entertaining

50 drinks and toasts to make you the perfect host - from 1968

1960s

50 Madmen-era vintage drink recipes & how people would toast in the ’60s

Looking to get a ’60s-style party going? Here are some classic toasts to raise and some vintage drink recipes so you can say cheers with savvy retro flair!

40 vintage backyard ideas so fab, you’ll want to recreate relaxing sixties-style outdoor living vibe

1950s

40 vintage backyard ideas so fab, you’ll want to re-create this relaxing sixties-style outdoor living vibe

If you love the mid-century retro style and want to create that gorgeous, peaceful vintage backyard feel, get 40 of the best patio, deck & porch ideas here.

Adorable vintage Easter crafts from the '60s

1960s

Hatch a happy Easter! How to make some adorable vintage Easter egg crafts from the ’60s

There are so many clever ways to make vintage Easter egg crafts – from using colored foods, paper and glue, hollowed-out eggshells and other classic creative ways to make retro Easter decorations. Get some how-tos here!

1930s

Talking behind her back: 11 really mean vintage ads that could give anyone a complex

All of these old-fashioned marketing pitches have a theme: the judgments are harsh, and nobody is worried about subtlety. Take a look back at these mean vintage ads and pretty soon, you’ll be feeling the burn!

Retro dinner recipes

Retro recipes revisited: Football meatloaf

There are so many recipes for appetizers to serve at game day football parties — but what about the main course? You can score with this old-fashioned football meatloaf, inspired by two vintage recipes!

1950s

For a retro party: Vintage holiday punch and cocktail recipes from the ’50s & ’60s

Raise a glass, retro-style! Get Glacier highball, Christmas sparkler, Kris Kringle punch & vintage holiday punch and classic cocktail recipes for a holiday party

1950s

The kitschy, the bad and the ugly: 18 vintage Christmas party appetizers you don’t see much anymore

Having a retro party for the holidays? Here are the crazy kitschy vintage Christmas party appetizers you will want to serve!

1960s

Beautiful party tablesettings: 7 ways to present a holiday table with retro style (1974)

The secret to party-giving is good food plus good company in a beautiful setting. When it comes to perfect party tablesettings, here are ways to showcase your decorating and culinary skills!

1980s

Philly cheese bells: The perfect retro appetizer for your Christmas party

Philly cheese bells are a shaped creamy cheese spread made from Philadelphia Brand cream cheese and spreadable Cracker Barrel cold pack cheese food.

1960s

Small gardens & sweet retreats: Clever ideas for secluded outdoor spaces from the 1960s

Practical ideas to help you plan small gardens of your own – a quiet, refreshing area close to your house where you can enjoy the plants and flowers you love!

1910s

DIY Halloween decorations on a budget: Fiendishly clever ideas from the days before party supply stores (1919)

Back when cheap Halloween party decor was a distant dream, people had to make their Halloween decorations the old-fashioned way: by getting creative. Ghoul School 1919 is now in session!

Woman with a vintage shrimp appetizer tree in 1965

1960s

Go totally ’70s and make a retro shrimp Christmas tree appetizer for your holiday party! Here’s how

A shrimp Christmas tree appetizer is a scene-stealer and a real buffet beauty, certain to cast a special charm over any holiday party – yet so easy to do! Here’s how.

Fruits Royal Hawaiian A carved pineapple with fruit salad inside retro recipe

1960s

Fruits Royal Hawaiian: A carved pineapple basket with fruit salad inside (1965)

Back in the ’60s, they called this recipe Fruits Royal Hawaiian — a easy-to-carve pineapple basket filled with a luscious fresh fruit salad. Get the how-to here!

1800s

How to have a proper Victorian garden party (1899)

A Victorian garden party may extend from afternoon into evening, or it may be entirely an evening affair, in which case the lawn and shrubberies are lighted by Japanese lanterns cleverly put about the place.

Vintage Halloween party table decorations

1910s

4 festive Halloween party table decorations & menu plans (1912)

Boo! If you’re having friends over for some spooky fun, look here for four different hauntingly creative Halloween party table decorations! These vintage menu suggestions and decor ideas are just as fun and festive today as ever.

It's retro appetizer time! Get these Cheddar-sherry, ham & cream cheese spread recipes (1968)

1960s

It’s time for retro appetizers in fun shapes! Get these Cheddar-sherry, ham spread & cream cheese spread recipes (1968)

What were these cheesy cheese spread recipes all about? They were appetizers and snacks that creatively-shaped — into a wreath, a chicken (with a tail made out of Fritos corn chips) and a Christmas tree.

