Hippies, peace signs, lava lamps, pet rocks, mood rings, VW Bugs, tube tops, platform shoes . . . the 60’s and 70’s were funkadelic and groovy. With the return of all things retro, this theme is sure to be a huge hit at your next party!

Invitations: Use a large, rounded letters and bright psychedelic colours when making the party invitations to offer a 60’s feel. Use the smiley faces, peace symbols, mod flowers and tie dye designs that have made that era so popular and recognizable. Free clip art is readily available all over the web to make your own invitation paper. You can also visit your local craft store and purchase some retro feeling printed paper. Use wording like "Feelin' Groovy", "Lets Get Funky" and "Cool, Man" when constructing the wording of your invite. You can inform your guests about the party theme through the invitation and ask them to come dressed as the part. It can be as simple as wearing a headband, a tie dye t-shirt, some beads or a peace symbol drawn on their cheek.

Decorations: Decorate the party area with plenty of balloons and streamers in neon colours like pink, orange and lime green. Hang bead curtains in all the doorways the party guests will pass through. Place colored light bulbs in all lamps and sockets. Using large banner paper and neon paints, construct posters that proclaim "Peace", "Love not War" and "Power to the People." Make cut outs of Smiley faces, Mod Flowers, Yin and Yang symbols and Peace Signs out of construction paper. Hang Christmas lights around the room. Make use of any bean bag chairs, flower pillows and 60's memorabilia to decorate the room. To set the mood play some popular 60's music from bands like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones. Add a real funky groove by Tie Dying 3 or 4 old bedsheets with bright neon colours. Use 1 as a groovy tablecover and the rest as some furniture throws.

Crafts: Friendship Bracelets - Visit your local craft store for some premade kits or just simply purchase a roll of bracelet cord leather, a pack of clasps and a bag of stringing beads. The guests can come up with their own pattern, or use letter beads to spell their name or spell "Best Friends"," Friends Forever." Tie Dying - A must have at any 60's party! You could tie dye a t-shirt, a headband, canvass bag or even a pair of socks! Simple tie dying instructions can found easily on the web or even by visiting your local library. You can even purchase all in one kits that come with all supplies and detailed information. Pet Rocks - Make your very own Pet to take home and love. Find rocks that are round and have a smooth texture. Soak the rocks in a soapy bath of water and give them a good scrub. This can be done prior to the party to allow plenty of drying time. Decorate it! Choose a colour and paint your rock with a very thin layer. One dab should do it! When dry, glue on some googly eyes. With a black felt tipped marker you can draw on a smile and some eyebrows. You can stop now or be creative by adding some yarn hair or a mini pom pom tail! Let it dry and voila - you've got a new friend! Now its time to name him or her.

Games: Set up a retro game room with hula hoops, tidily winks, pick up sticks and twister. How fun is that! Have a 60's Game Night! Perhaps set it up as an obstacle course and see who can get through it the fastest. Funky Dress Up - Before the party, gather a garbage bag full of clothes. Funny, old, retro clothes, bandanna's, beads, hats shoes and accessories. The Hippier the better! Visit your local thrift shop, salvation army and the closets of family and friends. Gather the guests in a circle, play some 60's music land pass around an item. Any item with a Funkadelic Feel will do! Whoever is holding the item when the music stops (your controlling the music) must reach in and pull out 1 article of clothing and put it on. Continue on until every girl has at least 4 items on. Its hilarious and not to mention a great photo opportunity.

Menu: Food in the Hippie Era was all about healthy eating - granola, grains and garden fruits and vegetables. Give it a modern twist by having bowls of trail mix and 12 grain sun chips for snacking. Fruit Trays and Vegetable Trays would also work great for this theme. A big fad during the 60's and 70's was fondue - both cheese and chocolate. Other food fads, although not as healthy were pigs in a blanket(cocktail wieners baked inside a flaky crust) and macaroni and cheese with a crushed potato chip crust. For beverages you must serve Coke in a can and Tang of course. You can make a Tang punch by simply adding a bottle of 7-up and frozen fruit for garnish. This era introduced the style of Buffet eating. Put out the food, plates & utensils and have everyone help themselves! For dessert serve a large round cake decorated as a Smiley Face or a Peace symbol. All you need is some food colouring to dye the icing and a steady hand to draw the smiley face or the the peace symbol. You can also give your cake a tie dyed look by dropping food coloring on it and then running a toothpick through it in a circular motion, giving it that tie effect. Righteous. Can you dig it?