Evening star., 1916-05-02
body the child holding it must be given
some trif1ing prize or other.

"A 5ackstraw game is also very
popular for children's birthday parties,
the little things required being put up
in boxes that sell at 10 cents or less;
with each box go directions for new
ways of playing the game. and a pretty
notion now is to have the straws in
dinerent colors, putting the children
at small tables decorated with similar
tints. A prize is likewise given with
Jackstraw game, and if such a con-
test is to make up the chief fun at a
party there is sometimes a miniature
scarecrow among the tables decora-
tions, this representing Jackstraw
himself and standing as a centerpiece
among little pumpkins carrots and
other toy vegetables.
Whatever the nature of the party. a
birthday cake is essential, this hold
ing a candle for each year of the
child's life, and perhaps a border of
sugar roses about the iced edge of the
top. Sandwiches of various sorts, cake,
lemonade, candies and ice cream make
up the rest of the menu. though many
mothers give a complete meal, be-
ginning with bouillon in tiny cups.
Among the table decorations the
snapdragon crackers that hold paper
caps in different shapes and colors are
important trif1es to remember, as these
occasion the widest fun when they
ways like to put on the caps.
A birthday pie which is sometim es
called Jack Horner pie, or a mag
pie, is also a desirable feature for the
put in this and the children show the
widest delight when pulling them
out.
A birthday magpie may be made of
cardboard shaped round like a big
box and then covered over with raffia
n ka Thn ffn ha
sewed on in any rough manner. but If
a few straws can be stuck in here and
there, or twig or two, the nest
| look would be more real. The more
| unexpected the nature of the gifts the
| more delightful they will be, for the
| magpie holds all the odd trifics the
| thievish bird is supposed to secrete.
Each trif1e is wrapped up separately
and tied with narrow ribbon. whose
end energies from a top of crinkled
paper put over the pie like crust.
Having the raffia and the tissue paper
the same color makes a harmonious
effect. but contrast may come in red
| ribbons and in a big black bird, which
initiates the magpie and sits at the
edge of the nest. Crows of good size
may often be had at the ten cent store
or a good toy shop, and it Is easy
enough to fasten the bird to the nest
with big hat pin.
Among the souvenirs for girls might
be several bluebird pins, which pretty
and simple trif1es are convenient for
fastening little guimpes and belts. but
in order that the two sexes may get
the right thing it is necessary to mark
each little bundle with the name Of
one of the guests. If a boy picks a
girls pin he reads the name and passes
1t over to it's owner, and the little
maid who has made a mistake does
the same thing. Gifts the boys like
are cheap knives. jew's-harps. boxes of
chocolate cigarettes, whips and such
manly notions. If candles are to make
up the bulk of the gifts they should
be put in pretty pasteboard boxes tied
with ribbons or raffia. The toy shop
sells charming little holders for the
smaller bonbons, boxes made like bea-
yer hats, fowls, eggs, pigs, cats. dogs
and what not.
A paper doll party is also a very
nice idea for a tiny girls birthday,
every child being asked in the invi-
tation to bring her paper dollie along.
The playing is left to the little maids,
who dress and undress their children.
and talk about their ills in the usual
way. A boys party given only for
lads could be in rough rider costume.
and in the toy departments of all the
big stores the costumes required can
be had cheaply, or they can be made at
home of brown denim or khaki.
About an hour after the fun has be-
gun comes the fasting, the little host
or hostess lighting the candles of the
cakes and serving a piece to every
child. Pink is favorite color for the