Bright Ideas For Entertaining - free ebook by Herbert B. Linscott

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Bright Ideas For Entertaining

Herbert B. Linscott

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BRIGHT IDEAS FOR ENTERTAINING

BRIGHT IDEAS FOR ENTERTAINING

Two hundred forms of amusement or entertainment for social gatherings of all kinds: large or small parties, clubs, sociables, church entertainments, etc.; with special suggestions for birthdays, wedding anniversaries, Hallowe'en, All Fools' Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and other holidays. By MRS. HERBERT B. LINSCOTT PHILADELPHIA GEORGE W. JACOBS &amp; CO. PUBLISHERS Copyright, 1905, by Mrs. Herbert B. Linscott Published July, 1905 Thirty articles appearing in this book have been taken

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ACTING PROVERBS

ACTING PROVERBS

In this game the company may be divided into actors and spectators. The actors are each given a proverb, which they are to act alone in pantomime. The first player may come into the room where the spectators are waiting, with a sprinkler in one hand and a cup in the other. He begins sprinkling the flowers, then he pours water over them, acting the proverb, "It never rains but it pours." The second actor also brings a cup of water. He repeatedly attempts to drink from the cup, which keeps slippin

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ADVERTISEMENT ITEMS

ADVERTISEMENT ITEMS

Cut out pictures from advertisements; for instance, from "Quaker Oats," cut out the Quaker, but nothing that will tell what it represents. Have a number of them and paste on plain white paper. Number each ad, and keep a "key" to them yourself. Furnish paper and pencil to each guest and have them guess what each picture represents. The one who guesses the most receives a prize. Also request every one to write an advertisement on some article. Still another form of the game is for each person to c

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ALL ABOUT KATE

ALL ABOUT KATE

This game will furnish amusement at an evening entertainment, but may also be played after a ladies' luncheon. The questions, on sheets of paper with spaces allowed for the answers, are distributed, and fifteen minutes given for answering them. Each answer is composed of one word ending with the letters c-a-t-e; for instance: Kate is a good pleader (advo-cate). When fifteen minutes have elapsed each player signs her name and passes her paper to the person on her right. The answers are then read,

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APPLE SOCIABLE

APPLE SOCIABLE

Cards are sent out with the following: Come to the Apple Social and see who gets the B—A—P L—A—P N—A—P Social given under the auspices of the East End Connett Y. W. C. T. U., Monday evening, Sept. 10, 1905 Have cards printed with a letter on each one, forming the names of various apples; for instance, B-A-L-D-W-I-N and G-R-E-E-N-I-N-G. Have as many letters of one color made as there are letters in the name of the apple, and have each group of letters a separate color. These are passed to the gue

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APRIL FOOL DINNER

APRIL FOOL DINNER

The dinner I shall serve will be plain and substantial, but it may be as elaborate as one chooses. Following is the menu: When the dinner is all ready to serve the fun will begin. Imagine the surprise of the guests when they sit down to the table, to find the soup served in teacups, the pickles shining forth from the sugar-bowl and the crackers in a covered vegetable dish. The roast beef will be cut in slices and arranged on a silver cake dish, the mashed potatoes in a dainty glass berry dish, a

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APRIL FOOL PARTY

APRIL FOOL PARTY

Invitations may be copied after a dance card of a "Comus" ball at New Orleans, which represents a large-sized gilt folly bell with ribbons attached. On arriving, each guest is given a favor, which may serve also as a score marker. These are follies' heads, capped and ruffled and fastened to a stick, which has ribbons wrapped around it. The colors of these ribbons, not more than two being alike, determine partners. An attached tiny square of pasteboard, bearing a painted number, directs to the ta

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AUTHORS' CONTEST

AUTHORS' CONTEST

Questions to be answered by giving in each case the name of a well-known author:...

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AUTHORS' GUESSING GAME

AUTHORS' GUESSING GAME

The answers to the above questions are: Give the most successful contestant a nicely bound copy of the latest popular book, and the least successful one a gaily colored copy of a child's primer, or a gaudy poster picture....

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AUTHORS' VERBAL GAME

AUTHORS' VERBAL GAME

This is an interesting and instructive game. The players seat themselves so as to form a ring. An umpire and a score-keeper are appointed, and each player in turn rises and announces the name of a well-known book. The one who first calls out the name of the author of the book scores a point; the one who has the largest score when the game ceases is the victor, and may be given a prize. This game may be varied by the naming of well-known authors, leaving the titles of books, by these authors, to

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"B" SOCIABLE

"B" SOCIABLE

Be sure to come to the home of Brother Linscott next Monday eve, Because we will insure you a good time By the enjoyment of our "B" social. Busy Bees. Busy Bees' bill o' fare: This can be changed to suit any other letter and the invitations may be worded as desired. Have tiny boxes, barrels, bags, and baskets filled with candy, fruit, or nuts, for souvenirs. If it is desired to make money, a price may be placed upon each article of food, and the souvenirs may be offered for sale....

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BARN PARTY

BARN PARTY

Miss Gertrude S. Derr requests the pleasure of your company at a Barn Party, Monday evening, August 12, 1905, on Water Road, Shortsville, New York Arranging for the Party To insure the success of such a party, a moonlight night should be selected. The barn chosen should be large, the floor space ample, and the decorations lavish. They may consist of green boughs, vines and goldenrod, and a number of American flags. The two large opposite doors should be thrown wide open for free circulation of a

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BASEBALL PARTY

BASEBALL PARTY

A novel party was recently given by a mother to celebrate the sixteenth birthday of her only son. She had been rather envious of her friends in their happiness of planning many luncheons and other pretty affairs for their girls, consequently she entered heart and soul into this party for her boy, sparing neither expense nor trouble to make it a success. It was announced as "A Baseball Party," and by enlisting the services of a niece, who was very enthusiastic over the national game, she was able

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BEAN BAGS

BEAN BAGS

Make twelve or fifteen bags, six inches square, of bed-ticking, and loosely fill them with beans which have been washed and dried to remove all dust. Appoint two leaders, who choose sides, arranging the sides in lines facing each other, with a small table at each end of each line. The bean bags being equally divided, each leader deposits his share upon the table nearest him. Then, at a given signal, seizing one bag at a time with one hand, with the other he starts it down the line, each player p

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BEAN SOCIABLE

BEAN SOCIABLE

Have you ever "bean" to a "bean" sociable? If not come to the one the Connett Y. W. C. T. U. are having Monday evening, September 1st. If you have never "bean" to one you will enjoy the "Bean porridge hot, Bean porridge cold, Bean porridge in the pot, Nine days old." Supper should consist of baked beans, cold and hot, bean porridge or soup, brown bread and butter, and pickles, tea and gingerbread. Bean bags to go with this sociable....

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BIBLE CONTEST

BIBLE CONTEST

The game of Bible Contest cards can be played very profitably and is very instructive. It can be found in any book store in large cities or can be had of the United Society of Christian Endeavor, Boston, Mass. The cost is very little. Or the cards may be written out as follows: Name. No. No. Have the cards distributed; then on a given signal have the answers written out; as fast as finished have them handed in to be examined by the committee who afterward returns them. The first blank for number

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BIBLE EVENING

BIBLE EVENING

Here is a well-known alphabet of Scripture proper names, which may be utilized at a social by ranking the members on two sides, and reading these lines one at a time, in the same way that a spelling-bee is carried on:...

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BIBLE NAMES

BIBLE NAMES

Choose sides as in a spelling match, and let the leader of the first side give the first syllable of the name of some Bible character. The leader of the opposite side will then complete the name, if he can. Failing this, his side loses a member, selected by the leader of the opposite side. And so the contest goes on down the line, first one side and then the other proposing the first syllable of some name....

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BIBLE READINGS

BIBLE READINGS

A good way to promote study of the Bible is a "Bible oratorical contest," in which four or five contestants recite, or give as readings, selections from the Bible. If well done, it will prove most entertaining, and many people will go home surprised that the Bible is such an interesting book....

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BIRD CARNIVAL

BIRD CARNIVAL

The invitations to the carnival had various kinds of birds painted upon them, and each guest was requested to come representing the kind of bird designated on his or her invitation. There were two invitations of each kind, one sent to a lady and one to a gentleman, that there might be a "pair" of each variety of bird. As the guests arrived, each was labeled with the name of the bird he or she represented, and in this way it was easy for them to find their "mates" for refreshments. The house was

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BIRD GUESSING CONTEST

BIRD GUESSING CONTEST

1. A flash of sky on wing.—( Bluebird. ) 2. Oh, shall I call thee bird, Or but a wandering voice? Thy note from household clocks is heard, And children's ears rejoice.—( Cuckoo. ) 3. King of the water, as the air, He dives and finds his prey.—( Kingfisher. ) 4. Thy plaintive cry announces punishment, And warns the luckless boy for whom 'tis sent.—( Whippoorwill. ) 5. You introduce yourself throughout your song, And tell the world your brief, old-fashioned name.—( Phœbe. ) 6. "Bob White!" you cal

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BIRTHDAY PARTY

BIRTHDAY PARTY

We herewith extend a most kind invitation To you and your friends or any relation To come to a party. This little silk sack Is intended to furnish a good place to pack As many pennies as you are years old. We promise the secret shall never be told. If Methuselah's age would be the right sum Of the years to which you already have come, If objections to exposing your age should arise, One hundred would be a splendid disguise. A musical program of very rare merit Will be given to those who will jus

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BISHOP'S RIDDLE

BISHOP'S RIDDLE

A most eccentric yet interesting man was Bishop Brooks of Brookville; although not a large or strong man, wherever he went, night or day, he was always either accompanied by or carrying: Two playful animals—calves. A number of small animals of a less tame breed—hares (hairs). A member of the deer family—hart (heart). A number of whips without handles—lashes (eyelashes). Some weapons of warfare—arms. The steps of a hotel—inn steps (insteps). The House of Representatives when a vote is taken—ayes

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BOX PARTY

BOX PARTY

A box party can be made very enjoyable if every one enters into the contest. Each lady should pack a box with lunch for two and at the party the boxes can be auctioneered off to the highest bidder. Or, if there is any objection to that, the ladies' names can be placed on slips of paper and the papers put into a hat and passed to the gentlemen; the slip each draws contains the name of the one with whom he is to eat refreshments. If this party is to make money for some society the wisest way will

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CAKE SALE

CAKE SALE

Probably the description of a cake sale that was held for the benefit of a library fund may not come amiss to show just how attractive and successful such an affair can be made. The principal feature of this sale was the cake contest—a game, with cake prizes. This game was devised to take the place of raffling, which was voted out of date. It was played by groups of ten, who on paying a fee were given printed lists of questions to be answered. Each list had to be signed with the player's name an

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CAKE WALK (Novel kind)

CAKE WALK (Novel kind)

I hope this will not shock any of my readers, and I don't think it will after it is read. It can be held in a church or Sunday school room without any qualms of conscience on any one's part. Have each one come to represent a cake. For instance, sponge cake can be represented by having sponges all over the body; batter cake, by young man wearing baseball suit of clothes and carrying bat; cup cake, by wearing cups around the neck and waist; fruit cake, by carrying baskets of different kinds of sma

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CALICO CARNIVAL

CALICO CARNIVAL

The society who gave it had the oddly written announcement given below published in the local papers a week in advance. They also used it as a handbill: Calico Carnival "Consider yourself cordially invited to be present at the correctly constructed and considerately combined calico carnival to be held at —— Hall, Friday night, February —, 1905, admission fifteen cents. "Conspicuous courses served in confused compactness: One conglomerated compound circle; one cup communicative cordial (containin

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CAN FACTORY

CAN FACTORY

The words to be guessed all begin with CAN —the definitions of the whole words being here given. Booklets with tiny pencils attached, and containing the verses, may be distributed among the guests and, after the contest is decided, returned as souvenirs of the occasion. 1. Though this can is a can, you all will agree, The can is termed thus because it holds tea. 2. This long, narrow can holds so precious a stock, That oft you will find it has more than one lock. 3. The most wick-éd can, tho' saf

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CHESTNUT SOCIABLE

CHESTNUT SOCIABLE

First procure a good quantity of chestnuts. Plain and roasted chestnuts may be sold at one table. They should be measured into pint and half-pint paper bags, ready for customers. A second table will be needed for bonbons. An excellent taffy is made by stirring chopped chestnuts into plain molasses candy when ready to take from the fire. Caramels are improved by adding chopped chestnuts. Chopped chestnuts and figs added to crisp sugar candy make a good sweet-meat. Shelled chestnuts are glazed by

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CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY FLOWERS

CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY FLOWERS

Each month has a flower or plant appropriated to it, and to each a meaning is attached. The list is as follows: The snowdrop means consolation; the primrose, the freshness of early youth; the violet, modesty; the daisy, innocence; the hawthorn, hope; the wild rose, simplicity; the lily, purity; the poppy, the consolation of sleep; the morning-glory, contentment; hops, joy; the chrysanthemum, cheerfulness; the holly, foresight and protection. The morning-glory is such a perishable flower that it

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CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY PARTIES

CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY PARTIES

A birthday is an important event in a child's life, and should not pass unnoticed. A small party for little children is usually more enjoyable and more easily managed than a large one. With many mothers it is the custom to invite as many little guests as correspond to the number of years of the child whose birthday is celebrated. Make the table look as attractive as possible with flowers. A pretty arrangement for a fifth birthday is to have a round table, with vines, or a rope of wild flowers or

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CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY

There in the library stood the most perfect snow-man. He wore a fur cap and long white whiskers, and on the floor behind him lay his pack, which had just slipped off his back. He held a doll on one arm, and over the other was hung a line of tiny sleigh-bells. This snow Santa Claus was made of cotton batting, but he looked exactly like the snow-man in the yard, and the children greeted him with cries of delight. Two sticks, wrapped in many thicknesses of cotton to form the legs, had been nailed t

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CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS TABLEAUX

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS TABLEAUX

Build a cave-shaped box on a raised platform, drape inside and out with white muslin, fasten evergreen boughs about the entrance and at the back, draping all of these with loose tufts of cotton like new-fallen snow, and sprinkling them with mica. Sprays of red berries can be introduced with splendid effect. White covered steps must lead up to the cave, about the mouth of which may be spread white fur rugs. Let the candles be fastened plentifully around the cave, but have the rest of the room ver

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CHILDREN'S EASTER PARTY

CHILDREN'S EASTER PARTY

The little guests when they arrive will be made happy by giving them small baskets to hunt for the eggs which the mother has a few days before blown and colored and hidden all over the house. In a room where there is a hardwood floor have little yellow chicks arranged as tenpins at one end and give the children each an egg and let them roll the eggs and see how many chicks they can knock down. While they are doing this take some of the eggs they have found, run ribbon through them and suspend in

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CHILDREN'S SOUVENIRS

CHILDREN'S SOUVENIRS

Souvenirs at a children's party should be very inexpensive. Candy put up in some pretty form is the most suitable thing that can be given. The dainty Japanese confections that may be purchased at any large store where Oriental goods are sold are novelties, and always please the little people. It is always a great pleasure to children to have something to take home with them from a party, and very inexpensive souvenirs will give happiness quite out of proportion to their value. Japanese trifles m

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CHILDREN'S SWEET PEA TEA

CHILDREN'S SWEET PEA TEA

The invitations to this tea read like this: Prepare yourself for a Sweet Pea Tea, The 'bus will call for you at three. July 19th. In one corner of the card a sweet pea was painted in water colors. These cards were sent by mail. Of course, the recipients of these invitations had no idea where the party was to be, and waited in great expectation for the appointed day. Two 'bus men were engaged and furnished with a list of the invited, and at three o'clock, or as nearly that hour as possible, cal

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CHILDREN'S TOM THUMB ENTERTAINMENT

CHILDREN'S TOM THUMB ENTERTAINMENT

For a children's party try the following device: Place four chairs in one end of the room and throw over them a large blanket or shawl to cover them completely down to the floor. Have some one double up his hands into fists, and on the back of the hands, with a piece of charcoal, paint eyes, nose and mouth, and on one of them paint a moustache. Put dolls' dresses on the arms, reaching down to the elbows. Put hoods or caps on the hands. Let the person thus prepared crawl in between the chairs, an

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CHILDREN'S VALENTINE PARTY

CHILDREN'S VALENTINE PARTY

From sheets of pink and creamy tinted paper, cut the requisite number of hearts—two for each invitation—and form into envelopes by pasting a pink heart and a creamy tinted one together along the edges, except at the large end, which must be left open to hold the written invitation. On a slightly smaller heart of thinner paper, write the following doggerel: "From half-past six to half-past nine, I pray you to be guest of mine. With Valentine, their patron Saint, Sure all good lovers are acquaint;

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CHINESE PARTY

CHINESE PARTY

Invitations should read as follows: Come to the Chinese Tea Party and help eat Rice and Rats Prepared and Served by Chinese Girls at —— Church Monday Evening, Jan. 4th. You can stimulate interest in the heathen wonderfully by inviting them to come, with all their bag and baggage, and pay your society a visit. Have booths in the room representing the countries in which the church is doing missionary work. Let the attendants be costumed like the natives, and all the appointments of the booths sugg

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CHRISTMAS COSTUME PARTY

CHRISTMAS COSTUME PARTY

The invitations for a Christmas party of this sort should be enclosed in white envelopes decorated with holly and should read as follows: Master ——, as "Winter," and Miss ——, as "Christmas," will be glad to receive the "Months" on Thursday evening, December the twenty-fourth. In the lower left-hand corner of each, above the address, should be indicated the character which the little guest is to represent, as, for instance: "Please represent July." Have the little host and hostess represent "Wint

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CHRISTMAS MENU AND TABLE DECORATIONS

CHRISTMAS MENU AND TABLE DECORATIONS

Select for your color scheme red and green. Set the dining-table in the centre of the room directly under the chandelier. To the latter fasten a large bunch of holly with plenty of red berries, and make garlands of evergreen to reach from the chandelier to the four corners of the table, fastening each one to the tablecloth with a bow of red ribbon. Have plenty of holly berries in the garlands of evergreen. If holly is dipped in a strong solution of alum water and dried in the sun, it will have t

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CHRISTMAS UMBRELLA GAME

CHRISTMAS UMBRELLA GAME

Take a large umbrella—an old one will do—wind the handle with bright yellow ribbon and line the body with red percaline as near the color of holly berries as possible. Be sure to shape the lining so that it will not sag. Cover the outside with green percaline and finish the top with sprigs of holly and a bow of red and green ribbon. Trim the edge of the umbrella with a row of tiny bells and wind the ribs with crepe or tissue paper the same color as the lining; do this the last thing so that it w

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CHURCH BAZAAR SUGGESTIONS

CHURCH BAZAAR SUGGESTIONS

For an Orange Grove. —Evergreen trees should be procured and placed about the hall to make it resemble a grove. The oranges may be made of a wad of cotton, inclosing a trinket, covered with orange-colored tissue paper. Hang them on the trees and let each purchaser select the one he wants, paying a nominal sum for it. Other attractions may be a booth where real oranges may be bought; a well from which orangeade is dispensed; a booth for articles of fancy-work made in shades of orange, and one for

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COBWEB SOCIABLE

COBWEB SOCIABLE

First, wind strings all over the house before the arrival of the company. Suspend a rope diagonally across one corner of the room, over which the ends of the strings can hang, each one numbered: Numbers are to be given each one of the guests, and each is to hunt the string that has his number on it. A sheet can be hung across this end of the room hiding everything from view until time for winding. Have some games ready to play for the amusement of guests until all have arrived. As soon as all th

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CONUNDRUM TEA

CONUNDRUM TEA

Extras Note. —Each society can use their own judgment about the price to be charged. A certain amount may be charged for the entire supper, or each article may have a price affixed, such as two cents, four cents, three cents, and so forth....

