Thursday, August 19, 2010

It's a Sock Hop Party

This year Bear wanted to have a Sock Hop Party.

These were the invitations that we sent out. I tried to make them look like a record. I clipped a little brad on them so they would slide open. I thought the poem fit perfectly with the theme.




I tried to turn our kitchen into a Soda Shop. I bought a ton of records for super cheap at a thrift store.  I also lined our kitchen "island" with a black plastic table cloth and taped white computer paper to it to make it look like a checkered counter.




I'm trying to make it a tradition to make the kids a special banner every year for their birthday. Here is Bear's banner this year "_____'s Soda Shop".
I wish I would have gotten a better picture of the table setting but I totally forgot to take one until almost all the food was gone. I cut a big piece of black glitter felt and tried to make it look like a big record.
Now for the Sock Hop Bash! This was the hardest to decorate for since there was little to non Sock Hop decorations at the party store. Originally I wanted to line the garage with white sheets to cover up all our junk but that was going to be too much $$. So plan B went into action. Once again the amazing visqueen came to the rescue. I picked up a bunch of dollar store white table clothes and hung them from the ceiling to give a "curtain" effect. I covered the ugly couch with a white sheet and borrowed pillows and a blanket. Billy picked up the pink shelves for free on the side of the road. I'm using for another project but for now they worked out great to display the jute box and records.

I knew Bear really wanted a checkered dance floor. But hello, can anyone say lots of $$? I had a crazy idea that ended up working out perfectly! I bought a bunch of really ugly peel and stick linoleum tiles at Home Depot for a total of $14. The hubs helped me spray paint them black and white and then I attached them to some old flannel material that I had. Wha-la! A dance floor. I loved the way it turned out! Of course Bear wanted a poodle skirt. I had originally planned to make her one at family camp but never got around to it so I ended up sewing one for the party. We added a little felt "L" to her leotard and she was ready for the Hop.




For the activies we had a ton of dancing. The Hand Jive was definitely a big hit. My friendcame through and made me a couple of Cd's with a ton of "50's" music on them. I loved the songs she picked out! And so did all the girls.
We also had a Hula Hoop contest.


And a "Who Can Blow The Biggest Bubble Gum Bubble" contest which ended up changing to a " Who Can Just Blow A Bubble" contest. Apparently 9 and 10 year olds don't have this technique down yet. But we did have a winner. Great Bubble.

Cake Time! I really had no creativity when it came to the cake. My DD said she wanted a record but seriously all I could think about was black frosting getting all over my carpet so I decided to just make her a clone of her outfit that she was wearing that day. I'm glad she liked it and I managed to serve almost every part of the cake except the black belt.

Wouldn't be a Sock Hop with out Root Beer Floats! A bit overkill on the sugar but hey these girls were going home soon. Haha.
When it was time to leave each one of the guest got a giant lollipop that I found at the dollar store (I love that place)! And they also got a music CD that my friend made for me.
I knew I wanted the Cd's to look like a record. I asked a friend to design the label for the Cd's.

Gotta say I was a little concerned about how this party was going to happen but I think it all worked out spectacular.

Total cost of party including food was $93!

18 comments:

  1. Email me at satrinabaynard@gmail.com need help turning garage to sweet 16party purple and blk please help I can send pics of garage I wish you was in flordia

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  2. The black material is actually called "Visquee." You can get it at your home improvement store. We have used it for quite a few parties. I just fold it up when we are done and save it for the future.

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  3. what is the black fabric used for? I called our sutherlands and they have no idea what I am talking about. I love your party, so many smart ideas.

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  4. The black "fabric" is actually called Visqueen Plastic. Hope that helps.

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  5. This is So Great! Oh How I LOVE Google ;-) Im searching around for a sock hop theme DIY and I ran into This! Alot of Inspiration. My Old Soul soon to be 6 year old dancing Machine is going to LOVE His Party! Thanks for Posting!

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  6. This was so cute! LOVE the dance floor idea. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. What are the dance floor squares?

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  8. Really cool cool cool. Having another party this weekend and I am trying to gather all the ideas that I can to turn my house into a sock hopping land.

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  9. Really cool cool cool. Having another party this weekend and I am trying to gather all the ideas that I can to turn my house into a sock hopping land.

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  10. what font did you use for your soda shop banner? im looking for something for my school's dance coming up.

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  11. How did you attach the black and white plastic? I'm trying to cover my garage walls but have no idea how to secure to the walls or ceilings?

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  12. If I remember correctly I believe all we did was use a staple gun.

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  13. I want to transform my garage for my daughters sweet 16. I love the dance floor idea,and I read that you attached them to flannel, but how did the flannel not slide around on the garage floor?

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  14. What cake pans did you use to make this cake
    I love it and need to make a sock hop themed cake for this weekend.

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  15. What cake pans did you use to make this cake
    I love it and need to make a sock hop themed cake for this weekend.

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  16. Did you have any difficulty removing the lino tiles and their adhesive after the party? Love your set up!

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