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    Home » Parties

    Great Gatsby Party Ideas on a Budget

    Published: Jun 27, 2023 · Modified: Jul 12, 2023 by Amy & Gabe · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Although the 1920s were a time of opulence and excess, your 1920s party can be wonderful without going overboard. In this post, you'll learn our favorite Great Gatsby party ideas on a budget!

    Two women celebrating at a 1920s party. this Post

    Disclosure: We may recommend products we like through affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you (see our full disclaimer). Thank you for your support!

    Table of Contents
    • 🥂 Where to Start
    • 🪶 1920s Party Decorations
    • 🍾 Great Gatsby Food and Drinks
    • 🎵 1920s Party Music
    • ♠️ Game Ideas

    🥂 Where to Start

    Many modern tricks make it easy to put together a glamorous event, even on a tight budget. We promise you can have an amazing Great Gatsby theme party without breaking the bank!

    Focus on starting with simple decorations and food. Layer in more expensive themed accessories for a special touch.

    As you compile your guest list, don't forget to share the dress code! If your friends aren't sure how to dress, here's What to Wear to a 1920s Party. This is a special occasion, and your guests will want to come dressed to the nines in their flapper dresses and suits with bow ties.

    Two women in flapper costumes at a great gatsby party.

    🪶 1920s Party Decorations

    If you're throwing your own Great Gatsby party on a budget, opt for a classic color scheme of black and gold with white accents to give your space the feeling of luxury.

    This look fits the 1920s art deco aesthetic and will help you buy less expensive decorations.

    Black tablecloth

    16Pack Disposable Plastic Tablecloths and Satin Table Runner Set Black Gold Dot Table Cloth Gold Satin Table Runner for Graduation Wedding Birthday Baby Shower Anniversary Holiday Party Decorations

    Cover your serving tables with plain black tablecloths. This neutral, formal background shows off the other drinks and snacks you've created.

    Gold ribbons

    Solid Color Gold Satin Ribbon, 1 Inches x 25 Yards Fabric Satin Ribbon for Gift Wrapping, Crafts, Hair Bows Making, Wreath, Wedding Party Decoration and Other Sewing Projects

    Buy some inexpensive gold ribbon from the dollar store or Hobby Lobby to add a sophisticated touch to candles, chairs, tables, and other display pieces.

    White candles

    Set of 20 White Spell & Chime – Premium Mini Taper Candles for Rituals, Prayer, Birthdays, Meditation, Altar - 4 Inch Tall, Unscented (White)

    Set up some mood lighting by adding white candles of different heights. Candles can get expensive quickly, so add votives to complement larger candles.

    Ask your friends if you can borrow some electric candles, too!

    White feathers

    QUEFE 30pcs Ostrich Feathers, Natural White Feathers Plumes 10-12inch (25-30cm) Bulk for Crafts Vase Wedding Party Centerpiece Flower Arrangement Home Decoration

    Ostrich feathers add a touch of class to your Roaring Twenties party. Create a photo booth area with a tall pillar of white feathers and a gold backdrop.

    White balloons

    White Balloons 110Pcs White Balloon Garland Arch Kit 5/10/12/18 Inch Matte Latex White Balloons Different Sizes as Baby Shower Balloons Birthday Balloons Wedding Christmas Balloons Party Decorations

    Balloons are an affordable way to add vertical design elements to your space. They'll draw the eye up, giving your venue a feeling of being taller than it actually is.

    Gold foil curtains

    2 Pack Foil Curtain Backdrop Gold Metallic Tinsel Foil Fringe Curtains Photo Booth Props for Birthday Wedding Engagement Baby Shower Bachelorette Christmas Holiday Celebration Party Decorations

    This adds a little fun and mystery to your party. Invite your guests to walk through the curtain and be transported back in time! These are available at party stores for just a few dollars.

    🍾 Great Gatsby Food and Drinks

    Skip the caterers and set up grazing stations. Then, you'll be able to ditch the table settings and spend more money on other things.

    Charcuterie board

    Charcuterie Board Set - FamRica Cheese Board with 2 Drawers, Bamboo Cheese Tray Serving Board - Unique, Wedding, Housewarming, Birthday Gifts

    Assemble a charcuterie board with simple snacks your guests can nosh on all night. Think classic appetizers, sliced meats and cheeses, shrimp cocktail, nuts, gherkins and olives, and dried fruits.

