Updated on: Apr 10, 2023
Are you planning a 70s theme party? Well, look no further! In this article, we’ll not only help you with decorations and food, but we can give you ideas for some groovy activities!
70s Theme Party Decorations
The decorations for your event are what set the entire mood for the party. By creating an atmosphere that rings true to your theme, your party-goers will be in the perfect mindset! Look through these fun options to get inspiration for your 70s-themed soiree.
1. Beaded Curtains
Looking to boost some 70s style to create your perfect party space? Beaded curtains, made popular in the 70s, are a great way to apply some shimmering color to your event. This piece of decor will be a fun way of transforming your space into a disco wonderland. These beaded curtains are a fantastic approach for your own DIY photo booth backdrop; you can also use them for door curtains just as they were used in the 70s to create a funky atmosphere for people as they walk in.
2. Vinyls
Finding old vinyls can be really easy! Many thrift stores have a section dedicated to vinyls. If you’re near a record store they typically have a bargain bin that you can take advantage of as well. If neither of these work for you it’s possible that someone you know has some they’re willing to get rid of! You can find vinyls in all sizes to give you some variation.
Using these vinyls makes it easy to do it yourself. Leave them as they are or put some glitter in the middle or around the edges to give it an enhanced look. You can use the hole already there or if you’d like you can drill a new one. String some clear fishing line and hang it from the ceiling! You could also hang them directly on the wall or even use them as part of your table decor for a 70s theme party!
3. Lava Lamps
Everybody ~lavas~ a lava lamp! These lamps are a great way to create a 70s vibe for your themed party! Sometimes called “hippie home accessories,” lava lamps are one of the most popular decor items of the 70s with those fun-colored bubbles floating around bumping into one another.
Lava lamps are not only fun and beautiful, but they’re also quite functional! They will give you a nice soft light that will help to create a groovy mood for your party.
4. Balloons
Balloons are super fun! When you put them with the rest of your decorations, you can be reassured people will love the look of your party. You can even use these for a photo area as well!
It’s easy! Pick a wall with lots of space. You can put these balloons directly on the wall. Maybe add some fun colored hanging tinsel and even the vinyls from earlier to create something that really screams the 70s! Or if you’d rather, just balloons in varying sizes in colors to make a balloon wall that will certainly awe your party guest!
5. Disco Ball
No one can forget the disco balls made notorious in the 70s and per its name, it was widely used at discos! These are also able to be displayed in a number of ways. You can use it in its traditional sense where it gets hung from the ceiling and may have lights shining on it to reflect. Another possibility for your themed party would be to use them on tables to add to centerpieces or draw attention to certain displays.
You may choose to purchase disco balls of varying sizes online or in a party decoration store. Another option would be for you to create a DIY disco ball! You can take an old globe or any sort of ball and put mirrored stickers all over it. Or if you don’t want to use stickers, you can cut up old CDs and glue the small pieces all over to get the reflection. Not only this but there are also balloons that look like disco balls so you may be able to kill two birds with one stone!
70s Theme Party Favors
Your guests will love something to take with them to remember your wonderful party! Here are a few ideas for items you can add to your goodie bag.
6. Pet Rock
The Pet Rock toy took the world by storm in the 70s! This is perfect for your themed party; you can purchase them but you can also easily do it yourself! Make a little basket out of twine and find whatever rocks you see fit and voila!
7. Candy
There are so many candies that came out of the 70s that we still know and love today! This includes but is certainly not limited to Pop Rocks, Bottle Caps, and Reese’s Pieces. Sold online or found in your local dollar store, all of these candies are easy to find for you to add to your guests' goody bag!
8. Accessories
Adding popular accessories to your favors will have your party-goers looking like they are straight out of the 70s! Mood rings are fun and pretty easy to find somewhere online, similar to how you can find peace sign necklaces. Some 70s styles have even made their way back around! Circular sunglasses are just one example of this. You can order them in large packs online or you can find them just about anywhere they sell sunglasses. Your guests will look fantastic with their new funky garb!
9. Mustaches
Thick mustaches became incredibly popular during the 70s so why not let your visitors join in the fun! Finding a mustache sticker is quite easy. If you cannot find them in your local party supply store you can surely find them online. Add them to your goody bags and see your guests sport their new lip sweaters!
10. Tie-Dye
Tie-dye is not only funky but also incredibly fun! These swirled, bright colors cannot help but catch every eye. You and your guest can take some time to dye shirts. Then, your groovy party goers will get to go home with some new duds!
70s Theme Party Food Ideas
The grub at your gathering is just as important as the decor or the activities. These 70s-themed foods are sure to fill your guests' bellies!
11. Fondue
Fondue was a food that everyone was eating in the 70s and it can be savory or sweet! Who doesn’t love dipping something in melted cheese or chocolate? You can find a fondue pot at a home goods store or even online if that is more appealing. From there, this themed treat is easy! Melt your cheese or chocolate and provide an array of things to dip. If you’re doing cheese fondue you may want to supply bread, veggies, and some meat. For chocolate fondue, you can mix things up with sweet fruit and marshmallows or you can add some salty snacks like pretzels. Truly the possibilities are endless and only fall short of your imagination!
