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1940s Theme Party Decorating Ideas

The 1940s has become one of the newest themes for theme parties in recent years. It was a time many romanticized, when neighbors and strangers banded together in the war effort. When it comes to decorating for a 1940s theme party, it can be challenging to come up with ideas to recreate the past without spending a lot of money. With these ideas you’ll be able to bring much of the 1940s into your party space without breaking the budget.

1940s Theme Party Decorating Ideas #1: To help your guests get into the spirit of the 40’s before the party even begins, have each guest plan to bring a scrap piece of rubber or metal to the party itself. Rubber and metal scraps were constantly being collected because those materials were used to make firearms and other supplies for the war. Have someone stationed at the door (preferably in uniform, though not necessary) collecting the scraps from the guests as they enter, thanking them for their war effort. Why is this put in a ‘1940s Decorations’ article? Sometimes atmosphere goes beyond decoration and having the scrap metal pile at the entrance will actually help your guests transport themselves into the 1940s!

1940s Theme Party Decorating Ideas #2: Movie posters from the 40s make terrific decorations! Check online for popular movies from that decade, but consider Casablanca, Citizen Kane, Oklahoma (the musical), Yankee Doodle Dandy, Disney’s Bambi (yes, Bambi) and movies by comedy duo greats such as Bob Hope and Bing Crosby as well as Abbott and Costello. Posters can always be ordered from online vendors however you can also download the images from the Internet and print them on your home computer. These look great posted anywhere and can be done with very little cost! (See below for a great 1940s poster resource)

1940s Theme Party Decorating Ideas #3: The 1940s was a very patriotic time in the US. Dig out that Fourth of July box of decorations from the garage and decorate your party in true patriotic style!

Hang up War posters persuading young men to enlist in the military for the war effort. These can either be made yourself or downloaded from the Internet and printed on your computer.

1940s Theme Party Decorating Ideas #4: Get your hands on as many different television sets (with DVD players) as you can (and are able to plug into at your party space.) From your local library, check out enough movies from the 1940s to play on each set that you have. What’s really great about this decorating idea is that the sound doesn’t even need to be turned on. It creates a GREAT atmosphere to have all of the old black and white movies playing in different rooms of your party space, adding atmosphere and nostalgia…at no cost.

1940s Theme Party Decorating Ideas #5: Do you have any extra 1940s costume pieces that you won’t be wearing? Put these on the walls! They look great assembled together in outfits or individually as separate pieces.

Other Theme Party Resource Articles

1940s Theme Party Invitation Ideas

1940s Theme Party Food Ideas

1940s Theme Party Games and Activities

Back to 1940s Theme Party Hub

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