Theme Party?

[katamari]

I am throwing myself a birthday party next month. We rented out a roller skating rink and are going it is going to be quite the good time, if I do say so myself. The former sorority girl in me really wants to theme it. But, in a recent thread that Sabine posted, many of you felt it was odd for an adult birthday part to have a theme. Is that inappropriate? I will be thirty-three. If I do theme it, do you think early 80s or early 90s is a better theme?

 

[rierie26]

Erm. Your poll is empty. But I vote early 90s! 80s parties are good, but it seems more people are doing them. Plus you can totally rock some cheesy 90s music -- Baby Got Back, anyone?

 

[Hera]

I don't know why people would say that having a theme for an adult bday party is odd. Maybe it should be less literal in theme, but for sure it's a must do for a party!
ok, just thinking out loud but it would be pretty hard to be less literal with an 80's theme. This might be the exception to the rule, maybe it should be as literal as can be!

 

[Circe]

1.) You are never too old for anything. ANYTHING.

2.) A 90s party sounds awesome to me - grunge, here I come!

 

[Haven]

WOOHOO!!!!

Kata! We''re renting out a roller rink for MY 30th birthday in October, and we''re totally going with a 90s theme! I laughed so hard when I read your post because DH thinks I''m a giant kid for wanting to rent out the roller rink, but here you are with the same plans!

I think it''s an awesome idea, obviously. And as a couple of people who were teenagers in the 90s, I can''t think of a better theme.

I''ve broken my right arm TWICE while roller skating, so my mom thinks my plan is crazy, but I can''t think of a better birthday party, to be honest.

 

[Kaleigh]

How fun. I voted for 80''s cause I have no clue what the 90''s were about. DD is a senior in college, had a 90''s party to go to. I said what are you going to wear?? She said it was all about color and logos... I was deep in changing diapers , so must have missed that!!!

I think it sounds like a blast!!!!

 

[Bunny007]

I vote 90''s, mostly because that''s what decade I associate with roller rinks. Roller rink bday parties were the coolest back in the day, it''s about time they had a revival!

 

[ksinger]

Date: 4/15/2010 10:55:19 PM
Author: Bunny007
I vote 90''s, mostly because that''s what decade I associate with roller rinks. Roller rink bday parties were the coolest back in the day, it''s about time they had a revival!

Urm...I associate the 70s with roller rinks...

Getting old sucks.

I had a huuuuge party in lieu of a big wedding ceremony. It was not themed - or maybe "lots of food, liquor, and classic old music outside on a deck under the stars by a lake" was the theme. I had music from 4 decades, that way all the invited ages had something to remember. That and the marinated shrimp and top-shelf margaritas of course.

 

[AussieNic]

What if you left the years open? Let people know its a roller rink party/theme, and to dress in what reminds them of roller rink in their time of rollerskating?
As for being too old to have a theme party..NEVER!! DH''s uncle just had a rock theme for his 50th.. We didn''t go, but heard how everyone had an awesome night.

 

[Guilty Pleasure]

Please do a 90''s party and wear a "Blossom" hat... whoa!

 

[PumpkinPie]

Date: 4/15/2010 10:28:52 PM
Author: Circe
1.) You are never too old for anything. ANYTHING.

ditto! sounds like a lot of fun!

 

[megumic]

Anyone who doesn''t want to play in your party theme is a PARTY POOPER!

 

[Guilty Pleasure]

I think the "too old" part of adult parties is the presents. I wouldn''t expect birthday presents or have an "open gifts" time slot at an adult party. Hosting a fabulous and fun get together for your friends is definitely cool though. If you are paying, and your friends would enjoy the party, then I don''t see how anyone could have a problem with it!

 

[Dancing Fire]

i voted for the 70''s. am i invited?

i still remember how to roller skate.

 

[katamari]

Thanks, everyone, for your input!

Oh, Kitcha, there will totally be Baby Got Back!

Hera, I am most concerned with the playlist in my mind at this point, so that is why I am being so specific. But, the evite wouldn''t be that specific, for sure.

Thanks, Circe! I thought about an entirely grunge party, honestly.

HAVEN! How flipping cool! You can tell your DH he is just silly for not thinking this is the most rad idea ever!

Unless, of course, you break your arm. That would be terrible.

Kaleigh, you should come and have a 90s experience!

That''s what I was thinking, Bunny007. The majority of my friends were in jr. high and HS then and it would bring back some nostalgia. None of my friend that would be going went to HS with me since I no longer live in my hometown, but our HS always had team parties at our local roller rink. Love your avatar, btw.

