G FESTIVITIES.

Very soon after the wedding invitations are out, the bride's friends
bestir themselves and a number of entertainments are planned in her honor.
These are dinners, luncheons, teas, and theatre parties, the latter often
prefaced by a dinner at the house of the hostess. Often these include the
bridal party--bridesmaids and "best man." To dinners and theatre parties
the bridegroom-to-be is invited; luncheons and teas are given by the
bride's friends to her. The bridegroom's bachelor friends frequently give
a dinner for him--a farewell to the man so soon to rank as "Benedict, the
married man."

These functions in honor of the bride are exclusive, rather than general,
invitations being restricted to familiar friends. The bride's relatives
are the entertainers. At such functions the bride expectant may wear one
of the gowns of her trousseau. Because of these entertainments, which are
really quite a tax on the girl's strength and vitality, the trousseau
should be complete and the wedding preparations well under way before they
begin. Most of them seem to be crowded into the week or ten days preceding
the ceremony.

Engagement "Showers."--"The shower"--an entertainment that is somewhat on
the order of an informal tea at which each guest brings some gift to the
bride--has been called "provincial." It has a recognized place in middle
class society, at least, and may be made an enjoyable function. No two
"showers" are alike, hostesses vieing with each other in the endeavor to
present something original and attractive. The linen shower is one of the
most popular, each guest bringing some contribution to the bride's linen
chest. These are the more valued if the handiwork of the giver, and some
girls always have a bit of work in progress which may, when finished, be
their offering at a linen shower.

Only intimate friends are asked to a linen shower and the occasion is
entirely informal. The invitations may be couched in this form:

My Dear Miss Ames--
I am giving a linen shower for our mutual friend, Miss Gray, who is to
be married next month, and would be very glad to have you with us. I am
asking a few friends for luncheon on Thursday, January sixth, at one
o'clock, and hope you will be able to come. As the "shower" is to be a
surprise to Miss Gray, please do not mention it should you see her.
Very cordially,