Early 20th C. Children’s Party Etiquette

For very little children, birthday stationery comes ready for the names and date to be filled in. Mothers will find this very convenient, and children love the gayly decorated sheets with the wee envelopes. 

HERE is a code of manners which every American child should learn. The accent is on the “American,” because on the Continent children are rarely seen until they have a certain poise, and know how to conduct themselves in due and proper manner. They are not at the table until six or eight years of age, if there are guests present, and then usually for dessert only.

In this country, when they are scarcely able to walk, children begin their social career by having parties and all sorts of festivities.

American children have rather an unsavory reputation in Europe, for which they are not to blame; it is the place of the parents to see that a child knows how to acknowledge an introduction by saying, “How do you do, Mrs. French,” or to reply, “Very well, thank you.” A child should not interrupt when older people are engaged in conversation; and when spoken to should say, “Yes, mother,” or, “No, Mrs. Gray.”

Having learned these first steps in the nursery, a child will be fitted to mingle with children and be a polite little host or hostess. Children have the same responsibility as their elders when it comes to entertaining. They must see that their guests play the games they like best, and they must give up treasured belongings for the amusement of others. Realizing that the choice of everything belongs to the visitor is a lesson hard to be learned by many petted “only children.”

To give parties often is indeed a splendid method of teaching self-control. Not elaborate evening functions, but afternoon parties with simple refreshments, where the young host or hostess works out his or her own problems, with a guiding hand to aid when necessary. It is a lesson, in more ways than one, to permit the young aspirant for social honors to plan the affair with all the individuality at command. Of course this is by far the hardest way for mothers; it is much easier to say, “Now, don't bother, mother will attend to everything”; but, what responsibility it gives a child to write the note of invitation, and plan the refreshments and favors!

This is of course for the little neighborhood affairs which should be a part of every child's life. For the elaborate birth-day party, or dance, the following models may be of service:

Miss Mary and Master Robert Kellar will be happy to see Miss Gretchen Murdoe on Tuesday evening from seven to nine at Flossmore, Park Hill Terrace

Dancing

Miss Josephine Greene requests the pleasure of Master Harold Lock's company at her birthday party on the afternoon of June the tenth, from three to six o'clock

For very little children, birthday stationery comes ready for the names and date to be filled in. Mothers will find this very convenient, and children love the gayly decorated sheets with the wee envelopes. — Dame Curtsey’s Book of Etiquette, 1909

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia