A Luncheon for St. Valentine’s Day

Everyone ought to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, for after all it is one of the loveliest days in all of the year. Even if there is only a guest or two extra for luncheon, try to bring the Valentine’s atmosphere into it. Some little valentines for place cards and a big heart-shaped valentine cake for dessert will do wonders for the party spirit.

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New Year’s Day Dinner

Adapted from “Morrell’s Pride, Book on Hospitality” 1922

New Year’s Day belongs to one’s friends.  Unfortunately, the old custom of calling on New Year’s afternoon and extending the good wishes of the season and for the coming year, has rather gone out of fashion.  Perhaps it is because of the telephone; or maybe the extra work such an informal reception has usually seemed to entail.  There is no prettier and no more hospitable custom. Read more »

Setting the Table for an Informal Dinner
Adapted from Woman’s World Calendar Cookbook, 1922

The menu should be thought out some time ahead, in order to have it delicious, easily prepared, and simple to serve.  Like everything else that is well done, the success of a dinner depends upon forehandedness. Read more »

Adapted from The American Woman, September 1922

One type of tea that is a delightful form of entertainment is called the high tea.  The high tea takes the place of a formal dinner and is usually held on Sunday evening.  While it is distinctly formal in name and purpose, it is entirely informal in character.  By choosing to host a high tea, you can entertain many friends without the trouble and expense of a formal dinner. Read more »

Adapted from The American Woman, September 1922

Proper dress plays an important part at tea time.  If a lady is wearing a gown that she knows is inappropriate and unattractive, how can she be a charming and well-poised hostess?  And a guest cannot be comfortable and happy in a frock that is altogether out of place.

So to be well-dressed and correctly dressed is important.  To be correctly dressed, one must wear what all fashionable people are wearing wherever tea parties are held.  The tea hour is the fashionable hour of the day when one wears one’s newest and prettiest frock. Read more »