Picture this: an apartment drenched in gold, pearls cascading from the chandelier, and massive white feathers as a table centerpiece – all the luxury feels! My love for The Great Gatsby, paired with my 20th birthday, set the scene for an unforgettable celebration.
The process taught me everything I know about throwing a luxurious birthday bash on a budget, and I’m excited to share that with you!
Whether you’re currently in your 20s or just looking for inspiration for a New Year’s Eve party to celebrate another year in our own modern-day roaring 20s, this guide is for you. Stay tuned till the end, where I will provide free tools to help you along the way!
DECORATIONS
Creating the Perfect 1920s Atmosphere:
My goal was to transport my guests back in time for one glamorous night. As soon as they walked through the door, I wanted them to be immersed in the luxury and elegance of the 1920s.
I placed a welcome sign on my front door, and guests entered through a hallway lined with gold fringe before arriving at the main party area.
What I Learned About Gatsby Party Decor (and What to Avoid!):
Lessons learned: I tried to save money on the fringe walkway by buying gold tablecloths at the dollar store and cutting the fringe myself. The material was extremely fragile and hard to work with – definitely not worth the hassle! Save yourself the time and frustration by purchasing ready-made fringe backdrops from Amazon.
The backdrop I ended up getting from Amazon was much sturdier and easier to work with. You can find all of the decor items I used on my Amazon storefront, linked at the end of this post.
Designing a Luxurious Gatsby Tablescape:
Much of the rest of the decor was anything that I already owned or could borrow – anything that was gold, had pearls, or gave the essence of Gatsby’s world.
I draped my dining table with a white tablecloth and layered a satin-like white fabric I found in my parent’s basement as a table runner. (You could easily find something similar in a thrift store.)
Next, I sporadically threw around some strings of faux pearls – they were a staple for this party!
For the centerpieces, I filled tall glass vases from Walmart with large white feathers. These looked extremely opulent for an incredibly affordable price.
I added tapered candle holders (borrowed from my mom), but individual tapered candle holders would work just as well. The goal was to simply fill out the table for a lush look.
For the dinnerware, I used my glass dinner plates that I already owned paired with a gold silverware set I borrowed from my parents. If you don’t have access to these, Amazon has great options that look rich and elegant without breaking the bank.
For glasses, I again borrowed my parents’ crystal cups, but Amazon has great disposable alternatives.
DIY Napkins and Elegant Place Settings:
Cloth napkins are my favorite part of any tablescape for the way they elevate any setup. I needed a 10-pack but also wanted to remain on budget, so I got creative!
I purchased a 5-pack of flour sack towels from Walmart, cut them into squares, and tied them off with a black ribbon. It added the opulence of cloth napkins without the guilt of throwing them away at the end of the night.
For place cards, I used black construction paper and a gold marker; simple, elegant, and cheap!
That was the entirety of my tablescape! As I mentioned, I used whatever I could get for free that would add a sense of opulence and grandeur. Purchase only what’s essential and don’t be afraid to get creative.
To decorate the console table under my TV, I draped it with my wedding veil (yes, you read that right!) – which was dotted with pearls that fit the theme perfectly. I added more tapered candle holders tied with small black ribbon bows for an extra touch.
The console table also featured gold frames with signage for my party activities as well as a bingo cage that I purchased for an activity for $20 from HomeSense (I added a similar one to my Amazon storefront).
Details That Make a Big Impact:
The star of the show, however, was the pearl-draped chandelier.
Finally, anywhere else that I felt needed an extra touch of decor, I added gold, white, and black helium-filled balloons. Instead of regular balloon ribbon, I used strips of the gold fringe backdrop, wrapping each strip around the knot with double-sided tape. This simple trick really elevated the balloons’ look.
I’ll say it again and again: use what you have! You’ll be amazed at how easily you can throw together a themed party by digging through your closets, seeing what you already have, and using a little bit of creativity to make it work. It doesn’t have to be expensive – but it can definitely look it!
