One of my favorite time periods is the 1960s. I love the music, the clothes…the vibe! I’ve hosted a groovy 60’s party before for a friend’s birthday (check out my 60’s Groovy Birthday Bash HERE), but this time I leaned into a more Mad Men aesthetic.
Think classic cocktails, mid-century decor, and food that reminded me of my childhood. I combined that retro vibe with one of my favorite traditions—a Favorite Things Party—and voilà, the theme was born.
Once the theme came together, I knew I wanted the whole party to feel like a fun little throwback—retro charm, a dash of nostalgia, and just enough vintage flair to make people smile (and maybe wonder if they’d seen that fondue pot at their grandma’s house). And of course, it all had to start with the invites!
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1. Retro Invitations
I was lucky enough to have a truly special touch—my dad! He’s an artist who studied at Art Center College of Design and used to make the most amazing party invitations back in the day. Although a car accident has limited his abilities in recent years, Papa Richard still came through in true 60s style.
His hand-drawn retro artwork was not only nostalgic but the perfect tone-setter for the event.
Curious what to say on your invites? Click here for everything you need to include (and a few fun extras!)
2. Setting the Scene: Retro Decor & Atmosphere
Linens:
To bring the space together, I used black tablecloths inside and out (except for the gift table). It gave the party a cohesive, slightly formal look while making the turquoise and orange accents pop. I also added a splash of turquoise fabric to the bar area for contrast and style. (Orange was used on the gift table.)
Artwork:
I found darling retro-style prints on Etsy that became my main design inspiration. They helped guide the color palette and layout of the entire space. I even attempted some DIY atomic art myself (I give it a B-/C+, but hey—A for effort!). I displayed them on Dollar Tree foam board over existing wall art to keep it budget-friendly.
Retro Decor Touches:
From the local antique market, I scored a rotary phone, a vintage radio, and an old-school hair dryer—all of which were perfect nostalgic touches. I placed them throughout the party space to invite conversation and memories.
For the food table, I thrifted a fondue set and displayed my grandmother’s classic Red Riding Hood teapot on the dessert table. Modern candleholders from TJMaxx and Dollar Tree like these added a cool mid-century flair.
3. Groovy Florals:
Trader Joe’s came through again! I chose blooms that had a quirky, retro feel—like:
- Billy Balls (craspedia)
- Pincushions
- Jumbo Mums
- Veronica
- St. John’s Wort
- Eucalyptus
Using my trusty glass bubble vases and wrapping them with Aspidistra waterproof ribbon added polish and playfulness.
To learn how to make your own budget-friendly floral designs HERE.
4. Food & Drinks: A Retro Menu with Vintage Flair:
Appetizers:
I had so much fun curating a vintage menu, including:
- Cheese fondue
- Deviled eggs
- Bacon-wrapped Rumaki (served on a silver tray, of course)
- Classic onion dip and chips
- Fruit platter
- Chex mix
(Full disclosure: my amazing girlfriends helped make it all happen!)
Desserts:
Straight from the red-and-white Betty Crocker cookbook, I made a delicious upside-down pineapple cake. I also made mini jello salads using our family’s go-to recipe. Guests brought even more vintage-inspired treats that filled out the dessert table beautifully.
Martini Bar & Beverages:
You can’t have a 60s party without a martini bar! 🍸I set up chilled martini glasses, blue cheese olives, and candy cigarettes in a vintage ashtray for a cheeky nod to the era. I also included a framed “How to Make a Martini” guide for guests like me who were new to the experience.
Other drink options included wine, champagne, soda pop, iced tea, and mixers in glass bottles with retro tags with my dads design—a fun and budget-friendly touch that carried the theme throughout.
The FUN’s in the finishing touches…
One extra detail I loved? Personalized cocktail napkins! I ordered them from Oriental Trading, and they were both affordable and adorable—perfect for a one-time event, and they really made the bar area and food stations feel special.
5. Check-In Table & Guest Setup
To keep things smooth, I created a check-in table with clear instructions:
Guests were asked to:
- Write their name on 3 white slips of paper for the gift exchange
- Write their name on 1 yellow slip for the raffle
- Place their gifts on the designated table
- *Complete the Favorite Things Questionnaire
*This was a new addition! It asked 15 FUN questions (like favorite color or time of day), and the guest with the most answers matching mine won a prize. It was a hit!
Subscribe to funwithfunsize.com to grab your free downloadable copy of the Favorite Things Questionnaire!
6. Mix, Mingle & Make Memories
Once checked in, guests were encouraged to grab a drink, mingle, and enjoy the retro atmosphere. Two lovely neighbor girls (home from college) floated through the party taking Polaroid pictures—a fun throwback touch that matched the theme perfectly.
Those instant snapshots became sweet party favors guests could take home.
7. Favorite Things Gift Exchange
There are so many creative ways to run a Favorite Things gift exchange, depending on your group size, budget, and time.
For an easy step-by-step guide to planning your own exchange, check out this post HERE.
Need help picking the perfect gift? I’ve rounded up three years’ worth of crowd-pleasers from past Favorite Things parties—click HERE to see them all!
8. Party Favors: A Sweet Send-Off
To end the evening on a high note, I baked one of my dad’s childhood favorites—peanut butter crisscross cookies (from our vintage Betty Crocker book, of course).
Each guest received:
- Fresh baked cookies in a darling white bakery box
- A colorful retro-style hotel keychain
- A custom tag featuring my dad’s artwork
They turned out so cute and were the perfect exclamation point to the evening!
Wrapping It Up: A Night to Remember
This Retro-Themed Favorite Things Party turned out even better than I imagined! It had all the things I love—FUN throwback decor, old-school snacks, thoughtful gifts, and lots of laughter with my favorite people. It reminded me how special it is to celebrate the little things (and the people who make life so…wait for it…FUN!).
Whether you’re planning a 1960s-themed gathering, a Favorite Things party, or simply looking for fresh entertaining ideas, I hope this post sparked a little inspiration. Parties don’t have to be extravagant to be meaningful—just thoughtful, personal, and full of heart.
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