With the approach of the teen-age, the type of party, which young people enjoy, is due for a change. Many of the affairs are still likely to be staged for either boys or girls, but there are some arranged for mixed groups. In the early teens, small groups may be asked for dinner before a dancing class party.



Another practice popular at this age is to invite the group to attend an afternoon movie and to come to the house afterward for supper. Instead, youngsters may be invited to gather at the house before supper and then settle down to view some favorite television program. Menus will not differ from those for any simple dinner party. Novel dishes should still be avoided and the favorite dessert continues to be ice cream.

Saturday or holiday luncheons for the girls are also popular, with movies, television or games following. What are known as tricky foods are enjoyed particularly at this time. Among these are gelatin desserts or salads molded in orange cups, butterfly salad and the service of a variety of sauces with nuts and maraschino or candied cherries to pour over ice cream.

When a small group of girls is asked for supper, they will enjoy preparing it themselves if the kitchen is turned over to them.

They like to make cookies, which will serve as dessert, and to cook hamburgers or frankfurters. Toasted rolls, potato chips, carrot strips, pickles, olives and salted peanuts are the favorite accompaniments.

Informal parties in the early evenings are often chosen when both boys and girls are invited. There should be a constant supply of cola, grape juice and other soft drinks. Ice cream to be mixed with the latter may be provided for homemade sodas. Potato chips, popcorn, salted peanuts and plenty of cookies seem to be indispensable. At Halloween and during the fall and winter, cider, doughnuts and apples are suggested.

During the middle teens, the girls enjoy formal service and the young men will begin to put up with it more gracefully. It will also be safe to stage a buffet supper for which a very liberal amount of each food and plenty of bottled soft drinks should be provided.

Frankfurters in bacon are a good party snack choice. To make these, wrap each frankfurter in slice of bacon and fasten with toothpicks. Grease skillet lightly and sauted on all sides, about 5 minutes, until bacon is crisp. Serve with pickle relish. The frankfurters may be slit and stuffed with relish before wrapping with the bacon, if desired. Frankfurters may be cooked under the broiler at some distance from the heat.

Potatoes hashed in cream are another good idea. For this you're going to need, 1-1/2 cup butter or margarine, two quarts diced cooked potatoes, one quart of milk, salt, pepper and one cup of cream.

Melt butter or margarine in skillet. Add potatoes and stir lightly over low heat until fat is absorbed. Add the milk and continue cooking until sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper. Add cream and cook 1 or 2 minutes until of creamy consistency. Potatoes prepared in this way may be placed in a casserole, covered with buttered crumbs or grated cheese, and baked in a hot oven (450 degrees F.) until lightly browned. Yield: 10-12 servings.

Of course you can create a different menu, but make sure to have something for the kids because they will get hungry.