People have always enjoyed the glitz and glamour of 1920s or The Great Gatsby themed New Year’s Eve parties, and this year will be no exception as we ring in 2020. At your party, turn back the clock 100 years to a time filled with dimly lit speakeasies, homemade gin cocktails, jazz, art deco and iconic fashion trends. Ask your guests to arrive in their best flapper dresses and tuxes and you’ll be well on your way to a party fit for Gatsby himself. 

Ambience - Art Deco was very popular in the 20s and often defined the decor. Incorporate this geometric style into the invitations or purchase framed posters of iconic art deco architecture and patterns to hang. Feathers were all the rage during this time and are a visually interesting addition to centerpieces. Some people like to run with the speakeasy theme and serve drinks in hip flasks or teacups and have ‘security’ at the front door asking for the password, which you can include on the invitations. Dim lighting and candles also add to the prohibited, speakeasy feel. A jazz Spotify playlist completes the 1920s vibe.

Cocktails - Combining a holiday and a decade that revolved around spirits makes this part of planning exceptionally fun. Champagne, or your favorite sparkling wine, is a must. Unlike the champagne flutes we use today, the coupe glasses were most commonly used in the 20s. Renting glasses is a great way to achieve the look without buying too many glasses; plus this will save you from having to clean them the morning after! As for cocktails, gin was in. This was during Prohibition when bathtub gin was the common spirit. 

Some classics include: 

• Gin Rickey: gin, lime and seltzer

• French 75: gin, champagne, lemon and simple syrup 

• Bee’s Knees: gin, honey and lemon

For those that don’t like gin, there is:

• Sidecar: cognac, triple sec and simple syrup

• Mary Pickford: rum, pineapple juice and grenadine

Food - At this time in American history, Wonder Bread was fresh on the scene and foods such as Chinese and Italian were considered ‘exotic.’ Glam up your party with crab stuffed mushrooms, deviled eggs, tea sandwiches with different meats and vegetables, and glazed hams. To achieve an elegant feel, you can hire servers to pass plates or create a display. Elaborate cheese, olive, and nut displays are right on theme, involve no actual cooking, and can be set out and replenished throughout the night. For sweets, pineapple upside down cake, lemon cakes, and jello were all popular. Go for an upscale twist on jello and make wine gelee garnished with gold leaf for a luxurious end to your evening!