If you wish decorative features, the following are attractive, though not necessary to the success of the social.

Cut from gilt paper as many stars about an inch in diameter as there are Juniors. Then take a large star-shaped wire frame, one of those supplied by florists for Christmas decorations, fill it with evergreen or holly, if the social is to be held near Christmas time, and suspend it from the ceiling or chandelier by ribbons, extending from each point upward and meeting at the centre. From each point of this large star hang a group of the little stars, by strings or baby ribbon of different lengths, so that from each point the gilt stars will be hanging in a cluster, some higher, some lower. Number all the stars, those in each group having a number of their own. Thus the cluster of stars from one point will all be numbered 1, those from another point 2, and so on.

Some of the Juniors are probably taking piano lessons, and making good progress; or learning to play on other instruments; and of course a number can sing well. Ask several of the musical ones to come prepared to play or sing. A few others should have recitations; and two or three who like to write can each write an original story not more than five hundred words long.

As the Juniors come in, give to each of them a pencil and a star-shaped white card with the words written from the centre towards each point, “Pictures,” “Music,” “Stories,” “Speaking,” and “Museum.” Ask them to write their names on the reverse side of their cards; and then to read what is written on the star-points, and to make a check or cross very plainly in that point having the name of the thing they like best. The cards are then collected, and will be, by the way, no slight help to a new Junior superintendent in learning to understand the tastes of the children with whom she is to work, even after this particular good time is over.

While the cards, after being collected, are examined and sorted, some game may be played. The “flying star” is a good one. Each player is supplied with a small empty spool, with a colored paper star pasted over one end. Half the stars are red, the other half blue, to distinguish which side the player is on. Arrange twelve berry-boxes, quart size, on the floor in a hollow square. Mark four of them on the bottom with the figure 5; four of them 10, and leave four blank. Place a tin cup in the centre. Let the players stand a few feet away, and they may test their skill in throwing. Each spool, or “flying star,” landing in the cup, counts 20; when landing in one of the boxes, it counts whatever that box is marked. Each side keeps tally, and when all the stars have flown, the scores are compared to see which side has the larger.

Next, divide the Juniors into groups for the game “constellations,” which is really several games in one. The division is made according to choice as already marked on the cards given out on arrival. Those who chose “Pictures” are put in Constellation No. 1, and to them belongs the cluster of little hanging gilt stars marked with that number. Those who chose “Music” are in Constellation No. 2, and so on. The gilt stars are taken down and given to the Juniors thus by number, pinned to the dress of each; and thereby every Junior becomes a “star,” and must prepare to shine accordingly. As before stated, however, the star decorations are not absolutely necessary; the Juniors can shine even without being thus labelled.

The constellation of “star artists” sit together, and for half an hour engage in some drawing contest. Perhaps the game of “accidental high art” is as good as any. Spread a newspaper over a table; let each player be furnished with two pieces of paper and a pen; and on the table place a bottle of India ink and a fountain-pen-filler. With the filler let one drop of ink fall upon one of the pieces of paper belonging to each, and tell him to press upon it his other sheet of paper. This gives each player the foundation for two pictures, so that if his first attempt is not an entire success he can try again. The aim is to make of the grotesque and shapeless blot, by the help of the pen and imagination, a picture of some object—animal, tree, landscape, or whatever turns out to be most feasible. As blots are never twice alike, there is every opportunity for the fancy and skill of the artist.

While Constellation No. 1 is thus engaged, No. 2 is in the next room preparing its musical programme with the help of those who have brought something to sing or play; Constellation No. 3 is selecting recitations; No. 4, if this is the authors’ group, is deciding on the order of reading and perhaps the titles, or any other unfinished part, of its original stories; and No. 5 is arranging a museum of natural curiosities in the form of interesting hats, paper-cutters, and other small articles whose origin and method of manufacture and use they think they can at least partially describe.

At the end of the half-hour all the stars gather to listen to the entertainment provided by each constellation. The “star artists” exhibit their works of art; the star musicians play and sing; the star authors read their effusions; the star orators declaim or recite; and the star museum-directors give their exhibition. A vote of thanks, or some more substantial reward, may be given to the constellation furnishing the best entertainment.

Close the evening with refreshments consisting of cheese sandwiches cut star-shaped and filled, presumably, with green cheese from the moon; and glasses of creamy milk fresh from the Milky Way. What star or constellation could fail to be satisfied with such fare?

On leaving, each Junior might be given a star-shaped Christmas card as a memento.

This plan is capable, of course, like most of those given in this book, of endless variation. A “surprise constellation,” or some other preferred, might take the place of any one of those suggested. The stories, recitations, and music might be given without any previous arrangement outside, if a thoroughly impromptu programme is desired; but in most cases a little inkling of what will be expected of them, in the case of those likely to be called upon, makes the result more interesting. Some of the musical numbers and recitations could be humorous, others more serious; but most of them will naturally pertain to Christmas or stars. The following, once contributed by the writer to The New Voice, might be given by one of the more thoughtful Juniors as a recitation: