The invitations should be sent out a week or five days in advance, and should be answered at once.
Luncheons, in this country, are very apt to possess much of the formality of a dinner, and are written or engraved, according to the degree of stateliness that is to mark the occasion. Very formal invitations are sent out ten days or two weeks in advance, and are couched in precisely the same terms as a dinner invitation, save that the word “Luncheon” is substituted for “Dinner.” Written invitations, also, follow the same plan as those written for dinners, and are not usually issued more than a week or five days in advance. Some ladies use their visiting card, thus: Mrs. Frank E. Wentworth. Luncheon, Wednesday, at one o’clock.
A later hour, say two o’clock, is usually adopted for a more formal affair. Replies should be sent at once that the hostess may be enabled to make up her table.
Teas and “Kettledrums.”
Teas and “Kettledrums,” High Tea and Afternoon Receptions, have come to bear a strong resemblance one to another, in fact to infringe so much upon the same territory that it is very difficult at times to distinguish between them sufficiently to apply the appropriate name. A simple affair is announced thus by those ladies who have a regular reception day: Mrs. John St. John. Thursdays. Tea at five o’clock. 40 West 49th Street.
Or: Mrs. John St. John. Five o’clock tea. Thursday, February fifth. 40 West 49th Street.
The words “kettledrum” or “afternoon tea” are not to be used, and these cards may be sent by mail, enclosed in a single envelope. They require no answer. Where the lady has not a regular reception day and wishes to give an afternoon tea, an engraved card, like the following, is usually sent out: Mrs. Arthur Merrill. Miss Merrill. Monday, February third, from four to seven o’clock. 274 Chestnut Street.
In case of the hostess having no one to receive with her, her name would appear alone upon the card. The name of any friend may take the place of a daughter’s. Such an entertainment partakes more of the nature of an afternoon reception, or high tea. It may be adapted also to other occasions, such as the introduction to one’s friends of a guest who is to make a prolonged stay, as for instance: Mrs. Arthur Merrill, At Home, Monday, December seventh, from one until seven o’clock. To meet Mrs. Frances Elmer. 55 Vine Street.
Invitations like this and the one just above are to be enclosed in two envelopes, same as for dinners and sent out ten days or two weeks in advance.