Halloween is considered by many to be America's favorite holiday.  It is enjoyed equally by children of all ages, so if you plan only one party a year, Halloween is the perfect occasion.  When planning the party, be sure to consider the age of the guests. Decorations featuring pumpkins and cute spiders are more appealing to small children than skeletons and monsters.  Be careful that the music and sound effects aren't too scary for the youngest children on your guest list.  For adult and teenage parties, the scarier the better!  A good variety of food or snacks is the key to every successful party and Halloween gives you the opportunity to unleash your creativity. Even if you plan to serve standard party foods, adding a couple of ghoulish treats will help creative a mysterious atmosphere.  Halloween serves as its own theme, however if you want to impress friends with your creativity or are simply tired of the same old routine,  the ideas below may be just what you are looking for. 

Masquerade Ball

Costume parties have been around for centuries, but never seem to get old.  Although they are held year round, Halloween is the most popular time for costume or masquerade parties.  The terms are often used interchangeably, but guests may assume that Halloween costumes are expected at a costume party and other types of costumes are to be worn to a Masquerade party.  Be sure to let guests know if costumes are supposed to fit a specific theme.  Popular themes are movie heroes, cartoon characters, historical figures and famous couples. If your guests are all part of the same group, occupation or organization, a very specialized theme can spark a lot of creativity.  Masquerading as "a famous doctor" can include anything from actual historical characters to Dr. Jekyl.  A limited theme can be a huge success with the right group of guests, but make sure that you can think of a variety of ideas that fit the theme you are considering.  Since guests often go to a great deal of effort planning their costumes, prizes in several categories are appreciated.  While prizes don't need to be expensive, try to come up with something that will actually  be used.  Costume parties usually include dancing, but also provide a perfect opportunity for a karaoke contest. Guests may enjoy singing "in character" or choosing a song that fits their costume.  For more elaborate parties, a magician or wandering entertainer can provide an added attraction.  Last, but not least . . .  Even if you specify on the invitation that costumes are required, keep a couple of masks on hand for guests that insist on showing up without them.

 Haunted House Halloween Invitation

Heads Up Party

Most people love to plan a costume and dress up once a year, but occasionally guests insists on showing up dressed in their every day attire.  A Heads Up party may be the perfect compromise if you have guests that resist wearing complete costumes.  Heads Up means to "dress up" from the neck up.  This includes face paint, wigs, hats, tiaras, bandanas, sunglasses, etc.  Be sure the invitation includes enough information so that the guests know what is expected.  Guests may choose to come up with a prize-winning idea, or simply adorn a silly hat.  The promise of an enticing prize can encourage guests to put some thought and effort into their creation.  If you can come up with creative prizes that apply to the neck up, you can further promote the theme of the party.  And . . . If you need a consolation prize, consider a bottle of the well known dandruff shampoo! 

 Heads Up - Halloween Party Invitation

Halloween Swimming Party

If you are lucky enough to have access to a heated pool, or live in an area where it is still warm enough for swimming in October, a Halloween swimming party is fun. Although a costume contest isn't practical, all of your other favorite Halloween activities can be easily incorporated into your party agenda.  Since most Halloween swimming parties are held outside and after dark, less preparation is needed than for more elaborate parties.  A few spooky decorations, some tasty  food, and "spooktacular" music is all you need .   For safety sake, make sure the party area is amply lit and if your guest list includes youngsters, be sure that there are plenty adults available to serve as  lifeguards.

 The Swamp - Halloween Invitation

Monster Movie Marathon

Who says slumber parties are just for teenage girls!  Complete with popcorn and movie-type treats, a  "Scare-a-thon" is the perfect way for a small group of friends to enjoy Halloween.   You may ask for suggestions for  movie selections ahead of time, or just have an assortment of your favorite scary movies available.  Your guests may enjoy making their own pizza, chocolate chip cookies, or other favorite treat between movies.  In addition to being fun and delicious, the "intermission" gives added time for chatting and socializing. The movie marathon theme can be adapted for children simply by substituting cartoons featuring monsters.  Be sure the cartoons are age appropriate and short enough to match the attention span of the children. 

