Have a Happy Mid-Century New Year’s Eve

December 15, 2021

Ah, the 1950s. It was a time when modern America was in its infancy, the economy flourished, and there were no pesky viruses to dampen our holiday gatherings. I mean, besides polio and influenza. The middle decade of the 20th century was full of promise, with a touch of elegance and a heap of modern marvels. All that was evident in the New Year’s Eve celebrations of the time. 

Two couples ringing in the new year. (countryliving.com)

As these colorized photographs from the 1950s show, people from that era knew how to celebrate in style … from hors d’oeuvres served on Tupperware platters to rousing games of charades, a New Year’s Eve party in the 1950s was a swanky event that was perfect for welcoming in the new year. 

House Parties

Party hats and noise makers adorn party goers at a holiday party group at the American mid-century. (Photo by Kirn Vintage Stock/Corbis via Getty Images)

Sure, plenty of folks packed Times Square on New Year’s Eve to see the ball drop as it had been doing since the 1920s. And other people danced into the new year at a posh nightclub. But what was really popular in the 1950s was the house party. It only makes sense. Homeownership was at a high point in the fifties and many families were moving out of the cities and into the new-fangled subdivisions where they were surrounded by other nuclear families living the American dream. The nifty split-level houses with their furnished rec rooms made ideal settings for New Year’s Eve parties among friends, neighbors, and coworkers.