1940’s Swingin’ Christmas Party

Find a picture of the Uncle Sam “We want you” poster and use it as the front of the invite. On the back put the information for the party. Invite the men to come in their best OD’s (Olive drabs or military uniform) and the women to come in their best party dresses.

Decoration Ideas

Decorate with patriotic memorabilia, posters from the time period such as Rosie the Riveter, and Uncle Sam Posters. Put up white Christmas lights and streamers. Cover the tables with simple white tablecloths and use pine boughs, and ornaments and table centerpieces. You can find a picture of an old radio cut it out and blue it onto cardstock. There are numerous websites that have clips of 1940’s radio shows, you can record them onto a tape, put the tape player behind the picture of the old radio and have them playing as your guests arrive.

Activities

At a swingin’ Christmas party the main activity should be dancing. If most of your guests do not know how to swing dance, get in touch with a local college or university. Most of them have ballroom dancing teams and will be able to provide you with someone who would be willing to teach some dance steps for little cost. So put on some swing music and start having some fun. Some definite musts for swing music are: Boogie Woogie, Tuxedo Junction, The Charleston, Take a Train, I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo, Sunrise Serenade, Don’t Mean A Thing, Sing, Sing, Sing, In the Mood, Satin Doll, A String of Pearls, Good Night My Love, Moonlight Serenade, Memories, and Opus 1.

USO parties also always included a movie. You can rent a movie and show it while people eat. Some of the most popular movies of the 1940’s are: Citizen Kane, Casablanca, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Rebecca, The
Maltese Falcon, It’s A Wonderful Life, Fantasia, and Arsenic and Old Lace.
Small gifts were often given as people came in. The yoyo was a huge fad during the 40’s so this may be a good gift. You could also have a yoyo contest later on.

It was also common to decorate a tree at parties so if you are up to the task you can have everyone help decorate your tree. As another activity, you could provide items to make small ornaments that people can put their names on so that you can remember who came.

Food Ideas

Pepsi became the patriotic drink of the time. They changed their colors to red, white and blue during the war. Large cakes were also a fun treat for those attending; because sugar was rationed cakes were often only found at special occasions. Jell-o puddings were a new product and many people came up with creative recipes for parties. Cocktails, snacks and finger foods were also very popular at parties. If you are going to do a movie you can provide popcorn and drinks. You can also have someone dress up as a candy girl and go around giving out candy.