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Fall is in full swing, fam! Spooky season is right around the corner. We’re in the home stretch, where holiday parties pop off left and right. First up? Halloween, the one that’s got something for everyone. While the young’ns are hitting classroom parties by day and trick-or-treating by night, we grown folks get to cut loose on the weekend. If you’re the type who loves to plan, you might be thinking about hosting your own shindig. Well, we got you! Check out our list of seven essentials to throw a party that’s absolutely to die for.
Decorations
Whether you want to turn your garage into a haunted house or just dim the lights and add some strobes, the visuals are the main ingredient. The party has to feel like your guests are immersed in spookiness, so the decor needs to pop. Throw up some streamers, stretch fake cobwebs over furniture (nothing flammable, please!), and add some plastic spiders to top it off. If you’re super crafty, carve some pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns and scatter those around. Could be a good way to add some mood lighting if you’re thinking about killing most of the lights to set the tone.
Costumes
This one’s a no-brainer, but make sure your guests dress for the occasion. On your invite, encourage them to go all out, maybe even host a costume contest. Think of categories like “Overall Costume,” “Best Couple,” and “Scariest.” This brings an element of excitement as folks show up to see the competition. Let’s be real: it kind of sucks to go to a party where people are boring and ignore the theme. Incentivize partygoers with cool prizes, and depending on how deep your pockets are, maybe even throw in some cash, too!
Themed Drinks
This is where the fun really starts! While a punch bowl is standard, whip up some specialized cocktails (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) for folks to enjoy. Get creative, because food coloring is your best friend here. Grab some plastic syringes and fill them with red Jell-O for a “bloody shot,” or mix orange Fanta with your favorite vodka for some “pumpkin tears.” If you want to level up your drink setup, snag a block of dry ice to create that ghost-like fog. Try some green coloring in lemonade (liquor optional) and drop in some candy eyeballs for a ghoulish concoction. The recipes are endless!
Solid Playlist
We go to holiday parties for the people and the fun, but the music definitely sets the vibe. There are basically two main approaches for whoever’s on “the aux.” You can curate a playlist in advance full of sounds and music from your favorite Halloween movies, or just make a general list of “bangers” that’ll really get the party going. (I think “Not Like Us” might still hit at a costume party, right?) Either way, make sure the tunes are continuous because dead air always kills the mood and draws everyone’s attention in a bad way.
Photo Wall
Did you even go to a party if you didn’t take pictures? An underrated piece of throwing a memorable party is the photo wall. Have a designated area where people can flick it up with props and good lighting. People often spend lots of money and time on makeup to get their costume to killer status, so they’re going to want to document every bit of it. It’s also a win for you, since they’ll post to their social media letting everyone know that you threw a dope party they missed out on.
Spooky Movie
Your guests will be there to chat it up and have a good time, but having a scary movie on in the background is a must. Will they sit and watch the whole thing from beginning to end? Probably not, but a few might stumble over to the couch and get sucked into Hocus Pocus if it’s on. This is one of those elements that contribute to the overall ambiance rather than being a front-and-center feature. Why not throw on Agatha All Along? Lucky for you, if you turn it to ABC or TBS, you’ll most likely catch a marathon of spooky flicks on repeat anyway, which will help you out.
Treats
This goes without saying, but food and snacks are a must (especially if drinking will be involved). There are so many creative ways to turn everyday appetizers and desserts into Halloween-themed bites. How about some string cheese with marinara on the tips to look like bloody fingers, or popcorn balls with candy corn on them to look like pumpkins? If you’re wanting to cut corners on time, perhaps order a pre-made charcuterie board (some places will even align it with your party’s theme). You can’t forget the sweets! Cookies, brownie bites, or even pretzel sticks dipped in white chocolate with sprinkles for eyes to make them look like ghosts.
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