How to Plan a Halloween Party for Grownups
Why should kids have all the fun? With its nostalgic memories and opportunity to play dress-up, grownups love Halloween, too! Check out these tips for throwing a monster bash adults will enjoy:
- Invitations. Make sure to get them out in plenty of time (no sooner than a month in advance). Make it clear whether or not guests are to wear costumes and, if so, if there’s a theme (classic movie monsters, historical figures, etc.).
Tip: Online invitations are a great way to send themed invites, and make it easy for your guests to RSVP.
- Ambience. Create a festive mood with orange-and-black crepe paper and balloons, and decorate with fake spiders, cobwebs, and creepy displays. Stock up on paper plates, cups and napkins with a fall or Halloween theme.
Tip: Load your video player with a classic thriller (skip the gore – think old, black-and-white versions of Frankenstein or Dracula) to play with the sound off as a great way to add atmosphere to your spook fest!
- Music. Include a collection of upbeat, Halloween-themed songs like “Monster Mash,” “Love Potion #9” and “Thriller.”
Tip: While guests are still arriving, play a CD made up of creepy or funny sound effects, like creaking doors, lonely howls, and witches’ cackles.
- Games. You can leave bobbing for apples to the kids, but games are a great way to keep everyone involved. Pool and ping-pong tables always keep the conversation lively, while many people enjoy darts or karaoke.
Tip: Most adults like to have some time to visit and talk, so try not to fill the night with planned activities.
- Costumes. Costumes are a must for Halloween parties! Plan to hand out prizes for the funniest, scariest, most original and “best couple” costumes.
Tip: Have inexpensive masks on hand for guests who may have forgotten to wear a costume. - Food. Finger-food favorites are perfect for a fun and relaxed atmosphere! Offer your guests a cheese, cracker and fruit plate, mini-quiches, sausages, meatballs, raw veggies with dip and snacks such as popcorn and pretzels. Warm up a chilly fall night with bowls of soup or chili that you can keep warm on a buffet table in a slow cooker. For dessert, offer pumpkin- or apple- based cakes, cookies, brownies or pies.
Tip: Brew up a Halloween punch in a witch’s cauldron with dry ice at the bottom for a spooky fog effect (see recipe).
Halloween Punch
Ingredients:
46-oz. can pineapple juice, divided
3 oz. pkg. orange or lime gelatin
64-oz. carton orange juice
1-liter ginger ale, chilled
1 qt. orange or rainbow sherbet
Directions:
Bring 1 cup of pineapple juice to a boil in saucepan. Stir in gelatin until dissolved. Allow to cool. Transfer to a large pitcher. Add orange juice and remaining pineapple juice. Chill. Just before serving, pour into a punch bowl; add ginger ale and mix well. Top with scoops of sherbet. Serves approx. 24.
Need to know how to take out water rings on wood furniture, or at least minimize them
Hi Sylvia!
Try spreading 2 tablespoons of mayo on a paper towel, then press it lightly over the ring. Leave it for 15 minutes. That should get the ring out! I’ve heard toothpaste works, too, though I’ve never tried this myself.