It goes by many names – a soc hop party, a 50s diner party, a Grease party, or even a Rock and Roll party – but we all know one thing…this party theme is such a fun one to plan! There are so many elements you can play around with aside from the décor; there’s the food, your outfits, the music, etc. etc. You’ve already seen our DIY dessert bar here, so today, I’ll be sharing the rest of the fun details from our recent Diner Party. Let’s break it down to three parts:
- Setting the tone.
- Recreating a diner.
- Reliving the 50’s.
Step 1: Setting the tone with our invites.
- We asked our guests to “Share an afternoon with Lucas” using actual coke bottles as invites. I’ll share some tips on how I made this in my next blog post.
- Since we couldn’t see all our invited friends and family before the big day, we also made an e-vite for email and Facebook.
Step 2: Recreating an actual diner via music, food, and of course, decor!
- A set of 50’s music was streaming through our speakers. Songs from the movie “Grease”, Elvis Presley and other rock and roll artists were in the house!
- We served the usual diner staples. I searched high and low for a caterer who will customize a menu for me. After all, you don’t usually see hamburgers, milkshakes and pancakes in standard menus!
- My Coca-Cola collection were all happy to be out of storage and on display as centerpieces.
- We reserved a corner with different 50’s-inspired props that guests can use when they take photos.
Step 3: Re-living the 50’s through our get-ups, games and giveaways!
- Guests were asked to come in their 50’s inspired look. So fun to see them wearing cardigans, letterman jackets and leather jackets, complete with their slicked back hair!
- To complete the diner look, we also gave out soda jerk hats or diner hats in place of the usual party hats.
- Our games were in theme too! Hoola hoops, bubble gum blowing and a 50’s Name that Tune contest were just some of the games we played.
- As tokens, kids were given wayfarers or cat’s eye glasses. We also prepared gum ball machines that kids can fill with candy!
I always enjoy preparing for parties, but I had an extra ounce of happiness preparing for this one since it was my baby’s first birthday. I’m actually already excited to plan for his next ones (oh but please don’t grow up too fast!)
Here’s a list of our amazing suppliers:
- Styling by Mommy Monica and Ninang Marian with help from family and friends
- Catering by Queensland Catering Services
- Divisoria finds: gum ball machines, wayfarers, prizes
- Chocolate Coated Candies from Dough-it-all
- White and black flooring from Alabang Market. Visited a lot of Home Depots and it was either out of stock or too small. Apparently, they are phasing out this design soon. Good thing my mom was able to find it in the market!
- Food baskets from OLX
- Custom Notepads and Diner Party Hats from Party Ready
- Scene setter, foil balloons and cat’s eye glasses from Party City US
- Printables by Ninang and Daddy
- Host Madz Seludo-Canillas
- Photos by Little J Photography
Got your own DIY party to share? Click here to see how you too can be featured in Homemade Parties!
What else can i say? The party looks so cool! i wish I could also set up the same theme for my own birthday. Yep, not my child but mine. It looks as if I’m transported back to the 50’s, kulang na lang roller blade wearing waitresses…
What an adorable theme!!! I love anything retro and vintage. I wish I could also make a DIY party for my son, my partner or myself. It’s really wonderful to have a homemade party. More affordable and it lets you do anything you want 🙂
Wow, this is one of the most organized and creative party themes I’ve seen. My son’s turning one this May and we’re also working on that. 🙂
Wow this is so nice!!! Which reminds me that I should start planning for my daughter’s birthday party too 🙂
Wow! I love the idea parang Johnny Rockets! Good job for the organizers! Very organized and seems everything was properly coordinated.
I love the details! Parang sponsored by Coke? Hehe. I’d want to be able to pull off a DIY party at home, too. Yung tipong ako talaga gumawa nung lahat. Maybe when we have our own house na. But probably not as big as this one – I’d want the relatives and the closest friends to be around lang.
Your party looks amazing (though I honestly think Coke should pay you for this post on product placement). DIYs are always a labor of love.
Oh my gosh this is so adorable! It makes me want to have an adult party with a 50s theme!
Wow super nice and detailed party 🙂 btw may I ask how much did you get the gumball machines and where in divisoria
This is not a popular theme for kids’ party but it turned out really great. Beautiful decorations, I so so love every detail. Congratulations on your successful event, happy birthday to Lucas!
I have a confession to make : I am a coke addict! Hehe. I love the Coke truck! Classic! Ikaw na ang DIY queen! Seriously, congrats for a well planned and executed DIY party. Kaka-inspire!
Nicely done! I’ve always wanted to do a Diner themed party but I want to execute it so well that it exceeds my budget so hindi natutuloy! I’m so tamad to go to Divisoria kasi. Maybe soon!
i love everything! the theme, the colors, the little Coke accents, the party favors. i wish i can be as elaborate + creative as you are in planning for parties. it is still a few months before my son’s 6th birthday + i am hoping to throw a little surprise party for him.
Such a unique theme! And the details, my goodness! The photos are Pinterest-worthy! 🙂
Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng ganitong bday party theme and it’s soooo cool. Not to mention pwede sya kahit sa adult bday gawing theme.
well done Monica and Marian! 🙂 love all the details from your party! 🙂
xx madel
I want to attend a party like that! Or better yet, I want to organize a party like that! Super cool! 🙂
Everything is Pinterest-worthy! Such a fun and cool party. Good thing that you’re a Coca-cola collector too, you were able to showcase your collection.
Looks so nice! We are into collecting Coke Cans but other Coke stuff, we passed it to our friends who has his whole house full of coke items!
Oh my gosh I love the 50s! I love everything you’ve done for this party. My son would also go gaga for that Coca-Cola truck. 🙂
What a lovely party! The use of Coke items made it even more fun and exciting! I’m sure the kids had a blast receiving those gumball machines!
at first glance, I though the party happened at 50s diner in baguio! haha
what can I say, your party decors and all exceeds the look of that 50s diner in baguio 🙂 Congrats!
Happy birthday to Lucas!
Love the Coca-Cola theme party. Rock and roll for the little ones. -MacySantos
Wow! this is very nice! I’m into DIY party too, but I havent organized one as detailed as this! great job mommy! my daughter will be celebrating her 7th bday soon and im considering queensland too for the catering. will be checking out your photographer and host ha. 🙂 thanks for sharing! 🙂
Yes, all are good! I’ll be making a post about the suppliers soon, just haven’t had the chance to do so! Ü
too much fun details.. i can’t breath haha 🙂