It is customary in most cities to send a debutante a bouquet at her “coming out” party.  They may be “bouquets” really, or baskets, or other decorative flowers, and are sent by relatives, friends of the family, her father’s business associates, as well as by young men admirers.  These “bouquets” are always banked near and if possible, around the place the debutante stands to receive.  If she has great quantities, they are placed about the room wherever they look most effective.  The debutante usually holds one of the bouquets while receiving, but she should remember that her choice of this particular one among the many sent her is somewhat pointed to the giver, so that unless she is willing to acknowledge one particular beau as “best” it is wiser to carry one sent by her father, or brother, especially if either send her one of the tiny 1830 bouquets that have been for a year or two in fashion, and are no weight to hold.

These bouquets are about as big around as an ordinary saucer, and just as flat on top as a saucer placed upside down.  The flowers chosen are rosebuds or other compact flowers, massed tightly together, and arranged in a precise pattern; for instance, three or four pink rosebuds are put in the center, around them a row of white violets, around these a single row of the pink roses, surrounded again by violets, and so on for four or five rows.  The bouquet is then set in stiff white lace paper, manufactured for the purpose, the stems wrapped in white satin ribbon, with streamers of white and pink ribbons about a quarter of an inch wide and tied to hang twenty inches or so long.  The colors and patterns in which these little bouquets may be made are unlimited.

=THE DEBUTANTE RECEIVES=

At a ball, where the guests begin coming about half past ten, the debutante must stand beside the hostess and “receive” until at least twelve o’clock—­later if guests still continue to arrive.

At all coming-out parties, the debutante invites a few of her best girl friends to receive with her.  Whether the party is in the afternoon or evening, these young girls wear evening dresses and come early and stay late.  Their being asked to “receive” is a form of expression merely, as they never stand in line, and other than wearing pretty clothes and thus adding to the picture, they have no “duties” whatsoever.

=AT SUPPER=

The debutante goes to supper with a partner who has surely spoken for the privilege weeks or even months beforehand.  But the rest of her own table is always made up by herself; that is, it includes the young girls who are her most intimate friends, and their supper partners.  Her table is usually in the center of the dining-room, but, there is no especial decoration to distinguish it, except that it is often somewhat larger than the other tables surrounding it, and a footman or waiter is detailed to tell any who may attempt to take it, that it is “reserved.”

After supper the debutante has no duties and is free to enjoy herself.