Throwing a 1990s grunge themed birthday party is a great way to celebrate in style and bring back memories of a bygone era. This decade was all about flannel shirts, ripped jeans, and grunge music, so why not bring it back to life for your next party?
Grunge was a subculture that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was characterized by its anti-establishment attitude, its DIY aesthetic, and its heavy music.
Grunge fashion was typically loose-fitting and comfortable, and it included items such as flannel shirts, ripped jeans, combat boots, and beanies. Grunge music was typically loud and distorted, and it often dealt with themes of alienation, angst, and depression.
Throwing a 1990s grunge themed birthday party is a great way to celebrate this unique and important era. It is also a great way to have a lot of fun with your friends.
Invitations
Set the tone for your party with grunge-themed invitations. You can either make your own or order them online. Be sure to include all the important details, such as the date, time, location, and dress code.
When creating your invitations, consider using dark and moody colors, such as black, purple, and red. You can also use grunge-inspired imagery, such as flannel shirts, ripped jeans, and combat boots.
If you are making your own invitations, you can use a variety of materials, such as cardboard, construction paper, or even fabric. You can also decorate your invitations with stickers, glitter, and other embellishments.
If you are ordering your invitations online, there are a variety of different grunge-themed designs available. You can also personalize your invitations by adding your own text and images.
Decorations
When it comes to decorations, go all out with the grunge! Hang up black and white streamers, balloons, and lights all over the party space. You can also add grunge-inspired tablecloths, napkins, and plates.
When decorating your party space, consider using dark and moody colors, such as black, purple, and red. You can also use grunge-inspired imagery, such as flannel shirts, ripped jeans, and combat boots.
Here are some specific decoration ideas:
- Black and white streamers: Black and white streamers are a classic grunge decoration. You can hang them from the ceiling, doorways, and furniture.
- Black and white balloons: Black and white balloons are another great way to add some grunge flair to your party décor. You can fill them with helium and let them float around the room, or you can tie them to furniture or walls.
- Black and white lights: Black and white lights are a must-have for any grunge party. You can hang them from the ceiling, walls, or furniture. You can also use them to create a grunge-inspired dance floor.
- Grunge tablecloths: Grunge tablecloths are a great way to add a touch of grunge to your party table. You can find grunge tablecloths in a variety of different colors and styles.
- Grunge napkins: Grunge napkins are another great way to add some grunge fun to your party table. You can find grunge napkins in a variety of different colors and styles.
- Grunge plates: Grunge plates are a great way to make your party food look even more delicious. You can find grunge plates in a variety of different colors and styles.
You can also add other grunge-inspired decorations to your party space, such as:
- Flannel shirts: Hang flannel shirts from the ceiling or furniture. You can also use them to create a makeshift photo booth.
- Ripped jeans: Spread ripped jeans around the party space. You can also use them to create a makeshift dance floor.
- Combat boots: Place combat boots around the party space. You can also use them to create a makeshift stage.
- Beanies: Place beanies around the party space. You can also use them to create a makeshift photo booth.
- Grunge music posters: Hang grunge music posters on the walls.
- Grunge album covers: Place grunge album covers on the tables.
- Grunge-inspired candles: Place grunge-inspired candles around the party space.
Food and drinks
Serve food and drinks that were popular in the 1990s. Some ideas include:
- Pizza
- Hot dogs
- Hamburgers
- Tacos
- Nachos
- Quesadillas
- Soda
- Juice
- Punch
When choosing food and drinks for your party, consider the following:
- Budget: The cost of food and drinks can vary depending on what you choose to serve. If you are on a tight budget,consider serving simple and affordable foods, such as pizza, hot dogs, and hamburgers.
- Dietary restrictions: Be sure to have a variety of food and drinks available to accommodate guests with dietary restrictions. For example, you may want to have some vegetarian or vegan options available.
