trick announcements
There are numerous trick ways in which an engagement may be an­nounced. If you like unusual surprises, announce your engagement with all the tricks and surprises you like. There's certainly nothing which says it's wrong to do so. You can, for instance, have a cord pulled on a decoration above the table, whereupon the engaged couple's cards, tied together, flutter down all over the table. You can have telegrams containing the news delivered in the middle of lunch. You can have the bride burst through a large paper hoop, like a circus horse, her hand with the new ring on it extended toward the company. I would still like to emphasize, however, that simplicity is always pleasantest and most memorable, and I suggest that your great occasions needn't be dependent upon tricks for their fun and excitement.

tea for a son's fiancee
It is frequently customary for the groom's mother to entertain at luncheon or tea for her son's fiancee. Usually most of the guests are older friends of hers, though it is nice if she asks at least one or two con­temporaries of her future daughter-in-law.

bride's luncheon
A bride almost always gives a luncheon for her bridesmaids a few days before the wedding. At this luncheon she presents the girls who will be her attendants with whatever she has chosen for them as pres­ents. If she has only one or two attendants, or if for any other reason it is difficult for her to arrange to give a luncheon, she may present the gifts to them at any time, just asking them to drop in for a minute. Such gifts are usually something they can keep-a pin or bracelet or compact. For any pre-nuptial party the decorations should be pretty, light and gay. Spring flowers are perfect for centerpieces and little nosegays for the guests.

showers
These are occasions when very good friends shower gifts on someone for any one of several special reasons. Showers are frequently given for en­gaged girls, for expectant mothers, for new householders -in fact, there's no reason why they can't be given for any­body at all if a good excuse can be dreamed up.

a theme