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COOK BOOK SALE

COOK BOOK SALE

Every lady in the church was asked to make, from sheets of brown wrapping paper, ten paper books of uniform size, four and one-half by six inches, sewing them to confine the leaves. The paper was two cents a sheet, and five sheets would make the ten books. In each book, clear and explicit written directions for ten of the best miscellaneous recipes that she used in cooking were to be contributed by each one, the same recipes to be in the ten books furnished, and signed by the one contributing th

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COOKY SOCIABLE

COOKY SOCIABLE

Cut paper into pieces the shape and size of a cooky. Write a proverb on each one, then cut each paper cooky into two parts, each in a different manner, so that no two cookies will be cut alike. One set of halves is to be given to the ladies, and the other to the gentlemen. Each person present then proceeds to match the half cooky he has; when found, the proverb should read correctly. The couple who match halves eat refreshments together. It is very nice to have some one play a march on the piano

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CORN-HUSKING BEE

CORN-HUSKING BEE

Late in October, when the corn has matured and been stacked in the barn, the following informal invitations may be sent out to all the neighboring young people: You are cordially invited to a Corn Husking to be held in Martin Mattice's Barn On the evening of October the thirty-first at eight o'clock. Previous to the evening mentioned the ears of corn are stripped from the stalks and formed into two huge piles upon the barn floor. Lanterns should be hung here and there upon the beams to give the

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DUTCH PARTY

DUTCH PARTY

For decorations: Holland's national colors, blue and red; Dutch flags; tulips; crepe paper in Delft designs, etc. Instead of tally cards each guest may be furnished a little wooden shoe on a Delft-blue ribbon. Tiny pretzels are slipped on the ribbon for games won, the shoe keeping them from slipping off at the other end. Large wooden shoes may be used for bonbons and nuts at the tables. For prizes: handsome steins and pipes, a pair of burnt wood Holland shoes, Delft plaques, Dutch pictures, nove

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EASTER EGG HUNT

EASTER EGG HUNT

An Easter egg hunt will furnish plenty of amusement for an Easter party. The nests are made of paper moss. In them are placed eggs of different varieties, some genuine hard boiled eggs, some of china or wood and some of candy. The wooden eggs should contain tiny ducks or chickens. The nests are hidden in every nook and corner of the house. The guests are then bidden to go nest hunting, and a half hour is given for the hunt. Each guest is given a little fancy basket in which to gather his eggs. T

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EASTER LUNCHEON

EASTER LUNCHEON

Of course, silver and glassware must be sparkling, and the white cloth spotless, or, if one wishes, luncheon scarfs and mats or doilies are equally popular, and a highly polished table is a bit less formal than the regular dinner cloth. A centrepiece of gold cloth or of any yellow silken material is effective—the edges may be quickly overcast by heavy rope silk in long and short stitch. A bunch of Easter lily sprays in a bowl or gold and white vase crown the whole. If one can arrange to have the

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EASTER SOCIABLE

EASTER SOCIABLE

Have printed programs sent out with the following announcement (any name can be substituted for the East End Connett Y): An eggs-ellent plan has been adopted by the East End Connett Y, to eggs-haust the eggs-pence of sending a delegate to the State Convention. We shall hold an Egg Social . The eggs-pence of admission is eggs-actly ten cents. We mean to have an eggs-ellent time. You are urged to eggs-ert yourself to come and eggs-amine for yourself. You can eggs-pect to have lots of fun at small

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FAIRIES' GARDEN

FAIRIES' GARDEN

A clever scheme for a church fair is the "Fairies' Garden," which is nothing more than the old grab-bag in a new dress. One seen recently was set up near a booth trimmed with evergreens, with a fence made of "cat-tails," planted about four inches apart, enclosing it in front. To this the people who were present flocked, and were free, on the payment of a small sum, to pull a flower or vegetable as they should see fit. Within and at the back of the inclosure was a trellis made of wire netting wit

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FEAST OF SEVEN TABLES

FEAST OF SEVEN TABLES

This feast if well planned and carried out is most pleasing in its results. There are seven tables. These tables are set in white, with centrepieces and other decorations to carry out the color scheme. Have first table near the door, and others arranged according to the menu, which can be changed to suit the seasons. It is necessary to have two sets of waiters, the first to clear away, and the second to furnish fresh supplies. All must dress to harmonize with the colors of their tables. Serve fo

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FEAST OF NATIONS

FEAST OF NATIONS

The following is a description of a church supper which was recently given with great success: The Japanese table was decorated with chrysanthemums. At each place was a Japanese tray on which a Japanese napkin was folded in a fanciful manner. Little dishes of rice, hard-boiled eggs, cabbage chopped fine, and small cups of tea comprised the first course. The second course was a turkey dinner. The waiters were in Japanese costume. The favors were small Japanese umbrellas tied with the Japanese col

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FISH MARKET

FISH MARKET

A rustic bridge was built out from one side of the platform forming a square space in one corner of the room that was used for a fish pond. Rocks and ferns were grouped along the edge of the platform, the floor was covered with green carpet, and a pretty meadow scene painted on coarse cotton was hung at the back, making a very picturesque setting for the pond. Steps led up to the bridge, and at the foot was a rustic lodge where, on payment of a fee, the prospective fisher was given a pole and a

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FLAGS OF NATIONS

FLAGS OF NATIONS

Secure as many cards as there are to be guests, and paint or paste on each of them some five or six small flags of different nations, numbering each flag. Sometimes one can obtain small buttons with these flags on them, and these answer quite as well. It is better to have each card different, and to assort the flags, so that every card may contain some not very generally known. The United States flag might be omitted, as every one would be familiar with that; but the flag of Liberia could be use

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FLOWER BAZAAR

FLOWER BAZAAR

Six booths, if properly planned, will mean a small but picturesque bazaar. Five of these booths may represent flowers, and many of the articles sold from them may be made at home by members of the society which the sale is designed to aid. Drape the Lily booth in white, decorate it with Easter lilies and light it with fairy lamps with white shades. Little novelties for Easter gifts may be sold here—the pretty trifles which are easily made. The Violet booth may be almost self-decorative if Easter

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FLOWER LUNCHEONS

FLOWER LUNCHEONS

Daisy Luncheon. —Just before luncheon the hostess may crown each guest with a wreath, which she has prepared by tying the blossoms on circles of fine wire. In the centre of the luncheon-table have a large bunch of blossoms and also a few scattered carelessly over the table. Trim the edge of the table with a chain of daisies, looped up here and there. At each corner have a large bow of ribbon, either white or of three colors, yellow, green and white. Serve only light refreshments. Yellow and whit

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FLOWER PARTY

FLOWER PARTY

When the guests have assembled, each one is given a tiny flower-pot. These are easily made out of red paper—a long strip and a round, with the aid of the mucilage pot. In these tiny pots the following list of flowers to be guessed is tucked away: Make These Hidden Flowers Sprout The list of answers is of course kept in hand by the hostess. When the first part of the game has been played and the answers verified, a continuation of the fun is a contest of all as to who can write the best verse con

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FLOWERS ILLUSTRATED

FLOWERS ILLUSTRATED

They are illustrated in this way: 1. A cup of butter. 2. The picture of a book, cut from a magazine, having the title blotted out, and showing only the words, "by Charlotte M. Yonge" (the author of "The Daisy Chain"). 3. A colored illustration of the solar spectrum. 4. A tin trumpet. 5. A picture of a valley. 6. A card upon which is printed "6 A. M. " 7. A picture of a book upon which is written, "by Julia Magruder" (author of "The Violet"). 8. The picture of a lion, to which has been added, wit

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FOURTH OF JULY MUSEUM

FOURTH OF JULY MUSEUM

The invitations, gay with the national colors, stated that Miss Blank, in order to encourage patriotism in her native town, had made a museum collection of curios connected with noted Americans, and bade a choice selection of her fellow-townsmen to meet and view the rare objects. The booklets passed around among the guests upon their arrival were attractive enough, a tiny flag being painted in one corner of the cover, which also contained the legend: The Fourth of July Museum At Miss Blank's Jul

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GAME OF NATIONS

GAME OF NATIONS

Provide each guest with a list of questions, with spaces left for the answers. The answers consist of words ending in "N-A-T-I-O-N." Here are the questions and the answers: The prizes should then be awarded. A pretty silk banner will be acceptable to a man, while a big bunch of red and white carnations tied with a blue ribbon, or a pound of confectionery in a box decorated with flags and other patriotic emblems will make a pretty gift for a lady....

