Paper Lanterns (Scissors, red, white and blue paper, liquid gold paint, box of small candles, circular box covers, baby ribbon—red, white and blue)
Lanterns made of red, white and blue paper, each of one color only, ornamented with gold paint and tied with the red, white and blue baby ribbon, are extremely pretty for supper decorations. When suspended from the chandelier above the centre of a supper table, a lighted candle in each little lantern, the effect is charming.
In view of entertainments where decorations are called for, it would be well to lay aside all small circular box covers that find their way into the household. The small box covers that measure 2½ inches in diameter may be taken as a standard size. These box covers form the bottom of the lanterns.
Cut from the colored paper an oblong piece measuring 8 inches in length and 5 inches in width. Lay the oblong piece of paper before you with its long edges running right and left. Draw a pencil line the length of the paper ¾ of an inch from the upper edge; ¾ of an inch from its lower edge draw another line which will be parallel to the first.
From the upper pencil line to the lower pencil line draw 15 lines ½ inch apart. These upright lines will form 14 narrow oblongs. Use very sharp pointed scissors, and cut away each alternate oblong. Paste the two short edges of the oblong paper together, one end overlapping the other. The body of the lantern is now finished.
Let a little wax drip from a candle on the inside of the circular box cover at its centre. When a little bed of soft wax is formed, place an unlighted candle on it in an upright position. Place a thick coating of Spaulding's glue on the inner surface of circular rim of the box cover, and carefully fit the body of the lantern into it.
When the paper lantern is securely fastened, gild heavily the outside rim of the box cover and the upper and lower circular bands which form top and bottom borders of the lanterns. In the top circular band punch four holes equal distances apart, through which the ribbons are run.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY—MARCH 17TH
Place Cards (White cards, water-color or oil paints, brush)
Paint a picture of shamrock upon the card. It may be copied from some picture, if not from the real plant. If not possible to find a picture, our wild-wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) is supposed to be the same as the shamrock and may be used for model. Some authorities believe the white clover to be the original shamrock.