1980s Theme Birthday Party Ideas

[Fenway]

DH is turning the big 30 on October 15, and I want to throw him an 80s theme birthday. I'm looking for any creative ideas you girls may have!!

-Would you just call it an 80s theme party, or would you give it a more witty name?

-What are your favorite 80s songs that are must haves for a playlist?

-Do you have any ideas for decorations? Invitations? etc.

-What were your favorite games in the 80s

Any ideas are welcome!!

TIA!!!

[Standrea]

You can find rad idea's here! (http://http://www.ipartyideas.com/ideas/1980s-theme.html)

[sublime311]

You could call it Valley Girls and Punks. Make everyone dress up as either a valley girl or a punk rocker. Show the movie "Valley Girl" in the background.

Serve wine coolers. Or rum, vodka or Everclear and coke in Thirstbuster cups! You could make jungle juice, too!

Apparently, I spent the 80's drinking a lot.

[lucycat]

Dont forget about skaters!lol You could do - come as your fave 80's movie character- that would be fun.
i think the splattered paint effect(remember that!) could be good for like your table cloth or something lots of primary colors and shapes. Why was that popular yuk!
games- what was that game where you spin the dial and put your arm or leg on a colored spot?? that would be good.
music- madonna, rem,u2,inxs

[lucycat]

oh play some Billy Idol too!!!!

[Tracie]

What a fun idea!

Some songs for the soundtrack: Come On Eileen, Mickey, 867-5309, Jessie's Girl

I really like Win, Lose, or Draw in the 80's. It was a game show but it had a board game, too. I remembered this because I cleaned out my closet today and I still have it! Also, because I was a pre-teen in the late 80's, we were really into Girl Talk.

On a side note, my BIL went to an 80's party the other night, all decked out in a T-shirt with a blazer and the sleeves rolled up and I guess he had a mullet wig. Well, he and his two friends were the only ones dressed up! :p

[Southlooper]

Neon, don't forget the neon!

[Fenway]

Great ideas! Keep them coming!

I just ordered Simon on ebay:
http://i16.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/b3/d0/89ea_1_b.JPG

I'm about to bid on rubik's cube key chains for party favors:
http://www.channelmax.net/users/kids_palace_of_toys/images/aaa9972a_1.JPG

I'm debating biding on the game Operation. LOL!

Can you girls also list me the song names and artists of your favorite 80s songs? I was born in 81, so I'm not great w/ 80s music.

[Fenway]

Dont forget about skaters!lol You could do - come as your fave 80's movie character- that would be fun.
i think the splattered paint effect(remember that!) could be good for like your table cloth or something lots of primary colors and shapes. Why was that popular yuk!
games- what was that game where you spin the dial and put your arm or leg on a colored spot?? that would be good.
music- madonna, rem,u2,inxs


TWISTER!! I heart Twister!! It's a great game to play after a couple drinks!

[sublime311]

Duran Duran
The Clash
Depeche Mode
New Order
OMD
Fine Young Cannibals
Violent Femmes
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Madonna
UB40
Echo and the Bunnymen
Billy Idol
Culture Club
Spandau Ballet
Souxie and the Banshees
The Cure
Ministry
Nine Inch Nails
Nitzer Ebb
Pet Shop Boys
Cyndi Lauper
INXS
Rick Ashley
Taylor Dayne
Bobby Brown
Charlie Sexton
Motley Crue
Ozzy Osborne
The Scorpians
Judas Priest
Dio
Ratt
Areosmith
Skid Row
Lionel Richie
Pat Benatar
Rick James
Nena
Peter Gabriel

Soundtracks from any of the following 80's movies would be good:

Grosse Point Blank (is a more recent movie with an AWESOME 80's soundtrack)
The Wedding Singer (is a also a more recent movie with an 80's soundtrack)
Valley Girl
Pretty in Pink
Breakfast Club
Say Anything
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
St. Elmo's Fire

If you could find a Live Aid video that would be awesome for the background, too!

[suzubeane]

Stupid question: If he was born in '77, you wouldn't do a 70s party? Or is the idea that he'd remember the 80's?

[TOMama]

MULLETS! (http://www.shopzilla.com/8B--Costume_Wigs_Facial_Hair_-_cat_id--8213__keyword--mullet%20wig__nwylf--)

I was thinking about doing this for Dh's 40th. . . in a few years. Great ideas ladies!!

ETA - You can't forget Ferris Bueller

[ducgal]

More music ideas. Not all stuff I like, but there was some stuff you heard over and over whether you wanted to or not.

