You need to host a Halloween party but don't know where to start?


Don't worry!

In this blog post, I will guide you through everything when it comes to Halloween parties. We'll dive into everything from the first considerations to the last details that will make the day extraordinary.
Whether you are starting from scratch or already have some ideas, this post is created to inspire and help you create the framework for the perfect Halloween party. There are many things to consider, so let's get started!

Set a Budget

Having a realistic budget is crucial for planning a Halloween night. A clear budget ensures that you make the most of your resources without compromising on quality.

Just like with any event, costs will vary, but I've made a list of basic expenses that may arise:

  • Decorations
  • Food and drinks
  • Entertainment
  • Any rental costs for venues or equipment

 

Figure Out the Practicalities

Date:
Every year, Halloween falls on October 31st. Therefore, it would be obvious to schedule it close to this date. I would probably schedule the party either the weekend before or after. It might also be fortunate if the day falls on a Friday or Saturday.

Location:
I live in a small two-room apartment in Aarhus, so the conditions for hosting a Halloween party at my place don't really exist. Therefore, I would probably ask around in my network if there was anyone who could host the event. 
Otherwise, you can rent a venue where the party can be held.



 

Plan Food and Drinks

For a Halloween party, it's all about creating an atmosphere of excitement and spookiness while still offering delicious food and drinks to your guests.

I've made a list of things you can serve to your guests:

  • Witch's Fingers: Make long, narrow cookies shaped like fingers and decorate them with almonds as nails. Use red gelatin or raspberry jam as bloody details.
     
  • Ghost Bananas: Cut bananas in half and insert chocolate chips as eyes to create ghostly faces.
     
  • Pumpkin Soup: Serve a creamy pumpkin soup in hollowed-out pumpkins for an authentic Halloween experience.
     
  • Brain-Dried Grapes: Place grapes in a brain-shaped bowl to create a spooky snack.
     
  • Tombstone Sandwiches: Cut sandwich bread in the shape of tombstones and write creepy messages on them with edible ink.
     
  • Bloody Cocktail Sausages: Simmer cocktail sausages in a pot with ketchup or barbecue sauce to give them a bloody appearance.
     
  • Eyeball Punch: Make a large bowl of fruit punch and add pink or blue gelatin balls as eyeballs in the drink.
     
  • Halloween Pizza: Bake pizzas with toppings that resemble spiders (olives), worms (pepperoni), or ghosts (mozzarella).


I've also made ideas for beverages:

  • Witch's Brew: Make a fruit-based punch or cocktail and serve it in a large cauldron or jar as a real witch's brew. You can add green color to give it a more eerie appearance.
     
  • Bloody Mary: This classic cocktail is perfect for Halloween with its blood-red appearance. Garnish the glasses with celery or olives as "eyes."
     
  • Ghostly Lemonade: Make homemade lemonade and add a few drops of black food coloring to make it look like ghostly lemonade. Garnish with a lemon slice as a "moon."
     
  • Vampire Wine: Serve a blood-red red wine as "Vampire Wine." You can even add some decorative spider or bat labels on the bottle.
     
  • Potion Bottles: Fill small glass bottles with different colored beverages and put labels on them with spooky names like "Troll Blood," "Ghost Juice," and "Zombie Elixirs."
     
  • Mysterious Iced Tea: Make iced tea and add blue or green food coloring to give it a mysterious and eerie color. Garnish with slices of citrus fruits or berries.
     

Ensure Decoration and Décor

To create the perfect atmosphere for your Halloween party, it's important to think creatively and carefully about your decorations and details. 
 

I've made a list of ideas that will give your Halloween party a spooky atmosphere:

  • Golden balloons in black and orange: Create a spooky atmosphere with balloons in traditional Halloween colors like black, orange, and golden. You can also add some balloons with ghost or spider motifs to follow the theme.
     
  • Spooky decorations: Use spooky decorations like fake spiders, cobwebs, and plastic snakes that can be placed around the party venue to create a creepy atmosphere.
     
  • Flower arrangements with a twist: Make flower arrangements with dark flowers like black roses, purple carnations, and blood-red gerberas to add a spooky touch to your party.
     
