How to Throw a Party in the 1950s

It was the era of the perfect hostess and the cocktail party. The 1950s was a time when social gatherings took on new weight, especially for the lady of the house. Many a housewife prided herself on throwing the ultimate party. Not necessarily a rager like was popular in decades to come, but a respectable affair with a good turnout where all the guests enjoyed themselves. As such the to-do list to ensure that this process went smoothly was quite long! Here are just some of the tips that hosts and hostesses in the 1950s employed to throw a great party.

Decide on Your Party

The first step to any party is to figure out what kind of party you want to throw. Tea parties and luncheons were common for groups of the hostess’ female friends. But, dinner parties, cocktail parties, and cookouts could be mixed events with men and women from both work and from the neighborhood.

Owing to how many women worked as housewives back then presenting a happy home to bosses, clergymen, neighbors, as well as her husband’s boss and coworkers often fell to the woman of the house. The latter often held more stress in planning as more elements were needed.

Craft the Guest List

Today we might invite folks keeping in mind to not forget our nearest and dearest. But, there was many a hostess in the 1950s who wanted to keep the numbers even. This is an old tradition from the Victorian era and the Gilded Age when a formal, sit-down dinner party needed to have equal numbers of women and men so that everyone would have some variety in who they talked to. Even into the middle of the 20th century many hosts were still thinking in these terms.

“Singletons” as they were called back then presented a challenge in keeping the numbers even if you knew a lot of couples. Some single folks found themselves left out of parties altogether. You might invite other single folks to make sure there were even numbers of men and women. And if romance transpired? Many hostesses would have been delighted by the thought!

Keep the Room Cool

In anticipation of a big crowd coming in many women would turn the thermostat down a bit. This holds true even in winter, but is especially important in summer.

There’s nothing like the body heat of 20 people to warm a room quite quickly!

Keep the Drinks Flowing

Whether it was a punchbowl sort of party or one with beer and wine, a host never wants to run out of tasty beverages. It throws a wrench in the whole flow of the party.

It’s always better to have a little too much in the drinks department than not enough. And, make sure there are enough cold drinks and ice so no one has to endure warm beer or juice.

Time the Food Well

If it’s a dinner party time your recipes to be done shortly after guests arrive. Some party planning guides and ladies magazines advised that you avoid all the trouble with timing and simply make a sandwich bar for guests to create their own along with salads and some chafing dishes with hot food to go with. Either way, you want to have the food timed well for guests so they don’t wait a long time to eat. A dinner that starts at 9 is too late for most people!

Have Activities on Hand

Back in the old days we called these “mixers” – games and activities that got people talking to each other and let them get to know the other guests without having to constantly make small talk.

These games have brought many a guest who otherwise might not have spoken to each other the entire night.