Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1906-12-12
By EDITH A. BROWN

Stocking Invitations Bid the Guests
-Assemble-Tree Filled with Five
6 Gent Presents Causes Much Merri-
'ment-Gifts for Children in Great
Turkey-A Snowfall Filled with
-Favors.
Christmas means so much that Is
elaborate by way of entertainment
that the idea for a simple entertain
ment is welcomed. Two young wom-
en-, who were unable financially and
physically to do much, but who were
anxious to entertain small party Of
friends one Christmas, put their heads
together and produced a merry little
party which was great success.
1t was the original intention to have
an old-fashioned MONDAY dinner, but
1nls broke into the plans for family
dinners, and the hour was changed to
an early evening repast, served about
six O'Clock. The invitations were
ssent in dolls stockings, and as every
sone hidden was an intimate friend of
everyone else in the circle, each guest
was requested to bring a gift for every
member OF the party, the gift to cost
mot more than five cents, and to be so
securely wrapped that its outline was
disguised. These gifts might be sent
ITO the home of the hostess or brought
ON the arrival of the guest, as each
lone chose.
Little attempt was made toward the
decoration of the parlors. A few
Christmas bells and wreaths were hung
about, the green's of the season were
used, and in unusual places were hung
"sprigs OF mistletoe. All attention in
decoration was placed upon the
"dtning-room. The sideboard was
draped in green with the red ber-
ries used in profusion, the walls were
festooned with smilax and the same
wine was caught to the ceiling. radiat-
ling from the lights ard forming a can
1opy above the guests.
In the center of the table stood a
Christmas tree-not a real tree-be-
cause of the dirt which it would scat
ter over the cloth, but one which was
purchased, and which was an excel
lent imitation. It's branches were
hung with tinsel. balls and the usual
Christmas finery. and lighted with
small red candles. The place cards
were plain white cards of invitation
size, on each of which was written a
verse appropriate for the guest intended.
In the upper left-hand corner small red
silk stockings were tied with red rib
bon caught with a bit of holly. In
side were slipped the fortunes of the
quests, each written in verse or
clever paragraph, and these were used
Tor the fun later in the evening Broad
satin ribbons aided in the table deco
ration. but it was in the tree that the
interest conferred! Every gift sent
had been tied on the branches with
cord or narrow ribbon They were
unaddressed, and starting with the
guest seated at the right of the older
hostess each one chose a gift in turn,
zone OF the young men of the party
clipping the cord which held it fast
and placing in front of the guest.
This was done at the close of the din
Tner, and no present was supposed to
be unwrapped until the tree had been
shorn. 1t was then that the fun be-
gan. The opened packages revealed
everything under the sun-toys. ridi-
culous and pretty, animals and fish and
jokes. In fact unless a hostess is
sure OF her company, and knows that
d. everyone will enter into the fun of
the evening, taking the bad with as
much grace as the good, this entsr,ain-
ment is valueless.
The evening was given over to the
plans the hostesses had made, which
may be music, games or conversation.
according to the company
The idea of giving The gifts at the
table may be carried out in mar v
ways Not only is it good for the te-
slowing of gifts upon guests. but
where there are small children in the
family the mother often finds herself
at her wits ends in seeking for some
attractive and novel form for bringing
In the gifts and adding to the pleas
-ure of the little folks. A great tur-
key may form the centerpiece, with
ribbons attached to the gifts hidden in
its body and drawn out in turns. OF
small turkeys may form the place
cards. the gifts for each-only the
small gifts. it is unnecessary to add
being placed therein and served in in
dividual fashion. This would make
"a good idea for brides Christina.
luncheon to her maids, for instance
when her gifts to them could b,
given.
Still another idea comes in tn,
Christmas bell, which may be hun.
above the table and the gifts showere,
down upon the table-from which
everything has been removed-whel
che hostess or mother pulls the clap
per In this case. of course, the name
szmust be upon the packages.
Copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles.)
Wanted to Hide It.
Hewitt-What are you raising
- = -. :.