Let's Pretend: Bring Back 1950s Bridge

"If you would like to be known for the parties you give, there is really no secret: just invite congenial people and entertain them graciously. It sounds easy and it is--when you know how." Betty Crocker's Party Book, 1960.

For a long time, I've been wanting to invite friends over to play bridge, if I only knew how! So let's pretend tonight that I do, and plan a bridge party from the 50s. Shall we?

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Of course, it starts with the dress, right? Mill Street Vintage on Etsy is one of my favorite shops to dream about. This dress would be perfect for a gathering of ladies on a Sunday evening.

You can find this dress here.

And then you need pretty playing cards! I love these from A Backyard Creation on Etsy. 

And tallies, too! Especially cute kitty ones you can find in my shop! 

 Find them here.

What about food? Party Chicken Salad with Grapes sounds yummy and light. Here's the recipe.

Party Chicken Salad with Grapes

Toss Together 2 cups cut-up cold cooked chicken and 1 cup cut up celery, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Add 1/2 cup mayo and carefully fold in 1 cup halved green grapes. Arrange mounds of salad in lettuce cups or in tomato flower cups. 6 servings. (from Betty Crocker Party Book mentioned above)

You can serve it in these pretty Pyrex hostess bowls.

Punch is always good. Try this:

June Punch

4 c. sugar

4 c. water

2 c. strong black tea

6 cans frozen lemonade concentrate, undiluted

2 cans pineapple juice (5 cups)

2 c. cut up strawberries

1 gal. water

2 qt. dry ginger ale

Make syrup by boiling water and sugar for 10 minutes. Add tea and fruit juices. Chill 2 to 3 hours. Add remaining ingredients. Pour over ice in punch bowl or ice in cups. 60-70 servings (whew! I'd cute this recipe in half. From Betty Crocker's Party Book mentioned above.)

Top it all off with these cupcakes from Kevin and Amanda (P.S. If you haven't cooked from their web site before, do it. Yum. Everything.)

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Then a hostess gift is needed for sure if you are going as a guest. How about a unique little cookbook or some pretty napkins tied with a bow? 

Play and laugh with your friends and call it a night a few hours later. Drive off in your 1957 Chevy and then head home to your husband, who, in all his glory, has the kids in bed and a nice cocktail ready for you when you come in the door. What a night! Want to come to my bridge party? For real? Let's do it!