In the 1950′s people really knew how to throw a cocktail party (or at least in the movies they did, anyways!).

Finger Foods, Mixed Drinks, and Party Games

A Classic Cocktail Party (fifties theme) is the perfect setting for a bridal shower, engagement party, or jack and jill party.

And, here’s a great  idea: carry the 50′s theme a step further by focussing on that famous 50′s married TV couple: Lucy and Ricky Ricardo!

Copy the heart from the TV series credits but replace “I Love Lucy” with the names of the engaged couple. Play your favorite episodes of the show on a TV set (this will give party guests something to talk about – a bonus if your guest list is made up of lots of people who are just getting acquainted).

You can even buy a CD of Desi Arnaz performing his hits – aptly named “Cocktail Hour”.

amazon.ca

Games

Lucy and Ricky VS. Fred and Ethel

Seat the engaged couple together against the Best Man and Maid of Honor. Print out the faces of Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel and either make them into masks or use them to label the contestants’ spots if you are seating them behind table. Or, better yet, make them wear t-shirts with the character’s head printed across the chest. Explain that you will be asking questions to see who knows the bride and groom better – the fiance/fiancee or the best friends? Ask the party guests to take sides – who will win? Ask a series of questions. Give prizes to the winning couple and party favors to the guests standing on the winners’ side of the room (jello shots perhaps?).

Party Prizes

Get party prizes straight from the source – you can shop at the I Love Lucy online store. Purchases help support the Lucy-Desi Museum and the Desilu Playhouse in Jamestown, New York. They have a whole line of salt and pepper sets based on household items (vacuum, washer/dryer, toaster) all very 50′s housewife and reminiscent of classic wedding gifts. Other ideas from their store: a set of Lucy coasters or a tin of of Lucy’s Predica-mints!

Refreshments

Time to stock the bar and buy a cocktail recipe book! Designate a bartender for the evening (or several, to work in shifts). Another option is to select two or three cocktails to offer – or one signature cocktail for the couple and a big bowl of fancy punch. You can read more about cocktail party drinks at our previous article about Jack and Jill parties.

Costumes

Cocktail Party Clothes

A cocktail party also gives you the perfect excuse to wear a party dress and a cute pair of shoes!  Check out a list of top ten Retro Dresses at thefashionpolice.net.

You can get your whole cocktail costume at starletsandharlets.com –

Their rock and roll retro looks put the cocky into cocktail.

starletsandharlets.com

Related articles

• ?I Love Lucy? Friday: How do Lucy and Ethel end up in a man’s hotel room wearing negligees? (pinkbananaworld.com)
• Unique Bridal Shower Themes (myweddingideas.net)
• Best Candy Store Sites (verybestsites.com)
• Legendary Icons – Female Sex Symbols Through the Years (bizarrebytes.com)
• Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse And Wine Bar (richmondvapresents.com)

Here are some ideas for a party theme that would ultimately work best for a Jack and Jill party, but would also be fun at a stag or stagette.

Flip Flopping Around

Ask everyone to wear flip flops or sandals to the party – no warm feet allowed! Give the bride and groom flip flops when they arrive (they should wear them during the party).

maxcostumes.com

maxcostumes.com

Games

Balderdash!

Once the guests have had a chance to have a drink or two, hand out letter-sized foot prints and ask them to write down their definition of where the term cold feet came from. Post the feet on a wall and let the bride and groom to be pick which one they think is correct. Read out the funniest ones to the group and give a prize to the definition selected by the bride and groom.

Footprints

Or, ask guests to step in to some paint and leave their foot prints on a big sheet of paper. Ask the bride to identify her fiance’s feet and vice versa.

Aqua Twister

Line a kiddie pool with the game of twister (go shopping for a pool with the measurements of a twister game – the larger rectangular pools are usually a perfect fit). Fill with icy water. Bring on the good times!

Refreshments

Jiggly Feet

Use a recipe for jello shots (I found one at ifood.tv), garnish with jelly feet suckers (toefood.com). Make sure you serve the shots ice cold!

ifood.tv

toefood.com

Cold Feet Sundae

Top scoops of ice cream with chocolate feet, or give these away as party favors!

toefood.com

Prizes

Here are some ideas for prizes to hand out at your party:

Pedicure Gift Certificate

spafinder.com

Hot Foot Spa Kit

lushusa.com

Flaming Slippers to Warm Up Those Feet

alibaba.com

Candy

toefood.com

Answer these questions honestly and keep track of how many times you answer ‘no’.?

1. I have experience working with budgets (I can create one, track expenses, etc)

2. I am a financially responsible person (I can control my spending, separate my emotions from my decisions, and avoid impulse purchases)

3. I have a clear vision for my ceremony and reception (how it will look, what will take place). If not, I know I am able to see the ‘big picture’ and I’ll be able to pull all of the aspects of the event together to create a cohesive theme and style?

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