contributing to the entertainment, and an ear of corn, tied with bright
ribbon, to each guest.
In order to have the ghost stories a success the committee arranging the
program had selected them beforehand.
A great deal of the success of the entertainment was due to the fact
that its nature had been kept secret, and, curiosity having been
aroused, an unusually large number of people attended.
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.
TREE GUESSING CONTEST
1. A solid, tenacious, easily-moulded substance, and
a part of the hand.
2. A ruminant quadruped of the feminine gender.
3. To show grief, and a machine in which cotton,
wool, or flax is opened and cleansed.
4. Neat, without elegance or dignity.
5. Ill, ill, ill.
6. A nickname, a vowel and an external covering.
7. Used for puddings and a part of the hand.
8. A near and dear relative.
9. A vegetable and a Scottish word denoting possession.
10. A partner, came together, and a part of the human
body.
11. A green muskmelon pickled.
12. A drink, and a lineal measure.
13. A coat or covering.
1. Wax palm.
2. Yew.
3. Weeping willow.
4. Spruce.
5. Sycamore.
6. Tamarind.
7. Sago palm.
8. Paw-paw.
9. Plantain.
10. Palmetto.
11. Mango.
12. Cocoa palm.
13. Fir.
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:
1. What's the social tree, 1. Pear. Tea.
2. And the dancing tree, 2. Hop.
3. And the tree that is nearest the sea? 3. Beech.
4. The daintiest tree, 4. Spruce.
5. And the kissable tree, 5. Tulip. Yew.
6. And the tree where ships may be? 6. Bay.
7. What's the telltale tree, 7. Peach.
8. And the traitor's tree, 8. Judas.
9. And the tree that's the warmest clad? 9. Fir.
10. The languishing tree, 10. Pine.
11. The chronologist's tree, 11. Date.
12. And the tree that makes one sad? 12. Weeping
Willow.
13. What's the emulous tree, 13. Ivy.
14. The industrious tree, 14. Spindle-tree.
15. And the tree that will never stand still? 15. Caper.
16. The unhealthiest tree, 16. Sycamore.
17. The Egyptian-plague tree, 17. Locust.
18. And the tree neither up nor down hill? 18. Plane.
19. The contemptible tree, 19. Medlar.
20. The most yielding tree, 20. India-rubber.
21. And the tree that bears a curse? 21. Fig. Damson.
22. The reddish brown tree, 22. Chestnut.
23. The reddish blue tree, 23. Lilac.
24. And the tree like an Irish nurse? 24. Honeysuckle.
25. What is the tree
That makes each townsman flee? 25. Citron.
26. And what round itself doth entwine? 26. Woodbine.
27. What's the housewife's tree, 27. Broom.
28. And the fisherman's tree, 28. Basswood.
29. What by cockneys is turned into wine? 29. Vine.
30. What's the tree that got up, 30. Rose.
31. And the tree that was lazy, 31. Satin. Aloe.
32. And the tree that guides ships to go forth? 32. (H)elm.
33. The tree that's immortal, 33. Arbor-vitæ.
34. The trees that are not, 34. Dyewoods.
35. And the tree whose wood faces the north? 35. Southernwood.
36. The tree in a bottle, 36. Cork. [Hazel.
37. The tree in a fog, 37. Smoketree.
38. And what each must become ere he's old? 38. Elder.
39. The tree of the people, 39. Poplar.
40. The traveler's tree, 40. Wayfaring tree
41. And the sad tree when schoolmasters hold? 41. Birch.
42. What's the tree that has passed through the fiery heat,
42. Ash.
43. That half-given to doctors when ill? 43. Coffee.
44. The tree that we offer to friends when we meet?
44. Palm.
45. And the tree we may use as a quill? 45. Aspen.
46. What's the tree that in death will benight you?
46. Deadly
nightshade.
47. And the tree that your wants will 47. Breadfruit.
supply?
48. And the tree that to travel invites you, 48. Orange.
49. And the tree that forbids you to die? 49. Olive.
Then the following game may be played:
Pin a slip, containing the name of some tree, on the back of each person
present.
Questions may be asked concerning it, which will give a clue to the
wearer, who is to guess the tree he is supposed to represent.
As fast as each one is guessed, the slip is taken off the back and
pinned on the breast. Allow fifteen minutes for each person to write an
original poem on the tree he represents. Judges are appointed to select
the best poem, and a suitable prize can be awarded.
