Want to ensure your next Halloween party is Spooktacular? The key to throwing the ultimate Halloween party is to spend as much time as you can planning it. So here are our 19 killer ideas to consider when you plan a Halloween party.
Planning Your Halloween Party Theme
Whether you’re throwing an adults-only party, or you’re tasked with throwing a party for all ages, there’s a lot of factors to consider. Discover some of the most important things to plan ahead of time for that ultimate Halloween party. From themes to food to costumes, this mom is here to help plan a killer party.
One of the first things you’ll need to decide is what theme the Halloween party will follow. There’s a lot of themes to choose from so there’s a few factors you’ll want to consider before deciding which one to use.
These include:
- The age of the guests. It will determine how spooky you can make the theme.
- Ease of planning. Go with something easy for less stress.
- Your party budget. You’ll also want to ensure your budget can cover the theme you’re planning on using.
Don’t forget, the theme of the party determines the décor, costumes, food and party games. So, it’s important to take your time to ensure you’re choosing the right theme for the party.
5 Awesome Halloween Party Theme Ideas
There’s a lot of different themes you can go with. So, if you’re stuck for ideas, below you’ll discover 5 awesome Halloween party themes you’ll want to consider.
1. The Stranger Things Party
Everyone loves the Netflix hit, Stranger Things, have you seen it? Why not use the cult show as inspiration for your party? One of the best things about this idea is that you don’t need expensive, over-the-top décor. Remember, Stranger Things is set in the 80’s so you can get away with using old style decorations.
A great way to utilize this theme at your party is to host it in the backyard. Create a note onto your front door, written by the Stranger Things characters. Tell your guests to quickly meet you in the backyard because the bad guys are coming! Decorate the yard by recreating parts of the Stranger Things set. If you take a look online, you’ll be able to find lots of great décor ideas.
You could even match the party theme with this Stranger Things costume.
2. Adults Only Candy Party
Why not throw a fun adult candy party? Just because it’s adults only, doesn’t mean you have to keep it serious. You will need some type of candy cart, which you can easily create yourself. Or, if you fancy saving yourself the trouble, you can hire a candy cart for the party. However, they can be expensive so if you’re on a budget it’s best to create one yourself.
The main thing you’ll need is some kind of cart, ideally one with wheels which you can move around the party. Then, simply top it with jars of spooky candy. You can also add Halloween themed cocktails on it too for a truly adult party.
3. Spooky Scavenger Hunt
If you’re looking for a simple theme idea, why not host a spooky scavenger hunt party? This too can be played outdoors and it’s fairly cheap to put together. There’s a lot of different ways you can create a spooky scavenger hunt party so don’t be afraid to get creative with it.
Start with creating DIY gravestones. Then have your guests dig up the graves to find the clues. Obviously, you don’t want them digging up the entire yard, so make sure you create small holes which are easy for the guests to spot. Hide candy in burlap bags which can easily be recovered from the hole.
4. Glow In The Dark
If your Halloween party is being held for all ages, a glow in the dark theme is fantastic. The trick here is to make sure all of your décor has glow in the dark elements. So, think glow in the dark cups, straws and pumpkins for example.
There are many things you can buy that will glow in the dark. For larger items such as pumpkins and bigger props, there is glow in the dark paint you can use. Don’t forget to have something for guest to put on that is glow in the dark like buttons or glasses. This is a magical theme idea that everyone is sure to love.
5. Witch Themed Dinner Party
Finally, if you are looking for something a little more classy how about an adult only, witch themed dinner party. This idea can be surprisingly popular with older guests, allowing you to decorate the table with beautiful black wine glasses, green wreaths, tarot cards and scrolls with written spells as decorations.
The guests can dress up as witches, and you can serve up spooky yet elegant treats. As this theme takes care of the décor and the costumes, it’s perfect for those looking for a simplistic theme to follow.
There are so many different Halloween party themes you can follow. The above are just some great ideas you can use for inspiration. Don’t forget to think about the age of the guests, along with your budget, when you plan a Halloween party and are looking for the best killer theme.
