Tag Archives: Parties

Farewell 2020, the Deco Way

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Ring out the old, ring in the new (photo: flickr)

As the year winds down, it’s time to say Farewell 2020, the deco way! As we continue practicing safe social distancing, large New Year’s gatherings are out of the question.

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Small partys are preferred (photo: adventuresinatlanta.com)

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However, for those of you staying with family, let’s welcome 2021 with gay frivolity as they would in the day.

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Joan Crawford in Our Dancing Daughter, 1928. Party like it's 1928.

Ready for a fun night? (photo: prohibitionparlour.com)

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Turning to my trusty, The Party Book by Mary Breen, she states that this is one party where the host gets to inflict their own ideas of what their guest’s resolutions should be.

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Billie Burke in Dinner AT Eight, 1933. She is looking forward to throwing the best party of the year.

It’s going to be a delightful evening! (photo: glamamor.com)

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Starting with the invite, include the date and time, instruct them to “bring along something to get rid of” besides their bad habits.

 

A fancy party invite is always a hit.

Make your party invite as fancy as you’d like (photo: Pinterest)

 

And, “wrap it up so no one knows what you are trying to dispose of.”

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What could it be? (photo: sporcle.com)

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You can see where this is going.

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Cut hourglass shapes out of stiff paper and write various times units – minutes, hours seconds, etc. – on them. Hide them all over the house before the party begins.

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Simple hourglass shape (photo: kids-drawing.com)

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Next, prepare a name tag for each guest and on the back, write a “resolution” the individual must adhere to the entire night. For example, the person who interrupts has to count to ten before responding to any statement made. An opinionated person cannot voice their viewpoint during a conversation unless asked for their opinion. A couple may not say anything endearing to their beloved.

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Any dry bean will do. (photo: alibaba.com)

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Each guest is given 30 beans. And, each time they are caught failing to follow their resolution, they pay a one bean penalty to the person who catches them. If someone loses all their beans, they must perform a stunt later in the evening.

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A party favorite, the famous bean game in an elegant setting.

You keep her distracted while I grab her beans. (photo: gettyimages.com)

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“Swaps” is an opportunity to get rid of, I mean re-gift, the present they brought. However, it is also an opportunity to get them to break their resolution during the bargaining process.

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Using the beans as cash, players bargain each other for the gifts. Announce that a prize is given to the person who ends up with the smallest gift, largest gift and the person who ends up with the most beans. Players can keep bargaining as long as the gift is not unwrapped. Several people can barter for the same package at the same time. There is no limit in the bean price. And gifts can be swapped multiple times but everyone must end up with a gift.

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The person with the most beans starts the next game, Preferred Personalities.  They pretend to be someone, living or dead, and the others have to guess by asking yes or no questions. The person who guesses correctly goes next. And so on.

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In the meantime, prepare slips of paper each with a guest name. Guests randomly select a name and writes some “friendly” advice on the back. Collect the slips and redistribute them giving each person the paper bearing their name.  In turn, each guest reads the advice to themselves, declares what they think of it and what they intend to do about it. And then, they read aloud the uncalled-for advice.

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Oh, the hilarity of it all.

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Assuming your guests are speaking to each other, the next game is a pip!

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The person who lost all their beans, or with the least beans, leaves the room. While absent, the other guests come up with some simple task they must perform. It can be something such as dancing with a chair or get on all fours and bark like a dog. The trick is, when the person returns, they have to figure out what they are supposed to do through trial and error. Clapping means they are cold. But foot stamping means they are warm.

 

Suggest dancing like Fred Astaire, you'll be the life of the party.

Suggest dancing like Fred Astaire (photo: pinterest.com)

Remember those hourglasses you hid? This is a party game that would be great for kids.  Players hunt for the hourglasses and the winner is the person who collects the most time, not hourglasses.

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Small prizes are awarded to those with the most beans, and to those who collected the most time.

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Being creative with food enlivens any party!

Get creative with Natalka UA on youtube.com

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It is suggested that sandwiches be served decorated with thin slices of sweet pickles and a pimento stem. Cookies and cupcakes are decorated with citron “holly leaves” and red candy “berries”. Beverages can be coffee / hot cocoa and hot spiced punch.

