If you're having the dinner, or the party, or what­ever it is, in honor of some special person or persons, say so. And if you're talking to people who are habitually late, set an hour for them as much ahead of that you've suggested to your other guests as will get them there on time-you hope!

junior on the telephone
If it's your children who are having the party, let them do their own telephoning, with such help from you as seems necessary, unless they are so little they can't do it at all. Children should learn to talk on the telephone. It is hard to do well. Nobody can learn without practice, and there's no better time to practice than when they're going to please their friends by inviting them to a party. Their enthusiasm for the party can overcome any fears of talking into that little black instru­ment. But the more common problem is not fear of the telephone but an inability to make clear what they want to say. You are likely to have to teach your young children not to begin the conversation by saying: "Who's this?" They do it for reassurance, of course, but if there ever was a better way to kill a conversation before it starts, I've yet to hear about it. And small children aren't the only offenders in this respect, either. If you can get them to say: "This is Johnny Whatever. May I please speak to Eddie?" it won't take him long to discover that this will bring a cordial and cooperative response. Then he says: "Eddie, I'm going to have a party on Tuesday at four o'clock. Can you come?"

A telephoned invitation may be made as late as three days before the party, but it's better to give more notice, especially if you really hope that all those you invite will be able to come.

informal written invitations
Though the essence of writing an informal note is putting some of your personality into it, perhaps it may be helpful to give a couple of examples of how one may be written. Never copy someone else's, though. Use your own words, and thus make it your invitation.

what paper do you write on?
What, first, do you write on? You should have your own stationery with your address or your monogram on it for special things like in­vitations. Visiting cards are quite correct to use for some simple invita­tions. There is also the little "informal notes" paper on which you may, if you choose, have your name engraved. I would caution against using the kind decorated with daisies and roses for an informal invitation or for any use because to my mind such paper is fussy and therefore not in very good taste.