Why have a run-of-the-mill party when you could have a '70s theme party? Adding a theme to your birthday party, anniversary celebration or even baby shower tells your guests that you're planning an event to remember. A '70s theme is just retro enough to be kitschy fun even if you're not someone who typically loves disco music and platform shoes. (Get ready to boogie, baby.)
Planning Your 70s Party
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1. Explain the theme to your guests
What's the first order of business for throwing a theme party? Making sure the theme is clearly communicated in your party invites. You don't want to stand in the corner in a Saturday Night Fever costume all night while everyone else is dressed normally. If you expect guests to dress in '70s fashions, make sure they know.
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2. Set the stage
Decorating for this kind of party doesn't require you to reinvent the wheel; just take a trip to the party supplies store for streamers, table covers and other on-theme decor. The standard '70s party decorations are things like disco balls, beaded curtains, giant peace signs and lava lamps as centerpieces or table decor.
One easy way to decorate is to hang dozens of small mirror balls throughout the space. Set up a few party lights to throw colorful light off the walls and mirror balls. Cut down the balls and give them away as party favors at the end of the night.
If you want to get crafty with some DIY decor, make some tie-dye fabric in the days leading up to the party. Cut out letter shapes to make your own tie-dye banner spelling out "happy birthday" or something silly, like "disco vibes only."
3. Plan the activities
What are people going to do at your event once they're finished admiring each other's retro party ensembles? If it's a kids' party and you have some outdoor space, set up a tie-dye station with a ton of plain T-shirts and other fabric items. Guests of any age will flock to a photo space to document their costumes, complete with "retro" photo booth props, like oversize fake mustaches and cardboard disco balls. A '70s trivia game might be popular with an older crowd too.
As you plan out the space for your party, don't forget a dance floor. No '70s party is complete without at least a little disco. Even if you're going for more of a hippie party vibe, everyone gets temporary disco fever when "Stayin' Alive" comes on and disco balls are throwing light around everywhere.
5 must-play artists for your '70s party playlist
You’ll find plenty of disco dance playlists on Spotify and other sources, but you might prefer to curate your own music for a '70s party. Any playlist that heavily features these artists is bound to have your guests’ toes tapping.
- Earth, Wind & Fire
- Bee Gees
- Donna Summer
- ABBA
- Fleetwood Mac
A truly authentic '70s party menu might include a lot of things that your guests probably don't want to eat, like slimy canned mushrooms and aspic (think savory Jell-O with meat or fish suspended inside). Fondue is one throwback food that's still beloved, and there are a ton of ways you can tweak a basic cheesy or sweet fondue. For an adult crowd, serve a few variations, like beer and cheese or red wine, garlic and cheese fondue with pretzels and veggies for dipping.
Other retro crowdpleasers include mini quiche bites, pigs in a blanket, ambrosia salad, cucumber sandwiches and deviled eggs.
For dessert, decorate cookies or cupcakes like mirror balls. Cover them with white frosting and cut crisscrossing lines into the frosting to create a checkerboard pattern. Mist the treats with edible silver spray designed for cake decorating or take a shortcut by decorating regular cupcakes with '70s-themed toppers.
5. Dress the part
On party day, get dressed in your finest groovy party wear. You might dress for a 70s party by going all out in a sequined mini dress with go-go boots or a polyester leisure suit, or you may opt for a more casual look in a pair of bell bottoms and a '70s band tee or tie-dyed T-shirt. Stock up on typical '70s costume accessories, like headbands that go around the forehead, peace sign necklaces and round glasses with brightly colored lenses. Pile them on to finish your own outfit and give them out to underdressed guests as they arrive.