GROUPS
The Cure
ABC
Violent Fammes
Flock of Seagulls
Jane’s Addiction
Love & Rockets
Souixsee & the Banshees
Pixies
REM
X
Buzzcoks
Thompson Twins
David Bowie (“Let’s Dance” Album)
Journey
Genesis
Prince
Michael Jackson
Rick Springfield
Culture Club
Pat Benetar
Guns N Roses
Bon Jovi
Bruce Springsteen
Van Halen
Police
U2
Cheap Trick
Huey Lewis
Madonna
Styx
Tiffany
Debbie Gibson



SONGS
“I Wear My Sunglasses at Night” Corey Hart
“Cars” Gary Numan
“Pop Musik” M
“Pass the Dutchie” Musical Youth



SOUNDTRACKS FROM…
Repo Man
Flashdance
Footloose
Some Kind of Wonderful
Ferris Bueller

[Fenway]

Stupid question: If he was born in '77, you wouldn't do a 70s party? Or is the idea that he'd remember the 80's?

I'm doing the 80s because he grew up in the 80s.

[Smilin13]

The soundtrack for 13 going on 30 is a great bunch of 80s tunes.

[erin16nj]

We did an 80s Prom Theme for Halloween one year and it was hysterical. We had all 80s music and took couple pictures under the arch etc... We gave out prom king and queen. I have to find the pics it was pretty funny.

[coquelicot]

We attended an 80s-themed party on New Year's Eve. Someone brought Trivial Pursuit, 80s edition. It would have been more fun for DH and me had we actually remembered more of the early 80s. And we royally got our butts whooped by the people at the party who were 5-8 years older. But it might be something cool to play to reminisce about those days.

[Amuse Bouche]

My college used to host an 80's theme party -- we called it the Safety Dance.

[Heidi9771]

No 80's party would be complete without a guest appearance from Leslie Hall:

http://www.lesliehall.com/leslieandthelys/store/poster-sweater.jpg

[imagirliegirl]

How about calling it Husband's Totally Tubular Thirtieth Birthday Party.

[mrschica]

I had an 80s theme birthday part last year! It was at an 80s club though (well, the club has an 80s theme to it on Thursday nights) and the requirement was for all the guests to come dressed up in their best 80s gear. It was totally fun! I had a blast. :D

All the 80s themed games are a good idea, and duh, the music, can't forget that. You can have pin the rat tail on the mullet, I would totally do this, but I'm also a nerd and 80s fan, so that's up to you.

You already got some good advice, have fun! You guys are gonna have a great time.

[quest]

You know you're old when the decade of your teenage years can be considered a 'theme' ;).

That being said...I miss lots of clothing styles from the 80s :o. I can't be the only one who loved bobby socks and pumps?

I want to GO to an 80s party!

For music, don't forget 'Rock Me, Amadeus'! And 'Puttin' on the Ritz'! And 'The Reflex'!

Oh, and 'white mountain coolers' were the beverage of choice...well, if you weren't into genessee light, that is!

Sigh...I do so miss parts of the 80s ;)

[Fenway]

Everyone has been so helpful!

What do you think of this invite for DHs birthday?

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/invitecensored.jpg

[Standrea]

I love it marianne!

[sublime311]

LOVE the invite, hate your avatar! :p

[Fenway]

Hahaha. DITTO!!

:D

[Fenway]

The party is next Saturday. I thought I'd post some of the things for the party.
(x-posted w/ my journal)
Party Like it's the 1980's!!!!

I promised DH I wouldn't go "all out" for the party, but I was getting everything together, and I'm a bit out of control. lol.

Party favors:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_2321.jpg

80's games:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_2306.jpg

Retro looking plates and napkins:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_2301.jpg

Candles:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_2307.jpg

Someone gave us these cups as a gag gift. I think they are perfect for the quirky 80s theme party:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_2308.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_2309.jpg

*posting*

[Fenway]

Skirt:
http://i24.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/b6/6a/e12e_1.JPG

Since I was born in 1981:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_2304.jpg
It doesn't go with the rest of my outfit, but since the skirt is so short, I'm assuming i'll get cold. lol

I'm going to make legwarmers out of the sleeves if this sweater:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_2302.jpg

I was thinking I'd wear these shoes:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_2312.jpg

and I just bought these hair ties. I think I'm going to do the side pony tail:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_2320.jpg

Can you tell Fenway is desperate for attention?? Geesh! he followed me around, crying while I took all those pics. He likes the little wrist lanyard that hangs from the camera.

[sublime311]

Poor kitty! A name like Fenway AND a mommy who won't give 'em attention! ;)

Everything looks great! What are you making DH wear?

[Fenway]

Poor kitty! A name like Fenway AND a mommy who won't give 'em attention! ;)

Everything looks great! What are you making DH wear?


Hey! I changed my avatar in the name of good sportsmanship. :p

I got him a mullet wig, and I think I'm going to search the thrift shops for an 80s hair band tee. He'll probably to the jeans tucked into work boots thing.

I originally was going to be a roller derby girl, but I'm thinking skates and alcohol won't mix. DH wanted to be dirk Diggler. :o

[sublime311]

Yeah, I definitely like your new avatar better! My self-esteem got a little boost! lol

Dirk Diggler would be freak'n awesome! Hey, remember parachute pants?? That would be AWESOME with a Poison t-shirt!