THE CHILDREN'S SOCIAL SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20656, 30 August 1930, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE CHILDREN'S SOCIAL SEASON.

THE JUVENILE DAY.

BY THE HON. MRS. ST. AUBYN

Debutantes and their elder sisters can Bo longer regard the London season as exclusively theirs. One of the most marked changes is the invasion of the really younger generation. Not. so long ago denizens of tins nursery/ and schoolroom looked forward to Christmas as the period of parties, .The rest of the year was spent secluded in the wing of large country houses, or in London, walking to and from the park. Matters have now completely changed. No longer do the younger members of the family gaze with envy at their grown-up sister. In fact, they have so many festivities of their own that one constantly hears a distracted mother pay: " Jane can't possibly go to another party this week. You see, she is only five years old, and my docter says four parties a week aro as much as shs can stand." What is the social round of these small people? The day starts, as did ours, with a good plain breakfast and a walk to the park. ' There, these small echoes of the grown-up world play at weddings, christenings, and "fathers and mothers" with a touch of modern sophistication which often makes an onlooker smile and sigh. A long rest restores these weary pleas-ure-seekers, as does a very sensibly chosen lunch. It is probably our knowledge of dieting that keeps their tempers and complexions as good as those of their less intelligently fed, though quieten-living, predecessors. The /afternoon is often filled by a visit to one of the specially-equipped children's hair dressing saloons, or even to a beauty parlour. There are, of course, fittings for bridesmaids' clothes, perhaps a riding lesson, or a dancing class to attend. Children's tableaux, or children's garden parties, raise large funds to help those less fortunate than themselves, and so rehearsals and plays account for many another afternoon. I heard an energetic committee lady bewailing the fact that she could not collect children for her tableaux because there were three other charity matinees that week, and so the children were all "booked lip"! At this time of year the boarding schools have absorbed the older boys, and so dancing at the many parties is not so popular as a conjuror or a Punch and Judy show. Ices, and small cakes made /to resemble mushrooms or houses, ■ure an outstanding feature. As at grownup parties, hostesses vie to produce some original note for the amusement of their guests. Should there be a quiet day. no doubt, the children will go to Richmond or Tlanelagh. . After tea, those who have attended day schools will telephone to their friends and arrange to meet in the square adjoining the house. There they will play tennis games till bedtime. Here only do they differ from the sister who is out. They do go to bed early—in comparison! In details, too, these small folk imitate the grown-up world of fashion. This year's pram covers are quilted. 'ITIO dresse's follow the general trend of fashion. The prams in ihe park are parked in much the same way as aro the motorcars! In short, few phases of the season are not re-lived in miniature —including Jthe departure in August to recuperate!