Celebrate Valentine’s Day like a retro housewife with these vintage Valentine’s Day menus from the 1940s. You’ll also find 1940s Valentine’s Day decoration ideas.
Valentine’s Day in the 1940s was celebrated much like it is today. There were cards, heart shaped boxes of chocolates, heart shaped treats, dinner dates, and lots of celebrating everyone you loved.
Housewives also often had celebrations together which gives Galentine’s Day vibes. A game of bridge with heart shaped decorations and little treats or a luncheon with friends.
Valentine’s Day celebrations are a lovely excuse to get together with people you love and celebrating 1950s style is a lot of fun.
I found a menu that included decoration ideas for different types of Valentine’s Day gatherings that would still be fun today, though for modern pallets some tweaking of the menus may be needed, or at least warn your guests what they are getting into.
I will include any recipe I can find, the article didn’t include recipes but many of the dishes are pretty simple. Hope you enjoy this vintage Valentine’s Day inspiration.
Vintage Valentine’s Day Menus
Heart-Shaped Dinner Party
- Stuffed Veal Rolls
- Latticed Potatoes
- Cauliflower
- Shredded Beets
- Lacy Heart Salad
- Heart-Stenciled Ice Cream
- Cake Squares
- Coffee
They recommended a heart shaped centerpiece, red and white carnations, and red candles. They said this menu is fine for a buffet as well. If serving as a buffet they recommend putting the table against the wall with a row of candles as a backdrop.
Valentine Bridge Dessert
- Pineapple-Almond Bavarian Cream Mold
- Lovers’ Knot Cookies
- Coffee
For the decorations flower-laden hearts tied together with a red satin bow are recommended for a centerpiece. Basically they are heart shaped boxes filled with flowers. Paper doilies under plates and a red runner of crepe paper are also suggested.
Young-At-Heart Dinner
- Tomato Bouillon
- Creamed Chicken or Tuna in Toast Hearts
- Baked Potatoes
- Asparagus Tips
- Pimiento Biscuits
- Ripe Olives
- Strawberry Hearts on Pineapple
- Coffee for the adults
- Heart-Shaped Lollipops and Milk for the kids
This party is meant for all ages with lots of paper doilies on the table and sweet Valentine cards at each spot on the table, as well as candles.
Teenage Tea
- Ice Cream Molds
- Cupid Cakes
- Salted Nuts
- Candy Hearts
This party calls for tulle heart garlands, pink roses or pink paper doilies rosettes. Candles and a pale pink or yellow taffeta or fine lace table cloth is suggested.
Hearts Luncheon
- Crab-Meat and Shrimp Soufflé
- Shoestring Potatoes
- Broccoli
- Pear-Heart Salad
- Honey Rolls
- Sweetheart Cupcakes
For a centerpiece heart shaped boxes filled with violets, fresh or artificial with bright candies between the flowers. Place cards are in heart nut cups. Use a pale pink tablecloth or pink place mats.
All of these Valentine’s Day gatherings can make great inspiration for your own this year. It would be a fun excuse to dress up in a vintage-inspired Valentine’s Day dress and gather with your friends. So, channel your inner retro hostess, add a little flair, and make this Valentine’s Day one to remember!
More 1940s Meal Plans to Try
Want to try some more vintage meal plans? I’ve got a lot of great ones on the site for you to try.
Sharon H. in IL says
How sweet these look! Thank you for collecting them for us.