This year for our New Year’s party we decided to channel the 70s theme of our apartment. The retro wallpaper and the funky designs already existing in our home are the perfect setting for a 70s themed party. I have asked people to avoid fancy-dress outfits and wigs and to think of it as if they are getting dressed to go to an elegant (and somewhat groovy) party in the 1970s. You want to look fabulous, not silly.
Planning a New Year’s Eve party, or any party for that matter, can be extremely stressful when you are juggling to complete all the tasks in time whilst still trying to enjoy the night yourself. But one of the best parts of organising a party is the actual planning part – choosing the theme, deciding on the decor, the outfit and drinks to match the night. A theme will make the party planning easier when it comes to choosing decorations, music, food and drinks. To avoid getting stressed, it is a good idea to plan well ahead.
Here are my tips for planning a 70s themed party.
70s themed party set up
There are many ways you can set up a 70s themed party, anything from disco to hippie. A disco ball is a must. And a lava lamp. You can also use cocktail sticks with little disco balls on them or other silver or gold decorations when setting up the buffet table. Add a little sparkle with a shiny table runner or with beads in doorways.
I also like to get large balloons to mark the new year we are celebrating so people can get their pictures taken with the balloons in the background.
When it comes to the music, make sure to prepare different playlists for the beginning of the party and for dancing later on. Luckily, the 1970s offers many great, groovy tunes from funk to disco to rock, even reggae.
Be prepared for the countdown. A fun way is to switch the playlist off and tune the radio to a popular station, as they will do the countdown for you. This will also add to the atmosphere and make the crowd feel bigger. Don’t forget the bubbly! Instead of fireworks, consider giving everyone a longer sparkler to make the moment.
See my previous blog post for more tips on How to Organise a New Year’s Party without the Stress.
What to drink?
It is nice to offer your guests a welcome drink on arrival, but it can get tiring very quickly if you have to act as a bartender all night.
To make things easy, get the welcome drinks started before the guests arrive. If you are having a Prosecco cocktail, prepare the flavoured syrup in a large batch a day before. That way you can just measure it into the appropriate glasses and top up with the bubbles when the guests arrive. Add the garnish to the glasses whilst you wait for everyone to arrive.
You can also prep cocktails in larger batches and add ice before serving. Or make a punch or two depending on the number of people attending. The key is not to over-complicate your drinks spread.
Even if you might be arranging some drinks and nibbles for the party, it is still OK to ask the guests to bring some drinks. It will reduce your stress levels as you won’t have to worry whether there will be enough for the whole night, and it will keep your budget down as well.
Self-serve cocktail bar
I love a self-service cocktail bar set up at parties. It is a fun way for your guests to enjoy themselves and for you to avoid spending all night making drinks for everyone else. All you need to do is keep an eye out for any mess or empty bottles.
How to:
- Dedicate a table for the bar and add decorations (if you have a big enough kitchen, I recommend you set it up there).
- Make sure you have plenty of glassware ready.
- Bottle all the syrups and lay out the garnish.
- A cocktail bar only really works if you have a sink nearby as otherwise it can be very messy. I recommend you do a “Pimp Your Prosecco”–type of bar as there is no shaking involved.
- Have a few easy recipe ideas handy as not everyone knows how to play around with different flavour combinations.
- Add spirits, barware, measures and napkins.
- Keep the bubbly (and white/rose wine) on ice.
- Leave rules on basic tidiness so it doesn’t look like a bombsite after the first few would-be bartenders have tried it out.
- Make sure water is also available.
Welcome drink suggestions for 70s themed party:
Piña Colada
Old Fashioned
Blue Hawaii
Moscow Mule
Tequila Sunrise
Tom Collins
Other:
Jello shots – nothing says 1970s better than Jello
Wines/Sparkling wine
Soft drinks/ tonic water
Water, always have water available!
Food
The buffet food should include simple finger foods, possibly a salad or two. To keep it easy for you, focus on foods that can be served cold or at room temperature.
Want to host a party but haven’t got enough time to cook? Ask each guest to bring a dish for the buffet.
1970s themed foods:
Finger sandwiches (fancy egg mayo, cucumber & cream cheese, ham & cheese, ham & tomato…)
Devilled eggs (make a range of toppings from classic to avocado to curry)
Snack skewers, ideally attached to a pineapple or halved melon (use meatballs, olives, cherry tomatoes, cheese, fruits…)
Charcuterie board
Meatballs and cocktail sausages
Mini sausage rolls
Blue cheese, cranberry & walnut stuffed celery (or endive boat)
Carrot, pepper and cucumber sticks with dips
Small roasted peppers with a topping
Mini crostini (chopped tomato, crushed pea, feta & mint, cured ham & goat’s cheese)
Smoked salmon and dill crème fraiche blinis
Spiced prawns with coriander mayonnaise
Pasta salad
Potato salad
Bloody Mary shots
Fondue (ideal for smaller groups)
Pineapple upside-down cake
Fruit salad
Tips to keep you organised:
- Have plenty of ice
- Clean glassware, anything from wine glasses to tumblers
- Cut fruit for garnishing (lemon, lime, orange, pineapple)
- Chill wine/Prosecco
- There’s no need to go overboard with the food. If you are short of time, just keep it simple and light
- Pick recipes you can make in advance
- Pre-batch drinks when possible
- Have your playlist ready
- Don’t forget water
Will you be hosting a NYE party this year? Have you been to a 70s themed party before?