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GEOGRAPHICAL GAME

GEOGRAPHICAL GAME

Seat the players in a ring. Let the first one say aloud the name of a city, mountain, river, lake, etc., located in any part of the world; the next player give a name beginning with the final letter of the previously said name, and the third supply one beginning with the final letter of the second, and so on around the ring. Thus: America, Athens, Santiago, Ohio. Each player is allowed thirty seconds in which to think. If, by the end of that time, he has failed to supply a name, he must drop out

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GEORGE AND MARTHA TEA

GEORGE AND MARTHA TEA

The walls should be hung with red, white and blue bunting, relieved at regular intervals with shields and small hatchets made of flowers in the national colors. Have George and Martha receive the guests, and there may be also a number of men and women attired in colonial costumes to introduce strangers and see that all have a good time. Behind a bower of foliage an orchestra might play the national airs, and as the object of the evening should be to promote sociability, it would be well to have

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GIRLS' NAMES CONTEST

GIRLS' NAMES CONTEST

The slips are to be collected and the one having the greatest number of correct answers may be rewarded with some inexpensive souvenir....

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GOLF LUNCHEON

GOLF LUNCHEON

When our golfing enthusiast desires to entertain her golfing friends, she cannot do better than bid them to a luncheon set to the keynote of their favorite sport. Naturally, the table decorations will be red and green—deep red roses or scarlet geraniums laid in flat bunches upon the "fair field" of snowy cloth and encircling the dishes, caught together by "links" of smilax. Perhaps, too, pale green candles, beneath ruby-hued shades, might still further carry out the scheme of color. The table ma

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GOLF PLAYERS' GUESSING CONTEST

GOLF PLAYERS' GUESSING CONTEST

The two who, within a given time, answer the most of these fifteen questions should be rewarded with appropriate prizes, as one of the handy little score books to be slipped upon the belt, containing the official score; a picture of the typical golf girl; or some volume on the popular and fascinating game....

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GOOD LUCK PARTY

GOOD LUCK PARTY

This was given by a clever maiden to a departing girl friend, but the idea could be utilized in various ways. Each invitation took the form of a cordial note which was written on white note-paper bordered with pen-and-ink sketches of horseshoes, wishbones and four-leaf clovers. Enclosed with each invitation was a guest card with the name of the person receiving it written in gilt at the top. Below this was a row of horseshoes, also done in gilt. Each guest was requested to write on this card a t

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GYPSY FORTUNE-TELLING

GYPSY FORTUNE-TELLING

Added to the charm and mystery of having one's fortune told is the great pleasure which may be derived from having it told by a gypsy, even though she may be an amateur. An hour of amusement may be passed very delightfully in this way, provided the hostess can make the necessary arrangements with some quick-witted, bright young girl, who will be willing to take the part of the gypsy. Several days before the evening's entertainment the hostess should give her friend a list of the expected guests,

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HALLOWE'EN BOX CAKE

HALLOWE'EN BOX CAKE

The newest fashion in Hallowe'en supper-table decoration is a cake made of white pasteboard boxes, in shape like pieces of pie, which fit together and give the appearance of a large cake. Each one of the boxes is covered with a white paper which resembles frosting. At the close of the feast the pieces are distributed, each box containing some little souvenir suitable to Hallowe'en. One box, of course, contains a ring, another a thimble, a third a piece of silver, a fourth a mitten, a fifth a foo

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HALLOWE'EN GAMES

HALLOWE'EN GAMES

Have a card and a candle for each guest, the candles in as many different colors as possible, and one corner of each card turned down and tied with baby ribbon—one color for ladies, and another for gentlemen. On the cards have couplets written foretelling future events, such as: Who gets the candle colored red Will have long life, but never wed. If you choose the candle green You'll have the prettiest wife e'er seen. For you the kind fates have a plan Whereby you sure will get a man. Let each gu

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HALLOWE'EN PARTY

HALLOWE'EN PARTY

All formality must be dispensed with on Hallowe'en. Not only will quaint customs and mystic tricks be in order, but the decorations and refreshments, and even the place of meeting, must be as strange and mystifying as possible. For the country or suburban home a roomy barn is decidedly the best accommodation that can be provided. If this is not practicable, a large attic, running the entire length of the house, is the next choice; but if this also is denied the ambitious hostess, let the kitchen

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HALLOWE'EN SUGGESTIONS

HALLOWE'EN SUGGESTIONS

Have mirrors everywhere: big mirrors, medium-sized mirrors, and little, wee mirrors, all reflecting and multiplying countless candles that burn in candlesticks of every description (most novel are those made from long-necked gourds and tiny squashes). Across the top and down the sides of each doorway hang festoons of yellow and white corn and turn the husks back to show the firm, glistening kernels. Each window can be garlanded in like manner as well as the tops of mantels and picture frames. Cl

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HANDKERCHIEF BAZAAR

HANDKERCHIEF BAZAAR

Of all our friends, both far and near, We beg the kind attention; So please to lend us now your ear, While we a subject mention. To carry on our C. E. work, In the country and the city, We need more money very bad, And hope you'll help us with it. The committee intend to hold On a day not distant far A sale for both the young and old,— A handkerchief bazaar. So this, then, is our plea in brief: To aid our enterprise We beg of you a handkerchief, Of any kind or size. The committee intend to hold

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HATCHET PARTY

HATCHET PARTY

If the Hatchet Party is given at home appropriate invitations can be issued in the form of a hatchet, bearing the words in quaint letters: " Ye Young Women's Christian Temperance Union extends ye invitation to meete ye Hatchet Familie of ye anciente tyme at ye home of Miss May Caspel, 236 Bell Avenue, on Wednesday evening, ye 22d of Februarie of ye year of our Lorde 1905, at eight of ye clock. " The decorations should conform to the spirit of the evening. A large hatchet covered with white curle

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ICE FESTIVAL

ICE FESTIVAL

To step from midsummer into winter was a surprise, when the admission ticket was dropped in the box at the door on the night of the festival and its erstwhile owner passed into the hall. Small tables stood by pine and cedar trees that were covered with alum icicles and sifted over with diamond dust. Here groups of friends ate their cream and cake together, served by snow spirits in white tarletan gowns that sparkled with diamond dust, or ice fays whose white costumes glittered with glass beads.

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INAUGURATION DAY LUNCH

INAUGURATION DAY LUNCH

The guests at this luncheon are to represent the Vice-President and the eight members of the Cabinet, but if the hostess wishes to entertain a larger number, she can introduce one or two of the foreign Ambassadors. Give to each guest, as she arrives, a card bearing the title of one of the Cabinet, as the Secretary of State, the Attorney-General, and, if necessary, the English Ambassador. While waiting for luncheon, each one must guess the name of the man she represents, in order to know her plac

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INDEPENDENCE DAY NECESSITIES

INDEPENDENCE DAY NECESSITIES

The answers are held by the hostess, of course, and are only divulged after all the guesses are in. They are as follows: Answers Independence Day Menu...

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INDIAN DINNER PARTY

INDIAN DINNER PARTY

Invitations may be printed or written on birch bark or paper imitations of same, or on paper cut into the shape of tomahawks, tepees, etc., and may be hand-painted if desired. Decorations should be Indian blankets (as portières, couch covers, and mantel draperies), Indian rugs, baskets, tomahawks, bows and arrows, war clubs, chromos, colored photographs, clay or papier-mâché Indian heads, plaques and busts, etc., any of which would make suitable favors. A miniature wigwam made of blankets in an

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INDOOR LAWN PARTY

INDOOR LAWN PARTY

Our social committee, of which I was then chairman, wanted very much to have a lawn party; but the season for such things was quite over, as the evenings were too cool. However, a bright idea occurred to one of our number, and we decided to have an indoor lawn party. The Saturday afternoon before it was to take place, four of the committee took a team, went out into the woods, and secured a lot of pine boughs, autumn leaves, etc., and Monday evening, which was the evening before it occurred, we

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JACK-O'-LANTERN PARTY

JACK-O'-LANTERN PARTY

The little guests at this particular party were invited from three o'clock until seven, and when they arrived they found the rooms were darkened. The lamps had yellow shades, and as such an occasion would not be complete without pumpkin Jack-o'-lanterns, there were "Pumpkins large and pumpkins small, Pumpkins short and pumpkins tall, Pumpkins yellow and pumpkins green, Pumpkins dull and those with sheen." They hung in every nook and corner. Even the jardinières filled with flowers were made of t

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JAPANESE CARD PARTY

JAPANESE CARD PARTY

Invitations may be written as the natives write—up and down, instead of across, on rice paper or paper napkins; or little Japanese dolls may be sent, each clasping a note of invitation. For decorations, use Japanese draperies, cushions, bead curtains, rugs, baskets, swords, scrolls, umbrellas, vases, fans, lanterns, screens, bamboo tables and chairs, Japanese fern balls, with tiny Japanese flags and fans stuck in here and there, red, or red and white Japanese lilies, ferns combined with red and

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JAPANESE SOCIABLE

JAPANESE SOCIABLE

The invitations to a Japanese sociable should be written as the natives write, up and down, instead of across, and have a cherry blossom or a Japanese lady in water-colors in one corner of each. The guests should be informed beforehand that each one is to tell something or read something about Japan, any little item of interest that may have been heard or read, a pretty poem or a little story. The hostess and whoever assists her in receiving should wear kimonos and have tiny fans in their hair.

