A Peanut Party.
Write invitations on cards cut out and painted to represent peanuts.
Have them read, "Won't you come next Tuesday night at 7 o'clock and help me gather my peanut crop? Cordially yours,"
When the guests assemble the night of the party, give each one a gay calico bag and a large wooden spoon. Then explain that they are to hunt for the peanuts on the lower floor of the house, and that the peanuts can only be taken up with the aid of the spoons. Half an hour is allowed to gather the peanut crop, and then the bags are marked with the gatherer's name and dropped into a large straw basket—the bag containing the largest number of peanuts receives a prize. This hunt causes much merriment.
When the time has expired and the bags are all in the basket, a large bowl of peanuts is put on a table and each guest given a needle and thread and told to make a necklace and pair of bracelets,—the best made set of peanut jewelry to be awarded a prize. The next feature of the evening's fun is making and dressing quaint little Chinese figures of peanuts. Crepe paper of various hues is provided for the costumes, and black thread for the queues. First the peanuts are strung to form the little manikins, then eyes, nose and mouth are marked on with ink. Jackets and trousers are next cut and made, and the little Ching-Changs are dressed. Pigtails are plaited and sewed on to the tops of the heads, then the hats go on and the little celestials are ready to be inspected by the judges. These dolls the guests keep as souvenirs of their skill.
In the dining room have a small evergreen tree planted in a china jardiniere in the center of the supper table with little peanut owls perched on the branches of the tree. These owls have wings of light manila paper and are marked with ink to represent feathers. Big, staring eyes add a touch of realism. The owls are attached to the branches, singly and in groups, with glue.
For supper serve creamed chicken patties, tiny hot rolls, brandied peaches or sweet watermelon pickle; salad of cucumbers and mayonnaise served on lettuce leaves or cress, peanut butter, and chopped smoked tongue sandwiches, ice cream served in sherbet glasses, assorted cakes, coffee or chocolate.