Ideas for Throwing a 70s Themed Party

Sometimes, what’s old becomes new again. This is true when it comes to fashion and music. These things are never truly out of style – they just aren’t as popular as they once were. And when it comes to a throwback theme that never gets old, the 70s is the one to beat.

What’s more fun than a disco-themed 70’s party? The decade is all about excess: loud clothing, disco music, and big, feathered hair. If you want to host a party that makes the people go back in time, the ‘70s is a fun era to set your party at. The ‘70s are big in fashion, decoration, and music with bold patterns, bright colors, and wacky shapes, making it a perfect theme for a fun shindig.

If you want to plan a ‘70’s themed party, here are some ideas that may help you and you should consider checking out more here to learn about pup hood fashion fads. 

Invitations

Make sure your guests know your theme from the start by choosing a themed invitation. Get groovy with your invitations. Anything with disco balls, a funky color palette, and retro-inspired decorations will do. Make sure you indicate that on the invitation and ask your guests to go in their best 70s attire!

Decorations

Are you looking for trippy party inspiration? Put on your platforms, your polyester, and your headbands! Here are some essential party decoration ideas to turn your location into the ideal 70s party. 

Disco ball

Any party with a 1970s theme needs a disco ball. Make sure you hang a massive mirror ball from the ceiling over the dance floor whether you’re hosting at home or at a venue. You may even get tiny disco balls to use as a playful centerpiece on your table setting. Whatever you choose, everyone will be in the mood to bust out their best “Saturday Night Fever” routines due to these bright decor.

Beaded curtains

Sparkly beaded curtains will add a touch of the 1970s to your home or party venue. These are really entertaining methods to transform your home into a disco haven. Use beaded curtains as door curtains to add some ambiance as people enter the room or hang them to create a colorful backdrop for a DIY photo booth. 

Lava lamps

A lava lamp or two can add some color and vintage appeal to your 70s theme party. These make fantastic table centerpieces, especially if you dim the lights and eat your meal in the room’s cozy, funky glow. Lava lamps are a terrific way to light up your area for board games, trivia, or disco dancing if you’re not hosting a dinner party. 

Strobe lighting and smoke machines

A smoke machine and some extravagant lighting are a symbol of “party time.” Investing in multi-color strobe lights, neon lighting, and other disco dance floor classics will help you take your 70s theme party to the next level by creating a true party atmosphere. These can be rented from a party supply shop, or you can see if someone you know still has them from the past by asking around. 

Playlist

The ’70s music scene is to be credited for an explosion of fresh sounds and fashions. Rock and roll were revived at this time, while soul, reggae, and pop music all reached new heights. You best believe there are a few musicians who are ideal for your playlist no matter what kind of ’70s theme you’re looking for. 

Here are some legendary ’70s performers who belong on any throwback dance party playlist:

  • Bee Gees
  • Led Zeppelin
  • ABBA
  • Donna Summer
  • Stevie Wonder
  • The Carpenters
  • Elton John
  • Bruce Springsteen
  • Jackson 5
  • The Who
  • Joni Mitchell
  • The Eagles
  • Olivia Newton-John
  • Earth, Wind, and Fire
  • Aerosmith
  • KC and the Sunshine Band
  • Aretha Franklin

Costumes

The most fun part of a disco-themed party is the costumes. Men and women can have a blast picking out a 70s costume to wear for the party. Just follow the fashion of the day – especially the disco-going celebrities –, and you will be fine. You should also visit puphood.co.uk and learn more about the pup hood fashion craze.

Here are 70s-themed costume ideas for women:

  • One-piece jumpsuit in a bright or metallic color
  • Bell bottom pants with flared sleeve top
  • Metallic or rainbow-colored makeup
  • Mini dress or mini skirt
  • Bodycon dress
  • Snug jeans
  • Platform shoes
  • Brightly-colored converse
  • Retro or vintage roller skates
  • Afro wig
  • Farrah Fawcett’s feather haircut
  • Low-lying pigtails
  • Brightly-colored accessories
  • Big hoop earrings
  • Peace signs

Here are 70s-themed costume ideas for men:

  • Polyester leisure suit
  • Band T-shirt and bell-bottom pants
  • Long-sleeve shirt with matching metallic bell-bottom pants
  • Bowling shirt and white snug-fitting pants
  • Open-chest, long-sleeve tops with matching bell-bottom pants
  • Orange and brown track jacket
  • Brightly-colored converse
  • Wire-rimmed glasses ala John Lennon
  • Large, round sunglasses
  • Afro wig
  • Cane and matching hat
  • Platform shoes
  • Roller skates

Food

Don’t forget that you can also dress up like your favorite 70s actor or actress or musical star. Look at their movies, TV shows, and concerts during the era, and you can imitate a costume from there. Look at bands like ABBA, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, and others and get an idea of what they wear. You can also dress up as the famous people during the 70s, like Sonny and Cher, Donna Summer, Olivia Newton-John, Dianna Ross, John Travolta, Jack Nicholson, Farrah Fawcett, Richard Nixon, and more.

