“LET US GIVE AN APPLE PARTY”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23221, 19 June 1937, Page 26

“LET US GIVE AN APPLE PARTY”

In winter time, outdoor picnics or parties are often out of the question, owing to the weather. This means that the entertaining of playmates at home has to be considered. With apples so plentiful now, what could be more attractive than an “ apple party ”? The invitations could be written on cards shaped and coloured like apples, easily made by the schoolgirl who can wield the scissors and paintbrush. The games should all be arranged and written out before the first visitor is expected, so that there will be no hitch in the smooth running of the afternoon’s arrangements. There can be an apple relay race with a prize for the winner. Then comes a trial of patience, and that is an apple-eating contest with apples, well washed, and not too big, strung on a piece of tape and hung at intervals from the clothesline or something similar. Then each child, keeping his hands behind his back, is expected to eat his apple without resorting to the use of his hands to hold it steady. Much more fun is experienced if half the party watch the others make their attempts, and then follow on, to be watched and laughed at by those who have been through the ordeal. Much amusement is provoked if cheap masks, to cover the eyes, are provided for each child. In addition, a piece of apple paring, about two inches long and one inch deep, is cut along one side to imitate teeth. This piece of peel is inserted under the upper lip, white side out. to protrude over the lower lip. A popular prize for the winner of each competition would be a sugarcoated apple on stick. Now for the tea-party, which should be ready about 5.30 p.m. To carry the scheme through, apples, should be the outstanding feature of the meal. The place cards should resemble the invitation cards, and also carry a iumbled name of a type of apple, the guessing of which will provide another competition. The table should be decorated with a centrepiece of rosy, green, yellow, and striped apples with their natural leaves,

Sandwiches of grated apple or apple slices, combined with tomato sandwiches, will both be in keeping with the idea, for tomatoes are known as “ love apples.’’ Apple tea-cake, sliced and buttered; apple layer cake (cooked apple between slices of shortcake); a cake, round, iced, and splashed with raspberry syrup to represent a big apple, and then decorated with angelica leaves and sugar-apples; these will all prove very palatable. In place of ice cream and jelly, dishes of apple snow, half pink, half white, could be served.—An Australian Weekly.