party ideas: need help?

I just had an 80s theme party 3 weeks ago....then listed all the items Icollected on Craigslist and was bombarded with people who were planning 80s parties...I sold it all- so 80s is an awesome theme!

Everyone got dressed up- even my prude, sensible friends. It is like a ticket to do anything!

We had a guy dressed like Richard Simmons- totally shaved his facial hair..wore a big wig. His wife made a sequin shirt...

We hired a DJ (had the party on a Friday night so the rates tend to be 1/2 as Saturday nights!) who played ONLY 80s music. We had a best dressed competition (Richard Simmons won), a dance off, and a 'don't forget the lyrics' game. I gave prizes: a 'mix tape' CD (Target sells these), a 80s DVD, 80's trivia pursuit and each winner also got a bottle of Boones.

We made trashcan punch and had 2 times of beer in cans so people could choose. We had a DIY bar w/ liquors & mixers/ juices. I made koozies- bought blank koozies and iron on printer paper- printed out a picture of Homer Simpson drunk and "I survived....'s birthday bash.

We had a candy bar w/ bright 80s candies in clear glass bowls (bought the bowls/ jars at the dollar store) : rainbow twizzlers, nerds, skittles, runts, reeces pieces and a big bowl of blowpops with a "30 sucks" sign (It was my 30th).

Foods: I went with 'minis'- made mini cheesburgers aka whitecastles, pizza pinwheels w/ dipping sauces, little smokies, jalapeno poppers- the real ones (jalapenos stuffed w/ cream cheese & wrapped in bacon). Veggie tray, fruit kabobs. Doritos (so 80s- Jay Leno), Cheetos.

I made a Rubik's cube cake- was awesome. I also ordered a cake from our grocery store bakery-it was called the 'Glamour Girl'- meant for little girls kinda like the Bratz dolls....I had them leave the dolls off- it is a huge stacked cake like a wedding cake- but I got it for $25 w/ out the dolls! It is all neon colors.

For the tables I had black table covers and splatter painted them w/ neon colors...I put clear galss cylinder vases on the tables- I glued toen pieces of tissue paper to the vases to give them a stained glass look (neon again) and with candles inside they had a neon glow. I put packages of pop rocks and garbage pail kids on the tables as well. I also had an 80s trivia pursuit game and put the cards on the tables as conversation starters...

I made signs on neon printer paper w/ tidbits @ each year in the 80s...and then glue them to black posterboard (splatter painted the posters first)...and then hung them up...everyone went around reading them saying- OH MY GOD- I FORGOT @ That!

I had 80s records all over for people to look at the art covers...I made a photo back drop like at prom- used black table cloths, splatter painted them and hung on wall...Sign on front door said- "It's on Like Donkey Kong", had 80s movie playing on TV

Had a bowl of jelly bracelets & bangles and glow bracelets for everyone to wear

I made an Evite invitation to send out...

My costume was a 'punk look'. I hired an makeup artist who lives downthe street to give me an 80s look- it was crazy! I wore a hot pink& lime green tutu skirt (I made it) and black leggings, a black ACDC 1980 shirt- I cut the neck hole larger so it would slip off my shoulder....I wore keds w/ black & pink socks stacked..(pink & black on one foot, black & pink on the other...) lime green fingerless net gloves. Used a hair crimper...

Husband wore a mullet wig, white cutoff Schlitz beer shorts, a Dukes of Hazard shirt and vintage red Nike hitops.

Our kids wore: black pleather pants & ACDC sleeveless short w/ green mohawk, one was 'chucky'- even sprayed his hair orange (the baby was this- he was just the right size and I found the old cothes at Goodwill!), one was the karate kid- wore a karate uniform- I painted the bonsai logo on the back and made a headband w/ the right logo..

Mom was a 'Robert Palmer girl'. Dad- was Magnum PI, had a 'Jason's victim camp kid'.

Lots of our friends got out their old clothes and wore original 80s garb...

Was soooo fun- we were so loud the cops shut us down- was a bit embarrassing the next day- I am the 'bad lady' of the subdivison now!

Yes you can have 80s themed birthday, and for that, buy 80s popular music or movie, costumes, famous character's cutouts and wall decorations... and for that simply visit:

http://www.partystuffonline.co.uk/

Also have a look on their other themes, tableware, decorations, favours, costumes and more

The 80's theme is so played out. Why don't you have a murder mystery party or rent a karokee machine and have teams with contest of who sings the best song. It will take forever but oh well.

http://www.host-party.com/

http://www.dinnerandamurder.com/

maybe you shouldn't stress about the theme as much as were your going to have it or even who your inviting!! get everything food wise and your plans together and then worry about the theme... do that and it should fall right into place!

texasgirlof2 you should add your party ideas to www.crashthisparty.com. Show everyone your great pictures of your parties. Sounds like you have great party ideas to share!

Thomas the tank engine.

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