Parenting Pointers: Halloween Parties

Five simple things you can do to have the ultimate Halloween party.

1. The most important thing is planning.
You don’t have to be a domestic diva or Martha Stewart to have a great party, but you have to have a plan and be organized. Invitations should go out 3 – 4 weeks in advance and you need to request RSVPs so that you will have enough food, beverages, etc. Decide what kind of party you want to have. Expect each guest to consume about a dozen appetizers and desserts. Guests typically consume two drinks during the first hour of the party and average one for every hour after that. For kids parties, expect them to eat everything you put out!

2. Do everything that you can well in advance of the party.
This includes finalizing your menu, cleaning, shopping, decorating, and preparing recipes and activities. You can make and freeze some recipes or store in airtight canisters. Be sure to do little shortcuts that will help you during the party, as well. For example, use cupcake liners instead of bowls for serving ice cream at a kids party. Freeze individual scoops of chocolate and orange and/or lime sherbet in liners the night before and your work is done. Remove from freezer and serve.

3. Stick to simple recipes.
Reese’s Cupcakes
Use any brand yellow or white cake mix. Make according to directions and then add Reese’s pieces. Optional: Add chocolate or orange frosting, but they are so tasty and pretty that it’s not necessary.

Monster Meatballs
Combine one jar of grape jelly (I like Welch’s), a bottle of chili sauce (I like Heinz), and a package of frozen meatballs. Cook in Crockpot for 6 hours. Simmer on lowest heat during party and stir periodically.

 Be sure to serve a good balance of light appetizers, heavy appetizers, and desserts, including healthy options. If hosting a kids party, be sure to ask about any food allergies or kosher restrictions on your RSVP card.

4. Another critical component to a good party is ambience.
This means decorations. The cheapest and easiest things you can do is go to the dollar store and stock up on the following items and arrange on tables, mantles, etc. You can find loads of ideas, free Halloween clip art, free patterns for bats, ghosts, etc., and pumpkin carving/decorating ideas online by doing a search using keywords ‘Halloween decorating’ or ‘Halloween pumpkin carving ideas’. Here are some suggestions: Fall leaves, Halloween color/theme battery-operated candles, Old white sheets, Vases of dead flowers (you can usually find black roses in dollar stores around Halloween), Replace light bulbs with black or orange or purple light bulbs, Place orange and black and purple twinkle string lights all over, Halloween music CD,  Spider webs, Plastic spiders and bugs, Ghosts, Monsters, Skulls, Skeleton parts, Black and white streamers, Black, white, purple, orange, and white balloons, Luminaries. I try to use fake candles whenever possible to minimize fire risks or accidental harm to party goers, especially kids.

5. The last thing you need to do to ensure a killer party is plan fun activities.
If it is a kids party, you need to have crafts/activities and games. You can also set up a Monster Station, play mad scientist and make slime, and much more.

For activity ideas for teens and adults (or for more recipes and decorating tips), see my new book, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!: Hundreds of Perfect Party Recipes, Delightful Decorating Ideas & Awesome Activities by Terrance Zepke (Safari Publishing, 2013).

Terrance Zepke has a B.A. in Journalism and a Masters degree in Mass Communications from USC and has studied parapsychology at the renowned Rhine Research Center. She is the author of numerous ghost books and travel references. She is in demand as a speaker and has appeared on The Learning Channel, History Channel, and Travel Channel.