1970s Decorations for Parties

Regardless of your age, you either remember or have learned about the 1970s. In addition to it being a tumultuous time in United States history, it also was a time of interesting style and decor that has resurfaced multiple times since the decade ended. If party decorations a la 1970s are of interest to you, learn how easy it is to acquire or create what is needed to successfully decorate your next party in the theme.

History

During the 1970s, Americans felt the heartache and terror of a country at war. Young men were returning home from Vietnam in caskets at an alarming rate. Protesters coined phrases and lyrics that survived lengthy tests of time. Music often was used as a form of protest, and some protests escalated to riotous proportions.
The 1970s also yielded the hippies. While they often got bad press as being pot-smoking, dirty individuals who cared more for their drugs than for their personal appearance, they often were peaceful people, trying to create an awareness in a world where authority wasn't often challenged.
Hippies were noted for their trends, which to them were yet another protest against fashion. Bell-bottomed jeans, T-shirts with slogans, peasant tops for women and sandals comprised a typical outfit of the times.
Flower power was in full deployment in the 1970s, with peace-loving women and men repeating statements like, "Make love, not war" and "Power to the people."
Regardless of one's recollection of the '70s, the decade left its mark on history and now returns to us in the form of a fashion renaissance and decorative memorabilia. 1970s themed parties are popular and both simple and economical to decorate for.

Types

Types of 1970s themed decorations include, but are not not limited to, some of the following items. The biggest and most popular item to decorate with is the peace sign. Large or small, hanging from fishing line from a ceiling or posted in a frame on a wall, the peace sign was a major symbol of the '70s.
Check vintage shops or auction sites for peace sign memorabilia. You'll find framed photos or pieces of artwork, posters, jewelry, T-shirts, patches, handbags, belts and more.
The peace symbol of two fingers held up is another popular decorative feature. Also available as artwork or on posters, peace symbol statues were popular and can still be found for a nominal fee.

Types

Turn back time as you recall the effects of black lights on brightly themed posters in the 1970s. These bulbs illuminated shapes or emblems and created an ambiance of almost supernatural proportion when combined with the music and attitude of the era. Many decorating stores or gift stores, such as Spencer Gifts, still carry black lights or black light bulbs.
Find posters from the 1970s at vintage shops or online at businesses featuring art prints. Hang them on the walls in your party location and plug in a black light for a step back in time to the 1970s.
Vintage advertisements from that period are often available as tin signs or posters. These can create a sense of nostalgia, in addition to enhancing the themed decor.

Types

Additional party decor reminiscent of the 1970s can include a record player. No one had heard of CDs or MP3s in the 1970s, and turntables were the suave and sophisticated form of listening enjoyment. Find one at a thrift shop for the best value, and enlist everyone you know to check their attics for 33s and 45s. In addition to providing the vintage music needed for a '70s party, the turntable and records themselves will become part of the 1970s themed decorations. Designate a DJ to play the part, and dress her in appropriate 1970s fashions.
Don't forget the addition of hanging beads from the 70s. Lengths of strung plastic beads were used to decorate as well as to cordon off specific areas within an apartment, or "pad," as they were often referred. Find beads at any craft store and string them on lengths of fishing line. Hang in multiples throughout the party area.

Fashion

If the party hosts wear 1970s fashion and suggest that their guests do the same, the apparel and accessories will become a vital part of the decor. Round wire-rimmed glasses are inexpensive and easy to find at thrift shops or on auction sites. Remove the lenses for a clear view. Don't forget to wrap a headband around everyone's head. And the longer one's hair is, the better. Find inexpensive long-haired wigs at party stores and wear them with a headband.
Don't forget medallions or love beads and belts with enormous buckles to accessorize the ensembles.
Toward the end of the 1970s, we saw the Disco Era invade our country. If you're leaning toward this facet of 1970s decorations, you may want to add a few extra or completely different notions to your party decorations. Disco balls are easy to find at party stores or gift shops and are easily hung from the ceiling with string or fishing line. Add a strobe light and all additional decorations for your '70s party may become irrelevant. Use caution, however, as strobe lights have been known to make some people uncomfortable or sick.
For disco fashion, be sure to find some platform shoes and wide-lapeled shirts in vintage stores, and think along the lines of Bee Gees hair rather than hippie headbands.

Effects

The 1970s themed decorations will enhance any party designed to recall this bygone era. Take the idea further by playing only 1970s music, and drum up some recipes that were noted as generating from that time frame. Have small items such as extra headbands and sandals available at the door for guests who couldn't conjure enough of the look on their own.
Still not sure about your decorations? Rent a film from the era, such as "Stayin' Alive," or watch reruns of "That '70's Show" for even more ideas.

Resources

• '70s party ideas
• Party 411