Rad Gifts for People Who Just Love the '80s
Like other decades, it's easy to look back on the '80s and cringe. Shoulder pads, skinny ties, and lots and lots of giant, Aqua Net-infused bangs were not the proudest of moments in our collective cultural history. But it wasn't all bad. If the 1980s were your or someone you love's fave decade, here are some gifts that are totally gnarly and won't make you feel like a neo-maxi-zoom-dweebie.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
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$12 from Amazon
The iconic toy of the '80s? Probably. Still just as irresistable to fiddle with for hours on end? Yep.
$38 from Always Fits
Based on the popular '80s film, this board game promises escape room-style team play as you follow Mikey, Brand, Mouth, Data, Andy, Stef, Chunk, and Sloth on their adventure.
$50 from Amazon
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If bands like Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, Aerosmith, Mötley Crüe, Metallica, and Guns N’ Roses were their jam, they'll love this behind-the-scenes book from rock photographer Mark Weiss.
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$13 from Always Fits
Because Mr. T., everyone's favorite TV and movie star of the '80s, always looked out for his mom above all else. Choose from lined, gridded, or blank paper; 144 pages total.
$160 and up from Amazon
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We love that this boombox has Bluetooth connectivity and other 21st-century features, but looks like it belongs in the 1980s. It comes in four different colors. Really feeling like a vintage splurge? This nearly $600 version is super gnarly, too.
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$26 from Always Fits
Here's a gift for anyone who ever dreamed of hanging out in the kitchen with Rose, Blanche, Sophia, and Dorothy, and noshing on whatever. (Yes, there's a cheesecake recipe.)
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$50 from Amazon
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If Skittles, Starburst, Hubba Bubba, and Gobstoppers make their mouth water for the good 'ol days, this gift, which comes in a keepsake box, will bring a nostalgic smile to their face.
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$40 from Amazon
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Get your '80s film fix with the 10 movies in this collection, which include classics like "The Breakfast Club," "Fletch," "Uncle Buck," and "Weird Science."
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$64 from Amazon
This first volume of a three-volume set is for any hardcore "Bloom County" fan. Volume one covers the strip's early years from 1980 to '82.
$22 from Barnes & Noble
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The Goonies, Garfield, Flashdance, Duran Duran, Miami Vice, D&D, Knight Rider ... these are just a handful of the memories they'll be introduced to while putting together this 24-by-30-inch puzzle.
$15 from Amazon
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Think you know your '80s trivia? This game will test you on that with questions about the decade's trends, fashions, music, and other pop culture.
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$17 from Amazon
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Sure, it's not the real deal, but this Walkman-like product from Amazon gets decent reviews, comes in four different styles, and has a belt clip for that truly 1980s cool-guy vibe.
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$6 from Amazon
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Test your knowledge of the totally rad '80s with this book of questions about subjects as diverse as "Ronald Reagan, Rubik’s Cubes, and Run-DMC."
$30 from Amazon
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This star-studded CD set features some of the biggest hits of the 80s by Pat Benatar, Foreigner, The Bangles, Rick Springfield, and many more.
$21 and up from Amazon
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Sure, MTV isn't even close to what it was when it debuted in 1981, but these retro-style shirts harken back to a golden era when music videos were just music videos, and we all couldn't get enough of them.
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$40 from Ulta
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One look at the review photos for this product will either have you thinking that crimping your hair for the first time in 30 or so years might not be a bad idea — or running the other direction. Either way, your '80s enthusiast might love one.
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$9 from Amazon
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There were some truly horrendous fashion trends from this decade, but leg warmers weren't one of them. With this gift, you can amp up the '80s factor with some neon colors, too.
$70 from Amazon
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Go back in toy time with a gift of one of these dolls featuring the original yarn hair. She comes with adoption papers, a unique name, and a birth certificate.
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$6 from Always Fits
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Remember when these seemed like the height of innovation? Ahh, simpler times. Anyway, these little numbers would make great 1980s-themed stocking stuffers. They come in red, green, blue, and yellow versions, but the color sent is chosen at random.
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$16 from Amazon
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This perfume might not be refined — like, at all — but it will certainly bring back memories of what it was like to wear your first parent-approved scent.
$30 from Always Fits
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A true "throwback to the freshest decade ever," this game includes everything you need for a totally fun night with friends. John Bender not included.
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$16 and up from Etsy
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Even if the Boss isn't their jam, this Etsy seller, SweeneyBricks, has other '80s-era minifigures like Dolly and Kenny, the Golden Girls, and more.
$7 from Etsy
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Grab a cheap frame and this digital download will not only make a great '80s-themed gift, but it'll almost certainly get the party started with a nod to the first hip-hop song to ever reach the Billboard top 40. About that earworm? You're welcome.
$30 from Always Fits
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Another cultural phenomenon of the 1980s, this jigsaw puzzle pays tribute to four of our favorite gals: Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia.
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$17 and up from Amazon
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You didn't think you were going to get out of here without us recommending you buy your '80s fanatic a fanny pack, did you? This one comes in four unique styles.
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$17 from Amazon
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There wasn't a lot of nuance in the '80s fashion world, and these four neon bangles are a perfect example of that. Still, with the right outfit, these would look just as cute in the 21st century as they would have been in the 20th.
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$20 from Amazon
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Another iconic 1980s toy, this classic version of Lite Brite will bring back nostalgia for nights spent in the dark crafting designs. It comes with six design templates and more are downloadable online.
$22 from Amazon
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Don't feel like you'd do much with an actual boombox? This tin box is made to look like a retro radio but is actually a storage container designed to hold accessories, your lunch, or be a part of a costume.
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