Make your sock hop a hit with memorable homemade centerpieces.
The 1950s was a time when rock 'n' roll was new, the world of technology was taking off and the sock hop was king. If you are taking a stroll down memory lane with a sock hop party, you have a wide variety of options for decorations, and you can make your centerpieces the hit of the party.
Soda Fountain
Re-create the feeling of the preferred teen hangout of the 1950s with a soda fountain centerpiece. Fill a tall old-fashioned soda glass with pink or black paper shreds, or mix the two colors. Place small Mylar balloons on sticks into the glass like a bouquet. You can use colored balloons in pink, black and white, or balloons shaped like musical instruments.
Jukebox
Build a replica 1950s jukebox from cardboard and place in the center of the table. If you have one main table for which to make a centerpiece, you can make the jukebox larger and more detailed. If you have several tables, you can make smaller jukeboxes in a simpler design, or alternate a few of the jukeboxes with plain centerpieces such as a balloon bouquet. You can make a faux jukebox from cardboard, or foam core board, and a purchased pre-printed jukebox. Glue or tape the design to the cardboard, then cut the pieces and tape them together. If you are artistic, you can also create a cardboard or foam core board jukebox by cutting pieces to shape to replicate the outline, then drawing or painting the details. Also, cardboard pre-printed jukeboxes are available from party suppliers such as Shindigz.com.
The Era
Re-create the feeling of the 1950s with a centerpiece that showcases '50s trends. Start with a roller skate -- black on some tables, white on others. Stuff the boot with pink and black or pink and white shreds that spill from the top. Place a cheerleader's pompom in the boot top by tucking the stem down in and leaving the fluff hanging down the boot. Lay a varsity letter replica or cutout on the table. You can also add other '50s items such as a Barbie doll, '50s-style sunglasses, or replace the roller skate with saddle shoes and penny loafers.
Music and Cool
In the 1950s, rock 'n' roll became the biggest music craze to hit the country. James Dean ruled the drive-in, and teens really did look like the characters from "Grease." Search auction websites or garage sales for old turntables or portable record players, or rent some from a party rental store. Place them on the table with a selection of 45 records with 1950s hits. Vintage portable record players that teenagers used to have would look great. As an alternative, try a drive-in theme with cardboard cutouts of James Dean, an old-fashioned box of popcorn and a box of candy cigarettes. You can purchase candy from different eras such as candy cigarettes from Oldtimecandy.com.
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