I'm trying to host a 1930's themed party and am having trouble with ideas and decorations, any ideas? thanks..!

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Here are some ideas for 1930's THEMES to center your party around:

Mickey Mouse
On January 13, 1930, Mickey Mouse made his very first appearance as a comic strip in the New York Mirror newspaper. Celebrate his achievement with a 1930 Mickey Mouse themed party. Use the original look of Mickey on your party invitations and invite everyone to wear one mouse-related item to the party. Play a Mickey Mouse trivia game or challenge guests to draw their own version of Mickey.

Gangsters and Rum Running
1930 was a big year for organized crime. Not only was Al Capone arrested on a perjury charge on June 13, but also on February 10, Chicago law indicted 186 people in a huge rum-running plot worth millions. Have a "1930 Chicago Gangster" party featuring rum drinks and rum cake, plenty of gangster related decorations including paper cut out machine guns, old time hats. Add some pictures of Al Capone and period vintage suitcases and images of 1930 vehicles to completely transform your party space. Invite guests to dress up as gangsters or cops and play 1930 trivia games for prizes.

Amelia Earhart
In May 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo over the Atlantic Ocean. Her life and disappearance is a compelling story full of record-breaking achievements and mysterious endings. With the new focus on her from Hollywood with their 2010 film titled "Amelia," a party to celebrate her legacy and life would excite potential guests. Have guests dress in period clothing and ask each person to come up with her own theory on what happened to Amelia with an eye to a creative and most unusual answer winning the prize. Use aviation themed décor and present a toast in her memory.

Price is Right 1930s Edition
Invite your friends and family to a 1930's Roll Back the Prices Party. Ask friends to come in 1930's costumes and provide classic 1930's snacks and appetizers (see Resources.) Play a game of Price is Right where you ask guests to guess the actual price of common items in the 1930's. Winners can receive a period-related prize such as a Duke Ellington CD or a collection of Charlie Chan episodes on DVD.

Golden Age of Hollywood Party
The 1930s and '40s are considered the Golden Age of Hollywood, so celebrate in style by having a theme-related party. Invite guests to dress up as their favorite Golden Age of Hollywood actor or actress and decorate the party room with period movie posters and gold glitter stars. Have an Old Hollywood trivia contest or costume contest and use 1930's movies on DVD such as "Stagecoach" featuring John Wayne or "Hell's Angels" as prizes.

COLORS & MOTIFS: Use these ideas to create a perfect theme event
Glamour/Elegance
Bette Davis/Jean Harlow/Marlene Dietrich
Clark Gable/Jimmy Stewart/Cary Grant
Fred Astaire/Humphrey Bogart
Billy Holiday/Ella Fitzgerald
Benny Goodman/Tommy Dorsey/Swing Era
Big Band Music
Cole Porter/Bing Crosby
Betty Boop
Count Basie/Cab Calloway/Louis Armstrong
Satin Evening Dress
Fur Wraps & Cloaks (Sable, Mink, Chinchilla, Persian Lamb and Silver Fox)
Ankle Strap High Heel Shoes
Fedoras
Brimmed Hats/Berets
Double Breasted Suits/Plaids
The Great Depression

Internet and Host of Parties :)

1930's was a time of depression. As you probably know, the Great Depression was going on. Great Gatsby takes place in the 1920's, a much more lively time period, known as the roaring twenties. Perhaps you could switch your party to a 1920's theme? Anyway, check out some fashions of the '30s to get ideas for a dress code, and maybe have you guests dress reminiscent of the times. Get some popular music of the '30s to set the tone for the party. I think swing music was really "in", as well as brassy stuff. I've researched a bit, and art deco was supposedly at it height popularity during this time. That would stray away from another possible theme of 1930s gangsters and the Great Depression. So there are really two ways you could go. Be sure to have the right drinks and food as well. I hope I helped.

Myself, google.

Here are a couple of party websites that have 1930's themes
It sounds like you could go a couple of ways:

Art Deco (first and second links)
black/white/silver - elegant and stylised

Al Capone (third link)
Chicago Gangster

Golden Age of Hollywood (fourth link)
John Wayne, Cary Grant, Spencer Tracey, Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire
Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow, Katherine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers

for decorations you could have silhouettes from the theme of your choice cut out of black paper against draped white material:
potted plants, martini glasses, tommy guns, film reels, clapperboards,

1. http://www.amazingpartythemes.com/themes…
2. http://www.ehow.com/how_5638153_throw-19…
3. http://www.ehow.com/how_2154742_host-193… party.html
4. http://www.filmsite.org/30sintro.html
5. http://www.gamesbunny.co.uk/fancy_dress/…

sources are in the internet links

Here in the US, Prohibition was from 1919 until Dec. 1933....so that would include things like Bootlegging and a Speakeasy....bathtub gin, secret codes to enter a party...gangsters.

Best bet is to keep the theme mostly black and white and more of a "classier" type party..
Have someone take b&w pics or sepia toned Polaroid pics and hand out to guests in a silver frame for a gift
Have a contest...best flapper and best gangster if you want your guests to dress up.

Learn the Charleston...You could also turn this into a contest and award a prize to the winner. There's also the Foxtrot, Turkey Trot, Jive, Lindy Hop and Black Bottom.


Have tableclothes draped on tables, lots of candles, tealights...black and white centerpieces...silver trays, fancy glasses (can also get those fake silver looking serving pieces from party store)...there's even silverware that matches.
Serve Champagne cocktails (or mock if not of drinking age)

food items of that era: shrimp canapes, stuffed mushroom caps, oysters on the half shell

Other food ideas for sides:Tomato Onion Panade
? Smashed Red Potatoes
? Broccoli and Cauliflower with Garlic and Oil
? Rice Pilaf

Main
? Beef Tenderloin with Marinated Walnut Sauce
? Chicken Amandine


Dessert
? Vanilla Rice Pudding
? Chocolate Mousse Truffle Cups
? Create your own fruit salad

Play jazz music...Louis Armstrong.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

But here's a different idea altogether: you can decorate using what the 30's brought about in terms of history....here's a link to some fun facts: http://www.thepastisablast.com/funfacts/…

You can feature Amelia Earhart, and things like which famous bldgs were completed then, Famous radio shows, play a "Price is Right" kind of game and have people guess what certain food items cost back then....old posters of "Our Gang Comedy" (the scruffy kids).

Menu can be easy homemade comfort foods. Movies like "Wizard of Oz" and White Christmas were made back then..same with "It's a wonderful life"....so do a walk down memory lane highlighting what the era of the 30's gave us.

Hang posters of clothing and fashion....fun ads that were run in newspapers...famous cartoons, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVxbV2OCr… hope this helps gosh wish I was coming sounds fab have a great time!

http://www.fashion-era.com/stylish_thirt… http://www.ehow.com/list_7413979_1930s-t… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5tucwcS-…

Three ducks on the wall ,Sherry, port , bottles of beer (IPA) Meat paste sandwiches cream crackers and cheddar cheese , pickled onions , picalilli , jelly and fruit , pictures of Baden Powell and The King , Al Boley music Family pictures (Looking Rum)

Longpig

1930's/BIG BAND/SWING DANCING party
http://www.amazingpartythemes.com/themes…

Watch Great Gatsby.