Food and Drinks

Nothing takes you back in time like the foods popular during a certain era. When thinking of foods to serve at a 70s party, think of fondue, roller skating rink menu, Twinkies, melon balls, Hamburger helper, pigs in a blanket, deviled eggs, Kraft macaroni and cheese, and Cheez Whiz. Here are some food ideas for your 70s party.

For your appetizers, serve Ritz crackers with Cheez Whiz and black olive on top, some deviled eggs, pigs in a blanket, and Twinkies.

Fondue reached new heights in the 70s, so you have to serve it at a 70s party. Melted Swiss cheese is always a favorite, but if you want something nuttier, try Gruyere. You can also get substitute for gruyere cheese in the market. Serve your cheese fondue with slices of crisp bread like ciabatta or a baguette. Also, serve some crudités and chunks of ham and turkey. Don’t forget the casseroles of different kinds, potato salads, oysters in a half shell, and shrimp cocktail.

Alternatively, you can prepare an easy and fast menu from roller skating rinks, like hotdogs, French fries, nachos, and hamburgers. Nachos and fries, as well as some chips, can be served next to cheese fondue.  

The fondue theme can carry right into dessert with a pot of melted chocolate. Serve it with strawberries, apple slices, raspberries, apple slices, and pound cake.

When it comes to drinks, think creamy, like a Brandy Alexander. Other popular drinks from the era include the Tequila Sunrise, the Grasshopper, the Pineapple Sunshine, and of course, the legendary Harvey Wallbanger Cocktail.

Lastly, you can also buy 70s candies in bulk, like Zotz, Sugar Babies, Bubble Gum Cigars, Sweetarts, and Boston Baked Beans to serve at your dessert table.

Party Activities

With help of these party games and activities, you can create the ideal 70s atmosphere whether you’re hosting a dance party or a casual get-together. 

Roller Disco

You can still reproduce the classic roller disco look at your 70s theme party even if you’re not holding it at a nearby roller skating rink by using your party decorations and entertainment. Ask young partygoers to bring their own pair of skates if the child’s birthday celebration is held outside. Play “freeze skate,” a fun variation on the popular game of freeze dance, in your lawn or driveway. Make sure you put together a killer soundtrack to keep the ’70s vibe going. 

70s music trivia quiz

Your music trivia game with a 70s theme will have guests rolling up their polyester sleeves to see who can get the highest score. Test your knowledge of the top songs from the 1970s at this ideal time. Play a game of trivia questions on well-known musicians and bands from the era to see who can identify the song title and artist from the beginning. 

Disco dance-off

You should be dancing, to quote the Bee Gees. For your disco party, request that guests dress in their best 70s attire; think leisure suits, jumpsuits, bell bottoms, and platform shoes to enhance the amazing disco dancing. Put on a playlist of James Brown, Donna Summer, and the Bee Gees songs, then boogie down to decide who wins. 

Pass the disco ball

Want to give hot potato a hipster twist? You are eliminated if the music stops while you are holding a little disco ball, which you should pass around. A suitable 70s-themed reward, such as a pet rock or miniature lava lamp, is awarded to the last person remaining. This game is a terrific way to end the evening and is suitable for parties of all ages. It is also enjoyable but relaxed. 

Get guests a break out their skates

In the 1970s, roller rinks were the place to be, and they still make for fantastic party locations. So that guests can put on their skates whenever they like, schedule a time at your local rink or hold your party there. You can always urge visitors to securely skate in your basement, garage, or paved driveway if you intend to throw your party at home.

Food And Drink

Without delectable food for your guests to enjoy, you can’t have a party. These funky food and drink suggestions will transport everyone back to the 1970s. 

Fast food classics

We love the idea of keeping your 70s party food and beverages simple and vintage, which is where fast food icons come in. Serve excellent freshly made milkshakes along as burgers, hot dogs, and chips. For the occasion, you could even go all out and design your own fast food brand, making your own tablecloths, signs, and labels. 

Sweet and savory fondue

Break out the fondue set and serve your guests the ultimate hippy party staple. Both savory and sweet fondues make excellent choices for a theme-based gathering and provide the ideal setting for conversation, relaxation, and lighthearted banter while you eat. To dip into your chocolate, cheese, or other gooey, sauces, make sure you have plenty of fruit, crackers, and other tasty treats on hand. 

Classic cocktails

Your visitors will need something equally as spectacular to wash down all of this delectable cuisine. Cocktails from the classic era can help with that. Serve your disco-dancing mates a Godfather or a Blue Hawaii. See this list of cocktails with a 1970s theme for a variety of real vintage drinks. For your non-drinking party guests or younger party attendees, don’t forget to serve mocktails. 

Super fun jell-o

Who enjoys Jell-O? We do! This timeless party favorite is sure to impress everyone. Use amusing molds to make bizarre and fantastic shapes, such as peace signs, sandcastles, hearts, shoes, rainbows, and anything else strikes your fancy, to make it even more enjoyable. Additionally, as a themed party favor, you can send your guests home with a box of Jello-O and a colorful mold. 

Conclusion

An entertaining and sentimental approach for recognizing a bygone era is to have a party with a 70s theme. The party must have a lively environment that incorporates vintage decoration, clothing, and music in order to be successful. Platform shoes, disco balls, lava lamps, and garish attire are some essentials for a 70s-themed party.

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