  • Place cards and napkins: Create ambiance by using place cards and napkins with motifs like witch hats, skeletons, or tombstone signs. These details will contribute to the spooky atmosphere.
     
  • Photo area with spooky props: Set up a photo area with props like witch hats, scary masks, and costumes where guests can take spooky pictures as souvenirs from the party.
     
  • Cobwebs: This adds a creepy atmosphere to the party. Hang it up around different places
     
  • Pumpkins: A classic
     
  • Fog machine: This creates a spooky atmosphere 
 

Activities

There are many different and creative entertainment options for a Halloween party. I've made a list for both kids and adults, so there's something for everyone.
 

For the kids' activities at the Halloween party:

  • Pumpkin Decorating Contest: Let the kids decorate their own pumpkins with colors, glitter, and stickers. Make sure there are plenty of safe tools available.
     
  • Witch's Brew Creations: Create a "Witch's Brew" area where kids can mix their own soda drinks by combining different soda options and adding colored syrup or marshmallows to give it a spooky appearance.
     
  • Trick-or-Treating: Arrange a "Trick-or-Treating" around the party venue or garden. Hide small bags of candies and treasures for the kids to find.
     
  • Scary Stories: Sit down with the kids and share scary stories or create an improvised scare story together.
     

For adults, with Halloween-themed and drinking games:

  • Witch's Brew Competition: Organize a cocktail competition where adults have to mix their own "Witch's Brew" drinks. Give prizes to the most creative and tasty creations.
     
  • Fate Game: Create a fate game with a Halloween theme where adults draw cards with spooky messages or drinking tasks that fit the theme.
     
  • Ghost Hunt with a Twist: Organize a ghost hunt for adults where they have to find hidden "treasures" or alcoholic beverages around the party venue.
     
  • Halloween Quiz: Make a quiz with questions about classic horror movies, scary stories, and Halloween traditions. Let adults compete to get the most correct answers and offer prizes to the winners.




 

Ensure Good Sound Equipment

If I were to go with some sound equipment, it should be something good and professional, so you are guaranteed that the music will not scratch or be too low.
A good option could be one of these, for example, the "Yamaha Stagepas 600BT PA Speaker System" which is a system that ensures professional sound. Another good idea is just to rent some equipment, so you don't blow the budget. 


I would probably go with the DJ solution.
The good thing about a DJ is that they usually are good at sensing the mood of the party. Therefore, they can adjust the music to the situation and the guests. You could even hire the DJ later in the evening and then make a playlist yourself for dinner to save money. DJs usually come with equipment too.

 

Costume Ideas for Halloween

Now, since it's Halloween, we must, of course, have costumes!. Therefore, I've made a list of different ideas for various costumes and disguises, so you can get some inspiration:
 

  • Zombie: Go all-in with a zombie costume by tearing and dirtying the clothes, adding realistic makeup with blood and wounds, and walking with an unsteady gait.
     
  • Witch or Wizard: Dress up as a classic witch with a black cloak, pointed hat, and a magic wand. Add some mysterious jewelry and makeup to complete the look.
     
  • Vampire: Get ready to suck blood like a real vampire with a black and red costume, long capes or cloaks, pale makeup, and a pair of sharp teeth.
     
  • Horror Movie Villain: Take inspiration from your favorite horror movies and dress up as an iconic villain like Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, or Michael Myers.
     
  • Ghost: Go for the classic ghost look with a white sheet or dress, and add some spooky details like black eyes and trailing movements.
     
  • Skeleton: Dress up as a scary skeleton with a black jumpsuit and white paint to create bony details all over the body.
     
  • Distressed Patient from a Mental Hospital: Dress up as a scary patient from a mental hospital with a hospital gown, messy hair, and a creepy expression.
     
  • Creepy Clown: Go for the creepy clown look with colorful clothes, a scary mask, and some unexpected details like bloody teeth or a sharp knife.
     
  • Mummy: Get wrapped up like a real mummy with bandages or toilet paper, and add some bloody or dirty details to give it a spooky touch.
     
  • Frankenstein's Monster: Dress up as the classic monster with a greenish skin tone, some metal screws on the neck, and a massive attitude.

 

Ready for the Halloween Party

Now we've been through everything you need to consider when hosting a Halloween party. Good luck!