Who doesn't love a themed party? Honestly. Costumes? Props? Themed food/drink? LOVE.
It was my Dad's 65th birthday this past weekend and to celebrate, we had a Mad Men Themed Cocktail Birthday party Extravaganza! Family, Friends, and Neighbors came to wish my Dad well and channel their inner Don, Roger, Betty, or Joan. Not everyone actually knew what Mad Men was - but we made sure to put "1960s cocktail attire" on the invitation so people got that it was a themed party. Google should have told them the rest.
Anywho.... here is my summary of the party - a mini guide to throwing your own Mad Men themed party!
It was my Dad's 65th birthday this past weekend and to celebrate, we had a Mad Men Themed Cocktail Birthday party Extravaganza! Family, Friends, and Neighbors came to wish my Dad well and channel their inner Don, Roger, Betty, or Joan. Not everyone actually knew what Mad Men was - but we made sure to put "1960s cocktail attire" on the invitation so people got that it was a themed party. Google should have told them the rest.
Anywho.... here is my summary of the party - a mini guide to throwing your own Mad Men themed party!
The Invitations
We got our invitations from PaperStyle.com - This is actually where I got the great idea for this themed party. My dad was turning 65 and he loves the show... a match made in Heaven!
We got our invitations from PaperStyle.com - This is actually where I got the great idea for this themed party. My dad was turning 65 and he loves the show... a match made in Heaven!
The Guest of Honor
My Dad - don't you love those black-rimmed glasses? He used to wear those back in the day, these were just fake ones.
My Dad - don't you love those black-rimmed glasses? He used to wear those back in the day, these were just fake ones.
The Food/Drinks
We tried to keep our menu 60's themed and very simple. Usually I would go "all out" on appetizers, but we wanted it to be authentic and a lot of these classic appetizers were - well - classic!
Pigs in a blanket
Shrimp Cocktail
Deviled eggs
Cheeseball w/ crackers
Caprese Salad Skewers
Veggie tray w/ hummus
Rum French Toast bites
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
White Chocolate covered pretzel "Cigarettes"
Chocolate Cupcakes w/ double chocolate vodka cream inside
Surprisingly enough - I think the biggest hit was the cheeseball - and it was a lot easier to make than you'd think... Shade your eyes health nuts, this isn't healthy: 1 block softened cream cheese, 2 T sour cream, 1 C shredded muenster cheese, 1/2 lipton french onion soup packet - mix, form into ball, and roll in chopped pecans. I'll never look at cheeseballs the same again.
We tried to keep our menu 60's themed and very simple. Usually I would go "all out" on appetizers, but we wanted it to be authentic and a lot of these classic appetizers were - well - classic!
Pigs in a blanket
Shrimp Cocktail
Deviled eggs
Cheeseball w/ crackers
Caprese Salad Skewers
Veggie tray w/ hummus
Rum French Toast bites
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
White Chocolate covered pretzel "Cigarettes"
Chocolate Cupcakes w/ double chocolate vodka cream inside
Surprisingly enough - I think the biggest hit was the cheeseball - and it was a lot easier to make than you'd think... Shade your eyes health nuts, this isn't healthy: 1 block softened cream cheese, 2 T sour cream, 1 C shredded muenster cheese, 1/2 lipton french onion soup packet - mix, form into ball, and roll in chopped pecans. I'll never look at cheeseballs the same again.
Pretzel Cigarettes - Just dip Pretzel twists in white chocolate and dip the end in red decorating sugar. So easy - and makes a perfect prop/dessert!
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The Decor
My mom cut out all the heads of the main Mad Men characters to put on display in the front hallway - don't recognize the one in the middle? That's my dad in his young age :)
My mom cut out all the heads of the main Mad Men characters to put on display in the front hallway - don't recognize the one in the middle? That's my dad in his young age :)
We kept all the party decorations black, white, and red - to go along with the theme. The bar and glasses even served as classy decorations. I think using real glassware really made it feel like a classy cocktail party. At the bar, we set up drink recipes and all the ingredients for making the cocktails - including bar essentials like lemons, limes, maraschino cherries, olives, and even simple syrup!
The Entertainment
I made a Man Men Playlist on grooveshark of all 60's and 70's music to play throughout the evening. This kept the mood light and was completely appropriate for the crowd.
I made a Man Men Playlist on grooveshark of all 60's and 70's music to play throughout the evening. This kept the mood light and was completely appropriate for the crowd.
My Sister had a beyond-brilliant idea. She wanted a photobooth but didn't want to spend a couple hundred dollars on a rental. Solution? Pocketbooth app, and iPad, some props, and a printer. This was just as fun (and so much cheaper) than a real photobooth and people loved playing around with it. Pictures were taken home as a souvenir of their fabulous evening.
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All in all, we had a great time - definitely an evening to remember!
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