What first comes to mind?
Real booze, candy cigarettes. We'll address this later.
Now while I do consider myself an expert on Mad Men, I am certainly not an expert on parties thrown in the 60's. For this, I called in the big guns. Grandma.
1. Grandma O'Malley, who recalls only throwing real "informal basement parties" back then, distinctly remembers decorating with crepe streamers that are still popular today. She suggests getting 2 colors and twisting them together. Hang accordingly.
For further proof that crepe was the craze, I found this (circa 1956):
That's really all she had for decorations, however, she surpisingly helped in the bar area. While this doesn't exactly fit my category, all they do on Mad Men is drink and smoke, so I'm thinking this will be a popular spot at your party. This is where you can shine.
2. Back to the cigarettes. I suggest taking a few trips to your local thrift and antique stores. Collect some of the cheapest vintage glassware you can find. Tumblers, milkglass serving pieces, vases, dessert plates, etc. If you come across a hurricane vase or candy dish, fill it up with the candy cigs. You can also give packs of them to guests as party favors!
Keep your eyes open for vintage ash trays.
3. You will definitely need an ice bucket, as Grandma mentions these were just becoming popular and everyone had one. Keep in mind there were no ice machines in the 60's (fill up those trays). Extra points for crystal. Take note of bar trays and sets, too.
4. Fill up the bar area with collected glassware and display a neat selection of liquor and mixers. Nothing fancy. Don't forget the accessories and fruit. Go here for a Mad Men cocktail guide.
If you're not into the whole glassware thing, will you at least use something somewhat fancy?
Bright colored paper plates and napkins will work. Polka dotted cocktail napkins would be even better.
5. Strategically place a record player in the room. Encourage dancing.
6. While you're scouting out the antique shops in your area, check prices on vintage magazines. Fanning out a few on your coffee table would be the perfect touch and great conversation piece.
Most importantly, keep your decorating simple, have fun and don't let your night end up like this:
1 comment:
We had another party! This time it was more like a singles holiday mixer. Updated decorations: we got some matchbooks and made stickers to put on the cover with a holiday theme so people could share numbers. We put my tinsel tree up, I finally got an ice bucket, and for music we put on some classic holiday tunes. Neat-o!
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