A Vintage 1940's Valentine's Day

A Vintage 1940's Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays. Who doesn't love celebrating love? And there's something even more special and nostalgic about a vintage Valentine's Day. And if you know me, you know I love the WWII era. So we're going to dive into how you can recreate a vintage 1940's Valentine's Day with your sweetie. And if you're like many of the women back then (and me right now) who have to celebrate alone while their service member is away, I'll throw in some ideas on how to make yourself feel special!

 

Wartime Valentine's Day History

First a quick history of what a typical Valentine's Day looked like in the 1940's. Much like today, American's loved an excuse to celebrate romance. Valentine's Day in the 1940's was celebrated with community parties, decorations, heart shaped boxes of chocolates and cookies, and sweet intricate Valentine's Day cards. Since it was wartime, most sweethearts spent the holiday apart. But that didn't stop couples from celebrating! Women would often send their service members handmade Valentine's Day cards and photos. Women weren't the only ones sending sweet cards though, service members were also given the opportunity to send their sweethearts Valentine's from overseas. Not only that, but because phone calls were limited or not possible at all, love letters were the main form of communication for separated couples. On the home front many mamas would bake heart shaped cookies with their children to celebrate while also hanging paper garlands and other decorations in the home. Lucky service members would send their sweetheart back home real nylon stockings if they could get ahold of them. Americans during wartime were resilient and didn't let the war dampen their spirit. Wherever they were, they made sure to celebrate the joy of love. 

This is an example of a WWII era Valentine's Day card.

 

1940's Valentine's Day Outfit Ideas

Fashion in the 1940's was practical yet feminine at the same time. There's something so beautiful about the fashion of that era and I've always been drawn to it for as long as I can remember. My bridal shower was even a 1940's/1950's housewife theme. If you're wanting to throw together a vintage 1940's inspired outfit there are a few things to keep in mind. Look for the classic Valentine's Day colors of red, burgundy, white, cream, and pinks. Styles like A-line skirts, peter pan collar blouses, tea dresses, cardigans, shirt dresses and floral patterns. You can also include 1940's style shoes like mary janes, peep toe pumps, wedge sling backs, oxfords, slip in pumps, sandals, saddle shoes, and espadrilles.

 

1940's Valentine's Day Beauty Ideas

If there's one thing that's iconic of the WWII 1940's era, it's the victory red lip. This was no different on Valentine's Day. The red lip was a must! Many beauty guides form the era encouraged women to outline their natural lip to create a nice full lip shape. Because most lipsticks were matte, vaseline was often added to create a bit of shine. Makeup in the 1940's was very simplistic compared to today's beauty trends. Women focused on nicely groomed arched eyebrows, red lips, subtle eyeliner, mascara, rouge, and pancake foundation powder. Rouge was sometimes difficult to find, so many women used their red lipstick on their cheeks as well. Red or pink tone nails in an oval or almond shape was also a staple. The half moon manicure was also very popular during the time. 

On to the hair. You can't complete a classic 1940's look without those iconic pin curls. There are several setting patterns and ways of achieving pin curls. You can use the classic bobby pin method, pillow/rag ties, or foam rollers. Depending on what look you're looking for, there are also different setting patterns (or the direction the hair will fall when you remove the pins etc). One classic Valentine's Day hair do would be the victory rolls. Take your time and be patient. They can take a lot of practice. You can find so many helpful videos on YouTube for pin curls and victory rolls, as well as different 1940's hairstyles. 

 

Wartime Valentine's Day Crafts & Food Ideas

Heart shaped boxes of chocolates were a common Valentine's Day gift during the 1940's. As were Valentine's Day cards. Most cards featured wartime designs, sweet kids or cartoons. 

Cakes were also a popular center piece at parties. Here are two vintage cake recipes (one from 1948 and the other from 1949) that you can recreate for your vintage Valentine's Day!

Because that last advertisement is a bit hard to read I wrote it out for you below.

Sweet Story Cake

Cake:

  • 2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup Spry (shortening)
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 teaspoons almond extract
  • 4 egg whites, unbeaten 
  • 18 maraschino cherries, well drained and finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, very finely chopped

Pink Valentine Frosting:

  • 2 Tablespoons Spry (shortening)
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons scalded cream
  • red coloring 

Directions

Cake:

  1. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into mixing bowl.
  2. Drop in Spry (shortening).
  3. Combine milk and maraschino juice. Add 3/4 cup of this liquid. Add flavoring extracts. Beat 200 strokes (2 minutes by hand or on mixer on low speed. Scrape bowl and spoon or beater. 
  4. Add remaining liquid and egg whites and beat 200 strokes (2 minutes on mixer at low speed.)
  5. Add cherries and nuts and blend.
  6. Bake in 2 deep 9-inch Spry (shortening) coated layer pans in moderate oven (375ºF) 20-25 minutes. 
  7. Cool. Cut layers into heart shapes, using paper pattern. Kids love the tasty trimmings. Spread with Pink Valentine Frosting. With a toothpick, outline a short Valentine message, such as "I love you." Fill in letters and outline edge of cake with silver dragees.

Pink Valentine Frosting:

  1. Combine Spry (shortening), butter, vanilla, almond and salt and blend. Beat in 1/2 cup sugar. Add hot cream, alternatively with remaining sugar, beating well after each addition. Add only enough cream to make a nice spreading consistency. Add a few drops of red coloring to tint frosting a delicate pink before spreading on cake. 

 

Lonely Hearts

If you're like me and many of the wartime women from the 1940's, you might be spending this Valentine's Day separated from your sweetheart. No matter how many times I do this, it always breaks my heart a bit to be away from my best friend and soul mate. But, also like the women of the war torn 1940's, you don't have to let it get you down! Resilience is our middle name. Just because you can't spend time with your other half doesn't mean you can't celebrate your love and make the day special for yourself!

