SMALL MERRYMAKERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 136, 6 December 1938, Page 16

SMALL MERRYMAKERS

THREE CHRISTMAS PARTIES

"BUNNIES" AT SUPPER

Quaint little invitations, their decorations almost modernistic in their juvenile simplicity, summoned the relatives of the small children who attend the Newtown and Berhampore Free Kindergartens to Christmas parties which were held last night. Not only were the invitations the work of the children, but also the presents, which each one presented to his or her parents. These irresents were hung on Christmas trees along with the gifts for the children, and it was a very exciting and proud moment when they were distributed.

The Newtown Free Kindergarten's party was held in St. Thomas's Hall. The gaily-decorated Christmas tree stood on the stage and all about the hall were streamers, balloons, and bowls of golden poppies and marigolds. Until supper time the visitors had an entertaining time watching the little ones play their kindergarten games

on the carpeted floor. Most of the games were accompanied by music, which added to the festive air. Supper, however, provided the high light j of the party and a scene that was unusually charming. Round about a low table covered with green paper, on which china "rabbits" disported themselves amid "mushrooms" and "white flowers," little tables were arranged for the j children. The tables were covered with green and white paper and in front of each little merrymaker was a "mushroom" growing in a "green -field." ! The "mushrooms" were more to the liking of the juvenile taste than the ordinary kind, their stalks being of banana and their tops of meringue and cream dusted with powdered chocolate and the "fields" in which they grew were of green jelly. Little white paper "bunnies" filled with sweets stood by each plate, and the children themselves, crowned with paper caps with long ears lined with pink, looked like a" party of "bunnies" enjoying a far from vegetarian supper. "Humpty Dumpty" supplied the theme for the supper tables at the Berhampore Kindergarten, and it was carried out with equal ingenuity and I delightful effect. Both parties were i visited by the members of the Kindergarten Council, and it would be hard to say who enjoyed the parties most! —the small hosts or the visitors. IN FANCY DRESS. Last Saturday afternoon another happy crowd of children thoroughly enjoyed themselves at a party organised by the Parents' Association at the Te Aro infant school on the Ter- j race. Over 200 children and adults were present and 100 children were in fancy costumes, so that the judges, Mrs. Oates and Mrs. Richardson, had quite a difficult task in deciding on the prize-winners. \ Some of the fancy dresses worn by the. children were outstanding, thei principal prize-winners among the girls being Spanish girl, Chinese girl, hunting, black cat, blue bird; boys, Rajah, clown, Indian, pirate, and Father Christmas. All the j young children received prizes, such as "blowouts" or "squeakers," and four "lucky number" prizes were given to children who were not in fancy costume. The committee spent a very busy time serving afternoon tea, cool drinks, sweets, and ice cream. At night the final social for the season was held. It also took the form of a fancy dress party. There were about 140 people present, and Mr. and Mrs. Richardson awarded the prizes. After supper Mr. Plackett, president of the Parents' Association, thanked all supporters and helpers for their assistance and co-operation, and informed them that the association had benefited to the extent of £50 by the socials. He also thanked Mr. Spence for his untiring efforts as M.C. for the season.