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LITERARY CONTEST

LITERARY CONTEST

Have small tables numbered and arranged to seat four or six persons. Select for each table a judge, who will distribute the cards and blanks. These judges hold the keys to the contests, so that they may be able to mark the players correctly. Give each player a card attached to a piece of baby ribbon that may be fastened in the buttonhole. Upon these cards the number of points gained may be written, punched with a ticket punch, or marked with fancy wafers of different colors. The cards must be nu

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LITERARY EVENING

LITERARY EVENING

In the note of invitation each one should be requested to wear something suggestive of a book title. Upon arrival, each guest should be furnished with a card bearing the names of the entire company. When one fancies he has discovered a title, he should say nothing about it, but write the title opposite the name of the impersonator. When as much time has been given to this part of the program as has been thought desirable, the hostess calls the company to order and reads aloud a correct list of n

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LITERARY PEOPLE

LITERARY PEOPLE

Write the questions on red cards and the answers on white. Have each question and answer numbered in succession. Let the gentlemen select the red and the ladies the white cards, and when the gentlemen read the questions, let the ladies read the answers. This is also a good way to match partners for refreshments....

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MEASURING PARTY

MEASURING PARTY

The giving of such a party is a pleasing way of raising money for some charitable object. The invitations should read somewhat like the following: You are cordially invited to attend a Measuring Party to be given by the East End Connett Y. W. C. T. U. at the home of the President, Mrs. Herbert B. Linscott, Monday evening, October 29th, 1905. Below, this verse should be printed: A measuring party we give for you, 'Tis something pleasant as well as new. The invitation carries a sack, For use in br

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MEDICAL SOCIABLE

MEDICAL SOCIABLE

Procure the small glass vials used by homœopathic physicians. On the outside of each one paste a narrow slip, on which is written the name of some trouble for which the Bible offers a remedy. On another slip write the Bible verse which gives the cure. Roll it up, and run a thread through it which is fastened to the cork. Here are some suggestions: Discouragement, Ps. 42: 5; Sadness, Ps. 16: 11; Pain, Rev. 21: 4; Doubt, Despair, Anger, Impatience, Laziness, Unruly tongue, Loneliness, Sleeplessnes

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MEDICAL TRUNK

MEDICAL TRUNK

"In my wonderful trunk I have two very tall tropical trees (palms); something used by an artist (palette [palate]); weapons of war (arms); many wild animals, and two domestic ones (hares [hairs], calves); something worn by a king (crown); a bright garden flower (tulips [two lips]); a musical instrument (drum); two fish and many shell fish (soles, muscles); branches of trees (limbs); a student (pupil); something used in ship-building (ribs); whips without handles (lashes). a product of a spruce-t

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MILITARY SOCIABLE

MILITARY SOCIABLE

This is a form of entertainment suitable for Independence Day. "Military Checkers," played at small tables, may furnish appropriate amusement. Each table is named for some fort: "Fort Ticonderoga," "Fort Duquesne," etc. Though the players "progress" from one table to another, all their honors are counted as belonging to the fort of their first allegiance, to which table they return each time they win. The prizes may be in any form suggestive of Independence Day. An enameled pencil in the shape o

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MORNING GLORY FAIR

MORNING GLORY FAIR

At a recent church fair the flower-booth attracted special notice. It was decorated with morning glories made of crepe paper, in different colors. The flowers were profusely twined among the spruce boughs that formed the top of the booth, and were extremely effective and very natural. The flower-girls wore large hats with morning glory trimming, and were in light summer dresses. All the other tables were similarly decorated, and those in charge wore morning glories in profusion, twined in the ha

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MOTHER GOOSE GAME

MOTHER GOOSE GAME

During the evening a slip of paper is handed to each guest with the name of one of the Mother Goose characters upon it. The hostess retains a list of these, and calls each in turn to repeat within the space of one minute the familiar verse relative to this character. Failing to do this a forfeit must be paid. The one who is most prompt in responding correctly may receive as a prize a goose-quill pen; and the one who fails, a copy of "Mother Goose." Just before refreshments are served the "Goose

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MUSICAL CARD PARTY

MUSICAL CARD PARTY

A good color scheme for this affair is brown and yellow. Invitations may be in the form of a scroll, engraved with a selection from some favorite opera, or may represent the "G" clef in brown and yellow water colors. For decorations use yellow flowers, yellow shaded lights and yellow and brown hangings. Tally cards may be painted to represent different musical instruments, such as violins, guitars, mandolins, etc.; or miniature tambourines and banjos may be used for scoring, hung by long loops o

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MUSICAL EVENING

MUSICAL EVENING

The invitations should be sent in small imitation music rolls, and headed with a line of appropriate music. As each guest enters he receives a long, narrow strip of pasteboard, bearing a portion of some familiar song, both words and music. Each card bears a number, and the eight whose cards are numbered alike are instructed to get together and practice to sing a verse formed by the union of their eight cards. A bell calls them to order, judges are appointed, and each group sings its song, a pian

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MUSICAL ROMANCE

MUSICAL ROMANCE

The young hostess announced that a love story of the Civil War would be related in musical numbers, and to the one who should best interpret them a prize would be awarded. All were provided with cards and pencils and a young woman seated herself at the piano. The hostess then asked "What was the heroine called?" Whereupon the familiar notes of "Sweet Marie" were heard, and it began to be understood that the names of popular airs—given with much spirit by the pianist—would furnish the answers to

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MUSICAL TERMS ILLUSTRATED

MUSICAL TERMS ILLUSTRATED

Have some one play these songs: "Star Spangled Banner," "Marching through Georgia," "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean," "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp," "Hail Columbia," "Home, Sweet Home," "Yankee Doodle," "When Johnnie Comes Marching Home Again," "Auld Lang Syne," "America." No titles are announced, but the guests are asked to guess the names and write them in order upon slips of paper. Following each piece of music some musical term is illustrated. These terms, with the mea

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MUSICIANS BURIED

MUSICIANS BURIED

Key to Musicians Buried Note: —The letters composing the names of the sought-for musicians come successively together but the name may begin and end in different words....

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MYSTICAL PARTY

MYSTICAL PARTY

The Y. W. C. T. U. Has cordially invited you To the Mystery Reception, Strange and weird beyond conception. At seven-thirty o'clock night fall We will welcome one and all; With solemn rites and grewsome sights, We'll meet you all on Monday night. Street and number. All those who take part in this should arrive early and have everything in shape when the guests appear. First, each one should wrap a white sheet over her and wear a small white mask. Have all the lights turned low or have candles, a

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NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY

This is a favorite occasion for a party among young people. It should be a small party, not over twenty-four guests, and it will be the more enjoyable if informal and among those who are well acquainted with each other. There are as varied entertainments for such parties as for those at other seasons. A pretty idea is to confine the list to twelve young gentlemen and twelve young ladies. The hostess requests each couple to dress so as to represent a particular month, which she assigns them. Duck

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NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

This game is played by providing each guest a paper and pencil, and having ten letters of the alphabet read to the company. These are to be copied, the guests are told to write a New Year's resolution of ten words, each beginning with one of the letters used, in the order in which they are given out. These importuned resolutions, when read, will afford much amusement....

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NEW YEAR'S SOCIABLE

NEW YEAR'S SOCIABLE

As the guests come in, each one is requested to sign his name in a note-book, and to write underneath it a New Year's resolution. An entire page should be allowed for each one, so that no one may know what his neighbor has written. Each guest should be given a card inscribed with an appropriate quotation, such as "Time and tide wait for no man." These cards are numbered. These are passed around among the company, with the explanation that each guest is to amuse the company for the length of time

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NINETEENTH CENTURY GAME

NINETEENTH CENTURY GAME

In this game of guess the contestants are told that each question can be replied to with the name of a celebrity who has lived in, or whose life has extended into, the nineteenth century. Each guest is given a little tablet with his name written on every one of the pages. Two minutes are allowed to each question. The questioner sits with a big bowl before her, into which, when she calls time, each player drops a slip upon which he has written his answer. This is the list that the questioner read

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NOSE AND GOGGLE PARTY

NOSE AND GOGGLE PARTY

To fun-loving people who enjoy the grotesque, great sport will be found in giving a Nose and Goggle Party. Here two objects will be gained: merriment and disguise. As the guests arrive, disguised as explained below, each is given a card, perforated, with ribbon run through, in order to wear the card around the neck, so that everybody can see it. The cards must have, on one side, a number by which each guest is known; on the other side, a list of figures, 1, 2, 3, etc. (as many figures as there a

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NOTED PEOPLE

NOTED PEOPLE

Cut out pictures of noted men and women from newspapers and magazines, paste on white paper, and number each one. Provide each guest with paper and pencil, having the paper contain a list of numbers corresponding to those on the pictures. The guests are then requested to write opposite the correct number the name of the person whom each picture represents. A good idea is to have pictures pinned upon the wall, curtains, and in every convenient place about the rooms, as the guests will then be obl

