Back in October my sister and I threw my Mom a 60th surprise party. Since she was born in the 1950s we thought it’d be fun to throw her a Sock Hop/50’s Diner themed party. We transformed my house into “Joanie’s Diner”, which was full of soda pop, records and poodle skirts.
A theme party just isn’t a party without proper attire. Luckily, I had that 1950’s style dress I wore in Melissa’s wedding. Oh, and that sign… Made of cardboard! It hung in the front hall and greeted the guests as they arrived.
YES! Those ARE binder clips holding the records! Crafty, I know!
These pudding float look-alikes really 50-ed up the food table. YUM!
The sliders were dressed with retro signs and root beer floats served as dessert.
I never knew how simple it was to make your own water bottle label. I’ve always admired them when I see them at parties so I decided to attempt my own. They were so easy and I didn’t need any materials I didn’t already have at home. I will no longer throw a party without them. Don’t worry, I will share my tutorial soon! 😉
Another easy way we brought the decade to life was with 1950s advertisements. See them hanging on the wall above?? They were pretty amusing. Most were sexist. Another, claimed that studies showed babies who drank soda would be more likely to fit in. One pictured a husband spanking his wife. Ahhh, the good ‘ole 50’s!!
One of the trickiest diner details was the menu but I have to tell you, it really wasn’t that difficult. Sure, it took a little Photoshopping but was one of the biggest hits at the party. Rather than food, I listed events historical to the guest of honor and where the price would be I placed the year it occurred. For example, there was a Smarty Sub, the small print explained where and when my Mom graduated High School. The guests thought it was clever and really enjoyed the light reading material!
HaHa… one of my favorite details, the bathroom decor! HapPEE Birthday! You can expect to see this baby again! It was unexpected and everyone thought it was funny.
OH… Here comes my Momma…..
Quiet everyone!
……………
I think she was surprised!!!
Hadley and Ryan rockin’ their 50’s attire. Gosh, they are cute even when they aren’t smiling!
My parents and I. Don’t they look cute in their matching red??
As much as I’d like to take credit for these sock hop desserts, I can’t. I didn’t make them. Tiffany volunteered to bring the dessert. They were not only rock-your-socks amazing to look at but they were oh-so delicious!! Click here to see how she made them.
Thanks again gurl. You amaze me!!
Seriously, is this checkerboard cake not one of the most incredible things you ever laid your eyes on… Want to learn how to make a checkerboard cake?
Everyone had a great time!!
A special thanks to my sister. Erin and I were totally Hostesses with the Mostesses! 🙂
AND because they are just too cute, I’ll leave you with this one last uber adorable image. Apparently the kids heard “Sock Hop” and took the hopping part literally!
xx,
Heather
[…] past weekend my bestie Heather threw her Mom a rockin’ sock hop for her 60th birthday. I was on cake duty and it was my honor. Hummmm sock hop dessert…what to do…what to […]
Awesome job!! Wish I could have been there. It looked like an amazing time!
Thanks Tai! It was an amazing time, Mom loved it… but we did miss you! There’s always next time though! 😉 xx
Love all the little Details for this party! Especially the throwback Coke Bottles and your outfit. 🙂
[…] Have you checked out that 50’s sock hop party? […]
What an amazing job you did, your mum must have been absolutely thrilled. She literally must have felt like she was walking into a diner, your decorations are superb! Love love love this idea!!
Thanks so much Catherine! Coming from a party planning pro like yourself, it’s a high compliment!!
My mom DID love it! And it was fun to step back into the 50’s for a day! I imagine it was an awesome decade! 🙂