Back in the day, no party was complete without a few goofy games to “break the ice.” Perhaps the need for party games is best summed up in the introduction to “Grown Up Party Fun” by Elsie Duncan Yale: “Let’s play something!” exclaims the life-of-the-party as the talk begins to lag. Then he suggests a game to suit the crowd, and the fun is on for a whole rollicking evening!” Elsie recommends Ping Pong as one way to get the rollicking going.
Today’s images are from party books dating from 1927 through to 1971. Click on any image for a larger version.
Since Prohibition had already been appealed when most of these books were written, I’m not sure why alcohol wasn’t entertaining enough — it seems to do the job just fine these days. But grown adults, it appears, actually played charades and various quizzical word games to pass the time. They didn’t have Sarah Palin to talk about back then.
And of course, who could pass up the hilarity and good times associated with Bottle Bombing, Appleplexy Race, and Para Shoot? My spine tingles just imagining the fun at such events!
Most of the early party books rely on puzzles, acrobatic tricks, or word games to get the crowd going. One of my favorites is the Bag Handshake, which has each player fastening a paper bag over their right hand with a rubber band. “At a signal all start shaking hands and continue, with outbursts of laughter, until the bags are broken. By that time the ice will be as completely broken as the bags.”
But some parties do rely on food as a focal point. There’s always the Vodka Party, or from 1971 the He-Man Hodgepodge. And of course there is an endless variety of fun to be had from a bag of Kraft Caramels.
Many of the party books include forms or other visual aids that start participants’ creative juices flowing. Who Is It? contains photos the crowd has to identify, True or False Fun Quiz asks true or false questions that are then scored and the smartest person wins (I love a party with a test), and in Life of the Party, hilarity reigns as party goers unscramble phrases such as “Or me death liberty give me give,” and “A no all Jack and play makes dull boy work.” I bet these types of games are a lot more fun if you start with the Vodka Party instructions.
There are parties for kids, parties for adults, parties for holidays, and parties just for the fun of it. There are summer parties, outdoor, parties and costume parties, and each has games or themes to make them a big success.
On page 2, you’ll find many more festive images, including the U.S.S. Good Times and everyone’s favorite, the nut cup!
This article was last modified on May 17, 2023
This article was first published on November 20, 2009
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