Collecting Children's Birthday Party Napkins From the 1950's And 1960s

Vintage Party Goods Delight Baby Boomers

Once again look what I found on .... http://sip-of-sarsaparilla.blogspot.com/ Children's Retro Birthday Party Napkins. I really had no idea how many people like to collect children's vintage party goods from paper plates to nut cups to cute little napkins. Check out sites like Etsy.com and you will see what i am talking about.

Let's Re-Visit THE Birthday Party

My goodness, it is so much fun to re- visit some of these party accessories from my childhood back in the 1950s and 1960s.

Apartment Parties

Living in a small "Garden Apartment' in Fresh Meadows, Queens (N.Y.), birthday parties were held either in your living room or in the spooky community basement where the washer and dryers were kept. Believe me, the party room in this "recreation room" in the basement needed more help than a few balloons and streamers.

Vintage Party Themes

But it was a blast picking out your party theme each year. Usually napkins which went with plates, cups, tablecloths etc. were of popular images from cartoons, T.V. shows, Disney, the circus, sports and more. Other common subjects for images were cowboys and cowgirls, space themes, tea parties, marching bands, poodles etc.

Party Goodies

Oh yes, I can visualize some of these parties as if it were just yesterday. The "Bridge table" would be dragged out of the closet and added to another table and set with a paper tablecloth. Then I would help to set the table and fill the ruffled nut cups or plastic party baskets with Hershey Kisses or M&M's etc. The cake always coordinated with the theme of the party. Mickey, or Donald or Felix or later Fred Flintstone might be the star of honor.

"Little Girl Themes"

For a real change, we might do a frilly pink party and use party goods with a "feminine touch", like images of gals with bonnets at a tea party. The streamers, in coordinated colors would hang from one end of the party room to another. The room with look so pretty and than the kids would arrive with presents in hand (the best part).

Oops.....Here Comes The Soda

And year after year, mom would serve the birthday cake and pour glasses of soda ...yes I said soda...it was in the 1950s....and without skipping a beat...some excited kid would spill their soda all over the paper tablecloth and party goods and the party would move to "game time" !

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.