Décor
Play up the look of the ‘80s. Hang era-appropriate teen idol posters—think Brat Packers like Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez and Molly Ringwald. Add early Madonna for extra effect. Silently play the year’s classic films, such as The Breakfast Club, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, The Sure Thing and St. Elmo’s Fire, on televisions around the house.

Drinks
Serve wine coolers (wine mixed with Sprite or 7UP—a favorite of the time). Also, celebrate beer in 1985-style by playing a few rounds of the drinking game “Quarters.” All you need is a shot glass, a quarter, a hard-surface table and lots and lots of beer. Get game rules and instructions. For a finale to celebrate your birthday, get guests to “shotgun” beers. Let John Cusack’s character “Gib” in The Sure Thing lead the way. Play his step-by-step demo beforehand, then go for it.