PICNIC PLATES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 561, 14 January 1929, Page 5

PICNIC PLATES

SAVE WASHING-UP PAPER ICE CREAM SETS Picnics are in full swing. The delight of alfresco meals under green trees, or in some quiet back- j water on the river, has a strong appeal j for most people. But to the giver of \ the picnic there is always the bugbear j of what to take. Plates and cups . and saucers take up so much room and [ are so heavy, and have to be washed up afterwards, that picnic stationery | is so popular. Not only cloths and table-napkins, but plates, dishes, cups and even spoons are available. For a small picnic it is easy to get exactly the quantities wanted; for instance, a dozen large-sized plates (damp-proof and grease-proof), one large plate for sandwiches or cake, or meat pies, etc., two deep oval dishes which could be used for salad, or fruit, or jelly; 12 serviettes and a dainty tablecloth. Among the things procurable in this line is a set for ice cream, which is also packed hygienically. This consists of 3.0 old blue china ice plates, 10 ice cups to match, and 10 ice spoons, all of paper. A new cup (paper, of course) which casi be held quite comfortably even when filled with really hot tea, and which will not topple over, a catastrophe which often happens at the most well-behaved picnics with disastrous results to pretty summer frocks, is now obtainable. The new style of paper cup stands inside a square stout paper container, which prevents the fingers being scalded with the heat of the liquid. Sandwich Dividers For a small bridge party some delightfully pretty sandwich dividers are to be had. These are very useful for a small party where several varieties of sandwiches are required but space is limited. Four kinds of sandwiches can be arranged on one plate, the divider being somewhat in cone shape, with deep lace edging and a plain space to allow the name of the sandwich to be written, thus doing away with the necessity of a flag. Paper table-napkins and tablecloths can be obtained in various pretty designs and in dainty colours. Their use for all picnics and garden meals results in a considerable saving in the laundry bill. After a picnic be very careful to see that no litter is left about. Paper and cardboard may be burnt it the greatest care is taken to see that the fire Is put out afterwards, , or, if there is no receptacle provided, they can he packed neatly and taken home to be destroyed. For nursery use, too. in a small household, paper table-napkins, and d’oyleys are quite permissible. They can be discarded when soiled without any misgivings about Increasing the weekly wash, as is the case when linen is used.