My first thought was drinks - what was the choice of tipple back then?
Remembering the Leonard Rossiter & Joan Collins adverts, Cinzana Bianco sprang to mind along with Campari (Lorraine Chase - nah, Luton Airport!) and Advocaat for mixing with lemonade to make those snowballs.
70s party goers seemed to have a sweeter tooth when it came to wines, so Chardonnays were out and Matteus Rose alongside Blue Nun (of course) were in.
Non alcoholic drinks were also needed, so alongside the booze was a selection of softies including classics such as dandelion and burdoch, ginger beer and Tizer (we can tell it's Tizer when our eyes are shut!)
So much for the beverages - but what about the food?
A cheese and pineapple display graced the table, along with Black Forest Gateaux, scampi (the cavier of the 70s) and an assortment of nibbles including twiglets, frazzles and chipsticks.
There was also the all important question of what to wear, a friend pointed us in the direction of Lichfield to a shop that sold all manner of retro clobber. After happily rummaging around the clothes racks one saturday morning, I knocked together a 70s outfit consisting of a pair of beige flares, a pointy collared shirt and a cravat to top it off.
Facial hair also seemed to be popular back then - not just goaties or ratty beards but bona fide moustaches as sported by Dicky Davies, John Cleese et al.
Most people got into the 70s spirit (quite literally!) and arrived sporting retro gear (charity shops did well that weekend) and a great party was had.
We discovered that Campari and soda is definitely an 'acquired ' taste, while Matteus Rose got the thumbs up in the 'moreish' stakes.
I also tried (unsuccessfully) to introduce my kids to the delights of 70s 'flying saucer' sweets. I did assure them that after the initial taste of damp cardboard, it does get better.
The next morning I had a (surprisingly) mild hangover, and after several cups of strong coffee I was ready to face middle age!
