Fabulous Fifties Party Ideas

by Ellen Morrison
(Abbyville, KS)

I threw my brother a 50s theme party. I tried to recreate a diner atmosphere. I used the show "Happy Days" as my inspiration.

Invitations - I made the invitations look like record albums using black construction paper and a silver gel pen to write the party details.

Decorations - I hung a sign up in the yard that said "Welcome To Al's Drive-In & Diner". I used pink and black as my colors. I bought a bunch of record albums and 45s from a thrift store and hung them from the ceiling using black ribbons. I put a bunch of 50's posters on the walls. I also splurged and rented a juke box, which I used to play the music.

Costumes: The girls wore poodle skirts and the guys wore Grease style black pants and white t-shirts and leather jackets.

Food: I borrowed some round tables to use for everyone to eat off of. I served hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, onion rings, Coke, and milk shakes. We used red baskets to serve the food in. My dad dressed up like Al, the owner of Al's - the Happy Days diner, and he served up the food.

Activities: Hula hoop and lots of rock n' roll dancing. We also played Name that Tune using songs that were popular in the 50s. Then we had a round of the Price Is Right using a game version from the 50's, which I got online.

Favors: Some fuzzy dice were given to everyone as a party favor, along with a yo-yo.

We all had a great time rockin' out!