How to Host an Un-Haunted Halloween Party

Spooks and haunted houses may be a hoot, but sometimes grownups want a break from the blood-and-guts scene. Enter the modern Halloween party. It’s all about the color orange--but don’t think this party’s got no juice. All the party delights must still be conjured up, so after the kids are off to their gruesome party, here’s where the parents and singles will be hanging out!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Orange Jell-O, vodka, small plastic cups
• Orange décor: Flokati rug, orange tootsie pops, oranges, large bowls, orange candies, gold fish crackers, orange and silver ornaments (bulbs), modern orange and silver fabrics, Velcro tape
• Food and beverages with an orange theme
• Activities: pumpkin piñata, stuffers for piñata, cyber spider, yo-yo’s, fortune teller.

Invitations

1. A simple orange masquerade mask inviting guests to come dressed in black, white or orange. Include all the other party details on a card that’s attached to the mask.

Decorations

2. Decorate with the color palette of orange, silver and white. Concentrate on the combination of pop art, modern and shag pad.

3. Lay out orange and white Flokati rugs (those fuzzy carpets that look like super-high piled shag).

4. Arrange orange Tootsie Pops in a simple vase (the lollipop heads end up looking like a bouquet of flowers).

5. Stack oranges in large bowls and accent with orange-hued roses or Gerber daisies.

6. Fill assorted glass vases and jars with orange candies: candy pumpkins, candy corn, and so on.

7. Load glass bowls with orange goldfish crackers.

8. Fill specimen jars with orange and silver ornaments.

9. Cover lampshades with modern orange and silver fabrics. Use Velcro tape so you don’t damage the lampshade.

Activities

10. Create a photo-op by hanging a fabric panel on the wall (cool fabric that’s been stapled to simple wooden frames).

11. Break out a pumpkin-shaped piñata stuffed with candy and adult toys.

12. Hold a cyber-spider race by having several silver tech spiders that are controlled by a wristband. They can move in any direction and can creep across the floor. Unlike the real ones, they won’t freak you out. Have several on hand for a spider race.

13. Leave a bowl of orange and clear yo-yo’s at the bar for guests to play around with.

14. Hire a fortuneteller. After all, who doesn’t love to hear about themselves?

Food and Beverages

15. Serve Veuve Cliquot champagne (even if it’s just for a toast). It’s great champagne and it has an orange label!

16. Orange-flavored Jell-O shooters (see link below).

17. Pumpkin ravioli, saffron risotto or go Asian with orange chicken.

18. Peanut butter cheesecake, carrot cake, or orange gelato for dessert.

Tips & Warnings

• Although this is an un-haunted Halloween party, that doesn’t mean you can’t sneak in a few scary stories.

[LilacGirl]

on 5/12/2008 What great Halloween party ideas!

[griff]

on 10/25/2006 Nice!