Decorations
Talk about nostalgia! This is the decade of reverie and contentment. Use your imagination and this list of things from the 50s to set the tone for your fabulous Rock Around the Clock Party.

Play music from the 1950s in the background to get the party started. You know, Fabian, Frankie Avalon, Dion, Bobby Darrin, the Platters, the Del Vikings - can you hear it now? Greet your guests with candy cigarettes and take their Polaroid picture with cutouts of Marilyn Monroe. Shindigz.com carries Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart cut outs. (Do a search for Marilyn Monroe.)

Liven up your party venue by designing it like a restaurant drive-in. Stick a "James Dean Road" or "Elvis Way" sign at the end of your driveway to indicate to guests that they have arrived at your great destination. If you are really going to go all out, which the Party Girl recommends, make several little holes in your sign and stick little twinkling lights through them. Hook it up to your power source and let the lights dazzle your guests. Make a sign that says "Bob and Carol's Drive-In Burg-o-rama" and hang it outside.

For a complete set of bright and colorful decorations, you can't go wrong with the Fabulous 50s Deluxe Party Pack. Hang a sign that says, "Fabulous 50s" in the doorway to welcome your guests as well as a 6' Rock & Roll banner. Decorate the walls with records and 50s themed cutouts. Make "Guys" and "Dolls" signs to put on your bathroom doors.

For "le piece de resistance," place an inflatable jukebox where everyone can look and admire. Hang fuzzy dice everywhere.

Add a balloon arch over the DJ or band with mylar jukeboxes and primary colors -and you're set for one rockin' good time!

Centerpieces
Place a different blow up instrument from the 50s at each table to achieve an authentic Rock & Roll look. Centerpieces can be 45 records with a base of balloons and/or more colorful balloons coming off for a room with a high ceiling.

Throw musical note confetti all around the instruments for festive decoration. Mini chocolate records are an even tastier way to decorate the table around each centerpiece. If you only have one table to decorate, make a collage of the blow-up instruments. Set them up like a band about to play. Tie balloons off the base in bright colors. Bobby sox should be at every seat in multiple colors for people to wear while they dance!

Another fun way to decorate the center of the table is to rent a mini jukebox. Place it in the middle of the table, and let the guests choose their own music.

For a fun way to give everyone their favors, tie the cutlery at each place setting to these great "Blues Brothers" sunglasses reminiscent of the 50s.

Set a glass sundae cup with balloons attached at each place setting to decorate the tables in a fun and fabulous way. Here's where you might start early and hunt for relics of the past at novelty and vintage stores. You'd be amazed at what people save and where they end up later. You will find lunch boxes, toys, kitchenware, LPs (that's records for you youngins) and more delectable goodies that will even enlighten the most cynical party-goer. Other decorations can include model and toy Thunderbirds, hot rods or DeSotos.

Food will remind the guests of the soda shops and drive-ins that were so popular. Soda shops were around before cholesterol, so serve the greasiest cheeseburgers with the saltiest fries and the thickest milkshakes that you can create. Coca-Cola is an acceptable substitute for a milkshake, as is a malted. Don't forget root-beer floats. Ice cream sundaes are a must as well. Chocolate guitars, records and CDs should grace the table for after dinner.

If you divert from the drive-in fare, go for the at-home cuisine, namely TV dinners. Pigs in a blanket, Ritz crackers, Velveeta, mashed potatoes and meatloaf.

For drinks, in addition to the soda shop favorites, serve Manhattans, Grasshoppers and Martinis, too.

It wouldn't be 50s party without checkers, Mr. Potato Head®, Parcheesi, and dancing. Have a game competition or dancing contest. Music is a great social activator.

Have a lip sync contest using all of your Rock & Roll favorites from the 50s. Make sure to swivel your hips if you sing a song by "Elvis!"

The hula-hoop is a 1950's favorite. Make sure to have more than one hoop handy so the guests can compete to see who can hula for the longest amount of time.

Have a treasure hunt. Kids love these. Click here for a treasure chest full of fun toys and stuff from the 50s.

Everyone loves a piñata! Let your guests take a swing at a really cool pinata shaped like a guitar. You can even choose between putting candy or 50s toys inside. (Don't forget to get the piñata buster too.)

Some candy from the past can be put on the tables. Your One-Stop Shopping for Candy like Rock candy, bazooka and wonka bars.

The Fabulous 50s treat bag, complete with a fuchsia treat sack, a tube of bubbles, a soda/candy notepad, a finger trap, an ice cream cone shooter, and an inflatable guitar, is the perfect way to thank your guests for making your party a blast!

Are you having trouble finding nostalgic favors from the 1950s? Worry no longer! Click here for an array of great gifts that are reminiscent of the 1950s. Trust me, the nostalgia will bring a tear to your eye.

For Rock 'n' Roll Decorating Kits, paper rock 'n' roll cut outs and jukeboxes, visit our Party Store.

For 50s Dance Party music, rock 'n' roll paper products, cutlery, piñatas and more visit our PartyShop

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