1950's Themed Cocktail party - what are some ideas?

This is for a "girl's night out" Looking for menu items, music, other things to have a fun night. What did people do at cocktail parties? Any traditions that have since went by the wayside?



Think: Dean Martin/Frank Sinatra 50s / 60's rather than be-bop - malt-shop 50's1950's Themed Cocktail party - what are some ideas?
shrimp cocktail, cheese and crackers, chips and dip, martinis, high balls, and lots of ashtrays.....everyone smoked then.
Martinis and Screwdrivers and anything on the rocks.

Cigarettes....seems everyone smoked then



Casseroles with campbell soup

TV Dinners

Spray Cheese....I know it sounds gross but I've seen it at a party, and people went nuts with it.

Betty Crocker cakes with pink icing.

Those little tiny Cocktail Weiners



Play Gin Rummy, Hearts...Dice...poker

Big Plastic Jewelry

Heavy makeup blue eyeshadow

chiffon

Robes with feathers1950's Themed Cocktail party - what are some ideas?
You got some great ideas from people. Casseroles were also in during the 50s......"Father knows Best". 45 records.....You could probably find some candy cigarettes........women wore aprons....

Charades was popular.
Try and get the right music, drink and plenty of nibbles, peanuts and crisps,

whole pineapple with cubed cheese stuck on with wooden cocktail sticks.

Punch with (tin of fruit salad in) cheating a little, with a ladle so guests can

serve themselves.

Have Fun.

Regards

Lain.1950's Themed Cocktail party - what are some ideas?
Let guys wear tuxedos and gals wear long evening dresses. Matching hair do's with slik hair infested with vaseline for men and heavy makeup for women. Discuss the 50's films, artists and songs. Food ought to be rich and tasty. Play it again, Liberace!
watergate salad!!
Just go rent "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and watch the cocktail party scenes. ;-)



Little black velvet dresses with tiny waists and big skirts. Belts. Pearls. Gloves. Black sunglasses. Upswept hairdos in elaborate twists and curls, protected by chiffon head scarves. Hats with netting across your face. Dancing to the Bossa Nova. Drinking Manhattans and Rob Roys. Smoking way too much (please don't try that part!). Cigarette holders... long ones.



Have fun!
pick up some retro looking serving trays, plates, etc.

you can find them at a consignment shop real cheap!



Have everyone dress up as a 50's tv mom/lady. Lucille Ball, Lois Lane, June Cleaver, Annette, the Flying Nun, Pinky Tuscadero (from happy days), the gals from Grease, etc.

or wear poodle skirts, beehive hairdo, saddle shoes, bowling shirts, cigarette pants, clam diggers, etc.



50's foods: meatloaf, mac n cheese, potroast, apple pie, pickle tray, deviled eggs, water chestnuts wrapped in bacon

-or-

50's malt shop foods: burgers, fries, malts, root beer floats, popcorn, hot dogs



serve Coca Cola in the bottle with a straw (they still sell these "old fashioned" glass bottles)



cocktails: martinis, highballs, punch, tom collins, sloe gin fizz



if you can find any metal tv trays I would put them in front of the couch! (can probably find them at a consignment shop)



put doilies on everything!



if you can find some books from the 50's, put them out so everyone can have a good laugh at them!



have a hoola hoop contest, do the twist, have a limbo contest



make sure there's plenty of bubble gum to go around!



listen to music from the 50's sock hop era! The Platters, Elvis, The Graduates, The Royal Teens, etc.

and have a dance contest



Have fun!
Numero Uno...Get yourself over to www.lileks.com and navigate to the "gallery of regrettable food." Even if you aren't inspired, you will bust a gut reading his snipey commentary.
Cheez-whiz or cocktail franks in bbq sauce. People back then ate spam too.. ick. Lot's of martinis...



I think people played gin rummy %26amp; did schrades (sp?).
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Have fun!