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 rules are that each one in turn draws a letter from the pool,
then tries by transposing one of his opponent's words to use this
letter, and so make a new word for himself. Plurals are not considered
new words. If one cannot use the letter to draw from his opponent's, or
in his own list, it is thrown back, and the turn passes to the next. If,
however, the letter is used, the player has another turn. When either
couple at the head table have made ten words, the bell is rung and the
guests score and progress as in any other game.
When supper is served, have the table decorated with a plant standing in
the centre, and from this to each corner of the table have a row of
Noah's Ark trees, which can be purchased at any toy shop. Stand one of
these on each of the plates as they are passed to the guests. They will
make very attractive souvenirs of the occasion.
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 correctly the greatest number of streets, a tiny bank and a new
penny to the one having the least.
The cards were as follows:
A TROLLEY RIDE--ST. LOUIS TO KIRKWOOD
1. Abraham's wife.
2. What idols' feet are often made of.
3. Stop here when hungry.
4. Always owns a goose.
5. Dear to our hearts though sometimes a "Rip."
6. Brought lightning from the clouds.
7. A part of a door and what doors are usually made of.
8. A sombre color.
9. Of cherry-tree fame.
10. A direction of the compass and a preacher.
11. The side of a tiny stream.
12. One of the discoverers of Pike's Peak.
13. A great turn.
14. Associated with the lower regions.
15. The highest point.
16. What most housewives do on Monday.
17. A famous summer resort.
18. What the preacher who lisped said to the sinner.
19. Green, and dear to girlish hearts.
20. Makes a quick fire.
The names of the streets represented were:
1. Sarah.
2. Clay.
3. Berry Road.
4. Taylor.
5. Jefferson.
6. Franklin.
7. Lockwood.
8. Gray.
9. Washington.
10. Westminster.
11. Edgebrook.
12. Clark.
13. Big Bend.
14. Sulphur.
15. Summit.
16. Wash.
17. Newport.
18. Prather.
19. Olive.
20. Pine.
This same idea could be carried out in connection with the streets of
any other town.
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 marched to the
dining-room, keeping time to a pretty march.
It being a birthday party, the ever new feature, the birthday cake, with
its candles, graced the centre of the table, the cake being white
decorated with red hearts and red candles. Three kinds of small cakes
and wafers (all heart-shaped), a plate of each at either end of the
table, made up that part of the refreshments. Cocoa in small cups and
ice cream in heart-shaped molds completed the repast. Confectionery in
the predominating color and shape was also on the table.
The table decorations consisted of red carnations, ferns and smilax, and
were added to by the souvenirs which were laid at the left of each
plate. These were prepared by our family artist for the occasion, and
were red, heart-shaped affairs with gold borders, in the centre a small
sketch in oil, below a line of poetry, and each one numbered. These were
connected by ribbon (running to the centre of the table) to buttonhole
bouquets, carnations and smilax, which with ferns formed the flat
centrepiece. At the ends as many as were convenient were arranged around
the end dishes. Much merriment was created by some reading the lines on
their souvenirs.
Upon leaving the table each guest adjusted the ribbon about her neck,
which brought the bouquet to its proper place "across the heart." After
returning to the parlors the guests were requested to read the lines
which they had found upon their souvenirs, and of which some had been
wondering the meaning; by beginning with No. 1 and reading in rotation a
well-known poem was completed. As you will see, this form of amusement,
with the character representations, goes far toward an evening's
entertainment. Young people consider a party incomplete without a prize
winning contest of some sort. The one I will describe was adopted.
Pencils and slips of paper were distributed, each bearing the name of a
book or song, and numbered; then pieces of drawing paper were handed
around, the first slips being collected, and each person was requested
to make a drawing representing the book or song, and putting his number
on it. These were gathered and pinned up for exhibition. The best
drawing won a prize. Then the person that, upon inspecting the drawings,
could give correctly the names of the most books or songs they
represented (more paper being passed for this purpose) received a prize.
The remainder of the evening was filled in by music, singing and games
of the guests' own choosing. When the time of departure came, all
wished they might enjoy it "all over again."
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 a huge bundle of Yale
flags and bunting from the College Men's club. A flag, with a great
white "Yale" on it, we stretched across one end of the sitting-room,
another, as immense as a campaigning banner, draped the west wall of the
dining-room. The stairs were garlanded with blue bunting, and all over
the house fluttered little class flags bearing dates that ran from '80
to '05. We allowed bunches of mistletoe tucked cunningly under gas
fixtures. Holly was out of the question: it would have suggested
Harvard.