Design the Ultimate Halloween Party Invites
When planning the perfect Halloween party, it’s easy to forget about the invites. However, the invitations give you the chance to set the tone for the party.
Get your guests excited by creating the ultimate Halloween party invites. Here, you’ll discover some of the key elements to consider when putting those invitations together.
Traditional or Interactive?
Thanks to technology, you have numerous choices when it comes to creating Halloween party invites. The first thing you should decide is whether to send traditional or interactive invitations.
Interactive invites are created and sent entirely online. You’ll find companies which specialize in online invitations, allowing guests to receive them via email. These interactive invites are fun, and they’re particularly ideal for those looking to lower their impact on the environment.
However, when it comes to Halloween invites, traditional are definitely the best. This is especially true if you’re sending invites out to kids. You can create your own or have them created and printed out professionally. There’s just something about receiving a postal invitation which makes it more exciting.
Look for Inspiration Online
It can be difficult knowing what to include in your Halloween invites. Therefore, it’s a good idea to get a little inspiration online.
Using sites such as Pinterest, look for Halloween invites. You’ll typically be presented with hundreds of images and tutorials. This should provide you with a lot of inspiration to get started.
It’s important to think of the age range you’re inviting. Kids invites should be spooky, but too frightening. Adult invites on the other hand can be as scary as you want them to be.
Using the Right Wording
Finding the right wording for the invites can be tough. A great tip is to start your party invitations off with a few catchy Halloween phrases. So, for a kid’s party it could be “Calling all witches and ghouls”. For an adult party it could be “Eat, drink and be scary” or “We’ve got the booze, you bring the boo’s”.
Again, if you get stuck you can find wording tips online. Just try to make them as creative and as catchy as you can.
Tips for DIY Printing
Printing out the invites yourself can save you a small fortune. However, there’s a few tips you’ll want to follow to ensure you’re sending out high-quality invitations.
Firstly, make sure you’re using good quality paper. Photo paper is a great option as this will allow you to print out realistic spooky invites. You’ll also want to consider using different textures to make the invitations more captivating.
Opt for color printing over black and white and if you’re especially creative, make part of the card interactive. That is, you can create pop-up elements and hidden messages behind opening doors or ghosts. When you’re sending out invites to kids, the more fun you make them the better.
Ensure You Include Important Details
It’s all well and good spending hours creating the perfect Halloween party invite design. However, that’s not going to matter if you don’t ensure you include all relevant information.
As well as including catchy wording, you’re going to need to say who the invite is for. Is it an adult-only party or can the kids come along too? What time is the party and where will it be?
Add contact information and don’t forget to ask your guests to RSVP. You’re going to need to know who’s coming so you can plan accordingly. Also, don’t forget to add if the guests need to bring anything and whether or not there’s a costume element.
These are some of the best tips you can follow when creating Halloween party invites. If you have the budget, getting them professionally printed is a great idea. However, you can still print out professional style invites yourself using the above tips when you plan a Halloween party.
Getting the Decor Just Right
Once you have a theme, you can get to work planning the décor. The trick here is to make sure you don’t go too over the top. While it’s great to think outside of the box, avoid overly complicated displays that will take too much time.
If you’re having an adult-only Halloween party, you can get away with using luxurious, classy décor. However, if you’re hosting a child’s Halloween party, luxury décor is guaranteed to get broken. Always make sure your decorations are age appropriate.
For here for more Halloween decoration ideas.
Organize Spooky Halloween Games
As well the décor, you’ll want to make sure you come up with lots of party entertainment. Again, you’ll need to make sure the games and activities at the party are age appropriate.
You can purchase pre-made Halloween party games, or you could get creative and come up with a few of your own. If you’re hosting a child’s party, adding physical activities is a great way to burn off that Halloween candy rush. This will also help them to get to sleep easier once the fun is over. And your mom friends will appreciate it.
