I am a little sad to say that this is the last part of a 5 part series for Mark’s 30th 80’s themed party! I had so much fun planning it and making everything. There were definitely memories made that will last us a lifetime and more. Please be sure thought to check out Part 1 with the general overview of the party, Part 2 for a DIY 80’s sign and birthday banners, Part 3 for a “lit up” CANDY sign and Pac Man sign, and then also Part 4 where I show you how to make a giant Rubik’s cube, a cupcake stand decorated with neon cassette tapes, and even a serving bowl made from an actual record. Sounds like fun in high gear to me!
But in order to wrap up this party and make it complete, you have to have games and presents or let’s face it, it wouldn’t be much of a party.
For the first game, I placed sour patch kids candy into a mason jar while counting them. Be sure to keep the number in a safe place. You would hate to have to take them all out and recount. As guests would arrive for the party, I had them place their guess by writing it down a notepad and placing it in a bowl. Make sure they write their name on it too, or you won’t know who wins the prize. Whoever comes the closest can either win the jar of candy or have some kind of different prize. I had a Wal-Mart gift card for the 1st place winner and a large box of 80’s themed candy that I found at Cracker Barrel.
Trivia is always a fun game at parties but especially when it’s an 80’s themed trivia game to test those 80’s baby’s knowledge. I had 10 questions and then a bonus question in case of a tie. Hand out index cards and ink pens to everyone to write down their answers. Below is a list of the questions and answers all written out for you to use for your party.
80’s Themed Party Trivia:
Question #1: What soda had six times the caffeine of any other soda on the market?
Answer #1: Jolt
Question #2: On “Family Ties,” what president’s picture did Alex Keaton keep on his nightstand?
Answer #2: Richard Nixon
Question #3: What 1984-1986 game show featured the “whammy?”
Answer #3: Press Your Luck
Question #4: Who was the TV action star of the 80’s that had a pop album in 1986 entitled “Heartbeat?”
- Bruce Willis
- Edward Woodward
- Ken Wahl
- Don Johnson
Answer #4: Don Johnson
Question #5: Which of the following games was NOT produced by Atari?
- Pac-Man
- All Star Race Wars
- Pong
- Centipde
Answer #5: All Star Race Wars
Question #6: What feminine garment was first advertised using live models on television in 1987?
- Underwear
- Girdles
- Bras
- Slips
Answer #6: Bras
Question #7: “I feel the need, the need for speed” is a popular line from which film from 1986?
Answer #7: Top Gun
Question #8: Which championship pro football team had a rap music hit in the mid-80’s with “The Super Bowl Shuffle?”
Answer #8: Chicago Bears
Question #9: What was E.T.’s favorite kind of candy?
Answer #9: Reese’s Pieces
Question #10: What was the name of the musician that had hits with “Footloose,” “Danger Zone,” and “I’m All Right?”
- Kenny Loggins
- Phil Sommers
- Dan Hartman
- Mike Hanson
Answer #10: Kenny Loggins
Tie Breaker Question: Which popular 1980’s group had a hit with “Careless Whisper?”
Tie Breaker Answer: Wham
Again I had a Wal-Mart gift card for the 1st place winner and an 80’s themed candy also from Cracker Barrel for the 2nd place winner. And because I can be a perfectionist at times, I even had a number that I typed into notepad on my phone before the party in case of a tie and needing another tie breaker. You gotta cover all your bases right?
Once the games are over, it’s time for the birthday boy to enjoy opening his presents. One of Mark’s favorite birthday presents was a scrapbook from everyone at the party. I had everyone attending the party write Mark a letter telling him what he meant to them, sharing a fun memory they may have had with him, etc. I then included a picture for those who wanted to as well. It does take some time to prepare for this so try to give yourself and guests several weeks in advance to prepare in order to collect the letters and then to put it all together.
All you will need is:
Scrapbook
Scrapbook paper
Adhesive runner/scrapbook mounting squares
Pictures from guests
Letters from guests
Adhesive foam dots
Stickers/Scrapbook décor
Mark did tell me after the party that it was one of his favorite presents and something he would cherish forever. We still enjoy getting the scrapbook out and reading through all the letters remembering everyone’s kind words. Just be sure to have your box of tissues nearby.
For Mark’s other presents that I gave him, I did give him some smaller things the night of the party so he would have something from me to open as well that night. For his biggest and most expensive gift, I waited until his actual birthday. I thought why not continue with the 80’s theme and make things interesting. I have done scavenger hunts in the past for Mark for certain holidays, and he really seems to enjoy them. Therefore I created an 80’s Themed Scavenger Hunt with clues centered around 80’s movies, games, etc.
You will need:
Neon paper- neon is best to keep with the theme of the 80’s
Tape
Markers
Below I have listed the clues and suggestions of where to hide them to make it easier for you. Hide the first clue in an envelope and give as a birthday card to get the games started then the hunting can begin.
Clue #1: Craving some Reese Pieces? Where would E.T. go to find some? Look there for your next clue.
Hide clue #2 in the cupboard or somewhere he would find candy in your house.
Clue #2: If I were a Ghostbuster, where is the first place I would look to capture a ghost (or perhaps a squirrel)?
Hide clue #3 in the garage or basement of your house.
Clue #3: Who needs an Xbox or PlayStation? Where would you find these or better yet an Atari?
Hide clue #4 with your game consoles or actual video games.
Clue #4: In order for Ferris Bueller to have a day off, what is the first thing he needed to get away?
Hide clue #5 on your car.
Clue #5: The popular 1980’s movie “Sixteen Candles” could not be complete without the candles of course.
Hide clue #6 on a candle in your house or where you store birthday candles.
Clue #6: If Tom Cruise lived here and needed to park his plane after a long day of working on “Top Gun,” where would that be?
Clue #6 should lead to the present(s) hid in the garage. Just be sure that when you hide clue #3 in your garage that you keep the two separate so he doesn’t find the presents first. Our garage is detached and large enough that I was able to hide his presents in a back corner and the previous clue was more obvious so it was easier for him to find. I hid clue in the house, outside on the car, and in the garage to keep him walking and searching. That’s the fun in a scavenger hunt.
In the pictures below you will see a paper tab on the clues. I wrote where to hide each clue on the tab to make it easier when hiding them later and then peeled the tab off once hiding them.
The party may be over now and the presents all unwrapped, but now it is time to enjoy those gifts! Plus let’s be thankful for another year of life that God has blessed us each with.
I hope you have enjoyed this 80’s party series and find it helpful when planning your next party. Please share with me your party pictures and ideas. I would love to see them.
Enjoy your party and gift giving. And always enjoy the little things in life!
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