A four decades party sounds awesome, ksinger! I did think about a disco party, but one of my friends had a 70s theme party not too long ago. I did think about only songs from the year I was born, but that felt a bit self-absorbed.

I could be cool with a more open theme, AussieNic, but I am kind of a music snob (okay, not kind of) and will obsess over the playlist. At least the playlist will have to be coherent. But it could be a "come as you were when you last roller skated" party. Too bad you didn''t get to go to your DH''s uncle''s party. It sounds like a blast.

OMG, Guilty Pleasure, Blossom was my total fashion icon in the 90s! No 90210 chic for this girl. WHOA! That makes sense about the presents, too. No gifts. And we are paying for everything (venue rental, skate rental, food, and drinks).

Thanks, Maevie!

Boo on party poopers, megumic! LOL!

DF, you are totally invited!

 

[ladypirate]

Do the 90s and play Bel Biv Devoe!!! I''ll send you a copy of my "Livin'' in the 90s" cd if you want.

shut up i''m awesome

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

I voted for the 80''s!!! My friend is having her 30th party tomorrow night and it is 80''s themed. My costume (my sisters ball dress from 1987) is ready to go, my hubby is shaving his honeymoon beard off into a moustache and we are making him a flat top hair cut.. he is a splitting image of goose from top gun.

We are gonna party like it''s 1989!!

 

[LAJennifer]

Date: 4/15/2010 10:30:28 PM
Author: Haven
WOOHOO!!!!


Kata! We''re renting out a roller rink for MY 30th birthday in October, and we''re totally going with a 90s theme! I laughed so hard when I read your post because DH thinks I''m a giant kid for wanting to rent out the roller rink, but here you are with the same plans!


I think it''s an awesome idea, obviously. And as a couple of people who were teenagers in the 90s, I can''t think of a better theme.


I''ve broken my right arm TWICE while roller skating, so my mom thinks my plan is crazy, but I can''t think of a better birthday party, to be honest.

We did this for my 31st birthday. The theme was Roller Disco.

 

[bee*]

I vote 80''s. One of my friends had an 80''s themed party and it was brilliant. The outfits were hilarious!

 

[susimoo]

80's all the way!

I was a teenager in the 80's and it still thrills me to hear my era's music! Although, with 3 older brothers I pretty much can recall all the 70's stuff too!

80's took everything too far!! For a theme party thats what you want, extremes! lol

Have a fab time, whatever your choose.

( <- thats me in my wayfarer's listening to wired for sound from Cliff Richard, the ultimate roller disco hit for me

)

 

[lizzyann]

theme it!!!!! I vote 90''s because that''s when you and your friends would have been in high school and much more into music than when you were in pre-school!

 

[zipzapgirl]

I voted 80''s because there''s just so much to work with. Big hair, big bangs, neon colors, hightops, flashy accessories, legwarmers, tight shorts, leotards...it''s just tooo good. When I think of the 90''s it''s more of a Reality Bites grungy thing, Calvin Klein played down look. It can be done, but it''s not as fun.

I love theme parties!

I''d be all about it!!!!

 

[Erin]

Date: 4/15/2010 11:04:02 PM
Author: ksinger

Date: 4/15/2010 10:55:19 PM
Author: Bunny007
I vote 90''s, mostly because that''s what decade I associate with roller rinks. Roller rink bday parties were the coolest back in the day, it''s about time they had a revival!

Urm...I associate the 70s with roller rinks...

• Roller rinks are totally 70s
  Back in the day does not mean the 90s
  Neither of us is old
  
  

 

[sillyberry]

For a ''90s party, I hope you will play Boyz 2 Men''s "I''ll Make Love To You" and awkwardly skate around holding hands with your DH! Preferably extending your arms waaay out so you are as far away from each other as physically possible!

 

[perry]

By all mean''s - have a theme party; and don''t ever grow up.... in the sense of losing your ability to have fun.

However, when I think of themes I don''t think of decades - I think of other things...

How about a Pirate theme.

Or an adventure theme - everyone dresses up for their favorite adventure (or adventure movie).

A beach party, a trip to the mountains, etc.

The list is endless - and it covers all generations

Perry

 

[Sabine]

If one of my friends was having a 30th birthday at a roller rink, I would SOOOO be there and would rock the theme, either 80''s or 90''s!!! (I voted 90''s though). This theme is relevant to your age and FUN. Plus, I think girls having themes is a bit different than men.

