Tours & TastingsEntertaining

Vintage Vibes and Festive Cheers This Holiday Season

  • Dec 07, 2023
  • By Vineyard Vixen

'Tis the season for gatherings and holiday parties galore, and what better way to celebrate than by throwing a retro-inspired cocktail soiree that transports your guests back in time?

Vintage Cocktail Party

Party like it's 1962

 

Picture the glamour of the 1940s to 1960s, with twinkling lights, laughter, and a touch of mid-century flair. A vintage inspired party will spark the imagination and have your guests bubbling over with joy. The anticipation of getting glammed will add an extra layer of excitement to your holiday bash. Besides, who doesn't love an opportunity to showcase a wardrobe reminiscent of a bygone era?

Movie Night!

Movie night and party inspiration? Winner winner!

Setting the Stage

If you need a little help getting your creative juices flowing, pop some popcorn and spend a night in with Netflix and Amazon Prime. Draw inspiration from the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Mad Men, or your favorite classic movies. No not those, I mean going way back to movies like Some Like it Hot, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Signing in The Rain. You just may find yourself humming tunes from those classic soundtracks as you turn your holiday celebration into a throwback extravaganza.

Retro Cocktail Classics

 

A Culinary Tour of the Decades

As the host, curating the menu can be a delightful journey into the past. Why not resurrect lesser-known culinary gems from mid-century cookbooks and vintage magazines? The challenge will be part of the fun resulting in a menu that just may rival the entertainment of the party itself. 

Here's a menu from The Vineyard Vixen to help get the party started...

 

Signature Cocktail 

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Cocktail featuring Heritage Distilling BSB

Appetizers

Ruby Red Deviled Eggs

Onion Dip & Crudités

Cheese Ball Trio

Savory Turkey Lit'l Smokies in Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Sassy Sriracha Shrimp Cocktail

Chicken Rumaki (use chicken thighs instead of livers for a crowd pleaser!)

Hawaiian SPAM & Pineapple Skewers

Spiced Nuts

Giada de Laurentiis Sparkling Tulip gelatin mold

Celebrate the season with your besties


Atmosphere and Ambiance

To set the scene, be sure to blend the magic of music and decorations. Thanks to Spotify, crafting playlists that perfectly capture the swingin' Christmas and Frank Sinatra vibes is a breeze. The party playlist will set the perfect tone, transporting guests to a bygone era of timeless tunes.

For decorations, hit up your local thrift or consignment shops for some totally on point glassware, cocktail plates and maybe even your party outfit. World Market is a treasure trove of mid-centurt delights as well.  Their Party Pop mid-century cocktail glasses will steal the show, providing the perfect vessel for retro-inspired concoctions. Matching cocktail plates and cheeky napkins add the finishing touch, turning your space into a vintage wonderland.

If authenticity is your goal, a quick browse on Etsy reveals a plethora of genuine mid-century collections to take your party to the next level.

 

In the end, hosting a retro-inspired holiday cocktail party is not just an event; it's an experience. From the culinary creations to the carefully curated ambiance, each element contributes to a celebration that transcends time, leaving your guests with memories as timeless as the era that inspired it all.

 

We wish you the merriest holiday season of all!

Sparkling Destinations

Stock up on all the bubbly for your holiday entertaining!

 

Festive Holiday Events

Napa Valley Wine Passport St. Helena's Little Book of Big Experiences

St. Helena Chamber of Commerce

Napa Valley Wine Passport St. Helena's Little Book of Big Experiences

St. Helena, CA

Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 12:00 AM

Do You Fondue Workshop

Locke Vineyards

Do You Fondue Workshop

Murphys, CA

Saturday, December 9, 2023, 12:00 PM

Bangor Wine and Spirits Winter Wonderland

Bangor Wine and Spirits Region

Bangor Wine and Spirits Winter Wonderland

 

Saturday, December 9, 2023, 12:00 PM

Holiday Sip n Shop at Rancho Roble Vineyards

Rancho Roble Vineyards

Holiday Sip n Shop at Rancho Roble Vineyards

Lincoln, CA

Saturday, December 9, 2023, 11:00 AM

Boxwood Estate Winery

"Royal Tasting" - Holiday Food & Wine Pairing

Middleburg, VA

Saturday, December 9, 2023, 4:00 PM

Merryvale Vineyards

"Winter Wonderland: Merryvale's Spectacular Holiday Dinner Celebration"

St. Helena, CA

Saturday, December 9, 2023, 6:00 PM

Wine Blending Party & 4-Course Steak Dinner

Wise Villa Winery

Wine Blending Party & 4-Course Steak Dinner

Lincoln, CA

Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 6:00 PM

Painting Class

Wild Stallion Vineyards

Painting Class

Spring, TX

Friday, December 15, 2023, 6:30 PM

Vertical Tasting: Syrah Through the Years

E16 Winery

Vertical Tasting: Syrah Through the Years

 

Saturday, December 16, 2023, 3:00 PM

Suisun Valley AVA Anniversary Celebration

Suisun Valley Vintners & Growers Association

Suisun Valley AVA Anniversary Celebration

Fairfield, CA

Tuesday, December 26, 2023, 11:00 AM

New York New Year's Eve

Wise Villa Winery

New York New Year's Eve

Lincoln, CA

Sunday, December 31, 2023, 6:00 PM

Murder by Midnight Murder Mystery Dinner

Messina Hof Grapevine Winery

Murder by Midnight Murder Mystery Dinner

Grapevine, TX

Sunday, December 31, 2023, 7:00 PM

Cooking with the Chef: Pasta

Messina Hof Harvest Green Winery & Kitchen

Cooking with the Chef: Pasta

Richmond, TX

Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 6:00 PM

Related Articles

View other articles