In recent years Britain has followed America in getting the most out of Halloween. It’s no longer simply a fun night for the kids – everyone wants to embrace the celebrations and have a ‘wickedly’ good time! Thankfully, we are able to host larger events again this year (phew!), but we know that some revellers will prefer a smaller party on the 31st. We have this covered. Our ideas are designed so that you can embrace all the fun and creatively spooky ideas in a smaller, less formal event. Or scale them up – for the ultimate Halloween extravaganza! So, whether its a party at home with your family, a ‘witching-hour’ celebration outdoors, or a ‘spooktacular’ company party night – our 5 freakishly good Halloween party tips are sure to bring any guests under your spell!
SCREAM OF A THEME
If you thought that Halloween was the only party theme at this time of year. Think again. When it comes to organising the perfect fright night, from arachnids to zombies, there are more themes to choose from than there are letters of the alphabet. The Twilight books and movies have seen vampires become an increasingly popular choice. But there are plenty of other movies, songs and books to take inspiration from. A masquerade ball is stylish; the 80s horror genre adds a retro spin. Or asking guests to come as their favourite dead film or rock star adds an element of surprise. Getting dressed up is part of the fun, but remember, if you are planning a family party make this clear on the invitation so that costumes aren’t too scary for young children. If its adults only, the gloves are off (but not the hand we hope) when it comes to costume ideas!
DEVELISH DECOR
Any Halloween party needs to set the scene from the off with a haunted house entrance. Depending on your theme, make sure your guests are welcomed by something or someone suitably ghoulish when they arrive.
The shops are full of creepy characters. Skeletons, mummies, ghosts, werewolves and wicked witches. Place at the entrance help to set the scene. Inside create a ghostly glow with low lighting, and add to the eerie atmosphere with strategically placed spider’s webs, bats and skulls.
SPOOKY SNACKS
Halloween is the time of year for food colouring overload. The more garish the better. What you call your party food is also important and the most stomach churning is the winner. Bloody fingers, eye-ball soup and spider’s web cakes are suddenly top of the menu. And of course, presentation is key here to honouring the theme.
For young children I like the BBC GOOD FOOD recipes for frozen banana ghosts and chocolate bat biscuits. For more grown up cauldron cuisine JAMIE OLIVER has some easy to serve warming autumn choices. If you can’t get the caterers in, take advantage of the delivery or click and collect services offered by many restaurants, bakeries and supermarkets.
Of course, you can make the most of the time with your children and get them involved icing biscuits and cupcakes with their favourite Halloween colours and characters.
WITCHES BREW
It is hard to think of a time when you can have more fun with drinks than at Halloween. The trick is to serve up something that is both tasty and tasteless. What you call your concoctions are all important, for example, eye-ball punch, boiling blood or liquefied ghost. The drinks need to look equally gruesome too.
For adults, hardened red syrup around the rims of glasses makes a dripping blood effect, while stuffed olives on a cocktail stick make for an ogling pair of eyes. Add the extra shock value by using plastic doll part stirrers and severed hand ice cubes. For children, try adding candy eye-balls and jelly worms in a bowl of fruity punch, or wrap individual drinks cartons in white paper and stick on wobbly eyes on for a drink of juicy, fresh mummy blood.
GHOULISH GAMES
Halloween is about having fun and, whether you are a youngster playing boo or an adult unleashing your hidden child, there are plenty of games to keep you entertained. For adults there is something to match every budget, from hiring in a murder mystery company to playing horror film charades. For children the classic games and activities like bobbing apples and pumpkin carving are still firm favourites. You’ll be surprised how many adults, given half a chance, enjoy joining in too.
AFTER DARK
The ‘Day of the Dead’ celebrations in Mexico are bright, colourful and upbeat – with just enough of a macabre edge to keep is spookily fun! These ideas will help you get started on a Halloween party with a difference.
Hope our 5 freakishly good Halloween party tips have helped you to plan your own Halloween celebrations…enjoy ghoulish friends!