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We grew up with mixtapes, MTV and a house key on a shoelace. Now we're the ones throwing the parties. Whether it's a 50th birthday, a reunion or New Year's Eve, an 80s and 90s party is the easiest theme there is: everyone already knows the music, the snacks and the outfits.
This guide covers everything you need, from neon decor to a playlist that will get your friends singing into a hairbrush again. Pick a decade, or do what we do and mash them together.
Skip the Planning: Grab the Party Pack
Want the fun stuff done for you? The Totally Rad 80s & 90s Party Printable Pack has everything you can print at home tonight:
Fill-in invitations (80s neon and 90s grunge versions)
80s & 90s trivia cards with answer key
"Name That Tune" game sheets
"Remember When..." conversation cards
Food labels and a welcome sign
Not ready for the full pack? Get 10 free trivia cards when you join our mailing list below ↓
Decor: Make It Look Like 1987 Threw Up (in a Good Way)
Start with color. Neon pink, electric blue and lime green read "80s" from across the room. For the 90s, add black, plaid and a little smiley-face yellow.
Neon party decorations kit. Banners, balloons and hanging swirls in one box, the fastest way to set the mood. [Shop on Amazon]
Cassette tape and boombox cutouts. Tape them to walls or use them as table centerpieces. [Shop on Amazon]
Inflatable boombox or giant cell phone. A photo-booth prop guests can't resist. [Shop on Amazon]
Black light and UV glow tablecloths. Turn down the lights and everything neon pops. [Shop on Amazon]
Tip: Dig out your own old yearbooks, concert T-shirts and VHS tapes. Real artifacts beat store-bought every time, and they start conversations.
Outfits: Dress Like Your Yearbook Photo
No one needs a full costume. One or two accessories do the job, and they're the easiest thing to set out in a basket for guests who "forgot."
80s
Neon accessory set. Leg warmers, fishnet gloves, tutu and big earrings in one pack. [Shop on Amazon]
Scrunchie multipack. Wear one, share the rest. [Shop on Amazon]
Slap bracelets. Yes, they still make them. [Shop on Amazon]
90s
Butterfly hair clips. A whole pack costs less than a latte. [Shop on Amazon]
Choker necklaces (tattoo style). The stretchy kind you'll remember. [Shop on Amazon]
Plaid Shirt. Works for men and women alike. [Shop on Amazon]
Snacks and Drinks: The After-School Spread
Recreate the snack cabinet you raided after school. Set it all out in bowls with printed labels and watch grown adults fight over the Pop Rocks.
Retro candy box. Pop Rocks, Big League Chew, Candy Cigarettes (now "candy sticks"), Fun Dip and Ring Pops.
Fruit by the Foot and Gushers. The lunchbox trade currency.
Capri Sun or Hi-C juice boxes. For the kids, and the adults who want a flashback.
Bagel Bites and pizza rolls. Grab these at the grocery store and keep the oven busy.
Jell-O shots in neon colors. The grown-up version of the school cafeteria.
Classic cocktails. Fuzzy navels, wine coolers and a pitcher of Zima-style spritzers for the brave.
Tip: Serve snacks in a vintage-style metal lunchbox or a TV tray. It's the small details people photograph.
Games and Activities: Keep the Party Rolling
The best 80s and 90s parties have something to do. Pick two or three of these.
80s & 90s trivia. Split into teams and see who really paid attention to MTV. Trivia cards are in the [Party Pack].
Name That Tune. Play 10 seconds of a song and race to shout the title. Game sheets are in the [Party Pack].
Retro game console. A plug-and-play mini console with Pac-Man, Galaga or Super Mario hooks right into the TV. [Shop on Amazon]
Karaoke machine with Bluetooth. Nothing beats a room full of 50-somethings belting "Livin' on a Prayer." [Shop on Amazon]
Twister. Still the great equalizer, though maybe stretch first. [Shop on Amazon]
Polaroid-style instant camera. Guests take a snap, pin it to a "Then & Now" board. [Shop on Amazon]
Best Dressed vote. Hand out a cheap trophy or crown at the end of the night. [Shop on Amazon]
The Playlist: Press Play on the Mixtape
Start with 80s pop while people arrive, then slide into 90s hits once the dancing starts. A starter list:
80s
"Take On Me" – a-ha
"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" – Cyndi Lauper
"Livin' on a Prayer" – Bon Jovi
"Don't Stop Believin'" – Journey
"Billie Jean" – Michael Jackson
"Come On Eileen" – Dexys Midnight Runners
"Walking on Sunshine" – Katrina and the Waves
"Jump" – Van Halen
90s
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" – Nirvana
"Wannabe" – Spice Girls
"Gonna Make You Sweat" – C+C Music Factory
"No Scrubs" – TLC
"Ice Ice Baby" – Vanilla Ice
"Gangsta's Paradise" – Coolio
"Wonderwall" – Oasis
"...Baby One More Time" – Britney Spears
Tip: A retro-style Bluetooth boombox speaker plays your phone playlist and doubles as decor. [Shop on Amazon]
Party Favors: Send Them Home Smiling
Skip the generic goodie bag. These are cheap in bulk and guests actually keep them.
Mini Rubik's Cubes or keychains. Bulk packs run well under a dollar each. [Shop on Amazon]
Retro candy bags. Fill clear bags with Nerds, Laffy Taffy and Now and Laters. [Shop on Amazon]
Neon sunglasses. Hand them out at the door and the party photos take care of themselves. [Shop on Amazon]
Glow sticks and glow bracelets. Perfect for a New Year's Eve countdown. [Shop on Amazon]
Cassette-tape notebooks or stickers. A small, fun keepsake. [Shop on Amazon]
Your Party Checklist
3–4 weeks out
Pick the date and decade (or both)
Send invitations
Order decor, props and favors
1 week out
Build the playlist
Print trivia, games and food labels
Set out the dress-up accessory basket
Day of
Hang decor and set up the photo booth
Stock snacks and drinks
Press play and have a totally awesome time