The 1920s

Jazz, flappers, prohibition and gangsters. This era was called the roaring 20s with good reason, and it makes a fabulous theme. Browse down the page for food and party ideas.

20s Clothing and Costumes

• Buy Costumes - One of the world's largest costume and party shops with over 15,000 products available online. Delivers US wide and to some international destinations. For gangster and flapper costumes see their Historical Costumes and accessorize with their Jewelry & Boas
   
• Costume Express - Costume superstore specializing in full costumes and accessories. All shipping and handling charges are based on your merchandise total. Ships within US and Canada. Premium, Express, and 3-Day delivery options are only available for orders shipped within the United States. See their Adult Historical Costumes
  

20s Party Products

• ShindigZ - Thousands of party products including balloons, partyware, and decorations for themed parties, birthdays, office parties, holidays, special events and more. ShindigZ is family owned and run, based in Indiana with delivery US wide and to Canada.
  

20s Party Ideas

The 20s was all about Jazz and Prohibition, which meant loud music, lots of illegal drinking and organized crime. 

• Decor - Do your house up as a 20s location like a Speakeasy (no admittance without a password), or a Jazz club. Art deco styles and colors also add to the ambience.
• Themes - Gangsters, Prohibition, Radio, Art deco, Jazz, Silent and B&W movies.
• Celebrities - Al Capone, Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel, Greta Garbo, Harry Houdini, Jean Harlow, Louis Armstrong and Mae West.
• Activities - Learn 20s dances like The Charleston and Shimmy. Have everyone make up a 20s Gangster name for themselves, give a prize for the best one. Use 20s slang like: 'bees knees/cat's pajamas', 'big cheese', 'baloney' and  'going to see a man about a dog' (buying illegal alcohol).

20s party food

The Prohibition made alcohol more popular then ever. Speakeasies were noted for their horrendous food, as alcohol was the main event. Most did, however, serve salty snacks to make their patrons thirsty

• 'Bathtub' Gin - just put a handmade label saying 'Bathtub Gin' over the real label
• Cocktails and Champagne - if you break the Prohibition, do it in style.
• Salty Snacks - chips and dip, peanuts
• Chinese Food - this was new and fashionable in this era
• For more 1920s foods see Food Timeline