There’s a lot of different types of games you can add to the party. From classics such as apple bobbing, to more unique game ideas such as marshmallow toss; there’s a lot of games you can add. If you’re hosting an adult only party, you can use games such as punch pong or trick and treat shots.
Planning Your Menu
These days, planning the food for a party is a lot more complex than it used to be. Not only do you need to come up with fun Halloween themed food, but you also have to potentially cater for specific dietary requirements.
You’ll need to check in with your guests ahead of time to ensure you’re catering to their needs. Is anybody a vegan? Do any guests require gluten free foods? You’ll also need to check whether anybody has any food allergies you need to be aware of.
Once you have the dietary requirements figured out, you can get to work creating a spooky menu. For more ideas this spooktacular Halloween, check out our post on Halloween food ideas.
Sorting Out Your Costumes
Finally, you’ll need to think about the costumes for the party. Can guests dress up in any Halloween costume they want to or is there a specific theme? Try to ensure the costume ideas are suitable for all guests. This means they shouldn’t be too expensive or difficult to find or make. Here are some of our favorite Halloween costume ideas:
As you can see, there’s a lot to think about when you’re planning the ultimate Halloween party. Remember, the earlier you start planning, the less stressful the party will be.
This Mom’s Last 5 Tips to Plan An Unforgettable Halloween Party
Now that you’ve organized your decor, food and entertainment, it’s time to ensure your party is truly unforgettable. Here are my last awesome tips you can follow to make sure your party is a success.
1. Use Projection to Wow Guests
In order to host an unforgettable Halloween party, it’s going to need some cool effects. This is where projection can come in really useful.
You can project spooky images and videos on the walls or ceiling using a good projector system. If you’re hosting an adults Halloween party, why not project scenes from famous horror movies? This doesn’t just add a fun element to the party, it also lets guests reminisce about their favorite horror movies.
2. Create the Perfect Ambiance with Spooky Music
Nothing completes a party more than the right music. If you want to create the perfect spooky ambiance, you can use Halloween themed music to help.
All you need to do is carry out a quick search online for Halloween music. You can then either put a playlist together yourself or play one which is already featured in the search results.
The right music can make or a break a party. So, be sure to take your time choosing the right tracks to fit the theme when you plan a Halloween party.
3. Plan a Halloween Party with a Spooky Surprise
What better way to make your Halloween party unforgettable than by totally surprising your guests? The goal here is to have something planned for your guests that they know nothing about. This increases the chances of giving them a fright, which they’re sure to talk about for years to come.
There are a few different ways you can do this. Having actors hiding behind the scenes ready to burst out when a song comes on is a great idea. You can also add spooky surprises into your décor. Halloween themed spooky characters which pop out on guests without warning are awesome. Just be sure you don’t use this type of surprise for very young guests!
4. Everyone Loves Party Favors
After the thrill of the party, give your guests party favors they can take home. This will keep them talking about the party even after it’s finished.
Candy is the obvious favor of choice. However, you’ll want to think outside the box if you really want to make it memorable. Skull lights which are switch operated can be great party favors. Why not have a look online to see what type of Halloween favors other people recommend?
5. Don’t Forget to Provide Lots of Entertainment
You’re going to want to make sure your guests have plenty of entertainment to keep them happy. The great news is, you’ll find hundreds, if not thousands, of ideas online.
If you’ve got the budget, why not wow your guests by hiring professional entertainers? This is an especially great ideas for business style Halloween parties. If you’re just hosting a party for family and friends, you can include Halloween themed party games like bobbing for apples
The more entertainment there is, the longer your guests will talk about your awesome Halloween party.
Get Busy Planning the Ultimate Halloween Party
If you want to host the ultimate Halloween party, the above tips can really help. You’ll need to really think outside of the box and get super-creative if you want the party to stand out. The internet can be your best friend when it comes to finding inspiration to plan a Halloween party, especially Pinterest.
You don’t necessarily need a huge budget either. No matter how much you have to spend, there’s always an idea you can use to make your Halloween party truly unforgettable.