1950 Birthday Party

by Jennifer L.
(Scottsboro, Alabama)

When I turned 16, my mother threw me a 1950 birthday party with a 50's sock hop theme. I loved that party and I am glad that my mother threw it for me. I was never much into the 50's but my mother was born then and it showed me a side of her teen years, while I was celebrating a big year in my life also.

It was a bonding experience as well as celebrating being a year older. Birthday parties should be fun. They should also be about bonding with your friends and families and that is something you should think about while planning a party.

So here is what she did for the 1950 birthday party.

1950 Birthday Party Food

For food she really went over the top. She made up "Drive-In" menus that had checkmarks where everyone could just mark of the items they wanted.

She served a 1950s classic menu that had cheeseburgers, hot dogs, french fries, ice cream floats and malted milk shakes. For the cake she had one specially made that had a jukebox on it. It was a beautiful cake!

1950's Birthday Dress Code

Since it was my birthday, she went all out with my clothes. She sewed me a white poodle skirt. Instead of a poodle on it she put a cat on it (because she knows I love cats but don't like dogs much). She said that it wasn't always poodles on the big skirts even though they call it a poodle skirt. It was whatever a person was really into.

She also got a crinoline on ebay that went under the skirt, and a short sleeved button up white shirt. The final thing was a scarf for my hair.

On the invitations she wrote that the dress code was for a sock hop theme party. Everyone was required to come dressed like they were from the 1950's or as a popular 50's singer or actress/actor. There were a lot of Elvises and Marilyn Monroes in the room!

If I could change anything about it, I would make the party more formal and not let anyone come in who wasn't dressed up. Some people didn't dress the way they were supposed too and it took away from the fun a little.

1950's Birthday Games

We had games there that were trivia games to test our knowledge of the 50's music and movie genre. All of the adults did better than us at this part!

There were also lots of games with the dance part of the party. One of them was where the dj (my dad) would put on a song from the 50's and we'd have to guess what it was in ten seconds. The winner got Elvis party favors.
Sock Hop Theme Party Dance

The main part of the party was the sock hop dance. My mom had actually rented a jukebox, I had a Elvis impersonator and we also had karaoke. All of the karaoke songs were on the rented jukebox and they were all oldies fifties music.

We listened to music from the 50's and even learned how to dance the dances such as the Bop, the Stroll, the Swing, and Hand Jive.

After we had all learned the dances we had a dance contest. The Elvis impersonator was the judge and he gave out the prizes.

My mom put a lot of hard work and time and money into my party and I was very pleased with it. My party is still talked about now even though it was two years ago. I think it may have been the best 16th birthday party at my high school!

Categories: Sweet 16th, 1950 Theme Ideas