New-York tribune., 1910-01-06

The time limit for children's parties has
changed greatly in the last few years. In
Vitations for youngsters of eight years and
over often read from $50 until II O'Clock"
while the woid dancing may be seen at
the corner of the card; and at the party,
which not so very long ago would have
been thought too late an affair for any
girl not out, one may see very small chill
dreh dancing as hard as debutante. Sen
sible mothers, however, still keep to the
oldtime rule of from until or o'clock,
and have games for the first part of the
afternoon, with prizes attached, and then
simple refreshments, followed by dancing
The favors are inexpensive toys and,
above all, bells and ribbons or other things
that will give out sound not overload, for
with much noise the fun often becomes too
bolsterous for comfort or safety, as party
frocks are sheer and too frail for romp-
ing.
a suitable supper is chicken gumbo soup
served in bouilon cups, chicken mince
cfeamed, with toast or not, sandwiches
ice cream, cake and lemonade For
younger children a cereal is served with
rich milk in place OF the gumbo, and lem
onade is not given Candies-chocolate or
mlnt-and barley sticks are given in linn
tied quantities, for it takes but little TO
upset digestion in the young When dane
ing is not considered advisable a presti-
digitateur is the chief amusement
For very informal party Billy Pos
sum" with curly tails to pin on, has re-
placed the well known donkey of yore. A
grab bag is always a feature where ,ld-
fashioned games are played, and various
toys are the treasures therein Usually
they do not cost more than 10 cents The
fun of forfeit games is we'll remembered
game party can be made exciting even
for blase youngsters if well managed, and
al Tuxedo and the various Long Island
colonies this foIm of entertainment and
the sleight of hand exhibitions are all the
c.lIoren are treated TO until they reach
their teens. For these simple joys dresses
less diaphanous than for dances are worn
and the chances of taking cold are les
stned. AS the hours are not late and sleep
is not lost many more invitations, 700, can
be accepted safely.
Fancy dress parties are a never ending
source of joy to those hidden. and the JOY
does not end with the party. for it has to
be talked about afteTward and many a
rainy day will see a dressing up in the
costumes with lively games inspired by
the garb.
AS the majority Of children begin their
dancing lessons at four or five years OF age.
these small atoms OF society vhrl and
twirl themselves about in way most fas-
cinating TO behold. In addition to the deux
temps, or valse, they do Highland filings or
Spanish dances with captivating grace, be-
cause they are 1.-THE of limb and uncon-
scious of their accomplishments.
At cotillons the favors are not so ex-
travagant as those that the debutante car
ries home. but they cost from s5 to 81 or IS
a dozen, and with several figures and several
dozen children in each figure ii can easily
be seen that a childrens cotillon is not
an inexpensive form of entertainment But
il is one that children delight in, especially
those ordinarily quite shy Many mother
could tell of her most diffident child COM
ing home from her first german in an ec-
stasy of delight because some little lad
had Unexpectedly favored her. and also be-
cause she had plucked up courage and
asked some boy much older to dance with
her.