How to host a killer Halloween party

Marked by ghosts, goblins, candy, and horror movies, Halloween is the scariest day of the year and should be celebrated accordingly; with friends, family, and terrifyingly awesome movies.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Invitations
• Food
• Drinks
• Paper plates and cups
• Fog Machine
• Fake Spider Webbing
• Halloween music and sound effects
• Horro Movies

1. Write up your guest list. This will determine everything else about your party. If your guest list will include young children you may not be able to use elaborate scary props and decorations or show horror movies. Remember your guest list will go a long way in setting the tone of your party.

2. Decide on a theme. Do you want a haunted house theme, classic movie monsters, slasher movie theme? Use your imagination.

3. Once you've decided on a theme set to making invitations. Stick to your theme so your audience can be prepared for the upcoming party. If you plan to have a costume party note that on your invitations.
   Remember to get these out early. I send mine no later than September 30, and then send a reminder or call half way through October to remind my guests.

4. 
    
   www.allrecipes.com

   Decide on a menu. Do you want a buffet, a sit down dinner, appetizers? If you'll be featuring Halloween movies try movie food (popcorn, pretzels, nachos, hot dogs, candy, etc.) Any everyday foods can be "spookified" for Halloween with a little imagination, and black and orange food colouring. Check out www.allrecipes.com for detailed recipes.

5. If you're going to serve your guests food they'll most likely expect drinks as well. Its up to you if you server alcohol. If you plan to have a full bar I recommend hiring a bartender. For a more budget friendly party you can create a drink menu. Feature a few different spooky drinks and offer only the alcohol and mixers needed for those. And of course you can always choose to go alcohol free with your party. Whatever your choice be certain to have plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available and as the host its your responsibility not let anyone drive drunk.

6. 
    
   www.yardhaunter.com

   Once you've chosen a theme, invited the guests, and set a menu you need to decorate for your party. Key items you'll need are a fog machine with fog, fake spider webbing, a black light, and of course pumpkins.
   Check your local craft stores for inexpensive decorations. Look for spooky containers to hold food, punch, candy, or prizes.
   I also recommend websites such as www.halloween****.com and www.yardhaunter.com for how to instructions for making your own props and decorations.

7. 
    
   www.yardhaunter.com

   Before your guests arrive light any candles, set out the food, and turn on the music. You can use an MP3 player or a CD set to loop to play spooky sound effects or your favourite Halloween music. Check local discount stores for Halloween music.

8. Greet your guests and have a good time!

Tips & Warnings

• Consider showing Halloween movies at your party. My personal favourites are the Halloween movie series. But you can also select family friendly movies, or funny movies.
• Decide if you want games or any special activities and set up a schedule of events for your party. This is just a guideline to help keep the party running and not becoming dull.
• Read the warnings on all your decorations and follow them, particularly if you're planning to serve food off of a prop.
• Never leave candles unattended.
• Be careful where you put things like candles and/or dry ice. These can be very dangerous. Never keep dry ice around food

Resources

• All Recipes
• Yard Haunter
• Halloween Online

[madferret]

on 10/13/2008 I wish I had found this earlier. Its too close to halloween to throw a party, but I'll remember it next year.