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NUT CONUNDRUMS

NUT CONUNDRUMS

Before the guests arrive hide nuts all over the rooms in every nook and corner. At a given signal have the guests search for them and the one finding the most can be given a small prize. Take English walnuts, split and take out the kernel; write quotations on small slips of paper, cut in half, put one-half paper in one nut shell, the other half in another shell, gluing each shell together. During the evening give one set of half quotations to the girls, the other set to the boys and then have th

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NUT PARTY

NUT PARTY

Invitations may be slipped inside peanut or English walnut shells, glued together, and sent in a small box. The shops are showing big English walnuts, Parisian almonds and Spanish peanuts, filled with confections in imitation of the genuine nut meats, which make attractive prizes or favors. A novelty in silver represents an English walnut (exact size), "All in a nutshell," which contains powder, puff, mirror, miniature scent bottle, and pincushion; a silver peanut contains a "magic" pencil or sm

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OBSERVATION PARTY

OBSERVATION PARTY

Place these objects tastefully on the dining-room table, each guest on entering the room being furnished with a catalogue of the subjects, supposed to be different paintings, made out so that blank spaces will be left to the right for the answers. From fifteen to twenty minutes are allowed to guess and write down the answers as fast as they are discovered. Comparing notes is hardly fair. At the end of the stated time the guests leave the room. Some one then calls out the correct answers, and the

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OLD-TIME COUNTRY SCHOOL

OLD-TIME COUNTRY SCHOOL

(Can be used as a play.) " The Red Schoolhouse will open for the fall term on September fifteenth. As a goodly number of pupils is desired, all receiving this are urged to search the highways and byways for others who may wish to attend. School will begin promptly at eight. As there will be a recess, all pupils should bring their dinners. " SOLOMON WISEACRES, Pedagogue. " The coming of school-days, usually so much dreaded by young folks, was hailed with much delight by recipients of the above no

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OLD-TIME SPELLING BEE

OLD-TIME SPELLING BEE

The fact that a spelling bee is to form a part of the evening's entertainment need not be indicated upon the invitation, it being a part of the fun to catch people unawares. After the arrival of the guests the choice of a "teacher" and two leaders is effected by ballot. The two leaders then stand out at the end of the room opposite each other, and each chooses alternately one of the company at a time, to represent his side, until all have been chosen and stand in their places in two lines. The t

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ORANGE PARTY

ORANGE PARTY

To emphasize the color scheme, the young hostess wore a becoming empire gown of orange-colored silk, and on her left shoulder was fastened a large rosette of orange-colored chiffon. Each guest, upon arriving, was presented with a similar rosette to wear as a compliment to the occasion. The dining-room was decorated with potted plants. Although it was an afternoon party, the blinds were drawn and the room lighted artificially. The electric lights were muffled in orange-colored cheese cloth, and p

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ORANGE SOCIABLE

ORANGE SOCIABLE

In planning for an Orange Sociable use plenty of orange colored paper, and make the decorations very attractive. Make orange colored shades for gas or lamp globes, use orange colored paper napkins, make orange butterflies, and let those who serve on committee wear orange paper caps and orange colored ties. If possible use orange crepe paper for doilies and mats. Refreshments should consist of oranges, wafers tied with orange ribbon, and orangeade. For entertainment the old nursery rhymes should

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PATRIOTIC PARTY

PATRIOTIC PARTY

Drape the room for the occasion with red, white and blue bunting. Fill tall vases with red and white carnations and deep blue larkspur. Decorate the room with banners, streamers, red, white, and blue lamp shades, large copies of the State seals, and the like. Uncle Sam and Miss Columbia should stand in the centre of the room and receive the guests as they arrive. Members of the social committee, representing in some way Cuba, Porto Rico, the Philippines, and Hawaii, should act as ushers to prese

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PEDDLERS' PARADE

PEDDLERS' PARADE

One recently given by the young people of a church to raise funds for charity work was extremely well managed. Invitations were issued to members of the congregation to attend a Peddlers' Parade at eight o'clock on a certain evening, a small sum being asked for admission. The movable seats in the chapel were placed so that a wide space was left between them down the centre of the hall. At eight o'clock a march was played, and through the door at the rear came a motley procession, greeted with pe

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PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Find the following on a penny:...

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PHOTOGRAPH PARTY

PHOTOGRAPH PARTY

This is especially adapted for the opening or closing party of the season given by a club or society. Souvenir booklets, containing small circular snapshot photos of each member of the club,—each one mounted in the centre of a page—are given the club members. A title page, with name, date and history of the club may be added, leaving blank pages for various memoranda. The cover may be of cardboard, paper, silk or satin, in the club colors, with the club name in gold. The place cards may be minia

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PICTORIAL GEOGRAPHY

PICTORIAL GEOGRAPHY

You can help make an hour at a social fly so quickly that the most bashful person present will say it was only ten minutes long, by the help of cards bearing small pictures which have been cut from newspaper advertisements. For instance, Arkansas may be formed by a capital R, a sprinkling-can, and a saw; Iowa, a large I, and a picture of a grocer's scales—I-weigh; Sacramento, by a sack, "ra," a group of men, and the toe of a slipper; Belgium, by a bell and a stick-pin (Bell-gem); and so on with

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PICTURE READING

PICTURE READING

Picture reading is a novel amusement which is adapted to a small party only. Provide as many envelopes and short pencils as there are guests. On the outside of each envelope write the name of a guest. Place a lead-pencil and a folded sheet of unruled paper inside of each envelope. When the guests are seated, present each one with the envelope bearing his or her name. The hostess, or some other person appointed by her, then explains to the company that each one is expected to draw a picture upon

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PICTURES OF PROMINENT MEN

PICTURES OF PROMINENT MEN

If the company be musical, the pictures of celebrated musicians could be appropriately used, and in writing down the names of these it could also be required of the guests to cite some noted composition of each; or should the company be general, the pictures of men prominent in different professions—divines, orators, actors, statesmen—could be utilized in almost exactly the same manner. Should the entertainment be given in July or in March, it would be quite appropriate to have on the cards pict

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PIE PARTY

PIE PARTY

The invitation to this party should be written on three-cornered papers, shaped and painted to look like pieces of pie. Have each lady bring a different kind of pie, thus securing great variety. The refreshments should consist entirely of pies and hot coffee. Have each gentleman present write a recipe for the kind of pie eaten by him, also telling how long it takes to bake it. A suitable prize can be given for the best recipe. A large pie filled with bran may contain a favor for each guest, any

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PILGRIM LUNCHEON

PILGRIM LUNCHEON

A Pilgrim luncheon is a most delightful affair when properly carried out. The guests should be requested to dress in quaint old costumes suitable to the occasion. If the floors are scrubbed and sanded in keeping with the old-time Pilgrim interiors, so much the better. Candles in old-fashioned brass sticks will furnish sufficient light. A cheerful fire in the grate, with a kettle hanging on a crane, will add to the festivities. All the old heirlooms—spinning wheels of various sizes, andirons, can

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PING-PONG LUNCHEON

PING-PONG LUNCHEON

This ping-pong luncheon deserves mention for the novelty of the idea as well as for the cleverness of the hostess in planning her menu. The table decorations consisted of two ping-pong nets stretched diagonally across the table. In the centre where the nets crossed, four racquets of white parchment with scarlet edges were placed. From these rose a bunch of asparagus ferns, and stuck amid the ferns, like big roses, were a dozen rosettes of taffeta ribbon of six different shades of red and pink. T

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PING-PONG PARTY

PING-PONG PARTY

The invitations, which were written on pink paper, ran as follows: Ping-Pong Party! Polite and pretty people pressed to pleasantly play ping-pong for prizes: pens, pictures, purses or pencils. Patent leather pumps and pinafores positively prohibited. Party puts in at 8 P. M.—pulls out at pleasure. Program The tournament began with mixed doubles. A pretty boutonnière was given to each guest. The men selected for their partners the girls who had flowers corresponding to theirs. After doubles were

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PIN PARTY

PIN PARTY

The invitations to this were written on large sheets of paper, and the sheet was then folded up small, and pinned with a large black pin. Each guest was requested to bring a fancy stick-pin which he or she was willing to have disposed of as the hostess saw fit. On entering, these were given to the hostess, who thrust each into a small card bearing the name of the person bringing it. While her guests were removing wraps in the guest-chamber, she put these by twos (one brought by a girl and one by

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P.O.D. DINNER PARTY

P.O.D. DINNER PARTY

On the twenty-second day of February the guests were bidden to a P.O.D. (Post-Office Department) dinner party, but none guessed the meaning of the mysterious letters till they were seated at the table and found that the place-cards were unsealed envelopes stamped and directed, each one containing a tin label similar to the ones upon the sacks used in the Railway Mail Service. These had been made by a tinsmith and were only strips of tin three inches long and an inch and a half wide. The sides ha

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POP-CORN PARTY

POP-CORN PARTY

I was much surprised and amused at a little corn-colored envelope which came with my morning mail the other day. It contained, written upon corn-colored paper, an invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Blank to be present at "A Pop-corn Party" on the following Thursday evening at eight o'clock. In the lower left-hand corner was written, "To meet Mr. C. Cobb very informally." In the dressing-room each girl was presented with an addition to her toilet in the shape of a necklace of popcorn sewed upon satin r