Serving luncheon at one was an innovation, but an excellent one. When
the dishes were cleared away the anxiety was over, and the hostess moved
about among her guests without a thought of a meal to be served at the
end of the games. We set ten small tables, three in the dining-room,
four in the sitting-room, two in the parlor and one in the hall. The
tables were snowily linened, there were doilies in blue and white, and
the centrepiece on each table was a glass dish filled with small bunches
of splendid blue and white grapes. There was nothing blue to be found in
the fruit or flower kingdom except these, and the coloring was superb.
All the dishes we used were handsome old-fashioned willow ware, solid
dark blue, or mottled blue china.
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 characters to be represented are:
1. Queen of Hearts.
2. Gypsy.
3. Nun.
4. Bicycle Girl.
5. Summer Girl.
6. Colonial Girl.
7. Poster Girl.
8. Widow.
9. Old Maid.
10. Trained Nurse.
11. Columbia.
12. Valentine.
Number twelve can be either a sentimental or a comic character. If the
latter, a good deal of amusement may be derived by getting a younger
brother or some mischievous boy to represent this character. Have the
young ladies gather at the home of the hostess somewhat earlier than the
men present themselves, and when the latter have assembled in the
parlors pass a tray around to them containing a dozen cards, on each of
which is written a couplet. These couplets are suggestive of the rôles
the young ladies play, and each gentleman may select such a couplet as
he sees fit. When all the cards have been taken, the young men in
rotation read aloud the couplet each has chosen, and after the reading
of the couplet the one representing it is brought into the parlor by the
hostess and introduced to the reader, who has thus chosen her as his
valentine.
Among the pleasant features of the supper a "Valentine cake" may be
introduced with good effect. A nicely iced cake, decorated with candy
hearts having sentimental mottoes on them, should be divided into
twenty-four slices before it is brought to the table. In the slices for
the young girls to draw make a small slit with the sharp blade of a
knife, and insert into the opening a slip of paper on which is written
the name of some young man who is present.
In those slices the men are to draw are such small articles as denote
the sort of wife Fate has chosen to be each one's partner for life.
Thus, a silver coin signifies wealth; a scrap of silk, a fashionable
wife; a penny, poverty; a tiny spoon, a good housekeeper; a pen, a
literary woman; a small silver heart, a marriage for love; a small
brush, an artistic wife; a tiny mirror, a vain woman; a piece of crape,
a widow, etc.
First a young lady chooses a slice of cake, then the man whose name she
draws selects one and learns the kind of life-partner he is to have.
Much merriment may be derived from such a cake.
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 carefully entwined with evergreen;
above each one was a jingle. The first said:
Blow your bubble right through here
And you'll be married before another year.
Above the second was:
To be engaged this very week
Number two is the one to take.
And the third had:
A sad, an awful fate awaits the one who seeks me,
For he or she will ever a spinster or bachelor be.
On a small table near by was an immense bowl filled with sparkling
soapsuds, and also clay pipes decorated with little blue hearts.
We first threw the bubbles off the pipes and then tried to blow them
through the hearts with pretty little fans which were presented to us;
none of us found this easy to do, but it was lots of fun, even if after
all our efforts we saw our bubble float through number three instead of
one or two, where we meant it to go.
After this came a still merrier game. A low scrap-basket was placed in
the centre of the room, and the company arranged into opposing parties,
forming two half circles around the basket. Cardboard hearts in two
different colors were given the sides, an equal number to each side. We
were then requested to try to throw them in the basket, and all
endeavored to do so, but found they had a tantalizing way of landing on
the floor.
When we had exhausted our cards those in the basket were counted, and
the side having the most of its own color won the game.
After this a small blackboard was placed on an easel at one end of the
room, and we were each in turn blindfolded, and handed a piece of chalk
with which to draw an outline of a heart, and to write our name in the
centre; the one doing the best to have a prize of a large candy heart.
The partners for supper were chosen in a novel manner, the men being
numbered, and the names of the girls written on slips of paper, rolled
in clay in little pellets, then dropped into a bowl of water; the one to
rise first belonged to the young man numbered one, and so on until each
had his Valentine.
A "Good Luck" supper was served in an adjoining room. Directly over the
table, suspended from the chandelier, hung a floral horseshoe. In the
centre of the table and at each end were fairy lamps surrounded by
smaller horseshoes. The guest-cards were square envelopes, at one side a
painted horseshoe, and below, "When Good Luck knocks at the door let him
in and keep him there." The souvenirs were clover-leaf stick pins, and
everything connected with the supper bore a symbol of good luck, the
bonbons, cakes, and sandwiches taking the forms of either a clover-leaf
or a horseshoe.
