Setting the Stage
Decorate the party room with these classic 1960's - 1970's images:
- li]large, psychedelic color, paper flowers
- peace signs
- yellow smiley faces
- anything tie dye
Ask guests to come dressed in their best 1960's - 1970's flower child clothing such as ripped denim jean; tie dye anything; bandanas tied around their head; daisies in their hair; large tinted glasses; big peace signs necklaces.
Play music from bands of that era, e.g. The Guess Who; Sly and the Family Stone; Early Rolling Stones; Beatles; etc.
Give out party favor bags that contain popular candy from that period including: Razzles, Pop Rocks, Lemon Heads, Laffy Taffy, Sweet Tarts, Runts.
Crafts to Make
The craft that is probably most representative of the time period is tie-dye. You can dye anything from tee shirts, to bandanas, to pillow cases. Make your own dye or purchase a kit that is readily available at craft stores.
Have party guests make their own pet rocks, a huge craze for several years during that period. Find four or five inch wide stones. Give each guest a pair of googly eyes, paper shred for hair, glue, and paint or markers, and let them create a personality for their rock. Also, have them make a home for their new pet with a small square gift box that will fit the rock, filled with cellophane or paper grass for a bed.
Show your guests how to make book thongs. Give each a length of jewelry cord that will extend by a few inches beyond the height of a book. Next supply them with a colorful assortment of beads with holes large enough for the cord. Look for fun flower child theme beads that have images such as peace signs, flowers, and rainbows on them. Have guests string beads on each end of the cord and knot on either side of the beads.
Games to Play
Pull out some of your old games from childhood, or purchase a few of the ones that have had staying power over the years, including:
- Battling Tops
- Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots
- Kerplunk
What to Serve
Fondue was popular during that time, so serve your guests either cheese or chocolate fondue.
Potato chips with the classic Lipton Onion Dip were the rage, so whip up a batch of dip for your party.
Mini frozen appetizers were popular then, so include a few at your party like mini egg rolls, pizza, and franks-in-a-blanket.
If this is a birthday party, let the "Have a Nice Day" smile decorate the cake or cupcakes.
