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Even when you're no longer a kid working on your cavity quota thanks to a successful trick-or-treating candy collection, October 31st is one of the most festive, fun days of the year. Considering that Halloween offers up an opportunity to play dress-up as an adult, tell tales of supernatural beings amid the chilly fall air, and snack on yummy treats, it's the perfect opportunity to organize a get-together with friends, family, and neighbors. But throwing a Halloween party can also be a little daunting. Do you really want to turn your garage into a haunted house? Probably not. (If you do, kudos—that takes some serious effort.)
Whether you host an annual autumn harvest bash that the whole neighborhood looks forward to all year long or you simply need an excuse to get your best friends together this fall, you'll find inspiration from our 19 creative Halloween party ideas below. Check out the following potential themes, cocktail and food suggestions, décor concepts, and activity ideas to ensure a monster smash for both you and your guests.
Dress Up as Horror Movie Characters
To give your guests a little more direction while choosing a costume, have them dress as their favorite horror movie villains, heroes, and victims. Think Michael Myers, Ghostface, or Freddy Krueger.
Create a Carnival
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Not all Halloween dress-up parties need to be scary to be festive and fun. Invite your guests to come dressed like circus performers and carnival-goers and then make sure the décor plays on their costumes. Or let them come as whatever they want, and just focus on activities.
You could go all-out and rent a small Ferris wheel and hire fire-eaters, hypnotists, and fortune tellers, depending on your budget.
Try an Autumn Harvest Theme
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This is the perfect way to make your party fall-ready without going overboard on a Halloween-centric theme. Simply invite your guests to dress for the season (cozy sweaters, anyone?) and then incorporate fall foliage and décor.
Create a Centerpiece
Plain pumpkins can actually look just as cool as those that are elaborately carved. They also tend to look more grown-up this way (unless you're a master crafter). Create a centerpiece of pumpkins, cranberries, and candles either on a cocktail table or the dinner table, if you're hosting a sit-down meal.
Host an Masquerade Ball
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If you want your party to be a formal event while also taking advantage of the fun costume tradition that Halloween offers, host a masquerade ball. One and done. You can even just call it cocktail attire and provide masks that guests can decorate once they arrive.
Set Up a Themed Bar
Set up a "mad scientist" bar station for the adults to give your cocktail party a timely twist. You can either print out the recipe instructions and lay out all the ingredients for guests to make the drinks themselves, or consider hiring a bartender to walk your guests through the process. Make sure to give your cocktails a fun, Halloween-themed name.
Bake Treats
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There are so many fall-appropriate treats to delight your guests with other than drugstore candy. Think caramel apples, pecan pies, apple pies, pumpkin cupcakes, and decorated sugar cookies.
Host a Potluck
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This is fun for guests (now they won't have to think of what to get you as a hostess gift) and takes some of the pressure off of you as a host. You can still curate the menu by assigning specific dishes and suggested recipes to your guests.
Host a Murder Mystery Soiree
To give your bash an entertaining edge, turn it into a murder mystery party. This interactive and low-cost activity is super fun and unique for both kids and adults, especially if you write your own characters and plot twists. But you could always download one for free as well.