80's Theme Party Ideas

Like, Omigod! Are you itching to get back to a time when everything was "totally" cool? Why not relive it all with an 80s party? Celebrate in style with shoulder pads, swatch watches, a single, silver sparkle glove and wayfarer sunglasses. The music, the movies, the TV shows even the toys made it an era to remember, and the perfect party theme for a birthday party, bat/bar mitzvah, or something to throw just for the fun of it. Planning an 80's party is easy!

80's Theme Party Invitations
The fun starts as soon as the invitation arrives. Watch out for Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde with a personalized 80s invitation that brings us all back to the days of pixilated video game greatness.

Remember your first concert and the hours you spent playing air guitar for Bruce Springsteen, The Police and Madonna? Well, here’s your chance to have your own concert ticket. A personalized ticket invitation with all the party information on it is a unique way to start the festivities. Add a magnet backer to the invitation and your guests will have a great souvenir from your party.

Wow your friends with a personalized caricature invitation from Party411. What could be more fun than the guest of honor (or you!) dressed in a favorite 80s outfit on the front of the invitation? These fabulous invitations are works of art to be treasured long after the party is over. And, the caricature can be used again for a sign in board, photo opportunity, centerpieces, even thank you notes.

Feeling creative? Why not design your own invitations? Use basic card stock paper in bright colors and announce your party with phrases like “Your Invited to a Most Excellent Party” or “Join Us for a Totally Awesome Party.” “Party on dude!” Throw a candy necklace or a package or Pop Rocks in to the envelope and your all set!

Make sure to let your guest know to come in their best 80's fashion – bright neon colors are a must, jelly shoes, shoulder pads, off the shoulder sweatshirts, wide belts and cream colored suits with half shaven faces like on Miami Vice!

1980's Party Supplies Decorations and Party Supplies
The action for this party will be on the inside but you can still let your guests know they’re in for a fabulous time with a few outdoor decorations. Place small twinkle lights in the bushes and trees surrounding your house.

There are some great new 80's party decorations available to make your space totally awesome! Here are our favorites -
  • 80's Swirl Danglers - These easy to hang ceiling swirls will bring color and a bit of the arcade vibe to the party!
  • 80's Party Tape - Matching party tape is fun and weatherproof so you can use it outside too.
  • 80's 14" Cutouts - Love these for that instant 80's ambiance on the walls.
  • Boom Box Centerpiece - This one is my favorite. It's got that 80's 8 bit feel, great for the tables.
 Add bunches of colorful neon balloons beside the front door or just inside it. There are so many choices; milestone birthday balloons, solid colors, or mix and match and add a Mylar guitar or music note. You can attach the balloons to old cassette tapes to weigh them down, pile them together and you have a fantastic centerpiece or buffet decoration!

And don't forget to decorate your guests too! Hand out neon headband glasses, fingerless gloves, and candy necklaces, and everyone will be ready to party hearty!

80's Table Decorations and Menu
It doesn’t matter if you’re serving a full meal or just appetizers and desserts; make sure your tables look as festive as the rest of your party. We love these 80's paper goods!

There are a variety of colorful paper goods - just choose the color combo you like best! Or for a different spin, have paper plates featuring a popular 80's cartoon grace your table. Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, and Scooby Doo were all huge during the 80's.

For an extra treat, make silverware bundles by wrapping plastic cutlery in a "The 80's - Totally Awesome" napkin and then wrap it with a glitter glow bracelet. You will have to make the bundles the day of the party because the bracelets will start glowing when you wrap them around the silverware, but they will look awesome!

When we think of the 80s, we think of bar food from large chain restaurants. Wings, potato skins, pizza and more. Apparently no one cared about fried food in the 80s and since this is an 80s party, we say go for it!

Light up glassware is a must for your party. No matter what you’re serving, and we suggest wine coolers, everyone will love drinking out of these glowing glasses.

For dessert, how about a Pacman cake? Make a basic round cake and cute a pie shape out for the mouth. Then frost it yellow. Next make cupcakes and lay them out in front of the cake to create a PacMan theme dotted line around the table. You should also make Bill Cosby proud and serve some Jello pudding. mmm...

80s Theme Party Games and Activities
The 80s was all about music and you will certainly want to have it playing all night long. Pull out your old albums and spin the tunes. Your guests will be singing and dancing all night to the music of Hall and Oates, The Police, Wham, Phil Collins, the list goes on and on. In case you still don’t have a turntable, create CDs of your favorite music - make additional copies because your guests will surely want one. Need some ideas? Be sure to include these songs on your "mix tape":
  1. Thriller - Michael Jackson
  2. Like a Virgin - Madonna
  3. Every Breath You Take - The Police
  4. When Doves Cry - Prince
  5. Walk This Way - Aerosmith and Run DMC
  6. Call Me - Blondie
  7. Livin' On a Prayer - Bon Jovi
  8. Pour Some Sugar On Me - Def Leppard
  9. Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran
  10. Sweet Child o' Mine - Guns N' Roses
When everyone gets tired of dancing, be ready with some party games. Play 80s style charades or a trivia game. After all, Trivial Pursuit was the game. Will anyone remember the tv show that featured those little blue men (The Smurfs) or know who really did shoot JR? You’ll have as much fun making up the questions as your guests will have playing the game!

Make sure to document everyone dressed wearing their finest 80s fashion. Have everyone take pictures using personalized cameras. Be sure to buy extras, because these cameras make great party favors. Or, for instant gratification, use a Polaroid or digital camera so you can see your photos right away!

80's Party Favors
Like the 80's, your party will have to end at some point. Send your guests home with a personalized candy bar, a sweet souvenir of your 80's night. A delicious milk or dark chocolate candy bar surrounded by a personalized 80s theme candy bar wrapper is a tasty way to end the evening.

Rubik’s cube puzzles are great party favors too. Pass them out early and you can have a contest to see who can solve the Rubik’s cube puzzle the fastest.

Here are a few more great options for an 80's party favor grab bag -
Your 80's party will be so much fun; your guests will anxiously await your next event! With ideas and products from Party411.com you know that all your celebrations will be memorable ones.