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PORTRAIT GAME

PORTRAIT GAME

In this new and clever game a name card, with the numbers from one to six written upon it, a small pad of paper, and a pencil, are handed to each guest. The gentlemen are then asked to select partners for each number upon their cards, and when this is done the hostess may give the signal for the game to begin, and announce that "partners" may proceed to draw each other's faces upon the pads of paper, each gentleman depicting the charms of his vis-à-vis , and each lady doing likewise. At the end

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POVERTY PARTY

POVERTY PARTY

The committee should take especial pains to have every one enter into this party to make it a success. When it was held at the home of the writer, the house was all torn up ready to move out the next day, so the floors were bare, the curtains were all down and everything looked very much poverty stricken. All the good furniture was moved out of the rooms, and store boxes with long boards across made the seats. Mush and milk was served in tin cups with tin spoons (borrowed for the party). A flash

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POVERTY SOCIABLE

POVERTY SOCIABLE

You are Asked to the Parlors of Gen. &amp; Mrs. Silas T. Jones Wednesday Evening, April Twelfth. "Come in your rags, come in your tags," but not in velvet gowns, or you will be fined the usual some, 25 sents. Read the program and all kum. Rewls and Regerlashuns First. Every womin what kums must ware a Poverty dres and apern, er somethin ekelly erpropriate, an leave her poodle dorg to hum. Second. Know gent with biled shirt and dood koller will be aloud to kum onless he pays a fine of 5 sents

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PRESIDENTIAL COUPLETS

PRESIDENTIAL COUPLETS

1. Who first at Washington did pledge The nation's weal to guard and hedge? 2. Which President, most grave and wary, Was called "Old Public Functionary"? 3. Whose phaeton, made from ship of state, Conveyed him to inaugural fête? 4. What President, renowned for spleen, Joined the Continentals when fourteen? 5. Who in his New York home did take The oath which doth a President make? 6. Who to his inaugural hied His good and faithful horse astride? 7. When death first made vacan

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PRESIDENTS' NICKNAMES

PRESIDENTS' NICKNAMES

Let the nicknames of our Presidents form the subject of a guessing contest. These should be written one at a time upon a blackboard and numbered. One minute is allowed in which to guess and write down the name of the Executive to whom the title was applied. The list of nicknames is as follows: Let the best list of answers be awarded a prize....

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PUSSY WILLOW PARTY

PUSSY WILLOW PARTY

Especially appropriate ideas for an evening's entertainment to be given the last of March or the first of April are suggested by the pussy willow. The invitations sent out to the invited friends can be written on cards brown-tinted like the bark of the trees, and can be very artistically decorated with the furry blooms, or with paintings of them. Trim the parlor with pussy willows by filling vases, pitchers, and bowls. Place the catkins about the room and suspend branches of them from gas jets a

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RED, WHITE AND BLUE LUNCHEON

RED, WHITE AND BLUE LUNCHEON

The entire color scheme of this Fourth of July luncheon must be worked out in the national colors; as far as possible the doilies used should be designed in star-shaped patterns, with a border in wash silks of interwoven red carnations and blue corn-flowers. Suspended directly over the centre of the table, a huge liberty bell should be hung, composed of red and white carnations and blue corn-flowers. Depending therefrom should be ropes of red, white and blue ribbon, terminating at the four corne

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"RILEY" ENTERTAINMENT

"RILEY" ENTERTAINMENT

A "Riley" party was recently held by one of our church charity organizations. It proved a decidedly unique affair and quite a profitable one also. The decorations of the church parlors consisted mainly of paper, which was most artistically entwined about pillar, post and picture. A large picture of James Whitcomb Riley was placed upon the wall facing the entrance, and over it in pasteboard letters, "When the frost is on the pumpkin, And the fodder's in the shock." Almost all the young people who

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SELF-PORTRAITS

SELF-PORTRAITS

"Actions speak louder than words." So runs the old saw; nevertheless, a single phrase has often served to make a man famous, and many well-known personages are readily remembered through especially striking or appropriate utterances. How many readers will be able to credit the following to the proper sources?...

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SEVEN DAYS IN ONE

SEVEN DAYS IN ONE

This fair can be planned by any society that wishes to raise money and is willing to work to earn it. Monday Have a booth with everything pertaining to wash-day—wash aprons, clothes-pin aprons, clothes-pin bags, wash-tubs, boilers, wash-boards, clothes-lines, clothes-pins, soaps, washing-powder, bluing, clothes-baskets, etc. Tuesday Have everything a housewife wants for ironing day—ironing-boards, irons, stands, holders, home-made holders, fine starch, bees' wax, ironing-board slips, polishing i

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SHAMROCK LUNCHEON

SHAMROCK LUNCHEON

An Idea for St. Patrick's Day The invitations were written upon pale green note-paper, with a shamrock leaf painted in water-color in one corner. The exquisitely blended shades of this leaf make it an easy and effective decoration. In truth, we encountered some difficulty in finding a leaf to copy; but a volume of Moore's poems, incased by a considerate binder in a shamrock-sprinkled cover, solved the problem! The event was called a "Shamrock Luncheon," the hours were from two until six, and the

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SNOWDRIFT PARTY

SNOWDRIFT PARTY

An ingenious hostess provided no little amusement for her guests by what she called her "snowdrift party." This is how it is arranged: First of all select from a good book of quotations or proverbs twenty sentences applicable to snow. Write these twenty verses on twenty cards, one verse to each card, and number them with the numbers from one to twenty. Now get together a half dozen pasteboard or wooden boxes, and fill these with flakes of cotton, wool or white paper torn into small pieces. Hide

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SOCK SOCIABLE

SOCK SOCIABLE

This little sock we give to you Is not for you to wear; Please multiply your size by two And place therein with care, In pennies or in cents, Just twice the number that you wear, (We hope it is immense). So if you wear a number 10 You owe us 20, see? Which, dropped into our little sock, Will fill our hearts with glee. 'Tis all we ask; it isn't much, And hardly any trouble, But if you only have one foot, We'll surely charge you double. Now, if you have a friend quite dear, You'd like to bring wit

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SPINNING PARTY

SPINNING PARTY

"Will you walk into my parlor?" On the upper left-hand corner there was a picture of a spider spinning his web, and a fly struggling to escape from its meshes. When the guests arrived they saw an old-fashioned spinning wheel in the centre of the room, with flax near by, all ready for spinning. They were told that all must try for the prizes that were to be awarded to the lady and gentleman who spun the best thread, after five minutes' trial. The mother of the hostess, who had done such work when

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SPINSTER TEA

SPINSTER TEA

Where a party of girls wish to have an evening all to themselves the "Spinster Tea" will furnish them with much merriment. As this sort of tea should be quite informal the invitations may be written on plain white note-paper, as follows: " Being a spinster in good standing in this community you are cordially invited to a 'Spinster Tea' on Tuesday evening, November twentieth, at seven o'clock, at 415 Madison Street. You are requested to dress in character, and to bring with you an old-fashioned p

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STATE FLOWERS

STATE FLOWERS

In case it is desired to represent the various states of the Union by floral decorations, the following list is given: [1] Adopted by State Legislature....

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STATE SOCIABLE

STATE SOCIABLE

Each guest on arriving should be presented with a white card on which has been pasted a picture of General Washington. These need not all be alike—in fact, it will increase the interest in the cards if they are not; any picture of our first President may be used. Small ones cut from magazines will answer the purpose admirably. Beneath the picture have the date, and through perforations at the top of the cards run red, white and blue ribbon hangers. On the reverse of each of the first thirteen ca

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ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARTY

ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARTY

Invitations to be sent out as follows: You are invited to attend a gathering of the Sons and Daughters of Erin at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick O'Rafferty, (Mr. and Mrs. Herbert B. Linscott), 105 Southern Avenue, Cleveland, on St. Patrick's Day in the evening. You will please come masked and representing some Irish lady or gentleman. Each guest is asked to furnish an Irish story, song or recitation. When the guests arrive their assumed names are written on cards and pinned on each one, and th

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ST. PATRICK'S GUESSING CONTEST

ST. PATRICK'S GUESSING CONTEST

(Something green.)...

