Imperial Valley press., 1937-04-04
Teas Provide
Easy Way To
Honor Many
Afternoon Gatherings
Opportunity To Repay
Social Obligations

ground of blossoms; buffet sup
pers, either in the open, or ar
ranged informally in real help
yourself style, in the dining room
or playroom likewise take care of
many guests with the minimum of
effort.
When many people are to be
served, the first problem that crops
up relates to the supply of dishes,
glassware, and silver. Very often
close women friends or relatives
will unite in giving a large tea,
thus being able to pool their re-
sources and write off mutual social
obligations. When such a function
takes place, the hostesses and who
ever is to be honored that after
noon, stand together to receive the
guests, but later separate and cir
culate through the throng.
In planning a large tea, keep the
menu as simple as possible. Small
closed sandwiches, tea and coffee,
small cakes, and salted nuts are
not only dainty service, but also
bespeak correct social knowledge
of what really constitutes a tea.
OF recent years we have seen tea
menus grow to such proportions as
to actually become a first-rate
meal. There is no need to include
elaborate open-face sandwiches,
salads, ice cream and imposing
cake. This not only makes for an
intricate service, but is really in
bad form. American love of coffee
being what it is, this beverage
must share honors with tea.
The simplest arrangement for
serving refreshments is to have
one large table with the coffee and
tea services at opposite ends, pre-
sided over by intimate friends or
a member of the family. The sand
wiches and small cakes, tastefully
arranged on platters, should be
grouped around lovely floral CEN
terpiece with small napkins, small
plates and the dishes of salted nuts
conveniently placed. The cups and
saucers and spoons should be
placed at the right of each woman
who officiates with the beverages.
IA /HILE it requires consider
w able dexterity to manage a
cup and saucer and extra plate.
particularly if there is a minimum
amount Of seating capacity, the
fact remains that it is still rated
as a social error to combine the
cup and a cake and sandwich plate
though there is no getting around
the convenience of such an ar
rangement.
Seating arrangements for buffet
suppers as a rule include the use
of card tables. The meal is spread
out on a large table notable for
colorful decorations. The guests
help themselves, then take their
places at card tables. Dessert is
usually served from the kitchen
after the main course has been
cleared away. BY having a plenti-
full supply of coffee kept hot in
glass vacuum pots and the rolls
protected from chill in covered bun
warmers, the meal should proceed
merrily. Electrical buffet servers
are also convenience for keeping
food warm but if the home has
not acquired one or more, the use
of earthenWare ca1seroles with
tight-itting lids will be successful
Whether it is a tea, bridge lunch
con- or supper that is planned in
connection with buffet service, it
must be remembered that it is onlv
when eight or more guests are bid
den to a party that this informal
type of service is used. For a small
group always arrange for a sit
down party.
Invitations to large parties should
not be given over the telephone.
The principal reason for barring
this method of extending hospital
ity lies in the fact that it is far too
informal to be used with casual
friends.
Small notes may be sent, or a
calling card used for the message.
In each case neatness of penman-
ship and the careful spacing of
each word must be watched. Invi-
tations are always answered in
kind. This means that a calling
card response is sent in reply to
calling card form of invitation. In
formal notes require that the re-
turn message be couched in similar
terms.
Hats are always worn at lunch
cons, teas, cocktail parties, and
buffet suppers. Wraps may be re-
moved and accessories laid aside,
but the head should be covered.
Midnight supper guests naturally
dispense with hats because it is
assumed that they are in evening
attire.