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Hope these games inspire you to have your own deco New Year’s party. Let us know if you tried any and how it went.

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Marie Dressler and Billie Burke in Dinner At Eight, 1933. Billie Burke's party plans didn't pan out the way she expected.

I had a ball, my dear. We must do it again! (photo: deathlessprose.com)

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Stay safe and see you all in the 2021. And support your local arts!

 

Keep the party small and have a swell time.

1922 actors fund (photo: flickr.com)

Happy New Year!

Chris & Anthony (the Freakin’ ‘tiquen Guys)

The Deco Party

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Who doesn’t love to a throw or attend a party? In the twenties, thirties and forties, apparently many people did and they did their best to make it an event.  On our travels, I picked up a couple of books dedicated to “the party”: food, decorations and games.

Vintage party books
Vintage party books

The Party Book by Mary J. Breen (1939) starts her introduction with the simple words, “Let’s have a party!” and ends it, “Here’s hoping you’ll have a good time!” I hope the same for you.

 

Now anyone who personally knows me, will attest that I throw the most excruciatingly terrible parties. (For those old enough to remember The Mary Tyler-Moore show, a running gag was her awful get-togethers.  I ‘m in her league.) It is therefore ironic that Anthony can throw a party together that is both brilliant in guests and conversation.  It helps that he can mix a mean cocktail!

 

But I digress. In the book, parties are divided into several categories: Sprightly Parties for Everybody; Gay Parties for Lively People; Dances with an Air; Children’s Parties; Outdoor Parties and Picnics; Banquets; and Fun for Funds. Also listed are party games and stunts to keep your guest entertained.

 

Fear not, I don’t intend to spell out every party or detail but who knows, maybe you’ll be inspired to throw your very own theme party in the deco style. P.S.: Please invite me!

Snow Frolic Party
Snow Frolic Party

“When winter comes – and you want to give a party, what could be better then a Snow Frolic, a realistic one with a Ski Tow, Ski Races and a Snow Battle Free-For-All…” Start by making your invitations with green paper using white ink and decorating it with a snowman or crossed skis in the corner. Add a snow effect by covering the invite with a fine wire mesh and use a toothbrush to rub a bit of the white ink over the invitation. (See how easy – who needs premade multipack invitations so readily available now-a-days?) Decorate the party space with fresh evergreens sprinkled with cotton or artificial snow. To blot out your ceiling, string wires across the room then hang tinsel and snow balls (cotton balls on thread).  Cover wall lights with blue cellophane and center ceiling lights can be covered with clusters of blue and white balloons.  Don’t forget the snowman made out of cotton!  (Then get out the spackle and touch up paint for later.)

 

 

I am already exhausted.  The instructions continue to limit teams for the games to 10 or 12, assuming you are inviting 60 guests (better start on those invites).

 

Speaking of games, the Free-For-All snow ball fight is the easiest to describe (and could be a lot of fun depending on the strength of the libations).  To start, white and blue balloons serving as the “snow balls” are placed on the floor.  The more you have the better.  Guests are divided into 2 teams – White and Blue.  The object is to destroy as many of the opponent’s balloons as possible while retrieving your own team’s within the three minute time limit.  Safe to say, there won’t be any balloons left intact at the end of the melee. The point of the game – well, actually there is no point, at least none given.

 

Afterwards, let your guests rest and serve them coffee and donuts.  “If you have a victrola, play the “Blue Danube” or some other waltz and the skaters will surprise you – and doubtless, themselves too – with their grace and skill on the ice.”  Oh, did I mention a suggestion was made to pull up your rugs and highly wax your floors to make them super slippery like ice?

 

This is just an example of the lengths and creativity gone into  ensure a memorable evening for your guests (and possibly your homeowner insurance).  I know I’d remember it!

Entertain your guests with this fun activity
Here is some more frivolity for your guests to enjoy!

More ideas later and happy partying!

Chris and Anthony, the “Freakin’, ‘Tiquen” guys!