The perfect 30's-40's housewarming?

[Tinseltown]

A friend of mine is throwing a classy black tie housewarming party where the men will be required to show up in tuxedos, and the women have to wear cocktail dresses and mustn't forget the red lipstick.
All we will be listening to will be Glenn Miller and the like, Billie Holiday etc.

If you could offer some suggestions on the following points (all have to be golden era-inspired, of course) I would be very grateful.
Keep in mind that she's a student, so nothing too expensive.

• 
  The invitations/name cards and the font for them. (suggestional templets would be nice)

• 
  Drinks/appetizers

• 
  Food/finger sandwiches

• More music suggestions

• 
  How to dress the table

Advice and suggestions that fall out of these categories are welcome too.

 

[beaucaillou]

A friend of mine is throwing a classy black tie housewarming party where the men will be required to show up in tuxedos, and the women have to wear cocktail dresses and mustn't forget the red lipstick.
All we will be listening to will be Glenn Miller and the like, Billie Holiday etc.

If you could offer some suggestions on the following points (all have to be golden era-inspired, of course) I would be very grateful.
Keep in mind that she's a student so nothing too expensive.

• 
  The invitations/name cards and the font for them. (suggestional templets would be nice)

• 
  Drinks/appetizers

• 
  Food/finger sandwiches

• More music suggestions

• 
  How to dress the table

Advice and suggestions that fall out of these categories are welcome too.

To keep it cheap (but classy) have her serve Prosecco, Cava, or some other sparkling wine that isn't from Champagne, as it will be cheaper, but still delicious. Avoid U.S. sparkling as it will be more expensive again and honestly, most Prosecco's are more beautiful than California sparkling. You can easily get Prosecco for 8-10$ usd per bottle.

There are two CD compilation sets I use for almost all party occasions. One is called 'Art Deco: The Crooners' and is all male vocalists from the late teens through the forties. Then there is a companion ladies set called 'Art Deco: Sophisticated Ladies.'

For food, Cost Co. or some such. They have soo much that's pre-made and frozen (cheese puffs, cream puffs, meatballs, smoked salmon, mushroom caps...) if she's short on time, even two of these items can save her some headache and their stuff is actually quite good. A charcuterie plate and frommage and she's good to go!

 

[Miss Neecerie]

To keep it cheap (but classy) have her serve Prosecco, Cava, or some other sparkling wine that isn't from Champagne, as it will be cheaper, but still delicious. Avoid domestic sparkling as it will be more expensive again and honestly, most Prosecco's are more beautiful than California sparkling. You can easily get Prosecco for 8-10$ per bottle.

There are two CD compilation sets I use for almost all party occasions. One is called 'Art Deco: The Crooners' and is all male vocalists from the late teens through the forties. Then there is a companion ladies set called 'Art Deco: Sophisticated Ladies.'

For food, Cost Co. They have soo much that's pre-made and frozen (cheese puffs, cream puffs, meatballs, smoked salmon, mushroom caps...) if she's short on time, even two of these items can save her some headache and their stuff is actually quite good. A charcuterie plate and frommage and she's good to go!

Unfortunatly she is in Denmark...not sure they have Costco there...but the idea of getting premade appetizers is a good one...

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Fonts..

Here is a page of Art Deco freeware fonts...

http://www.specialtyfonts.com/deco/

I would go with a black and white sort of theme...to match the black tie thing...

That way you can also match things that are white..but have different patterns...table linens..etc...napkins....and its classy.

 

[beaucaillou]

Unfortunatly she is in Denmark...not sure they have Costco there...but the idea of getting premade appetizers is a good one...

Whoops. Yes, that could be problematic. The shipping costs alone!

 

[Miss Neecerie]

and I will also go home and consult...

My 40's hostess book....its sure to have some great ideas as well...

Its all about entertaining with what you have.....since its supposed to be fun and not stressful.

 

[Helen Troy]

I've got the recipes for two delicious sandwich salads: One with egg and shrimp, one with chicken, ham, egg and parmesan. I have reconstructed them from a classic Norwegian cookbook, (Schønberg-Erken, the vintage Norwegian kooking godess!). I can`t give you an exact date for the salads, but the cookbooks first edition came in 1914 and the last edition, (which I used), came in 1951, so it's vintage cooking! I made this sandwiches for a LARP set in 51, and they were a great hit. Very tasty, not to expensive and relatively easy to make.

For drinks, how about Pjolters? I don`t know about Denmark, but this is the Norwegian name for cognac mixed with selters/club soda. A very popular drink in the 30s-50s!

If you want recipes, just PM me.

 

[Tinseltown]

More suggestions? Please keep them coming!

 

[scotrace]

Here is a page of Art Deco freeware fonts...

http://www.specialtyfonts.com/deco/

Smooch!!

(thanks)

 

[berrybuzz]

Perhaps for the invitation cover or header a picture like the ones on these towels (link below). The Soiree one would work best but I my google-fu is weak this morning and can't find anything similar at the moment that's just a picture.

https://ss12.shared.server-system.net/~youresuchababy.com/shop/housewares/kitchen_axioms.htm