A Totally Tubular 80s Themed 40th Birthday Karaoke Party!
Maybe I should turn 40 more often. Because my 1980s themed 40th birthday karaoke party was one for the record books! And I’m like totally itchin’ to give the 411 on this unforgettable, bodacious bash. Cowabunga, let’s go!
The night before my 40th birthday, March 18th, 2023 was a night to remember.
We dressed up 1980s style…
…had beloved friends and family over our house…
…enjoyed yummy eats…
…and had an EPIC karaoke themed cake in the style of Lisa Frank that was almost too beautiful to eat…
…and then, we ended the night singing our hearts out during karaoke!
It was a dream come true for me. “I’ve Had the Time of my Life” was stuck in my head for a good week afterwards. And I owe it all to Mark! He truly brought my dream of an 80s themed karaoke party into vivid reality this March. And it’s high time I share all the party details here on the blog!
VIDEO RECAP
I had SO much epic video footage, I had to try to capture the AWESOMENESS of the evening in a 72 second video to bring you all along for the FUN!
Check it out below or here on YouTube, and then read on for the whole rad-tastic run-down…
1980S STYLE OUTFITS
As you all well know, I love any and every excuse to dress up in costume. So Mark invited guests to come dressed 1980s style to pay homage to the totally tubular decade of my birth. Everything old is new again, so I feel like the 1980s neons and high waisted mom-jeans are back with a vengeance anyway.
So many guests came in 80s garb! And here’s a breakdown of our family’s lewks….
I thrifted the girls’ outfits, including the big bows. Radical!
Mark pulled together a Marty McFly from Back to the Future look using items he already had on hand.
And for my outfit, I tried rock as many 80s trends as possible, including (yes) a fanny pack!
For those who might be in search of their own 1980s look inspired by mine, here are some Amazon affiliate links for ya:
- splatter-paint leggings
- tulle tutu skirt
- off-the-shoulder top with big pink lips graphic
- crimped hair thanks to my new crimper
- massive bow from the thrift store
- accessories bundle with fanny pack, bracelets, necklace, leg warmers, gloves, headband, earrings
And here’s a link to the 1980s eye makeup tutorial I followed. I did not have all the fun colors on hand but made do with what I had plus some face paint, and was rather tickled with how it turned out!
THE BLESSING CIRCLE
The most meaningful moment of the evening was experiencing the “blessing circle” Mark had planned. He invited folk (if they wanted) to share a few words of blessing and encouragement for me, and urged them to write down those words so I could save them for always in a journal he gave me.
Well, whad’ya know, every single party guest participated. And he even collected words from friends and family from afar who couldn’t be there in person.
It was such a surreal experience to have people from different seasons of life and different generations share words of encouragement over me by the light of a flickering flame. My heart still hurts from the love-fest.
KARAOKE
Karaoke had been a bucket list item for me, and turning 40 felt like the perfect time to cross it off the list. We borrowed a karaoke machine from a friend, invested in some really affordable lights on Amazon, borrowed the girls’ kitchen counter stool to create a stage, set up my ring light, and BAM… we turned our living room into a karaoke venue!
I kicked off the musical part of our evening, singing karaoke to “Love is a Battlefield.”
And then, the real fun began as our party guests took to the stage.
I had such a blast performing alongside friends for “Heaven is a Place on Earth” and karaoke classic, “Don’t Stop Believin.'”
A highlight of the night was Mark and the girls performing, “I’ll Stand by You” for me. Pepper’s leg-stomp and the girls’ emphatic pointing on “I’ll stand by YOU” are sweet visions I won’t soon forget.
PHOTO DUMP
Here are a bunch more photos from the evening that I can’t resist sharing:
TO CLOSE
Birthdays (especially BIG birthdays like turning 40) are such welcomed invitations to pause and reflect on God’s gifts–for the people he has brought around me, including my amazing Thinking Closet kindreds (yes, that’s you!).
Birthdays are also opportunities to let our inner child out to play. And my inner child was born in the 80s…March 19, 1983 in fact! And she is REALLY excited to be the proud owner of a hair-crimper now, tee hee.
Turns out that turning 40 can be totally tubular!
Your TURN!
Thanks so much for coming along for the radical ride! Now, I’d love to hear from you in the comments:
What’s your go-to karaoke song? Or what you like to sing at the top of your lungs when you’re in the shower or in the car? Do share!
Also, a question for those who have gone before me into their 40s (or beyond), any wisdom from your 40s you’d like to pass along? I’d love to hear!
Until next time, here’s to big hair, lots of eye makeup, classic tunes, the iconic decade that was the 80s.
WHERE TO NEXT?
Well, if you’re diggin’ this 80s vibe and want to nab one of my favorite freebies I’ve ever shared, head over to my Fashion Plates Greeting Cards post. It’s totally gnarly! Fer sure! {Smile.}
Or if you’re on a party kick, I have plenty more birthday party posts where this came from. Click HERE to peruse them all!
Or start with my most paw-pular pawty post of all time: Pepper’s Puppy Pawty.
*Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase after clicking through, The Thinking Closet may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping to support this site!
Ah yes, Amy Grant/MW Smith/2nd Chapter of Acts…we’d be there!! Celebrating your and your sister’s birthdays over the years were among our favorite things! Glad you’re keeping the parties going!! xxoo
You’ve definitely passed on your love of themed parties to me… and I dare say it’s being passed on to the next generation, too! J & P both loved being a part of the behind-the-scenes prep for my party…and their own party this past weekend. We were joking about how sometimes we enjoy the party preparation and debrief as much as the party itself!
I can so resonate with the party prep and debriefing being among the best parts of the party sometimes!! Lol Love that you’re bringing along the next generation into the joys of the before and after, too!
Thank you for sharing your very special celebration with us! That looks like so much fun and amazing memories have been created. Life is fantastic after 40 and I pray that you would know the crazy creativeness of Holy Spirit in your next 40 years – and share them with us! Happy Birthday, fantastic, amazing, wonderful, spectacular woman of God.
Donna, I appreciate these words of encouragement so very much, and especially that prayer! You have brought tears of gratitude to my eyes. Thank youuuuu!
What a wonderful way to welcome the 40s! You are a party-planner & participant extraordinaire! The Karaoke and Blessing Circle seemed especially meaningful and what a thing of beauty to have three generations present and so many family and friends!
Thanks for the photos, the video, and description that helped us feel like we were there! Your father and I are so grateful for your beautiful life and to your Creator who gave us front row seats to watch His plans unfold for your life.
May the Lord bless you abundantly in the years ahead! “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6. We love you!!
Aw, thank you for those words of love and blessing, my dear Mama. You were with us in spirit, that’s for sure! I have no doubt you and Dad would’ve jumped up to the karaoke stage if you could’ve–maybe with some classic Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant 80s tunes! Ha ha. Thanks for making my birthdays every year so very special!