New-York tribune., 1912-02-18
CHERRY TREE DAY
Fun for the Little Folks on
Washington's Birthday.

OF Washingtons Birthday parties for
grown persons there is no end. the occa-
sion each year being celebrated in so at
tractive and appropriate way that few
10 any, new and suitable suggestions can
he offered But. rather oddly, the day has
been somewhat neglected as one affording
both pleasure and something of informa-
ton TO the little folk, keenly appreciative
usually of the new and Of the really
true" The few following hints concerning
such an entertainment, simple and easily
carried out. may serve to make the day a
happy and we'll remembered anniversary
in the minds of the children:
When all the children have arrived let
them gather around a small cherry tree, II
such can be had, placed in an earth-flled
box or flower pot, its branches being
trimmed with green leaves Of tissue paper
and hung quite generously with paper
cherries These cherries should be num-
bered. and one of the numbers should be
! 8 lucky one.
TO each child in turn let a toy hatchet
he given-a pasteboard weapon. with which
he can do himself no harm Lead him
across the room 10 some distance from the
tree and start him toward 1t blindfolded.
as in the old donkey tail game. When he
thinks he has reached the goal let him
strike at the tree with the hatchet Who
ever strikes it down should have as a re-
ward a box of candied cherries, and an
other may go to the child who gets the
lucky number on the tree. all the little
ones being allowed to scramble for the
cherries when it falls.
After this part of the entertainment is
over another game may be played, much
as was the od-tme Hunt the Thimble,"
the same small hatchet used in the cutting
down Of the tree being "buried" by one
child while all the others are out Of the
room. The returning children search for
II underneath rugs and furniture, books
and pillows, the successful finder receiving
ss a prize box OF Washington taffy, let
tered, "How good you are and how well
you brought up the little hatchet, not al
lowing II TO lie!'
At refreshment time let a mystery"
cherry pie adorn the middle of the table
its narrow ribbons Of red. white and blue
running out In all directions toward the
little guests. bringing to them as they pull
the favors attached TO the other end-tiny
cannon, Continental hats, little hatchets,
cherries. etc. Ice cream in the, form of
tiny forts, each surmounted by flag.
should not be forgotten, nor Maraschino
cherries upon all the cakes. big and little.
with the bonbons the passing of dish OF
stuffed dates" will be a pleasant novelty.
each one bound about by slip OF paper
bearing the date Of some important battle
or other event in Revolutionary history.
Later, the old and enjoyable game Of
"Going 10 Jerusalem might be modern
lied and named Going to the White
House" each boy and youthful suffragette.
inspired by the martial tunes OF Yankee
Doodle" and The Battle of stonington,
aspiring to be the occupant Of the "Presi-
Dental chair"
The party would, of course. be incomplete
without the singing OF MY Country. 'Tis
OF Thee" before the final leavetaking. and
a bow to the CHERRY tree) shade of George
Washington as acknowledgement Of his kind
ness I'm having a birthday and letting little
boys and girls come to his party.