Retro Dee writes about music, fashion and other trends of the 1950s on this site. Check out her blog, Retro Dee’s Guide to the Best Era Ever here, and her column here every Wednesday.
Hello folks, it’s Retro Dee and Welcome to a segment that I like to call “Keeping The 50’s Alive”.
The Holidays are always a special time, and that could not be more true back in the 1950’s as well. In more recent years, Retro Christmas decorations have come into vogue, along with collecting the actual vintage ones. The joy of Christmas and the 1950’s go hand-in-hand, so it’s not hard to find ways to keep the Best Era Ever alive and jolly during the Holiday Season.
It’s the Season for Giving and what better way to celebrate in the 50’s style than to give cards and gifts with a nifty-fifties theme!
When I decided to have a “Retro Christmas”, the first thing I wanted to do was share my love for the 50’s with family and friends. So I went online in search of 1950’s-themed Christmas cards. It wasn’t long before I found Retro Christmas Card Company and purchased a pack of “Santa’s Soda Shop” cards. My family and friends loved them and the older aunties and uncles found them nostalgic. The bright, whimsical artwork can be found on all their cards which celebrate the 1950’s and 60’s.
More recently, life is a lot more low-key for me, but I still picked a 50’s theme (although a bit more subtle) with a package of Hallmark Cards featuring 1950’s-styled reflector ornaments hanging on a tree. These are classy and simple, but still give off a warm, mid-century feel.
For gifts, there are a million things you can find from reproduction items to actual vintage pieces. It all depends on what you are looking for. Many catalogs feature 1950’s-themed gifts, from household items to games and toys. A couple of years ago, close friends of our family gave us some nifty reproduction pick-up sticks which I thought were just swell!
The following year, I gave our family a household gift: a set of Kate Spade potholders and dish towel, which remind me of a classic diner. They really add a touch of retro to the kitchen.
Finally, you might want some retro-themed wrapping paper to wrap your retro-themed gifts in. I chose Santa with an old-fashioned phone number for one and for the other, this really cute paper printed with vintage toy ads. The ads even have the prices of toys! This paper was from Papyrus in 2017, though I don’t believe they offer the same style this year. There is a lot of great retro-themed paper out there if you search for it.
For more retro gift ideas, please see my Retro Inspired Gifts board on Pinterest
Annnndddd…. Please stay tuned for Keeping The Fifties Alive At Christmas! Part 2 which will feature a look at Christmas music from the Fabulous Rockin’ 50’s!
Voting is now open in the final round of our eighth annual Grooveyard Great 88 survey. Pick your 15 favorites in each of the three polls, covering songs that were hits in 1957 and earlier, 1958-1960 and 1961-1963. You can vote daily through December 9 at 10 PM. Results will be announced during a special five-hour edition of “The Grooveyard” on December 28 starting at 7 PM.
Listen to “The Grooveyard” following “Rick’s Redneck Ranch” each Saturday night at 7 PM on 88.1 FM on Long Island, by clicking the 88.1 FM link on wcwp.org or via the TuneIn app. or the 88.1 FM button on the WCWP app for Android or iPhones. You can also follow us on Twitter.
Join us for the Greatest Hits and Forgotten Favorites on. . .
“The Grooveyard”
…Where Oldies Come Alive!
The Grooveyard 