AFTERNOON TEAS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2628, 9 October 1909, Page 4 (Supplement)

AFTERNOON TEAS.

It is always a good plan to invite a special friend to pour tea, for the hostess is then left free to go among her guests and see that they are enjoying themselves. The tea table may be of any size and shape, but a round one is always prettier than a square one. The table should be covered with some fancy cloth, but this need not be large enough to hang over the edges. On the table a kettle is an essential, and some friend is usually willing to lend one if the hostess has none. The kettle is placed almost in the middle of the table, the pot, sugar and cream being just in front of it. The tea cups are put where they are easily reached. If there are sandwiches as well as cakes they are placed on several different plates, so that they may be handed around the room. It is always well to have a couple of little dishes of candies or salted nuts, and a small jar of fknvors to add to the festal appearance , oKthe table. The girl who pours the tea should light-colored dress of silk or something similar, and the hostess should he gowned in like fashion. The girl at the table may wear a hat if she wishes.No special entertainment is required for the guests, although if someone present sings it is always pleasant to have the afternoon chatter broken into for a few minutes that > way. The hostess should see that her friends are presented to each other, if they are strangers. \ } An afternoon like this does not require a call later from those'-who were invited. \ ;