The 1950s...poodle skirts, bobby socks, saddle shoes, duck tails and Elvis; it all brings nostalgic thoughts of a simpler time. "Ozzie and Harriet," "Leave it to Beaver" and "I Love Lucy" were on the television. Ike became president, and rock 'n roll was the popular music. This time is brought back to life by hosting a party filled with the nostalgia of the decade.
Have a Sock Hop
Host a sock hop style party, complete with the attire, and 1950s music. Send out invitations shaped like 45-speed records. Have guests dress in '50s attire. The women can wear poodle skirts and saddle shoes, and maybe some of the men can even sport a duck tail for the night. You might have a '50s-inspired dance off. Do the hand jive, the stroll, the jitterbug and other dance styles of the decade. Serve pizza, hamburgers and french fries for dinner. Rent a soda fountain for drinks. Have red, white and blue "I like Ike" buttons made as keepsakes.
Have a Drive-In Movie Party
Drive-in theaters were a happening thing in the 1950s, so host a drive-in theater/blanket movie party. Rent a movie projector and use the side of a garage or barn, or rent a large screen to show the movies. Have a drive-in inspired feast with popcorn, soda, pizza and burgers in baskets for dinner, and serve ice cream sodas for dessert. Dress in '50s clothes. You might even find the back seat of a '50s auto or the whole convertible for photos.
Relive the Movie "Grease"
Bring Sandy and Danny back into style with a "Grease" party. Encourage guests to come dressed as their favorite character from the movie, and have a Rydell High theme, complete with a last-day-of-school luau or carnival design for decorations. Play '50s-inspired music, and do the twist. Props could include a stage for the band, dressed as Sha Na Na, or a disc jockey dressed as the Big Bopper; a makeshift fallout shelter for photo opportunities; and you can even have old newspapers recreated with photos of your guests as party gifts, with article titles such as "Bread Reaches a Whopping $.14 a Loaf."