12. Meatballs
There are so many ways to make these 70s treats. Meatballs can easily be cooked in different styles so that it pleases just about everyone! Some of the most popular are barbecued meatballs or ones that are cooked in a Swedish style. If you look online you will find countless recipes to help you add this snack to your 70s menu!
13. Rumaki
You may be asking yourself what exactly Rumaki is. To put it simply, it is bacon-wrapped pineapple and water chestnut. To make this morsel straight from the 70s, merely take a small chunk of pineapple and a piece of water chestnut, wrap it with a piece of bacon, and secure it with a toothpick. You are, also, welcome to add a piece of chicken liver to this if you’d like. From here you will bake the morsels and marinade them in a sauce that will change depending on the recipe you look at. These treats are perfect for making your themed party feel authentic.
14. Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are something we still see at parties today! This 70s grub is sure to be a party favorite. Popular during the 70s was food made in a curried style. Maybe try to make curried deviled eggs to add a little something different to the dinner plate. You may even choose to serve these on a vintage 70s platter like this one!
15. Cheese Log
If you were to go back in time you would find a cheese log in the spread of nearly every party in the 70s. This themed snack is one that is easy for you to do it yourself. Ultimately, all you need is cream cheese to shape into a log. You may decide to add some sort of berry and roll the log in walnuts or pecans. Maybe you choose to add pineapple or bits of bacon. Regardless of what you choose, plate this with crackers and your guest will be sure to love it.
70s Theme Party Games/Activities
Ensure your party-goers are having a great time by having some fun games and activities lined up. Here we have some ideas for you to be certain the disco never dies!
16. Costume Contest
Pull out your bell-bottoms and get an afro wig because it’s time to have a costume contest! Perhaps the most notorious thing about the 70s was the fashion trends that ran rampant throughout the decade: flowers, corduroy, platform shoes, you name it. Your guest will have so much fun dressing up in their groovy garb and seeing who really plays the part.
17. Games
Twister and Rock em Sock em Robots are a couple games, just to name a few. If you don’t already have them, you could likely find them at a local resale shop. Your guests will enjoy playing these games for hours!
18. Karaoke
We all know songs that came out of the 70s. For your themed party, it would be so much fun to sing karaoke to these classic hits. Play ABBA and some Queen and see who knows every word!
19. Dance
Dancing was one of the largest parts of the 70s! You (or maybe YouTube) can teach your guests some of those popular dances so you can all do it together. These dances may include the Hustle or the Funky Chicken. Get the music playing and give your best Disco!
20. Trivia
Add a little competition to your party by seeing who knows the most 70s music! Let guests play individually or separate them into teams. Play the song a little at a time and see who knows the artist or the song title first. You can even add a category of famous bands and musicians of the time. Find out which of your friends is the genius of groove!
70s Theme Party Supplies
You cannot throw a party without the supplies to do it! We are here to help you by providing some options.
21. Tableware
Essential to any party is the tableware! The plates and cups you use to serve your guests can really help to bring the theme of a party together. These items are perfect for your 70s theme! The disco ball plates and fun colors are sure to please your guests as they eat their groovy grub.
22. Tablecloth
You may think a tablecloth is unimportant to your styled decor; however, this is not the case! Having tablecloths that go along with your ideas will certainly help to reinforce your party’s theme.
23. Hanging Decorations
Decorations do not have to be confined to just tables and walls! Hanging decorations elevate the style of your party. Adding these to your list of supplies will bring the look of your party to the next level.
24. Cutout
This next idea is something that will really set your party apart from the others. A cutout is perfect for your guests to capture Instagram-perfect pictures. There’s no doubt they will enjoy themselves by making silly faces in these funky forms at your 70s theme party!
25. Photo Booth Props
As the camera quality on phones grows, so does the love of photo booths! People enjoy the ability to hold up a thick mustache or a fun saying. Providing props to your guest for their pictures is just an added layer of fun!
70s Theme Party Invitations
How can you get your guests to a party without a way to invite them? These invitations are sure to entice people to your gathering.
26. Retro Striped 70's Party Invitation
This classic invitation just screams "vintage!"
27. 70's Poster Invitation
If you're focusing on music for your 70s theme party, this poster-style invite is perfect for you!
28. Groovy 70's Party Invitation
This funky invitation is available in a number of color options!
29. Boho Hippy Vibes Invitation
For a 70s party that won't have many bright colors, this invite is sure to do the trick.
30. Flower Power 70's Party Invitation
This bright flower power invitation is not only available for print but also gives the option of sending it digitally!
70s Theme Party
The 70s were such a notorious era in the sense of atmosphere. We hope that you were able to find some ideas to include for your 70s theme party!
Written By: Emma Trudell