Vampire and Cake

Halloween Hayride

For family or group parties that include guests of varying ages, a hayride is great fun.  Whether you live in a small town, or a large city, there are bound to be a number of farms available which will take care of most of the preparations for you. If the hayride is for adults only, you may chose to have a romantic theme or even a haunted hayride.   Although hayrides tend to be more mysterious at night, it is easier to keep track of a group of each children if the event is planned during daylight hours.  If the farm has a pumpkin patch, you may want to treat each child in the group to a small pumpkin, or suggest that they bring some extra money to purchase their own.  Traditional hayrides often include a wiener roast, which can be as much fun as the hayride itself.  Even if  you choose to have simple snacks or picnic foods instead, making  s'mores is a perfect grand finale.

Scarecrow Hayride Invitation

Pumpkin No Carving Contest

Pumpkin carving contests are often an added feature of a Halloween party, but consider pumpkin decorating with a new twist!  Fill a wheelbarrow or metal tub with pumpkins and let each guest pick one to decorate as they arrive.  Provide markers and assorted decorations, and let the imagination of your guests take care of the rest.  You can specify prize categories (scariest, funniest, most original, etc.) but the only rule should be that the pumpkin is not damaged.  Since no carving is required, the contest is safe and suitable for children as well as adults and the  pumpkin will still be edible.

Halloween Birthday Party

Halloween seems to become more popular with each passing year, and if you or someone you know is lucky enough to have a birthday on or near the holiday, you have a ready-made birthday theme.   Halloween birthday parties are popular for children and adults, and custom invitations are available that combine both grand occasions.
Costumes are a must and kids will be excited to have another chance to wear their beloved costume.  Black and orange are the obvious color choice for decorations, but as long as the guest of honor is pleased with the end result, it isn't important if everything is color coordinated.  Bowls of candy corn double as tasty treats and colorful centerpieces.  For children's parties, a paper trick-or-treat bag can be filled with inexpensive trinkets such as plastic spiders and pumpkin rings.  Kids love goody bags and usually appreciate a group of  small items more than one larger item.   A Halloween birthday party offers a lot of photo opportunities, so make sure to get both group pictures and individual photos of  guests in their costumes.  These  photos can be used as thank you notes after the party.

Skull and Candle

Halloween Baby Shower

If you are in charge of planning a baby shower, it probably won't surprise you to learn that many of the intended guests have recently attended other showers.  Friends usually tend to be in the same age group and stage of life, so planning a shower that stands out from the others may take some creativity.  If the shower is in October, a Halloween theme  baby shower may be just what you are looking for!  Orange is the obvious color choice for decorations and can feature small pumpkins and rattles tied with orange bows.  Instead of mints, set out bowls of colorful candy corn.    Shades of purple are also popular for Halloween baby showers and decorating tables with several cute stuffed cats (which will also serve as baby gifts) carries out the Halloween theme.  If you prefer to the stick to the traditional colors of pink and blue, invitations are available which feature pink or blue pumpkins.  Although most of the decorations will probably be related to Halloween, be sure to keep them on the humorous side and avoid dark or scary  themes.  Pumpkins and cute spiders are good choices, and a good variety should be available in most areas.  A fun addition is to request that guests bring a small item for the baby's trick or treat bag.  If you are serving several food items, consider including a special treat like pumpkin bread or pumpkin cheesecake. If you plan to include a baby shower game, try to incorporate the Halloween theme into the game.  If you know what the baby will be named, hand out sheets of paper and see who can come up with the most Halloween-related items starting with the letters in the baby's name.  The perfect prize for the winner is a cute children's book with a Halloween story .  Jars of pumpkin baby food tied with an orange bow  may also be used as a prizes or table decorations.  Unless the guest of  honor especially enjoys games, limit them to one or two.  Opening the presents and socializing with friends should provide most of the entertainment.

Pick of the Patch