The afternoon sun has a warm glow, there’s a slight chill in the air and the leaves are beginning to turn various shades of amber. Autumn is here and with-it Halloween! Every year I look forward to this season; the decorations, costumes, and parties. If there is a holiday that is pure fun, it’s Halloween. And it’s not just for kids, adults spend billions of dollars every year on the festivities. Because this is the perfect holiday to get together with friends why not throw a party! Here are some ideas on how to host the ultimate Halloween party!
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Throwing a Halloween party has become an annual tradition in my house. The best part; it doesn’t have to cost a fortune! With some planning, the invitations, decorations, food, and drinks can make a huge impact without breaking the bank.
Invitations
This part is easy! The fastest, most efficient, and least expensive invitations are online. Not only do you get an amazing selection that can more closely match your party theme but you get your guest’s RSVP and any questions they may have. You can include any details you may want to share, all delivered instantly.
I use Minted for my Halloween parties and any other event! Minted allows you to send invitations, track your RSVPs, send details and remind guests about the event. Not only are these great invitations designed by independent artists but the online e-invitation is free!
Decorations
We wanted the entrance to the party to mark the change from the ordinary to the spooky. I created a simple entryway with two 8 foot pieces of wood. I Drilled holes in the top of each, a couple of inches from the end, and connected them with a nut and bolt so I could easily adjust the opening size and easily close it for storage. Both ends were secured in buckets which were weighted with sand. To finish the look off we added layered white tulle fabric and lights. The result was a dramatic entrance that cost only a few dollars and has been used for multiple parties.
Many of the decorations and elements that bring together the spooky atmosphere can be used year after year. Lights and a fog machine are two inexpensive elements that create the perfect mood.
A couple of years ago we added a Bluetooth disco ball which helped incorporated music and looked great with the eerie fog. To save money on the disposable basics such as black tablecloths and spider webs, a dollar store is a good option. I often save money on these items and dress them up with more unique decorations.
Lighting goes a long way in achieving the perfect Halloween mood. A combination of colored lights and candles are inexpensive ways to get the most bang out of your buck!
Activities
Depending on the age group of the party-goers you may want to have some planned activities. 5-year-old children have very different expectations than teenagers or adults while some activities are fun for all ages.
Trick-or-Treat
If the party falls on Halloween send out an adult with a group of kids to trick or treat. We were lucky enough to live in a neighborhood where Halloween was a BIG deal! Wandering around the neighborhood and admiring the decorations was a must.
Scavenger hunt
Make a list of items at the party for the kids to find. The list will be fun and unique given the Halloween decorations. Send the kids out with a list to check off the items as they go.
A Costume Contest
This is a fun way to highlight the effort and creativity put into the holiday.
Dancing
As I mentioned before, we added a Bluetooth disco ball to our decorations a couple of years ago. This was inspired by the teens who had outgrown the younger kid activities and wanted something else to do. We let them draw a dancefloor with outdoor chalk and set up the disco ball. To be honest, there was very little dancing, but the effect of the disco ball and music was enjoyed by all the guests.
Backyard movies
This is a favorite activity of ours whether it be for a birthday, summer night or Halloween. We often choose the movie based on the theme of our Halloween party.
Some Halloween Party Movies
- Nightmare before Christmas
- Corpse Bride
- Coraline
- Sleepy Hollow
- Hocus Pocus
- The Adams Family
- Halloween
- Beetlejuice
- It’s a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
- The Shining
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers
- Coco
Food
This is the area where experience has certainly taught me what not to do! Years ago as the guests would arrive I would be in the kitchen cooking, 30 minutes later, still in the kitchen, an hour later, desperately trying to get out of the kitchen to enjoy the party. My advice; make it simple!
Some store-bought chips, salsa, crackers, etc. will lighten the load and leave more time to concentrate on a few special Halloween themed eats. Prepping as much as possible early in the day will also help to get you to get out of the kitchen and enjoy the party with your guests.
For the special treats that make your party unique it’s always good to opt for the items that reflect the event which in this case is anything with a ghoulish appearance. One of my favorites is the Olive and Parmesan Cheese puffs. For my party they go by the name of “Bloodshot Eyeball Puffs”. They fit the theme and are delicious!
Drinks
Last but certainly not least are the party drinks! This is another area where less is more. I usually have a couple signature Halloween Party drinks and add beer, wine and of course non-alcoholic drinks so everyone can enjoy the event.
What makes Halloween drinks distinct is their color and presentation. This is where simply using an ingredient with an unusual color ties the drink to the party. Serve it in a themed glass and viola – Signature Halloween Party drink! Two of my favorites are the Dark as Night Vodka Cranberry and the Moonlight Margarita.
I hope these tips help you plan the ultimate Halloween Party! Whether you make it a happy hour gathering, movie night, or party for all ages Halloween is the perfect opportunity to get together with friends and enjoy a holiday that’s pure fun!
Happy Halloween!
