OP here, thanks for all the tips! I found a jello cheesecake recipe that uses a mold that I want to try. I was also thinking cucumber sandwiches & some cocktail meatballs, all served up in individual servings on a tray with toothpicks. One of my personal favorites is deviled eggs and I make some really good ones so I will throw those on there too. I'm pretty sure none of the guests are food snobs.

Cheese balls.

The cookbook Vintage Cakes has some great recipes that are updated old school desserts.

Check out Jane and Michael Stern's Square Meals. I may only be remembering the recipes I like, but the whole point of that cookbook was to share old fashioned recipes that are pretty tasty, if woefully out of style.

Jello is usually fine, though I am Midwestern and have a much higher tolerance for shredded carrots in my orange Jello the people here. Cocktail Meatballs. Punch. Cream Cheese Spread Sandwiches, blended with either watercress or minced cucumbers.

Just don't invite food snobs - I don't think anything could get them to enjoy in even an ironic or retro way things like Jello or non-artisanal meatloaf (Cook's Illustrated 30 Minute Meatloaves are quote good to that end, BTW). Good luck!

Cocktail weenies.

Anonymous wrote:Do a green bean casserole version. Make blanched French beans with some olive oil and pine nuts or slivered almonds and a little garlic and sea salt. Arrange on a serving dish and sprinkle the outer rim with French's fried onion strings.

What, no Cream of Mushroom Soup?

What about Waldorf salad? That has an old-timey vibe to me. And Bananas Foster. Coconut cake?

Do a green bean casserole version. Make blanched French beans with some olive oil and pine nuts or slivered almonds and a little garlic and sea salt. Arrange on a serving dish and sprinkle the outer rim with French's fried onion strings.

There are some modern jello molds out there (if you want I'll get the recipe from my mom for a fresh cranberry and oranges one she has done ... and she's a food snob). This looks good too ...
http://www.farmgirlgourmet.com/2012/02/coconut-water-fresh-blackberry-gelatin.html

Is fondu the right decade? Chocolate?

Deviled eggs are an old classic - and still tasty.

I vaguely remember something my mom did with pickles wrapped in ham and cream cheese?

Definitely do a cheese and vegetable platter. Also, finger sandwiches were popular...tuna and chicken salad. I know what you mean...the food looks pretty gross.

I'm hosting a themed Tupperware party in a couple weeks and would like to do a whole throwback thing, but would prefer the food actually be good. Think scary jello molds and weird fish shaped loaves. I've been researching vintage recipes but so many of them are scary. I'm also throwing in some Manhattan cocktails and dressing the part.

Do anyone have suggestions on what I can do to make the fare have a vintage vibe but still taste good?