I don't have 8, my newest is 7, but I heard you can make 8 look like 7.  Since I don't have 8, I can't try this out, but it looks like it should do exactly what you want or least make it a lot less like 8.

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/software-and-web-apps/how-to-make-windows-8-look-like-windows-7-50009546/