The Party Night
Long before we worried about “curated playlists” or catered appetizers, the best New Year’s Eve parties happened right in the living room.
The furniture was pushed against the walls. The rug was rolled up to make a dance floor. And in the dining room, the table groaned under the weight of the finest delicacies the 1970s had to offer.
It wasn’t a party without the classics:
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The Sandwich Loaf: That architectural marvel of bread, cream cheese, egg salad, and ham, frosted like a cake and sliced into ribbons.
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The Cheese Ball: Usually rolled in walnuts, sitting next to a box of Ritz crackers.
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The Punch Bowl: A mysterious mix of ginger ale, sherbet, and fruit juice (and often something stronger for the adults) that was always dangerously delicious.
The “Open House” Spirit In small towns across Canada, you didn’t need an invitation. If the porch light was on, the door was unlocked. Neighbours would “make the rounds,” stopping in for a drink and a handshake before moving to the next house. It was a community celebration, not just a private party.
Snapshot: The Party Essentials
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The Fashion: Velvet blazers for the men, long skirts or pant-suits for the ladies.
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The Noise: Those tin noisemakers that you spun around, and cardboard hats with elastic straps that snapped under your chin.
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The Countdown: There were no smartphones to check the atomic time. You relied on the host’s wall clock or the announcer on the TV to tell you when to shout.
Your Turn to Reminisce We all had that one special treat that only appeared on New Year’s Eve. What was on your table? Was it devilled eggs, pigs-in-a-blanket, or that famous ribbon sandwich?