Ever wanted to throw a party like Gatsby? Check out this gallery to learn how. As the much-anticipated adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel hits theaters, we asked CNN readers to share their best <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Ftopics%2F967127">1920s-inspired parties</a> and hosting tips.
How to throw a Roaring '20s party —
Ever wanted to throw a party like Gatsby? Check out this gallery to learn how. As the much-anticipated adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel hits theaters, we asked CNN readers to share their best 1920s-inspired parties and hosting tips.
Courtesy Russell Bailyn/Sasithon photography
Period-appropriate drinks are a must at a 1920s party. Los Angeles event planner Amy Campbell recommends a gin fizz or a penicillin. She also suggests <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-969063">hinting at the Prohibition era</a> by covering liquor bottles at the bar with brown paper bags.
Bring on the sloe gin fizz. —
Period-appropriate drinks are a must at a 1920s party. Los Angeles event planner Amy Campbell recommends a gin fizz or a penicillin. She also suggests hinting at the Prohibition era by covering liquor bottles at the bar with brown paper bags.
Courtesy Annie Campbell and Amy Blessing
"When doing a theme party, it's easy to get tempted by every food idea," said Campbell. "Focus on what will taste good and be filling alongside all of those cocktails." Her 1920s progressive dinner included Caesar salad, shrimp cocktails and grilled rib-eyes.
Keep food simple. —
"When doing a theme party, it's easy to get tempted by every food idea," said Campbell. "Focus on what will taste good and be filling alongside all of those cocktails." Her 1920s progressive dinner included Caesar salad, shrimp cocktails and grilled rib-eyes.
Courtesy Annie Campbell and Amy Blessing
J.Crew personal stylist Caitlin Riley <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-969068">put together a 1920s look</a> with a faux bob hairstyle, deep red lipstick, art deco accessories and a yellow feather clutch. Riley blogs about fashion with her twin sister, Valerie Efta.
Costumes are mandatory. —
J.Crew personal stylist Caitlin Riley put together a 1920s look with a faux bob hairstyle, deep red lipstick, art deco accessories and a yellow feather clutch. Riley blogs about fashion with her twin sister, Valerie Efta.
Courtesy Caitlin Riley and Valerie Efta
If guests are in costume, the host should plan to document it. For her birthday party, Krysti Kalkman enlisted friends to help <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-967467">create a mural backdrop</a> for photos, inspired by Georges Melies' "A Trip to the Moon."
There's no such thing as too many photos. —
If guests are in costume, the host should plan to document it. For her birthday party, Krysti Kalkman enlisted friends to help create a mural backdrop for photos, inspired by Georges Melies' "A Trip to the Moon."
Courtesy Krysti Kalkman
Ashleigh Bennet created a papier mâché phonograph along with other homemade decorations to create a 1920s vibe for <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-968158">her husband's birthday party</a>. Other cost-cutting measures included enlisting friends to stand in as bartenders.
You don't have to break the bank. —
Ashleigh Bennet created a papier mâché phonograph along with other homemade decorations to create a 1920s vibe for her husband's birthday party. Other cost-cutting measures included enlisting friends to stand in as bartenders.
Courtesy Ashleigh Bennet
On the other hand, wealth manager Russell Bailyn, right, spared no expense for his "Great Gatsby"-themed 30th <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-968761">birthday party</a>. His top tip for hosting a successful bash? "Giant bottles of champagne and lobster are a good start."
But you can if you want to. —
On the other hand, wealth manager Russell Bailyn, right, spared no expense for his "Great Gatsby"-themed 30th birthday party. His top tip for hosting a successful bash? "Giant bottles of champagne and lobster are a good start."
Courtesy Russell Bailyn/Sasithon photography
Krysti Kalkman, left, invited about 40 people to her 1920s-inspired birthday party. "The guest list is very important," she said. "I invited anyone who I thought would have a blast and who is intriguing."
It's all about the guest list. —
Krysti Kalkman, left, invited about 40 people to her 1920s-inspired birthday party. "The guest list is very important," she said. "I invited anyone who I thought would have a blast and who is intriguing."
Courtesy Krysti Kalkman
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.laylagrayce.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Layla Grayce</a> co-owner Tiffany Harris and her husband Tom hosted a 1920s-themed <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-969230">party for their year-old twins</a> in 2012. The family took the dress code seriously, with custom-made outfits that complemented the party theme and color scheme.
1920s parties can be all-ages. —
Layla Grayce co-owner Tiffany Harris and her husband Tom hosted a 1920s-themed party for their year-old twins in 2012. The family took the dress code seriously, with custom-made outfits that complemented the party theme and color scheme.
Tonya Joy Photography for Layla Grayce
When planning decade-themed parties, Campbell starts by researching popular food and drinks of that era. "A candy bar featuring all of the candies invented in the 1920s was perfect," for her progressive dinner, she said. Music and movies from the 1920s are other fun and easy ways to set the mood.
Do your research. —
When planning decade-themed parties, Campbell starts by researching popular food and drinks of that era. "A candy bar featuring all of the candies invented in the 1920s was perfect," for her progressive dinner, she said. Music and movies from the 1920s are other fun and easy ways to set the mood.
Courtesy Annie Campbell and Amy Blessing
"I find what makes the best parties are the people who attend," said John Bennet, center. "All the decor and great food in the world won't do you much good if you have a bunch of stuffy wallflowers hanging around."
Say no to 'stuffy wallflowers'. —
"I find what makes the best parties are the people who attend," said John Bennet, center. "All the decor and great food in the world won't do you much good if you have a bunch of stuffy wallflowers hanging around."
Courtesy John and Ashleigh Bennet