Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-16
CARD PARTY GIVING.
Etiquette Of Invitations and Ac-
ceptances.


Giving card parties is a way of entertain
ing friends that is most pleasant an yet
causes little trouble or expense. The re-
freshments may be of the lightest and
the service most informal.
The invitations. if wished. may go out on
visiting cards-that is, a woman may take
her card. and at the top write the game
that is to be played. If it is bridge" the
hostess writes Bridge" and beside it the
hour that she wants the game to begin. The
exact time may be put in numerals. r.
At the lower left-hand corner the day of
the week and month-as Monday, March 81
should be put in and the initials R.S.V.P.
in the lower right corner, to remind per-
sons invited that their acknowledgment of
acceptance Is wanted.
1t seems incredible that suggestion of an
answer should be necessary. for most wom-
en- realize how important 1t is that the
hostess should know just how many guests
will be present to play
An invitation sent in this form may be ac-
cepted or regretted on a visiting card. tho
form being: Accepts with pleasure for
bridge on Monday, March 81 at -, what
ever the hour given.
The individual giving such an affair writes
notes of Invitation for a card party if she
Wishes but she should never omit to give
not only the day of the month but also
that of the week and the hour that there
may be no misunderstanding on the part
of any guests.
cloth or velvet dress should be worn and
the hat is not removed. The hostess wears
a light dress, silk, if she desires. If it is
an evening party the women guests may
appear in dresses cut out at the neck, but
even though they wear high necked frocks
the men should be clad In evening suits
with white waistcoats and white ties AS
people who play cards like, as a rule to
put in the whole evening at it, 8 o'clock Is
usually the hour for which they are invited,
and for the afternoon a quarter to three
is good time.
Small tables are arranged for the players,
and cards with corresponding numbers for
the gentlemen and ladies are passed, each
| person drawing one. If every table Is
numbered there Is no confusion, for each
couple goes to a table that has numerals
corresponding to those on the individual
place cards. A pretty way of assigning
partners Is with flowers. These blossoms
may be put in two baskets. One contains
single blooms and the other boutonnieres.
The single flowers are passed by the hos
tess or young girl to the ladies and the
others to the men. Those who get flowers
Of the same kind play together. 1t is un-
derstood that no two boutonnieres may be
the same.
1t the women wear gloves they are not
taken off until the players are seated.
A careful hostess Is particular about the
lighting of the room, and, while it seems
simple matter, it is most trying If badly
done. Whether candles, lamps or electric
| lights are used they should be so arranged
that each table is lighted without a glare
or reflection in the eyes of any player.
With high lights, such as gas or electricity
one or moro lamps are almost always
| needed in some part Of the room
( The custom of no longer having games
progressive necessitates having a prize for
| each table, but almost never are there two
| awards for a table If the game has only
| four players at each. The prize. of course.
| Is given to the one having the highest
score. Some hostesses, that there may be
having every gift alike when there Is one
| for each table. Should there be variety
| in them they must all represent the Same
value and none needs be expensive.
! When the game is progressive the old
method Of three prizes 10 followed-one for