- Grunge theme: When choosing food and drinks, try to stay within the grunge theme. For example, you could serve grunge-inspired cocktails, such as the Black Hole Sun cocktail or the Smells Like Teen Spirit cocktail.
You can also set up a grunge-themed bar where guests can order their favorite drinks. Some popular 1990s drinks include:
- Beer
- Wine
- Grunge cocktails
Music
Of course, no 1990s grunge themed party is complete without some great 1990s grunge music! Create a playlist of your favorite 1990s grunge songs and play them throughout the party. You can also hire a DJ to play music for you.
When creating your playlist, consider including a variety of different grunge songs, from popular hits to lesser-known gems. You may also want to include a mix of different genres of grunge, such as grunge rock, grunge pop, and grunge metal.
Here are some popular 1990s grunge songs that you can include on your playlist:
- “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
- “Come as You Are” by Nirvana
- “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden
- “Loser” by Beck
- “Basket Case” by Green Day
- “Creep” by Radiohead
- “Zombie” by The Cranberries
- “Plush” by Stone Temple Pilots
- “Interstate Love Song” by Stone Temple Pilots
- “Sex and Candy” by Marcy Playground
- “Hey Jealousy” by The Gin Blossoms
- “Alive” by Pearl Jam
If you are hiring a DJ, be sure to give them a copy of your playlist so that they can play the music that you and your guests want to hear.
Activities
Here are some fun activities that you can have at your party:
- Karaoke: Set up a karaoke machine and let your guests sing their hearts out.
- Dance contest: Have a dance contest and award prizes to the winners.
- Grunge trivia: Have a grunge trivia contest and test your guests’ knowledge of the 1990s grunge scene.
- Grunge photo booth: Set up a grunge-themed photo booth where guests can take photos with their friends.
When choosing activities for your party, consider the age and interests of your guests. If you are having a party for adults,you may want to offer a variety of activities, such as karaoke, dancing, and games.
If you are having a party for children,you may want to focus on activities that are fun and active, such as grunge-inspired crafts and games.
Here are some additional ideas for activities that you can have at your party:
- Grunge-inspired crafts: Set up a table where guests can make their own grunge-inspired crafts, such as flannel shirt necklaces, ripped jeans bracelets, and combat boot keychains.
- Grunge-inspired games: Play grunge-inspired games, such as grunge trivia, grunge bingo, and grunge Pictionary.
- Grunge-inspired scavenger hunt: Create a grunge-inspired scavenger hunt and send your guests off to find grunge-themed items, such as flannel shirts, ripped jeans, and combat boots.
- Grunge-inspired fashion show: Have a grunge-inspired fashion show and let your guests show off their best grunge outfits.
Costumes
Encourage your guests to come dressed in grunge-themed costumes. Some popular grunge costume ideas include:
- Ripped jeans
- Flannel shirts
- Combat boots
- Beanies
- Grunge makeup
Tips for throwing a successful 1990s grunge themed birthday party
Here are a few tips for throwing a successful 1990s grunge themed birthday party:
- Plan ahead: The earlier you start planning, the more time you’ll have to get everything organized. This includes sending out invitations, ordering decorations, and planning activities.
- Set a budget: It’s important to set a budget for your party so that you don’t overspend.
- Be creative: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your decorations, food, and activities. The more creative you are,the more fun your guests will have.
- Relax and have fun! The most important thing is to relax and enjoy yourself. Your guests will be able to tell if you’re having fun, and they’ll have more fun too.
Here are some additional tips for throwing a successful 1990s grunge themed birthday party:
- Use social media to promote your party. Create a Facebook event or post about your party on other social media platforms. This will help you spread the word and get more people to come.
- Have a photo booth. A photo booth is a great way for guests to capture memories of your party. You can either buy a photo booth kit or hire a professional photographer to set up a photo booth for you.
- End the party with a bang. Have a band or DJ play some classic grunge songs to end the party on a high note.
With a little planning and creativity, you can throw a 1990s grunge themed birthday party that your guests will never forget.
