If you have a reason to celebrate, it’s time to gather your favorite cats for a good old-fashioned 1950s sock hop. Sock hops are ideal for any number of occasions, including baby showers; bridal showers; community, school, and church events; and kids and adult birthdays. 50s parties are especially perfect for 50th birthday parties!
No matter what your reason to celebrate is, we offer all the supplies you need to throw a sock hop bash. Our Black Check party supplies look just like a 1950s checkered dance floor, and the effect is totally righteous when you pair Black Check with our Fabulous 50s party supplies. Our Fabulous 50s theme includes fun soda, juke box, and rock and roll touches, and we even have fun dress-up items to get your greasers and dolls looking the part.
Now, for some totally hep sock hop party ideas:
Sock Hop Invitations
It’s so simple to make your own DIY sock hop party invitations that look like vinyl records or a poodle skirt. All you need is sturdy card stock, scissors, glue, and a printer. Use some fun, 50s sayings like, “shake, rattle, and roll,” “rock around the clock,” or “grease monkeys and beauty school dropouts” to get your guests ready to jive, 50s style. Be sure you tell your guests to come in costume — poodle skirts and Grease Lightening attire are encouraged!
Sock Hop Party Decorations
Transform your party space into a 1950s soda shop with these decor ideas:
- Cover the tables with Black Check tablecovers. For centerpieces, arrange pink roses or carnations in old fashioned soda glasses. Make sure each table has an old-fashioned straw dispenser, soda cups, and Fabulous 50s plates and napkins.
- Go to thrift stores, flea markets, and garage sales and stock up on old vinyl records. Hang them from the walls and suspend them from the ceiling.
- Trace, paint, and cut out a large juke box and tape it to the wall. If you really want to get into the sock hop theme, rent a juke box for the event!
- Make a DIY 1950s dance floor by painting black and white checks on a large sheet of ply wood. This will require a little construction, but it’s definitely worth it.
Sock Hop Party Food
Think 1950s diner and soda shop when planning the food. This menu will keep all your guests happy:
- Appetizers: Cheese and crackers, pigs in blankets, and popcorn.
- Entree: Burgers and fries. Serve the burgers in paper wrappers and the fries in paper boats. Don’t forget a veggie burger option!
- Dessert: Cake served on a vinyl record cake stand, retro candy served in clear glass jars, ice cream sundaes.
- Drinks: Root beer floats, old-fashioned soda in glass jars.
Sock Hop Party Activities
Dancing at your sock hop is an obvious must! Make a playlist on your computer, hook up the 1950s rock Pandora station, or rent a real juke box to crank some tunes. If you can, bring in a dance instructor to teach your guests some legit 50s dance moves like the hand jive, bunny hop, mashed potato, and the twist!
With everyone in costume, you’ll definitely want photos! Set up a photo booth by hanging the Black Check Tablecover from one of the walls. If you want to go all out, reach out to your local classic car club and see if any members will bring one of their 50s muscle cars by for photo opportunities.
Once the sun sets, stage a 50s drive-in theater in your backyard by projecting a movie up on a rental screen or a white sheet. Set around lawn chairs and blankets for your guests to cozy up on, and keep the popcorn flowing.
Be sure to share your 50s sock hop ideas in the comments below!