ACTIVITIEs
Great Gatsby Party Games and Activities That Guests Will Love:
While the decorations set the scene, I also wanted to make sure my guests were truly entertained.
Remember the signage I mentioned earlier? I placed framed signs on the console under the TV with small activities for my guests to do while everyone was arriving.
One frame invited guests to vote for the “Best Dressed” and included slips of paper and pens for voting. Another encouraged guests to take photos with my film camera, which I left by the frame. (You’ll find a PDF file of the exact signage I created at the end!)
Easy Interactive Ideas for a Roaring 20s Vibe:
For a group activity, we played bingo – call me a grandma, but it was a hit! We played several rounds, and I gave small prizes for the winner of each round, including:
- A mug with tea bags (TJMaxx always has cute, affordable options for this)
- A travel jewelry case
- A lip gloss
And the prize for the “Best Dressed” was a giveaway of my favorite makeup brushes.
If you plan to include prizes, remember they don’t have to be expensive! Thoughtful and practical gifts make guests feel appreciated.
Towards the end of the evening, we sang karaoke and danced to our favorite throwback hits; a low-prep and fun go-to for any event.
FOOD
Glamorous Great Gatsby-Inspired Menu Ideas:
A Great Gatsby-themed party calls for a rich, glamorous menu – but how do you achieve that on a budget?
The answer: presentation!
I didn’t serve wagyu steaks, caviar, or oysters. Instead, I used beautiful silver and gold serving dishes borrowed from my mom to achieve the high-end feel.
Appetizers That Look Luxurious on a Budget:
For appetizers, I served shrimp cocktail over ice with a side of lemon wedges and a homemade cocktail sauce (I used this copycat store-bought recipe from natashaskitchen.com – delicious!).
I also made charcuterie cups, which were the unexpected star of the evening. I served them in plastic cocktail cups and stacked them into a “champagne” tower – a functional item that doubled as decor.
My sister contributed her signature deviled eggs – always a crowd pleaser. Follow this link from natashaskitchen.com for her favorite recipe.
Main Courses and Desserts Worth Celebrating:
For the main course, I served oven-baked chicken thighs, mashed potatoes, and a kale and pear salad.
If you’d rather keep things simple, be reminded that you can stick to appetizers and drinks – just as enjoyable, but less hassle in the kitchen if that’s not your speed.
As an avid baker, I opted to bake my own cake and decorated it in the vintage style that is so popular nowadays. I paired the cake with mini chocolate cheesecakes (courtesy of my sister) and a fruit tray (one of my favorites, but sadly not photographed).
Elegant Drinks and Presentation Tips:
Although I usually love brainstorming creative, tasty drinks, I opted for bottles of Martinelli’s to ease my to-do list. I made them feel luxurious by placing them into a bucket of ice and nestling bunches of grapes in between.
Presentation is key; it looked elegantly rich!
CONCLUSION
Wrapping Up Your Great Gatsby Themed Celebration:
And that’s all, friends – A complete guide to hosting your own Great Gatsby-inspired celebration!
We had loads of fun being immersed in the glamour and grandeur of the roaring 20s, and it was the perfect excuse to pull out that glamorous dress you’ve been waiting to wear.
Remember: use what you already have, and don’t let your lack of “perfect” decor stop you from hosting. Make your party even more glamorous by adding your own personal touches, or keep it simple if you’re just starting. The best parties are ones filled with intention.
Links:
As promised, I’ve attached a free PDF with the signage and the Amazon links are available via LinkTree for easy access to all the best party supplies, plus my Pinterest inspiration board to help you get started.
PDF – On Google Drive
Amazon Products – https://linktr.ee/hostedbylizz (Disclaimer: Commission Earned Based On Purchase)
Pinterest (Great Gatsby Board) – https://pin.it/3gsUKAW9R
Happy hosting!
Xo,
Hosted by Lizz