How to Throw a 50s Era Dinner Party on a Small Budget

If you are looking for a fun party on a limited budget and enjoy activities associated with the Fifties era then look no further. Make sure your guests are enthusiasts of this era as you are sure to have some fun. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pink plastic table cloth or aqua table cloth. Plates, soda glasses, plastic dinner wear, apron, old magazines (optional), old records (optional) CD's or Cassettes of Fifties Era Hits, Videos or DVD's.
• Cut out old advertisements from Fifties era periodicals and magazines and place them in your picture frames.
• Put together your own Fifties Trivia game based on Fifties pop culture information you have derived from the library or on-line.

How to Prepare for Your Fifties Era Dinner Party

1. Compile a list of items needed that match a fifties theme. If you need more help in this area consult your local library and research "pop culture."

2. Head off to your local dollar store. There you should be able to find items that meet the criteria of your theme. In example, pink-checked, pink, or aqua colored table cloths, soda glasses, straws, plastic apron and other optional items you think may lend to a "50s" theme such as a pink plastic jewelry box to sit in a corner (should you have a small place), an aqua framed mirror, frames that are neutral and won't contrast with your theme, (I'll explanin the use for these later), a sugar "shaker" like you may find in a 50s style diner. Just anything that meets your theme.

3. After you have gathered all of your utensils an items, it's time to proceed to your local thrift store. Here you will look for old magazines dated 1950's where you may cut out advertisements to place in your neutral shade picture frames. Also, it is now the time to either look for fifties era cassettes, if you own a cassette player, or possibly CD's (should you possess a CD player). In addition, check for fifties type of knick knacks. I picked up a plate for a few dollars with a '59 calendar imprinted on it. This of course was for decoration.

4. The next phase is planning the meal. Keep everything focused on Fifties fun. Foods like cheeseburgers, shakes or fries. You may purchase hamburger at a relatively low price. Items to purchase include: ground beef, head lettuce, tomato, onion; condiments like mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise; cheese slices, hamburger buns, ice cream, milk, whip cream in a can, marchiano cherries and chocolate syrup. In addition, white bread and butter--just in case you have a newly reformed vegetarian on your guest list. (It's best to let your guests know what the menu will be before they arrive). The contrary vegetarian, should there be one, will have to settle for grilled cheese. Other items include real sugar for your sugar shaker (if you've purchased one), soft drinks and bottled water to be concealed in the refrigerator for the guest who doesn't care for soda. Also, purchase ice if you do not have an ice maker.

5. The next step is to invite your guests. Ask your guests to wear something with a 50s theme, perhaps "pedal pushers" (ladies may wear capris) and white bobby socks with shoes. It doesn't need to be a complete ensemble. Just an item or two that will capture the spirit of the evening.

6. On the day of the party, after setting the table, put on your "new" plastic apron from your local dollar store and prepare your ground beef into patties prior to your guest's arrival. Keep your patties in the refrigerator if you prepare early as you certainly don't want the meat to spoil. Also, slice the tomatoes, onions and cut up the lettuce. Place your soft drinks on ice.

7. Once your guests start arriving, place one of the Fifties era CD's or cassettes into the CD player or cassette player, respectively.

8. Serve each of your guests a soda and place the hamburger patties on the grill, whether it be outdoors or inside (such as a pan or indoor grill). Place the fries in a deep-fryer or in the oven. Provide sliced tomatoes, onions, lettuce, cheese, and condiments for your guests to build their cheeseburger the way they wish. You merely prepare the cheeseburger and place it on the bun. You may also wish to ask your guests how they prefer their hamburger prepared: medium or well-done (a good idea since some guests will be displeased if they must eat well-done or vice-versa). Provide a nice portion of fries to their plate.

9. Sit down to eat where your guests will be most comfortable and relaxed to just be themselves. Either situate your guests outside should it be a fairly nice day, on a patio or other outdoor meeting area or inside at your table (perhaps) where you've just draped your 50s themed checked table cloth with accompanying sugar shaker. Make sure the area has a fair amount of 50s knick knacks and other items such as an older model toaster, if you have one, plastic squeeze bottles for the condiments, pictures of 50s Era advertisements (this is where your neutral frames and old magazines from the dollar store come in), and anything else that would remind your guests of the 50s.

10. After you've finished off the first portion of the meal, you may wish to adjourn to the living area to watch a classic 50s movie or you may wish to devise a game of 50s trivia. This may be accomplished by referring to your 50s pop culture information that you possibly dug up from the library or on-line before throwing your dinner party. It may be a good idea should you opt to play the trivia game to have invited guests who are familiar with the era. Although, someone in their twenties may appreciate the theme, unless they are a 50s era buff, they may find the trivia portion frustrating. If such is the case, you may want to watch a classic 50s era movie.

11. During the latter portion of the evening is when you serve up your classic milk shakes or if you prefer chocolate sundaes. You may offer vanilla or chocolate milkshakes. Chocolate syrup may be added to a milk shake for the guests preferring chocolate. If your guest opts for a sundae then two scoops of vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup will do the trick. Don't forget to add the whip cream and top it off with a marchiano cherry. Again, before throwing your dinner party make sure your guests are OK with what will be on the menu.

12. Lastly, not only does this work well as a dinner party idea this may also be ideal for a fun family evening. Follow all the above steps for a festive family get-together.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your guest list is manageable since you are working with a specific type of menu. Four in attendance, outside of you and your partner or spouse is probably best, especially if this is a first time affair.
• Assure everyone invited is basically OK with the dinner menu. It would be a miserable evening to invite guests to your 50s dinner party who do not eat red meat or won't touch sweets.
• Make sure your theme meets the personality of your dinner guests.
• Try not to invite guests who are vegetarian or do not prefer sweets. Their choices will be somewhat limited. If you do, however, have a guest who is a vegetarian, you could prepare a grilled cheese or cold cheese sandwich and perhaps a nice salad.
• Keep your party manageable by limiting the number of guests. Since the menu and theme is quite specific it is better to selectively invite guests who will enjoy this type of evening. Also, the trivia portion is more of a personalized game, should you decide to opt to play it; so it's advisable to play the game couple against couple. Playing the trivia game with a large group is not practical. Also, you may want to watch a classic movie or show and if it is something all of the guests including yourself remember fondly it will be twice as enjoyable watching it as a smaller audience.