ceeded in catching will be the next bride
After the cake was cut for Cupid's heart
refreshments were served, closing &
merry afternoon.
A "Flower Shower" is the very pref
test of all. Each guest being invited tt
bring an offering of flowers, the flowers
were hidden in large Japanese UNI
brella which was suddenly opened over
the bride, showering her with the flow
ers, thus signifying the wish that hel
pathway through life may be strewI
with flowers.
Another clever and pretty idea was
where each girl brought dainty little
sachet gift tied in a wreath of flowers
showering the bride with these flora
wreaths.-Ex.
Household Apron.
uara 10 a tfad,, IN shorten tho MANY