On opening the envelopes, we found an amusing valentine illustrated by a
pen-and-ink sketch, showing the artistic skill of one of the members of
the family.
After supper a tray, containing as many numbers as there were guests,
was passed, and we each took a heart with a corresponding number from
the decorations on the wall and read aloud the fortune found there.
These were very clever, and some surprisingly appropriate.
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 draped with the American and Danish Flags. In the
centre of each room hung four large-sized hearts, cherry-colored and
white, with a gilt arrow thrust through. In the dining-room the hearts
were strung in the same way, the lamp shade being of cherry-colored
crepe paper. The table was decorated with vinter-gjaek.
The girls wore short skirts and bodices of cherry-colored cambric and
white flannel blouses with full sleeves. The hair was worn in two
braids, crossed and tucked into the fronts of the bodices with knots of
vinter-gjaek fastened into each braid just where it came over the
shoulder. The boys wore dark coats and trousers, with white vests.
At the door was placed a box for valentines; as each guest came he
dropped his valentine into the box with the name of the person who was
to receive it. First for amusement was "Shadow Pictures," the guessing
of each boy's and girl's profile. White cards with numbers in cherry ink
and small cherry-colored pencils were passed to each. As the shadow was
thrown upon the sheet the name was written after the number on the card.
Prizes were given for the most correct guesses. The girls' prize was a
cherry-colored satin pin cushion in the shape of a heart; the boys', an
earthen pig. Then small white cards were passed tied with cherry-colored
ribbon and vinter-gjaek, each card containing a verse and below this the
initials of a name pricked out with a pin. By guessing the names they
stood for, each knew his or her valentine for the evening. It was great
fun. Lots were gjaeket (fooled). The verse on the cards read:
"Sir Knight, would'st know thy lady's name,
These pin pricks tell thee whence I came."
Then all were asked to the dining-room, where they found the following
supper awaiting them served in Danish style:
Coffee Water
Bummernickle (Black Rye Bread) White Bread
With grated cheese, tied with cherry-colored ribbon
Bakte Bomner (Baked Beans) Pickles
Bakte Avola (Baked Apples) Pop-Corn
Avele-Skiever (Doughnuts) Head-Cheese
Souvenirs--Three white candy hearts containing verses, tied with
cherry-colored ribbon.
After supper the valentines brought by the guests were distributed.
Music and a flashlight picture of the "Town Club" completed the
entertainment. Then all departed with light hearts.
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 work. This can be done by
having the shadow of the head in profile thrown on a sheet of paper
tacked to the wall. The artist then sketches it with pencil and cuts it
out. After all have arrived and have had their pictures taken, paper and
pencil are passed around, and the guests are asked to guess the identity
of each picture.
The pictures are then given to the owners as keepsakes. A nice idea is
for the gentlemen to write a valentine verse on the portraits of the
ladies, or make up some comic poetry. A sale of hearts is also a cute
idea.
Buy small hearts with a valentine couplet on each; these being read
aloud, each heart is to be sold to the person who first completes its
couplet; for instance, "'Tis better to have loved and lost," the person
finishing it as "than never to have loved at all."
The one guessing the greatest number of couplets can be given a small
box of heart-shaped candies.
Partners can be chosen for supper by having each lady write her name on
a slip of paper, and putting all the slips into a hat; each gentleman
will take to supper the one whose name he draws from the hat.
A pretty souvenir can be given each guest in the form of a small
heart-shaped valentine.
Refreshments can be suggestive of the day also. They can consist of
sandwiches cut in heart-shape, tied with red baby ribbon, bright-red
apples, cherry ice, lady fingers, kisses and small heart-shaped candies.
A card on each dish could carry out the idea in the following manner:
Sandwiches--"Heart bread."
Apples--"Love apples."
Cherry Ice--"Frozen heart's blood."
Lady Fingers--"Love's caresses."
Kisses--"Lovers' sweets."
Candies--"Love's sweet compound."
VARIETY OF LITTLE MISSES
1. What Miss causes in turn amusements and quarrels? (Mis-chief)
2. What Miss is distrustful of human nature? (Mis-anthrope)
3. What Miss undervalues her opportunities? (Mis-appreciate)
4. What Miss is not always honest? (Mis-appropriate)
5. What Miss is provoking and a blunderer? (Mis-take)
6. What Miss can destroy the peace of home, school and nation?
(Mis-rule)
7. What Miss is responsible for gross errors? (Mis-doing)