The 60's have been etched in our collective imaginations as a colorful and showy time, that we are still familiar with today through music, film and television. So having a party inspired by that time may be a good reason to organize a celebration full of color, joy and great music. So from OneHowTo.com we give you some tips on how to throw a 60s themed party.
The first thing we need to take into account if you want to throw a 60's themed party is to know a bit more and dig deep into the characteristics of this era: what music did they listen to? What was fashionable? Who were the most popular celebrities and artists?
The 6s were a time of openness to new experiences. Make sure psychedelia, bright colors and kaleidoscopic designs are very present and your guests will immediately associate it with the pop culture and rise of the hippies.
Cover your living room walls with images and phrases alluding to that time and make a mini-museum of popular images from the 60's. You can search the Internet and print photos of newspaper and magazine covers from the time to start conversations about events that defined that decade: the first man on the moon, the Beatles, the Vietnam War, the Kennedy assassination, Martin Luther King phrases, Woodstock photos, etc.
Your outfit is always important: flared trousers, colourful prints or flowers, high boots, miniskirts, etc. If you are unsure of the stereotype you want to use as inspiration, just watch some scenes from the Austin Powers films, which honour the looks we remember from that time. Any episode of the Mad Men series will also help give you ideas.
Here are some recommendations you can follow if you want to dress like a hippie from the 60's.
If you want your hairstyle to be part of your "sixties" outfit, it'll be easy for you to get a vintage-style look. If you have long hair, straighten it and put a flower wreath in it, and if it's short curl it. Other useful accessories are headbands, sunglasses with round, colourful lenses and large necklaces with peace signs.
Lava lamps are great to automatically give a "sixties" touch to your living room. They can be found in many hobby shops or on the Internet.
Another simple and inexpensive idea is to place handmade bead curtains in doorways with 60's-inspired motifs. You can even make button coasters!
To serve the food and drinks, arrange everything on a table so everyone can have fun helping themselves to typical 60's snacks such as deviled eggs, sandwiches, canapés and meatballs. Want to be even more elegant? Create a chocolate fondue fountain with a fruit arrangement so guests can dip their favorite one in the chocolate.
Regarding the drinks, on the rocks alcoholic beverages and fancy cocktails were favorites but if you're not for either whiskey or a dirty martini you can also add a punch bowl.
Buying plates and napkins that are also inspired by the theme can be a nice touch.
And of course you can't forget about the music. What would a 60s party be without a playlist that includes artists like The Beatles, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, The Birds, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Jefferson Airplane, The Animals, The Mamas and the Papas, etc. If you want to add a little Spanish music to your playlist, use songs from group like Los Brincos, Los Canarios, Formula V, Raphael, Lone Star, Miguel Rios, Los Pekenikes or Los Bravos, among others.
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