Here are some of my favorite ways to celebrate Valentine's Day when I'm alone. 

  • Write your sweetheart an old fashioned love letter. Don't forget to seal it with a kiss!
  • Bake yourself a yummy Valentine's Day cake or heart shaped cookies. 
  • Watch old romantic movies (my favorite's from the 1940's are listed below).
  • Treat yourself to your favorite take out.
  • Make some old fashioned handmade Valentine's.
  • Decorate with handmade paper chains and other decorations. 
  • Go for a leisurely stroll in nature (depending on where you live). 
  • Do an old fashioned pin up photoshoot for your sweetheart.
  • Put a record on and cook yourself a nice dinner, eat it by candle light.

1940's Romantic Movies to Watch on Valentine's Day

Casablanca (1942) This classic is about a man named Rick, who owns a nightclub in Casablanca, discovers his old flame is in town with her husband. Her husband is a famed rebel, and with Germans on his tail, she knows Rick can help them get out of the country.
The Philadelphia Story (1940) This classic romantic comedy focuses on, a Philadelphia socialite who has split from her husband, due both to his drinking and to her overly demanding nature. As she prepares to wed the wealthy George Kittredge, she crosses paths with both her husband and prying reporter Macaulay Connor. Unclear about her feelings for all three men, Tracy must decide whom she truly loves.
Rebecca (1940) Story of a young woman who marries a fascinating widower only to find out that she must live in the shadow of his former wife, Rebecca, who died mysteriously several years earlier. The young wife must come to grips with the terrible secret of her handsome, cold husband. She must also deal with the jealous, obsessed housekeeper, who will not accept her as the mistress of the house.
The Shop Around the Corner (1940) A man and woman are employees at Matuschek and Company, a general store in Budapest. They are constantly at odds with each other, butting heads and disagreeing on almost everything. Both are enamored of their respective pen pals, who serve as welcome distractions in their lives. Little do they know, they are each the other's pen pal and, despite outward differences, have unwittingly fallen in love through their letters.
The Lady Eve (1941) A romantic comedy about a mismatched couple who meet aboard an ocean liner. 
Now, Voyager (1942) A  Boston heiress is a neurotic mess, largely because of her domineering mother. But after a stint in a sanatorium where she receives the attention of Dr. Jasquith, she comes out of her shell and elects to go on a cruise. Aboard ship she meets a man and falls in love, despite his being married. They enjoy a brief tryst in Rio before returning to the States, where Charlotte struggles to forget him and find happiness.
To Have and Have Not (1944) In Vichy France, a fishing boat captain avoids getting involved in politics, refusing to smuggle French Resistance fighters into Martinique. But when a Resistance client is shot before he can pay, Harry agrees to help a hotel owner smuggle two fighters to the island. Harry is further swayed by a wandering American girl, and when the police take his friend Eddie hostage, he is forced to fight for the Resistance.
The Clock (1945) While on a two day leave in New York City, a soldier meets a secretary when she trips over him. They hit it off, and she decides to show him around. As they tour the sights of New York, they begin to fall in love. After inadvertently meeting a milk deliveryman, they befriend him and help him finish his route. The next morning, they decide they should get married before he must return to duty.
Waterloo Bridge (1940) At the onset of World War I, a British officer and ballerina meet and fall in love. As fate would have it, he is called to active duty shortly thereafter. When his departure coincides with a performance, she chooses to skip the ballet to see her love leave. As a result, she is dismissed from the ballet and struggles to make ends meet -- and when she reads of his misreported death, she hits rock bottom, resorting to prostitution.
Arise, My Love (1940) A lady reporter poses as the wife of an imprisoned American pilot to save him from execution by Spanish fascists. The gesture lands her a front-page story and the praise of her boss, who assigns her to cover the impending war. They begin a romance that may be torn apart when conflicting career obligations pull them in different directions, in the wake of Hitler's invasion of Poland.
The More the Merrier (1943) Due to a housing shortage in Washington, D.C., during World War II, a woman agrees to rent part of her apartment to a wealthy retiree and a soldier. Although she is engaged to the unexciting Charles Pendergast, she becomes fond of the soldier. When the retiree notices their interests in each other, he attempts to play matchmaker -- but instead causes problems for the entire apartment.
For Me and My Gal (1942) Jo Hayden and Harry Palmer are a struggling vaudeville act with hopes of making it big. When success seems right around the corner, he's drafted into the army at the advent of World War I. Thinking quickly, he injures his hand to avoid being called to duty, but she -- whose brother died in the war -- finds his action cowardly and breaks up the duo. Now, he must figure out a way to bring them back together, even if it means going to war.
A Matter of Life and Death (1946) A British Air Force pilot is on his way home to England from a World War II bombing mission in a badly damaged aircraft. Before he bails out of the plane into the ocean, he contacts an Allied radio operator with whom he shares what he believes to be his final moments on Earth. But he survives, finds her and they fall in love. A problem arises when a divine messenger arrives to escort him to heaven to rectify his wrongful survival.
Pride and Prejudice (1940) In the early 19th century in the English village of Meryton, the arrival of wealthy bachelors, most notably Mr. Darcy, stirs up the families with single daughters. Among those is the Bennet family, with five eligible daughters, including the spirited Elizabeth and her pretty older sister, Jane. As Mrs. Bennet aggressively tries to pair off her girls, Elizabeth crosses swords with the imperious Darcy.
On the Town (1949) A romantic comedy about three sailors are on 24 hour shore leave in New York City when they meet three women and spend time getting to know them.
And there you have it! The road map you need to recreate a 1940's vintage Valentine's Day! Let me know if you do any of these and what you think! Happy Valentine's Day!
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