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About two weeks before my 30th birthday in August, someone reminded me that my “dirty thirty” was coming up soon. To which Aaron, that guy I married, responded: “With Megan, it’s more like her nerdy thirty.” And thus, a theme was born!
This is how I pulled off one hell of an awesome Nerdy Thirty birthday theme with only two weeks to plan, and with a little help from my friends:
INVITATIONS
I decided to go with online invitations, as I only had two weeks’ time. Plus, I’m a big internet nerd — obviously. Of course, first I consulted Cat’s post about online invitations to choose the right service for my needs.
Now, finding nerdy enough invitations became a challenge… until I discovered Punchbowl’s kids birthday invitation section! That’s where I found my little robot guy. So cute, so perfect.
DECOR:
Inspired by the watermelon shark punch bowl from Offbeat Bride, I created a watermelon robot fruit bowl. It looked adorable and it was good for appetizers.
Once again, children’s party stuff is the way to go! Kawaii animal paper plates were perfect for the party.
A Mystery Science Theater 3000 birthday party
I LOVE BIRTHDAYS. They make me very excited. Happily, I have a husband who, while less excitable, loves me for my super-planning tendencies. This is... Read more
DRINKS
I’m a big fan of getting beer that goes with the theme of the party I’m throwing. I decided to try and round up all the nerdy beers that I could find. Here’s a list of generally easy-to-find nerdy beers:
- Hobgoblin ale (a shout-out to Dungeons and Dragons)
- Gonzo Imperial Porter (a shout-out to one of my favorite writers, Hunter S. Thompson, since, as an English major, I love me some books)
- Monty Python’s Holy grAIL (my ABSOLUTE favorite find, AND my favorite beer of the bunch)
- New Planet (gluten-free beer)
- Mothership (sci-fi fun)
- Tricerahops (dinosaurs are always geeky cool)
ENTERTAINMENT
Inspired by a wedding I shot where Nerf gun fights were erupting everywhere, I’ve been collecting a ton of Nerf guns that go on sale. In the days leading up to my birthday, Aaron and I had a blast finding more guns and basically just using the party as an excuse to go toy shopping.
Obviously, fun times shooting each other ensued. Including a super dark, but strangely fun game of Russian Roulette with my Nerf N-Strike Maverick.
FOOD:
When brainstorming party food ideas with my buddy, he told me about Valley’s Pizza Land that makes pizzas the size of a freaking table! So OF COURSE I had to get the craziest, biggest pizza anyone has ever seen before. Coolest meal EVAR!
FAVORS
I also bought a box of Nerd Rope candies for people to enjoy at the party and take home as favors, because: 1. It’s delicious candy. 2. The name, obviously. 3. They look like DNA strands!
CAKE:
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My sweet friend Kimmy surprised me with a Star Wars birthday cake. Look — it’s an adorable storm trooper! Big thanks to Butter Cake Bakery for this super tasty and nerdy confection.
DRESS CODE:
Most of my friends aren’t nerds, so I didn’t make it a costume party. But if y’all have a dorkier crew than I have, make it a costume party — kigurumi suits, cosplay, shirts with pop culture references… for example:
Finally, the extra bonus that I didn’t even think about happening…
GIFTS!
My buddies were so awesome, a lot of them brought me nerd-themed gifts! From John who made me this Super Mario-inspired artwork:
To Laura who got me a sweet potato gun AND a potato to go with it.
And one super sweet video made by my husband in honor of my Nerdy Thirty.
If you have any more ideas on throwing a kick-ass Nerdy Thirty, leave ’em in the comments!
I didn’t go all-out nerdy 30 for my husband, but turning 30 would not have been complete for him without a Batman cake:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9189954@N03/6585822701/in/photostream
My boyfriend and I are turning 30 this year and after seeing this article we’re having a Nerdy Thirty ourselves this summer (between my half-birthday and his real one). Thanks for the idea!
I like Nerd costume parties. Like “Revenge of the Nerds” or Steve Urkel style. Otherwise it just seems like a normal party in my nerdy social circle. :\ Heh.
My friend had a nerdy thirty party in November! It was so fun. Everyone dressed like nerds from Saved By The Bell, professors or scientists. I rocked a lab coat, lab goggles and a pocket protector! We even drank cocktails out of beakers.
I was going to take my erlenmeyer flask with me to drink out of, but then I left it at home! 🙁
This is so awesome! I’m planning my 30th birthday and “nerdy thirty” is perfect!! Thanks for the super great idea!
MEGAN! You are the cutest. LOVE this party idea & totally stealing it …for when I turn 30. Again.
KELLI! You may use this idea if you invite me to your next 30th! 😉
This is great! I’m not quite nerdy enough, but I’m using my 30th birthday to return to childhood. I’m having a pool party, complete with pizza and waterslides, but hopefully without any vomit (at least, not at the pool). LOVE the fact that turning 30 is a big deal for how fun it can be and not that we’re “Getting OLD!”
tehehe…frak off…tehehee
awesome party! I’m totally *stealing* this theme when my nerdy thirty day comes!
party looks super awesomely fun (was gonna write ‘cool’ but its not…but it is!) your dress is really cute too.
Nice job on the Hobgoblin. I haven’t been able to get any of my local stores to order me anything from that brewery.
I found Hobgoblin at BevMo!
Okay, first… Did my FOUR MONTH late birthday gift actually fit the theme? (star wars lunch box with nerdy stationary?) That was a total accident. But cool. 😉
2nd…LOVE this whole party. What a cool and fun way to celebrate! Totally didn’t do up my 30th like that (with a 6day old kid all I wanted for my 30th was sleep..ha! ) but I love it! You rock.
3rd: YOU are officially in charge of my 40th. Figure out a better theme than “Shell’s lame 40th” cause that’s what we’ve got so far. You have more than 2 weeks, more like 6. The catch is You and Mr. F. have to attend. 🙂
I LOVE the Mario print. Wonderful. So so great. Also the video is still one of the most special things I’ve ever seen.
Didn’t have a Halloween party the year before, so had a Halloween Fancy dress party and everyone joined in including my parents. It was FAB!