For decorations for a summer luncheon have a large gilt basket of white sweet peas in the center of the table and tiny baskets of gilt wicker filled with white sweet peas at each plate. For ice cream have a boat of plain vanilla filled with luscious fresh strawberries. Red raspberries, ripe peaches or any desired fruit can be used to fill the boat. A pretty conceit would be to have the lower part of the boat of pistachio to represent the sea and the upper part vanilla.
A very effective centerpiece consists of a swinging basket supported by ribbons attached to the chandelier or the ceiling. The baskets, which are filled with cut flowers, are sometimes made of birch bark, and can be made without resorting to the aid of a professional. A square, shallow birch bark basket filled with pansies and suspended by means of yellow, violet or green ribbons is exquisite.
The smartest down-town flower shops are offering pussy willow boughs for table decoration. The soft, downy brown of the buds is often chosen for an entire luncheon decorative scheme, and nothing could be more delicious to the eye. The branches are cut long and are massed together in tall vases. Glass does nicely for this purpose, but porcelain—especially gray, blue or buff-colored porcelain—is ideal.
A masterpiece for the table is a combination of white sweet peas, and the feathery white gypsophilum. All decorations are made low, springing from almost invisible foundations, every leaf and every bloom asserting its individuality, and never were orchids more in demand. For those who cannot afford to invest in them the long iris intermixed with grasses will serve.
A unique and effective decoration for a luncheon table is made of long, narrow bouquets of white carnations, tied with bows of yellow satin ribbon and arranged so that the ribbons all meet in the center of the table, while the points are directed toward the guests. The effect is of a great golden-hearted daisy.
Violets, lovely as they are, do not make a pretty table decoration, being too dull in color. A few scattered in the finger bowls give an air of daintiness and bring with them a delicate fragrance.
For the centerpiece for the Thanksgiving dinner table, this day of days, take a toy wagon, the kind which represents a farm wagon is best, and place it in the center of the table on a mat of wild grasses and berries and fill it to overflowing with luscious fruits, peaches, grapes, oranges, lemons, apples, whatever your larder affords. Entwine the wheels and tongue with smilax or grape leaves. If one is in a city and can afford the expense one can buy one of the larger toy turkey candy boxes and harness it to the cart with red ribbons, or another pretty way is to buy a different sort of animal, or bird candy box for each guest and fasten it with gay ribbons to the front of the toy wagon. A doll dressed as a farmer in blue overalls and big straw hat can be placed on the seat for driver and hold the ribbons.
Another pretty centerpiece is a massive silver bowl, or a fancy Indian basket piled high with pretty fruits, nuts, nut burrs and the vine and berries of the bittersweet. If the dinner is to be late in the afternoon use Colonial candlesticks of brass or glass without shades. At each plate have a toy garden implement tied with a ribbon, the guests' names written on the ribbons.
Washington's Birthday.
The Colonial colors, blue and buff, can be used in the celebration of Washington's Birthday. The floors in drawing-room, hall and dining-room are given an extra polish, and only candlelight from wax tapers in sconces, candelabra and Colonial candlesticks of brass allowed. For the table decorations take a long, narrow pasteboard box, round the ends, cover it smoothly with buff satin, and make a boat. Fill this with violets and yellow jonquils, resting on a sea of ferns in the center of the table. A tiny reproduction of the original Stars and Stripes made of silk and fastened to a gilded standard place in the prow of the boat. In one corner of the table have a miniature cherry tree with artificial cherries from the milliner's carefully wired on. On the opposite corner, diagonally, have an imitation stump with hatchet sticking in the wood. In the corresponding corners have white candles with shades in form of yellow jonquils.