1960s

Sprite Modhouse Punch & Spicy Punch recipes (1966)

Sprite can be very adult holiday entertainment – especially if you approach it with the right spirit. Holiday nogs and grogs take on a whole new dimension when you spark them with the natural tartness of Sprite. To give a party something special, invite Sprite.

1960s

Hello Halloween! Party food & fun for teens (1963)

Teen guests will swing at a party of food, fun and favors that a young hostess can make herself. Greet your invited ghosts and goblins with a Halloween party!

The End Of Dinner by Jules Alexandre Grun

1900s

How to throw a formal dinner party, Edwardian-style (1905)

The following is a list of the indispensable and necessary pieces of china and glass for correct dinner service, together with a menu describing each of the fourteen courses served at a formal dinner party.

1960 How to make a pineapple treasure chest centerpiece

1960s

Make a pineapple treasure chest salad with mayonnaise from 1960 for a very… unique… centerpiece

Here’s a creative pineapple treasure chest filled with a delicious fresh fruit salad. It’s easy to make this stunning party centerpiece! Here’s how you can do it.

Halloween Jell-O desserts Pumpkin Parfaits, Moon Medleys, Grape Frosts (1985)

1980s

Halloween Jello recipes: Pumpkin Parfaits, Moon Medleys & Grape Frosts (1985)

Make these brilliant harvest desserts – Halloween Jello recipes! Whip up a glittering pumpkin parfait. A sparking new way to serve grapes. Or a glowing harvest moon salad.

1960s

Holiday hostess tree! A retro-style Christmas tree with meat ornaments (1961)

Trimmed with good-to-eat Oscar Mayer tidbits stuck on with cocktail picks, this Christmas tree with meat ornaments is sure to be the center of attraction at any holiday buffet.

1960s

Fun with vintage fondue & other recipes for a really ‘with it’ dinner party! (1968)

’60s dinner party with fondue — the fun party dish! Everyone will have a ball the moment the dunking begins. These exciting party foods show you’re really with it. Plenty — and then some — to feed a crowd. Here’s how!

1960s

It’s fun to fondue! (1969)

Originally the fondue was a cheese dish, one cooked with wine and served with bread dunked. Today, the fun-to-do dishes have meats, chocolates or vegetables as their main ingredients.

1960s

21 old-fashioned fruit punch recipes (1969)

What can you serve in the punch bowl? Some society ladies of Southern Mississippi offered these 21 fruity vintage punch recipes in the summer of 1969!

1940s

How to make 30 classic cocktails & drinks (1946)

Love those classic cocktails? Get the recipes here for some of the finest from the 40s: Gin Rickey, Creme de Menthe Frappe, Hot Toddy, Side Car, Pink Lady, Stinger, Champagne Cocktail, Manhattan, Daiquiri & more!

1950s

A collection of classic Christmas cookies & treats (1950s)

Sweet holiday treats Below, beginning at top and reading from left to right: Boxed Dates and Figs Stuffed with Fondant, Fresh Coconut Patties, Walnut Creams,

1980s

Make a chocolate basket filled with berry cream (1987)

Here’s a beautiful way to serve a holiday dessert — in a chocolate bowl! Get the whole how-to here, plus a recipe for a delicious berry cream that makes the perfect filling for your chilled chocolate container.

1800s

6 stunning silver Victorian tilting water pitchers (1889)

The tilting water pitcher was something often found on the dining table during the Victorian era. Mounted on a swing pivot, it simplified the task of pouring ice water into cups or glasses, as there was no lifting required.

1940s

Kraft cheese souffle recipe (1948)

You’ll amaze folks with your skill (needn’t tell ‘em how easy it was!) and delight everybody with this grand-tasting cheese souffle.

1960s

So retro! A cold glazed baked ham with pimento flowers (1965)

Flowery cold glazed baked ham Cold glazed baked ham is coated with a new version of chaud froid with mayonnaise or salad dressing and sour cream in the

1910s

37 cool, non-alcoholic drinks for an old-fashioned punchbowl

Here are 37 different classic punch recipes to try — none with alcohol as an ingredient. The fruit juices and different varieties of carbonated waters and ginger ales will satisfy the palate, and cool you off in a most refreshing manner.

1960s

Tomato ice cream, cucumber ice cream & avocado ice cream (1968)

Ice cream salad recipes: Tomato ice cream, cucumber ice cream & avocado ice cream The tomato ice cream on the rocks [below] makes a frosty start

1900s

How to host an up-to-date summer party (1906)

Summer parties and entertaining duties never cease — there are always garden fetes, weekends, luncheons and bridge suppers to be planned and executed.