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TELEGRAM PARTY

TELEGRAM PARTY

To interest guests who have a sense of humor and thoroughly enjoy a little quick thinking you can easily invent new games or adapt and add novel accessories to some older idea, such as, for instance, "A Telegram Party." For this party write your invitations on telegram blanks, and let your refreshments be served not by a maid (who never enjoys extra work), but by one or more boys dressed as telegraph messengers. They will delight in their responsibility and will help you in many ways. Let the bo

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TENNIS SOCIABLE

TENNIS SOCIABLE

Write invitations on small white cardboard racquets. Decorate the walls with tennis racquets and nets. Have tennis racquets hung from each chandelier, and stretch a large net across the room. Place in this net red and white racquets of pasteboard, each tied to several yards of red and white ribbon, and have them all tangled up. The object is to wind up the string on the racquets, and secure as many as possible without breaking the ribbon. The committee should wear red belts with seven red stream

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TEN VIRGINS (SACRED PLAY)

TEN VIRGINS (SACRED PLAY)

Select ten young ladies who are good singers—six sopranos and four altos. Divide into two groups, three sopranos and two altos in each group. Have all dress in long white robes and each carry a candle. Five should have lighted candles and five not lighted. Have all behind a curtain and before they appear have the whole ten sing the hymn, "Be robed and ready when the bridegroom comes." This can be found in any sacred song book. Have a small room curtained off on one end of platform. While singing

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THANKSGIVING DAY DECORATIONS

THANKSGIVING DAY DECORATIONS

Great cornstalks, with the husk merely turned back to show the yellow ear, are extremely effective. A huge bunch of these on either side of the drawing-room door will take the place of palms. They may also be placed at the entrance to the dining-room, their sentinel-like appearance making them charming as a doorway decoration. Here and there great pumpkins, hollowed out to admit of the flower-pot with its growing green, make unique jardinières. A bunch of corn, where the ear is red, tied by mean

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THANKSGIVING FOOTBALL DINNER

THANKSGIVING FOOTBALL DINNER

The following is a description of a novel dinner recently given a party of twelve football enthusiasts on Thanksgiving Day. While the ladies were up-stairs removing their wraps, a maid came in with a tray on which were six wishbones, each having tied to it a knot of ribbon of one of the different college colors. Of these they were to take their choice, according to the college or university they preferred. Meanwhile the gentlemen down-stairs had been presented with ribbon rosettes, and as these

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THANKSGIVING SOCIABLE

THANKSGIVING SOCIABLE

How surprised every one was at the changed appearance of the Sunday-school room! All the chairs had been removed and at various places stood great shocks of corn. Upon the wall were hung red berries and bright-hued autumn leaves, garlands of which may be easily made if the leaves are gathered as they fall, waxed, pressed, and strung on strong threads. In the centre of the room was arranged a large semicircular divan made of pew-cushions covered with dark, richly-colored draperies. There were a n

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TRANSPLANTING TREES

TRANSPLANTING TREES

Pass slips of paper around with the names of different trees, all in capital letters, but not spelled in order; for instance, Y-H-O-K-R-I-C, which when transplanted will spell the name Hickory. A suitable prize can be given the one who succeeds in transplanting the greatest number of trees....

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TREE PARTY

TREE PARTY

For a June entertainment nothing could be more suitable than a tree party, for at this season the new leaves are all out and everything looks fresh and green. Trim the house with branches and blossoms, having as many varieties of trees represented as possible. When all the guests have arrived, give to each one a strip of cardboard (having a pencil tied to it with a bit of green ribbon) upon which are written the following questions for them to answer: Then the following game may be played: Pin a

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TREE POOL

TREE POOL

That the guests may choose partners, give out cards of red, green, yellow, and brown cardboard cut in the shape of leaves,—maple, elm, oak, etc. There should, of course, be but two leaves of the same shape and color, one of each being passed to the ladies, the corresponding ones to the men. The game is played in the usual way where there is a pool of letters, except that the words made must be only the names of trees or shrubs. For those who may not be altogether familiar with the game, the rule

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TROLLEY PARTY

TROLLEY PARTY

The guests invited to our trolley party were twenty in number. When all had assembled, cards with pencils attached were given them, after which the hostess announced that the trip would take half an hour, that the conductor would ring his bell for start and finish, but that the guests must prove their familiarity with the names of the streets, which were represented on cards scattered through the rooms—pinned to curtains, table-covers, pincushions, etc. Carnations were given to the one guessing

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UNIQUE VALENTINE PARTY

UNIQUE VALENTINE PARTY

The invitations requested that each guest appear in costume and masked. This was the keynote of the affair. An early lunch was planned, as they were to choose partners while still masked, and naturally they would wish to remove their masks after that form of the entertainment had flagged a little. The rooms were decorated with valentines which had accumulated in the household through fourteen years and others prepared for the purpose. After the choice of partners, masks were removed, and all mar

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UNIVERSITY LUNCHEON

UNIVERSITY LUNCHEON

A Yale luncheon given last Christmastide was a brilliant success. The ideas may be utilized for the entertainment of students from any college, merely changing the colors. Our decision was to have no flowers, not even a palm, and to keep the entire house in harmony of coloring. Fortunately for our scheme, every room had a quiet gray or bluish paper, and in carpets, furniture and hangings there was not a touch of color that would clash with the blue of Yale. Our first bit of luck was the loan of

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VALENTINE ENTERTAINMENT

VALENTINE ENTERTAINMENT

Two dozen couples make a very goodly company of young folks for a pleasant little evening; therefore, send out invitations to that number. The cards of invitation might have on them, either in India ink or water-colors, an arrow-pierced heart, a whole heart or a broken one; even a cluster of them, like fishes on a string, according to the pleasure of the hostess. For each of the twelve young ladies invited, select a rôle that she will impersonate; for instance, we will say that the twelve charac

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VALENTINE FUN

VALENTINE FUN

This description of a Valentine entertainment will be welcomed by those who desire novel and original ideas. We were received in a room decorated with wreaths of green, hung in festoons caught up at regular intervals by ribbon streamers. From the centre of each wreath hung hearts of parchment paper, tinted in blue and lettered in gold, each bearing a number and a fate or fortune. Suspended from a portière rod between the hall and reception room were three hearts formed of heavy wire and carefull

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VALENTINE PARTY—DANISH

VALENTINE PARTY—DANISH

The "Town Club" was surprised by receiving white cards decorated with cherry-colored ribbon and Danish Flag inviting them to a "Danish Valentine Party." The predominating colors were cherry color and white, being the Danish National Colors. Decorations of the house were of cherry-colored and white hearts and vinter-gjaek (snowdrops), the first Danish flower of the season. The hearts were strung in the parlor, reception-room and dining-room. The archway between parlor and reception-room was drape

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VALENTINE SOCIABLE

VALENTINE SOCIABLE

Invitations should be sent out for the 14th of February. Each guest is requested to bring a valentine, and as they enter the room, they should drop them into a basket which should be ready to receive them. These can be sent later to some poor school or mission to be given out to poor children, who otherwise would get none. A small room can be fitted up for a studio, and as the guests arrive, they are invited into this room to have their pictures taken. A committee should be appointed to do this

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VEGETABLE PARTY

VEGETABLE PARTY

Over the table was an Italian green-grocer's sign, and the smiling attendants were dressed to represent Italian women. The table was loaded with fruits and vegetables, all made of tissue paper. The stock included pumpkins, squashes, cabbages, cauliflower, curly lettuce, beets, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, radishes, oranges, and grapes. The vegetables sold for five or ten cents, according to size and contents, for each contained a prize. The radishes and grapes were candies covered with the prope

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WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

In planning for anniversaries there are many and unique ways in which they may be carried out. Everything that accompanies the anniversary being celebrated should be used. Always use a decided color and try to carry out the color scheme in the refreshments, the decorations, and the costumes. There are many suitable suggestions in the book from which to choose, in the way of both decoration and entertainment, besides the following. First Anniversary—Cotton Wedding The invitations for the cotton w

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WEDDING OF THE OPERAS

WEDDING OF THE OPERAS

Each guest was given a double card or booklet with pencil attached, the cover representing a miniature sheet of music. Upon one page was a list of numbered questions, the answers to be written upon the opposite page, suggested by selections from well-known operas and operettas played upon the piano or other instrument. The names of the operas from which the selections were taken answered the questions. The following were the questions: And the music gave answer, as follows:...

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WHICH IS YOUR CITY

WHICH IS YOUR CITY

The names of cities and their nicknames may also be used, thus: Boston, "The Hub"; Philadelphia, "The City of Homes"; Detroit, "City of the Straits"; Cincinnati, "Queen City of the West"; Chicago, "Windy City," or "Garden City"; Buffalo, "Queen City"; Cleveland, "Forest City"; Pittsburg, "Smoky City"; Washington, "City of Magnificent Distances"; Milwaukee, "Cream City"; New York, "Gotham"; Minneapolis, "Falls City"; St. Louis, "Mound City"; San Francisco, "Golden Gate"; New Orleans, "Crescent Ci

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WHITE RIBBON SOCIABLE

WHITE RIBBON SOCIABLE

Invitations should be similar to the following: Yourself and friends are cordially invited to attend a White Ribbon Sociable given by the Y. W. C. T. U. at the home of the President, Miss Blank, Monday evening, September 10, 19—. Have a small white ribbon bow tied on the corner of the card. Of course all members of the society should wear their white ribbons. All who serve on the reception committee should wear a large white ribbon rosette. Also have a white ribbon quartet for the musical part o

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WHY WE NEVER MARRIED

WHY WE NEVER MARRIED

An Evening's Entertainment to be Given by Seven Maids and Seven Bachelors (Copyright, 1899, by the Curtis Publishing Company and republished by courtesy of the Ladies' Home Journal ) Although this entertainment is here planned to include fourteen people, the number of those who take part in it may, of course, be reduced to as few or increased to as many as desired, either by omitting one or more of the couples already provided for, or by including more couples and composing additional verses for

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WIFE OF SANTA CLAUS

WIFE OF SANTA CLAUS

An Entertainment for the Sunday-School The Sunday-school, school or club is assembled; the stage is concealed by a curtain, and the Christmas tree, which is near the stage, by another curtain or screen. The tree is decorated in the usual manner, minus the gifts, which are concealed near the stage ready to be delivered when the right time comes. The tree need not be lighted until the closing of any preliminary exercises that have been arranged. After lighting, the tree should be exposed to the vi

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