The 1950s are fondly remembered as wholesome and fun.
Hosting a 50s theme party provides an opportunity to temporarily go back to a time when life seemed simple and fun. Gasoline was less than a .25 cents per gallon, and you could buy a new dress for $3.29. The world was experiencing postwar prosperity and rock-n-roll had young people dancing and expressing themselves like never before.
Music, Movies and Games
Rent an old-fashioned juke box for your party.
The 1950s are known as the era when rock-n-roll took over pop culture. Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis dominated the radio with songs like "Jailhouse Rock" and "Great Balls of Fire." For a 50s theme party, rent an old-fashioned juke box or hire a disc jockey to play 50s songs. Organize a sock hop and play charades. Wind down the party by showing videos of "I Love Lucy" or the rock-n-roll film "The Girl Can't Help It."
Costumes
Letterman jackets were also fashion staples in the 50s.
Guests should be encouraged to wear era appropriate fashions to a 50s theme party. Women styled their hair in curls and wore clothing that included tight-waisted dresses with a full skirt. They finished the look with gloves and stiletto heels. Men dressed conservatively in gray suits and wore flat-top haircuts. After the rock-n-roll explosion, fashion changed as teenagers sought individuality. Young women began to wear form-fitting sweaters and skirts, while young men opted for blue jeans, leather jackets and a pompadour hair style.
Decorations
Clear a room of furniture for couple's dancing.
A 50s theme party provides an exciting opportunity to give your guests a flashback to the era with decorations that evoke memories of the time. Party hosts can hang paper streamers and balloons from the ceiling and create wall art in the shape of 45 rpm's or hang actual records. A mirrored ball and posters of famous pop culture icons like Marilyn Monroe and James Dean add to the affect.
Food and Drinks
Consider setting up your party area like a 50s soda shop.
Like fashion and music, food also experiences trends. A host can set up a buffet with fare popular in the 50s such as melon-ball cocktails and Swedish meatballs. Guests can enjoy cheeseburgers, pizzas and milkshakes as if they were in a soda shop; complete with root beer floats and banana splits. When offering alcoholic drinks, choose concoctions popular in the 1950s which included martinis and spiked punch.
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