It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And we’re not talking about Christmas, Andy Williams.
It’s the beginning of October, which means the Halloween season has finally commenced. For those who love everything to do with Halloween, it’s the best time of year to throw a party. And if you’re planning to throw a spooky soiree, you might be on the prowl for Halloween party ideas.
Sure, a costume contest and mystery box games are the staples of any Halloween bash. But what are some unique and scary ideas for a haunted house party? And what are some ways you can throw an incredible party that people will remember for years to come?
Put your party (or witch) hat on… because it’s time to throw the best party around town this Halloween!
The Refreshments Table
What’s a haunted house party without some food and beverages to enjoy?
Of course, candy is an obvious choice for any Halloween party. But you’re bound to create some not-so-pleasant tummy aches if all your guests have eaten is sugar. Luckily, there are plenty of spooky and scrumptious appetizers you can whip up for your party.
Take chorizo and caramel stuffed intestines, for example. They look as unappetizing as gutted intestines would. But the flaky crust and the warm sausage, potato, and onion stuffed center are anything but. The recipe even calls for a sweet dipping sauce.
What are some other appetizing Halloween party ideas? You can create mummified pigs-in-a-blanket using mustard drops as eyes. Or, place sliced olives on top of deviled eggs to make them look like creepy eyeballs.
Quench Their Thirst for Thrills
Throwing a party strictly for the adults? Looking for something other than spiked “bloody” punch? Try morgue-a-ritas, witchy cocktails, and plenty of other Halloween cocktails!
You can even pour the beverages into vials to make them look like potions. Seal them off with corkscrew caps and tie tags around them with messages like:
- Drink Me
- Poison
- Beware
- Aging Potion
- Snake Venom
Your beverages don’t have to be alcoholic, either. Why not celebrate the time of year by providing warm apple cider? You could even concoct an apple, cranberry, and pomegranate sangria – minus the alcohol. Instead of booze, use ginger ale or flavored seltzer.
Satisfy Their Sweet Tooths
There may be plenty of candy to go around. But why not whip up some bloody cupcakes? Use white cake batter and fill the insides with red jelly or red frosting. Be sure to slather on white frosting so your guests don’t know what to expect inside!
Skip the kiddie caramel apples. Instead, replace the caramel with black toffee and serve up some “poison” apples. Don’t forget to cover the refreshments table with something festive. The darker, the better!
The Decorations
Halloween is the only time it’s socially acceptable to transform your home into a living Hell… well, not literally.
Every haunted house party needs decorations. If you have decorations leftover from previous years, use them! The more, the better. But what are some other Halloween party ideas and decorations?
It’s All About the Ambiance
There’s something eerie about dim lit rooms. Instead of experimenting with the lights in your home, go for candlesticks. Antique-style candlestick holders will create a spooky ambiance… but empty wine bottles can also suffice.
Black-and-orange schemes are traditional for Halloween. But if you want scary ideas for haunted houses, try black-and-white. For example, you could use black plates and silverware along with striped napkins. Keep white to a minimum or embellish all the black with metallic colors.
Flowers may seem like the total opposite of Halloween. But there are black and dark fake flowers that can add a level of elegance to your party. Decorated and carved pumpkins are always a classic choice, as well.
Go the Extra Mile
What’s to stop you from decorating the rest of your house? After all, people are going to need to use the restroom. Here’s a creepy way to startle them when they walk inside…
Buy a white shower curtain at a local dollar store. It doesn’t need to be expensive. Then, slather your hands and wrists with red paint
and create a bloodbath on the curtain. Hang it up for the party and keep it up all throughout Halloween! If you have a bathmat you don’t mind dirtying up, have at it with your feet.
You can also get your guests pumped even before they enter your home. Decorating the outside of your home for Halloween takes time… but with these outdoor Halloween decorations, you can throw the ultimate haunted house party!
The Entertainment
Dressing up and catching up with old friends is entertaining enough. But what’s any party without some music to play in the background and dance along to?
We all know the Monster Mash, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and the Ghostbusters theme. So, what are some Halloween songs you can play to create an ambient and creepy atmosphere?
- Don’t Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
- I Put a Spell on You by Nina Simone
- House of the Rising Sun by The Animals
- Black Magic Woman by Santana
- Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon
- Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones
- Zombie by The Cranberries
Many of these songs fall under the classic rock genre. You can never go wrong with playing theme songs from your horror films… or playing music that you and your friends can dance to!
Have Some Good Old Fashioned Halloween Fun!
What are some other entertaining ideas for a haunted house? What types of fun Halloween party ideas and activities can you incorporate?
You can never go wrong with a mystery box game!
Designate a table you’re not afraid to get dirty. Then, you’ll need boxes with small holes cut into the top or front of them. Shoe boxes work great.
After that, it’s time to fill them with some fun (and disgusting) mystery ingredients. Here are some ideas:
- Cooked spaghetti (brains or worms)
- Mushrooms cut into quarters (noses)
- Olives or peeled grapes (eyeballs)
- Small, boiled hot dogs (fingers)
Trust us when we say to have a disposable tablecloth and some napkins handy for your guests!
What are some other Halloween party ideas that’ll keep your guests entertained?
If you and your friends love horror movies, set up a horror flick trivia game. Instead of throwing a haunted house party, you could host a murder mystery party. If you go that route, be sure to send character profiles to your guests on the invitations.
The Costume Contest
You wouldn’t believe the lengths people go to come out on top at Halloween costume contests. People will shell out hundreds of dollars and spend hours making their costumes. And if you invited some competitive, Halloween-loving folks, raise the stakes!
This year, we’re loving the idea of skeleton trophies. You can buy small ones for cheap online or at a local party store. Then, all you’ll need is gold spray paint… and voila!
What are the categories you should award your disguised and downright creative guests? Here are some categories:
- Best/most creative costume
- Creepiest makeup
- Funniest costume
- Spookiest couple costume
- Scariest costume
If the idea of skeleton trophies doesn’t jive with you, never fear. There’s no shortage of prizes to award the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Money. Gift certificates. Even tickets to a haunted attraction!
Throw an Unforgettable Night with Halloween Party Ideas!
Are you looking to throw the ultimate Halloween bash this year? Now is the time to start planning and sending out your invites. Halloween is only a couple of weeks away!
If you’re looking for more Halloween party ideas, we’ve got one more in store for you:
Thrillvania is the most thrilling Halloween experience in the country… and it’s only thirty miles outside Dallas. Get a group of 15 friends together and experience three terrifying attractions in one unforgettable night… and then, host a Thrillvania after-party!
Buy your discounted group tickets today!
