Halloween’s just around the corner, and we wanted to show you how we plan a really spooky halloween party.
In this article we’re sharing ideas and DIY tutorials, but if you don’t have the time for all that you could always hire professionals and rentals for everything you need from EventKickstart.com.
The Basics
There’s a few basic things you HAVE to do, being the Halloween spirit and all, so we’ll just go over them really quick. Remember that it’s just one day, and a lot of these things may not last till next year, so there’s no reason to go overboard. DIY where you can, and use dollar store variants where you don’t have time to DIY.
The Pumpkin
We’re pretty sure it goes without saying that you need a carved pumpkin. But why not take it a step further and do something creative with the pumpkins. We promise these are no more difficult than carving
Cast of Characters
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com http://www.goodhousekeeping.com Back to Table of Contents Use a little lace
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com Back to Table of Contents
Add masks
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com http://www.goodhousekeeping.com Back to Table of Contents
Paint them black and embellish
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com Back to Table of Contents
Scarface
http://www.dreamalittlebigger.com/post/stitched-up-jack-o-lantern-tutorial.html Back to Table of Contents
Spiders
http://www.thekimsixfix.com/2014/09/creepy-crawly-spider-pumpkin.html#_a5y_p=2525370 See, easy peasy.Back to Table of Contents
Other Decorations
The pumpkin’s the most important part of course but you need to decorate the rest of the house too. Here are a few things you can do. Try whichever one fits with your overall aesthetic.
Door Wreath
http://www.triedandtrueblog.com/halloween-skull-wreath/ http://www.marthastewart.com/854499/wriggling-snake-wreath http://www.goodhousekeeping.com Back to Table of Contents
The mantle
Carrie Higgins Back to Table of Contents
Candles around the house
http://www.thoughtfullysimple.com/diy-halloween-decorations/ http://rosyscription.com/2013/09/simply-wicked-diy-painted-candles.html Makezine .You’ll need a spine mold to pull this off. We didn’t know a spine mold was a thing until now. So all the normal people out there, who don’t have spine molds, this spine candle holder will have to do.
http://averyharryhalloween.tumblr.com/post/131853096320/diy-spine-candle-dollar-store http://endlesslyinspired.com/2014/10/22/diy-skull-candle-holder-31-days-halloween-day-20/ Back to Table of Contents
The Windows
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com jayscup.com/diy-cardboard-halloween-decor/ Back to Table of Contents
Stuff To Do
Obviously decorating the house isn’t enough. You’ll need stuff for people to do. If you’ve got kids over, these things will go over very well.
Trick or Treat Candy
You need candy for trick or treaters. Not healthy snack treats, not toys (although toys + candy is fine), not “educational” anything. Don’t be that guy (or gal) who deserves to get tp’d. Just regular candy.
Now as to how much candy you should buy, here’s a quick guide to figuring it out so you don’t waste any.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-much-halloween-candy-should-i-buy-237187 Back to Table of Contents
Kid Games
Ghost Pinatas
http://ohhappyday.com/2013/10/mini-ghost-pinatas-diy/ Back to Table of Contents
Frankenstein bowling
http://blog.partydelights.co.uk/halloween-party-activity-tin-can-bowling/ Back to Table of Contents
Pumpkin patch stomp
http://www.deliacreates.com/five-easy-halloween-games-kids/ Back to Table of Contents
Glow in the dark ring toss
http://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2015/06/glow-in-the-dark-party.html Back to Table of Contents
Mummy race
http://www.sixcherriesontop.com/2013/10/halloween-mummy-relay-with-cottonelle.html Back to Table of Contents
Mummy bowling
http://porch.com/gigglesgalore/mummy-bowling-and/ Back to Table of Contents
Spider egg toss
http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/make-and-decorate/decorating/how-to-make-a-kids-halloween-spiderweb-game-pictures Back to Table of Contents
Feed the monster
http://www.triedandtrueblog.com/feed-the-monster-halloween-game/ Back to Table of Contents
Roll a Frankenstein
Tutorial here: http://www.housingaforest.com/roll-a-frankenstein/ Back to Table of Contents
Food
No party’s ever complete without stuff to eat. Here are our top picks for easy to make Halloween themed foods:
Cobweb cakes
H/T: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/a40977/cobweb-cakes-trend/
Tutorial here: http://thecakeblog.com/2012/10/diy-marshmallow-cobweb-cake.html Back to Table of Contents
Drinks
Use apothecary bottles for keeping drinks in.
http://www.amandacolemandesigns.com/2013/09/halloween-party-drinks.html Back to Table of Contents
Buffet
And finally, go all out for the buffet table
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Be Subtle
Everyone expects carved pumpkins and skeletons on the porch, it’s just not scary anymore. If you’re really looking to scare people, be subtle.
Plants
Put small plants around the house, but put them in corners, nooks and crannies where they won’t be noticed right away. If you hear sudden screams around the house, you’ll know one of them have been noticed. Here are some ideas.
http://diycandy.com/2014/10/dollar-store-craft-diy-upcycled-skulls/ Back to Table of Contents
http://mizerella.blogspot.com/2011/03/21-scorpion-orchid.html?m=1 Back to Table of Contents
Eyeball plants, just hot glue a fake eyeball into the center of a plastic flowerBack to Table of Contents
Body parts
Poltergeist pillows. You can buy these online, but they’re pretty easy to make. Just insert a foam cutout beneath the cover
You can also stick body parts into foods. The easiest way is the old hand in the punchbowl trick.
Just freeze some water in a latex glove, then cut the glove away.
The head in a jar is of course a classic.
Learn how to make it here: http://www.instructables.com/id/head-in-a-jar-prank/
Bonus point if it’s your own head and you’re acting just a little bit off.
You can use other organs too. Tutorials here: http://www.evilmadscientist.com/2011/halloween-cuisine-sweet-or-savory-specimen-jars/ Back to Table of Contents
Above and Beyond
No let’s imagine for a moment that you’ve got way more time on your hands than any adult should. Let’s say you’re ready to go above and beyond the usual cheap scares. Let’s also imagine you’ve got money to spend because you’ll need some expensive supplies for these next few ideas. Remember that you could always hire professionals and rentals for everything you need from EventKickstarter.com.
Heads
If you want really scary pumpkin heads, real pumpkins won’t do. You’ll need paper mache.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Paper-Mache-Jack-o-Lantern/ Back to Table of Contents
This ridiculous lawn statue
Tutorials here: http://www.stolloween.com/?page_id=4466 Back to Table of Contents
Floating spirits
There are 2 ways of making these. Our preferred method comes from Martha Stewart and uses cheesecloth, but you could also use tape and trash bags for a different version from monster tutorials .Back to Table of Contents
Haunted trees
Tutorials here: http://mizerella.blogspot.com/2011/09/30-haunted-tree.html Back to Table of Contents
Man-eating plants
Tutorials here: http://www.hauntforum.com/showthread.php?t=26866
And that’s wrap. We wish you the best of luck for your Halloween party. Share pictures of what you did for your Halloween with us on Facebook, twitter , or Instagram. And remember, if you ever feel the party preparations are getting out of hand, we’re always happy to call in professionals for everything you need.