The party I went to was just odd as it was a SUPERHERO theme for a grown man, and it wasn''t like he was promoting it, it was his wife''s idea and was a surprise for him. No one ended up dressing up except for his 8 month old ds. We did decorate with super hero stuff, food was themed, and they played the Spider Man movie on a big screen in the back yard, which was kinda cool, but it was really the kids of the adults who were there that really enjoyed that theme.

Happy birthday and have fun!

 

[Haven]

Date: 4/17/2010 9:54:25 AM
Author: perry
However, when I think of themes I don''t think of decades - I think of other things...

Really? I TOTALLY think of decades when I think of party themes! Decades are the best because you not only have great outfit opportunities, but the music options are endless.

I''ve been to *so many* 80s parties over the years, I think it''s time for the 90s to take the stage.

Kata, your thread has made me so excited to plan my own skating party. I can''t wait to hear all about it!

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

Date: 4/17/2010 12:19:27 AM
Author: sillyberry
For a ''90s party, I hope you will play Boyz 2 Men''s ''I''ll Make Love To You'' and awkwardly skate around holding hands with your DH! Preferably extending your arms waaay out so you are as far away from each other as physically possible!

THIS!!

Kata- are you leaning more toward 80''s or 90''s now? FWIW, I say 90''s... 80''s parties are more common, and there''s a lot of stereotypical 80''s garb out there. The 90''s are more open to interpretation. Plus I''ve seen a resurgence of awful floral patterns in women''s clothing that remind me of the 90''s.

Like this cropped, floral beauty from Target. Really? REALLY?

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

Kata, you can''t dress like this for the 90''s!! lol

We had a great night, everyone looked awesome and i really enjoyed listening to the karaoke and dancing to the 80''s music!

 

[katamari]

I appreciate the offer, ladypirate, but I am pretty sure you would never get it back if you lent it to me.

And there will totally be some BBD (perhaps the entire East Coast family).

HOT, that picture of you is amazing! Please tell me that your dress was as fun to wear as it looks! I love that it was actually your sister's, too. And your DH does look like Goose. Now I am going to have to listen to "Danger Zone."

How awesome, LAJennifer! I bet that was too much fun!

Thanks, bee*! I have been to some pretty fun 80s parties, too!

Good point about the extreme of the 80s, susimoo. I totally love New Wave music, too. And, I think the reason the early 90s is so nostalgic for me is because it was when I was a teen. I hope you are wearing wayfarers now, too! They are totally hot again.

Thanks, lizzyann! Since I didn't go to grad school straight away, some of my best friends are just in their mid-twenties. Some of them were totally in pre-school in the 80s! Some were even in utero.

Zipzapgirl, I am hoping that they go more silk shirts, leggings with huge ESPRIT sweatshirts, Skidz, and overalls. But, I could see people just doing the grungy thing, too. The 80s definitely has some distinct fashion! Thanks!

Starset, ITA that just because you were alive in the 70s doesn't make you old! Hardly!

That image is awesome, sillyberry! I totally remember awkward school dances listening to Boyz II Men and thinking about how romantic it all was!

Now you have got me wanting to have all kinds of parties, Perry! I guess that isn't a bad thing. One of my friends had a pirate themed party a few years ago on Talk Like a Pirate Day, but I didn't get to go for some reason. I love the adventurer theme, though! Or a come as your favorite theorist party (I am a huge nerd after all, and so are my friends!).

Ah, yes, Sabine. Now I totally remember the Superhero theme! I guess it is sad that no one really part took in it. It is also difficult to pull off a theme that could be appropriate for a child's party when there are actually kids there. At least the kids got to have a ton of fun, though! And I totally agree that there is a gender dynamic at work here. I could never dream of my DH having a theme party--it will be hard enough to get him to play along for mine. Though he did tell me he would wear overalls with only one side latched if it was what I really want (and it, of course, is!).

I will be sure to post plenty of pics, Haven! I am totally stoked now, too!

PilsnPink, I have decided to go 90s! I just got so excited from all the songs and clothes in this thread. But, I also think that I will have to also have an 80s party in the very near future, too. DH and I had some friends over this weekend and I made a playmix with some 90s and some 80s in it. Everyone just got so fired up over the 90s. I was very, every excited! And, uh, that shirt is HEINOUS! I don't know if it makes me happy that it only get a 1 star review, or sad that at least one person actually bought and wore it. Gross! It does remind me of my favorite pair of Guess? jeans from the 90s that were totally black and white floral with zippers on the sides of the legs. I am off to ebay to try to find those again (and to be sad that I won't be able to buy them in a 25 this time. . . ). p.s. If you are in Ohio in May, you are totally invited!