1940's Themed Party

Do you need to wear military uniforms? Of course not. In fact, a look through any charity shop can produce an outfit that could have been worn in the 1940's. Don't restrict yourself to the obvious. What about the spiv? Or the usherette from the local cinema? Or the spy?

It is important to have a timetable or schedule for the party, preferably written out in a mock military manner - probably by someone who doesn't quite understand the 24hr clock system. Have a quiz. Do a firearms drill competition. Think of any game which may have even the slightest connection with the 1940's. For prizes, have guests draw a prize from the bran tub. This has previously been filled as guests arrive. Each one drops in a wrapped, unlabelled inexpensive gift that is 1940's-ish. If you are in the Uk think about food rationing - a tin of spam or a bottle of ersatz coffee.

Try to keep the catering in theme. It's easier for a UK based party to do this as food rationing meant specific foods were, or were not, available and some would have been seen as exotic. Blancmange, for example. Or the new American invention of a sausage in a bun.
You could use aluminium food trays as pseudo mess tins.

It is very easy to collect together suitable music for your themed party. If you or your friends have a music collection then the chances are you will have something from WW2. Failing that, you can do as I did and compile a CD from music downloaded (legally) from www.Beemp3.com.