Party Like It’s 1985: Jayson’s Guide to 1980s Theme Props
Hey there, Jayson here from Lifesize Cutouts.
I’ve been in this game for a while now, and I can tell you one thing with absolute certainty: nothing and I mean nothing brings a party to life quite like the 1980s.
Why? Because the 80s were ridiculous. Loud, neon, unapologetically over the top. It was the one decade where you could wear three watches at once, rock hair taller than your car, and somehow be taken seriously.
And that’s exactly why our 1980s Theme Props are such a hit. They capture all the chaos, colour, and charm of the decade — and they turn any party into a time-traveling dance floor.
So let me walk you through what these props are, why they work, and how you can use them to throw the kind of party people will still be laughing about years from now.
The 80s Weren’t Subtle — and Neither Are Our Props
One thing you’ve got to understand about the 80s: it wasn’t a time for small, polite gestures. It was a time of big hair, big boomboxes, and even bigger shoulder pads.
So when we designed our 80s props, subtlety wasn’t even on the table. We went big, bold, and borderline outrageous.
I’m talking:
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Lifesize Rubik’s Cubes that instantly turn your venue into a retro puzzle palace.
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Oversized cassette tapes that scream “mixtape love letter circa 1987.”
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Cardboard boomboxes that make your Bluetooth speaker look like a pocket calculator.
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Inflatable guitars and mics that turn even your shyest guest into a rockstar.
Set a few of these around the room, and boom, you’re not in 2025 anymore. You’re somewhere between Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and a Madonna music video.
The Magic Moment When Props Hit the Room
I’ll never get tired of seeing it:
At first, people arrive at a party and do the usual thing. They grab a drink. They hover awkwardly. They ask each other about traffic.
But then someone notices the giant Rubik’s Cube in the corner. Or they pick up an inflatable guitar. And suddenly, the whole vibe changes.
Awkwardness? Gone.
Laughter? Instant.
Photo-taking? Non-stop.
That’s the power of props. They’re not just decorations. They’re conversation starters, icebreakers, and pure nostalgia machines.
Why the 80s Are Perfect for Parties
I’ll admit it: we’ve got props for all kinds of themes. Hollywood nights, weddings, sports, you name it. But the 80s? They’re special.
Here’s why:
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The music slaps. Play “Take On Me” or “Billie Jean,” and even the grumpiest uncle can’t resist tapping his foot.
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The fashion is hilarious. Neon spandex, leg warmers, mullets — it’s impossible not to laugh.
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The nostalgia hits hard. Everyone remembers their first Walkman, their first arcade game, or their first mixtape.
So when you combine that natural nostalgia with giant props? You’ve got a recipe for a party that feels more like an experience than an event.
Real-Life Party Story: The Boombox Incident
Quick story.
We once had a customer throw a surprise 40th birthday party. They decked the place out with our cassette tapes, arcade props, and most importantly a massive cardboard boombox.
The birthday guy walked in, saw the boombox, and immediately hoisted it onto his shoulder like he was straight out of an LL Cool J video.
Now, normally this wouldn’t be a big deal. But the man was 6’4”, tipsy, and decided to moonwalk across the living room while holding it.
Did he almost take out the cake table? Yes.
Did everyone cheer anyway? Absolutely.
Did we get photos? You bet.
That’s what I mean when I say props create stories. Long after the cake is gone, people remember that moment.
What’s Actually in the Collection
Let me give you a quick peek at what’s waiting for you in our 1980s Theme Props collection.
You’ll find:
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Cassette Tape Cutouts → Nothing says 80s like a mixtape. Ours are giant, colourful, and guaranteed to spark a “remember when…” conversation.
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Rubik’s Cubes → Whether you solved it back in the day or peeled the stickers off (we won’t judge), these cubes are instant nostalgia bombs.
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Boombox Props → Perfect for photos, décor, or just pretending you’re in a Run-DMC video.
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Inflatable Guitars & Mics → Nobody can resist picking these up. Nobody.
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Arcade Machines & Signs → Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Street Fighter — the golden age of button-mashing lives on.
And the best part? Everything’s printed on sturdy corflute board (or inflatable, depending on the prop), so they’ll survive the whole night — even if your cousin tries to crowd-surf with one.
How to Throw an 80s Party That Actually Works
Okay, so you’ve got your props. Now what?
Here’s my simple formula:
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Music first. Make a playlist that’s 80% bangers and 20% guilty pleasures. Michael Jackson, Madonna, Queen, A-ha — the classics. Then throw in Rick Astley for the laughs.
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Props everywhere. Don’t just stick one cassette in the corner. Go all in. Put Rubik’s Cubes by the bar, boomboxes by the dance floor, inflatables near the photo booth. Saturate the space with colour and nostalgia.
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Encourage costumes. Guests + props + costumes = legendary photos. It’s science.
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Commit to the theme. Serve cocktails with names like “The Thriller” or “Neon Dream.” Hand out glow sticks. Play trivia about the 80s between songs.
Do this, and I promise — your guests won’t just attend your party. They’ll feel like they lived the 80s, even if they were born in 2002.
Why Buy from Us (a.k.a. Why Jayson Knows What He’s Talking About)
I get it. You could jump on Google, type “80s props,” and roll the dice. But here’s why people keep coming back to us at Lifesize Cutouts:
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We’re Aussie based. No waiting months for overseas shipping or paying crazy fees.
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We do it right. High-quality corflute prints that don’t flop halfway through your event.
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We know parties. We’ve been making props for weddings, birthdays, graduations, and corporate events for years. We know what works.
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We make it easy. Pick your props, pick your size, and we’ll deliver them ready to rock.
Plus, you get me, Jayson the guy who’s way too passionate about giant cardboard Rubik’s Cubes.
Final Thoughts: Go Neon or Go Home
Here’s the bottom line:
You can throw a normal party. Nice music, nice food, nice décor. People will smile, maybe dance a bit, and go home.
Or you can throw an 80s party — the kind where people lose their voices singing “Livin’ on a Prayer,” where inflatable guitars become family heirlooms, and where that giant cardboard boombox becomes the star of the show.
The choice is yours.
But if you’re ready to go big, bold, and beautifully ridiculous, head over to our 1980s Theme Props collection.
Trust me: once you go neon, you never go back.
Catch you on the dance floor,
Jayson @ Lifesize Cutouts