CHILDREN'S PARTIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 59, 7 September 1937, Page 16

CHILDREN'S PARTIES

"BREAKING THE ICE"

: The most difficult moment at a children's party is just after the little guests arrive (states an English writer). Even among modern children there will be found a few shy ones.- ■ ■

Arrange a competition or an amusing game to start the party and "break the ice"; when once the children lose their first shyness and stiffness they will soon make friends with one another and settle down to enjoy themselves.

If it is an afternoon party, serve tea early. Remember the great importance of having a very brightly-de-corated tea-table. \ • A simple table decoration for young children can be made by pasting little figures cut from coloured illustrations on to white cardboard, and then carefully cutting them out. These are placed on the tablecloth beside each child's plate, and cause a'lot of fun. ; Coloured crepe paper can be used for table napkins. Chinese lanterns look charming, and they are quite safo if suspended out of reach "on. thw wire and first treated with liquid gum and water. • ,

Don't give the children ricti food, but see that it is prettily coloured. Fancy biscuits and little iced cakes, and simple cakes cut into shapes of quaint animals are always, popular. To make plain little cakes, rub half a pound of butter into a pound of plain flour, then add "one ounce cf sugar and two ounces of yvashed currants Mix all to a firm dough with milk and water, roll out thickly and cut into shapes. Dust for castor sugar, and cook 15 minutes on a baking sheet iv a quick oven: