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Merry Kitschmas: How to Throw a Retro Holiday Party

Written by

Lauren KodiakCopy Chief
Lauren KodiakCopy Chief
Lauren is the Copy Chief for Kitchn. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and their son.
published Dec 10, 2015
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‘Tis the season for holiday entertaining! Today we’re taking things all the way back to the 1950s for a retro-themed party — complete with a recipe for peppermint icebox cake. Want to throw your own kitschmas party? Here’s everything you need.

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Before guests arrive, make sure to set the scene with plenty of mid-century modern accents. Put on a record, mix up a Manhattan, and toast to the holiday season.

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  1. Mid-Century Table Lamp, $139 from West Elm
  2. 20-Piece Rush Gold Flatware Set, $79.95 from CB2
  3. KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, $349.99 from KitchenAid
  4. Hughes Loveseat, $1699 from Joybird
  5. Retro Recipe: Peaches & Cream Jello from The Kitchn
  6. Terrace Bar Cart, $399 from West Elm
  7. Star Metallic Napkin, from Canvas Home
  8. Merry Argyle Stocking, $38 from Anthropologie
  9. Classic Manhattan Cocktail Recipe from The Kitchn
  10. Crosley X UO Sterling Vinyl Record Player, $220 from Urban Outfitters

Now that you’ve got the decor covered, it’s time to make a party-worthy dessert. Icebox cakes are traditionally made with chocolate wafer cookies, but to dress things up for the holidays, use Peppermint Joe Joe’s from Trader Joe’s instead. A drop of peppermint extract in the whipped cream and a sprinkling of crushed candy canes on top seal the deal.

Peppermint Icebox Cake

Serves 8; adapted from Taste of Home

3 cups heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 packages Trader Joe’s Peppermint Joe Joe’s Cookies
Crushed candy canes

In a large bowl, beat the cream, sugar, and peppermint extract on high until stiff peaks form. Fill a pastry bag with the whipped cream.

Arrange 7 cookies in a circle on a cake stand, using one cookie in the center. Pipe 2/3 cup whipped cream over cookies. Repeat layers 9 times. Refrigerate overnight.

Garnish with crushed candy canes.

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A shout-out to a few friends of Apartment Therapy who helped bring our kitsch-inspired version of a modern holiday celebration to life:

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Holidays