    Check your local Costco or Sam's Club, as they will likely have the best prices on these items!

    Dessert table

    A beautiful dessert table at a party.

    Trader Joes sells delicious treats in their freezer section, like macaroons and mini layer cakes. All you have to do is thaw them and set them up for a fancy-looking display at a low cost.

    Set up a candy buffet loaded with hurricane glasses, apothecary jars, and vases full of your favorite candies. You can find a lot of these vessels at Dollar Tree or your local thrift store.

    Upgrade a simple cake

    A Great Gatsby cake decorated with featherss and pearls.
    1920s Cake made by Amycakes Bakes

    Although I love baking custom cakes, you can turn a simple white cake into something exceptional by adding a few non-edible decorations like gold beads or strings of pearls.

    Check out this example of a Roaring Twenties cake I made a few years ago!

    Cocktail station

    The ingredients to make a gin and elderflower tonic.
    Gin and Elderflower Tonic

    The Jazz Age is the time of Prohibition, so it's only appropriate to have a few illicit drinks. To stick to your budget, choose one classic cocktail or make a spiked lemonade with bourbon or vodka.

    Or make a fancy cocktail with a fun name like our Lucy Blue Eyes Blueberry Cocktail or our Diamond and Pearls Blackberry cocktail.

    Champagne tower

    A champagne tower.

    If fancy glassware isn't in your budget, try stacking affordable cocktail or champagne glasses for a champagne tower. These cheap glasses from Dollar Tree are only $1.25 each!

    Or skip the tower and use plastic champagne glasses for easy clean-up!

    🎵 1920s Party Music

    One of the best Great Gatsby parties ideas on a budget is to stream authentic music online. Pump in some of the most popular jazz singers of the era and clear space for a dance floor!

    Great Gatsby Roaring 20's - Boardwalk Empire, Steampunk Jazz, Gangsters & Prohibition Era Music

    Duke Ellington

    The Duke is The Duke for a reason. Play songs like Take the A Train and It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing). Get everyone dancing with That Lindy Hop!

    Louis Armstrong

    Armstrong's trumpet and gravelly voice have been delighting listeners for decades. Add Jeepers Creepers and Ain't Misbehavin' to your playlist for the dancers.

    Ella Fitzgerald

    Ella Fitzgerald - Gold

    Ella's songs, especially her duets with Duke and Armstrong, are perfect for the Gatsby party theme! You could play Ella Fitzgerald's greatest hits all night, and everyone would enjoy it.

    Great Gatsby Movie Soundtrack

    The Great Gatsby

    This is a great trick because every song was curated to fit the mood and vibe of the movie. Plus, it's cheaper than hiring a DJ, and the soundtrack has more modern music for a younger audience.

    ♠️ Game Ideas

    Every good party needs games, and a 1920s party is no exception. This event theme is ideal for a casino night with the sound of cards shuffling and dice rolling. Here are a few fun games to play at Gatsby parties!

    Card games

    DA VINCI 2 Sided Texas Holdem and Blackjack Casino Felt Layout 36 Inch x 72 Inch

    Go classic and set up tables with Blackjack. An affordable table cover can make your table look like the real deal.

    This classic game is a great way to get your party guests to have a good time.

    Dice games

    Brybelly Double-Sided Craps Table & Blackjack Casino Felt | Convenient, Space-Saving 36" x 18" Roll-up Casino Gambling Tabletop Mat | Smooth 2mm Mini-Felt for Coffee Table Craps & Blackjack

    Add in some authentic 1920s dice games like Craps and Twenty-Six, a game played in taverns during the age of Prohibition.

    Gatsby Themed Escape Room

    We're big fans of playing games with our friends and family. Envy Murder Mystery is a downloadable escape room perfect for Gatsby-themed birthday parties! It comes with everything you need to play, including printable decor.

    A Great Gatsby themed party is one of our favorite party themes! They're so much fun and are known for their gorgeous art deco designs and gold color scheme. They're ideal for birthday parties, corporate events, or just spending time with your favorite people.

    There are so many ways to put on a great party without overspending. Hopefully, you're inspired and ready to party with these Great Gatsby party ideas on a budget!

    If you love themed parties, sign up for our Themed newsletter for tips and tricks to make your next themed party the talk of the town!

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