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Have a ‘boo’-tiful time hosting a Halloween party in your home

By Frances Borsodi Zajac fzajac@heraldstandard.Com 4 min read
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Halloween parties are becoming a staple with Americans’ enjoyment of the holiday continuing as they dress in costume, decorate their homes and pass out treats.

In fact, a recent survey commissioned by the National Retail Federation showed that 32 percent of Halloween celebrants will throw or attend a Halloween party this holiday season.

“All over the world, young adults are embracing this holiday and, in particular, costume parties,” said Magan Cooper, an event planner and owner of Blue Forest Studios in Fayette County. “The exciting part of these parties is that it’s a chance to escape their status quo for a night. Halloween has become a day of festivities and a certain lack of inhibition.”

Now in the midst of the season, it’s a great time to throw a Halloween party in your own home.

You can have a party by itself or connect it to another event, such as a neighborhood trick or treat, going to a parade, visiting a haunted attraction, or enjoying a hayride.

Start by deciding the date and time as well as whom you are inviting.

“When deciding on a party theme, spooky themes are the most popular. Invite guests to come and dress up as popular spooky characters. Adult-based Halloween parties are typically thrown in the evening because it fits the ‘spooky’ theme and mood,” Cooper said.

But you need to take children into consideration if they are among your guests.

“If children are involved, you should opt for more playful or fairy tale-inspired character costumes,” Cooper said. “It’s important to remember that when you’re hosting a party for both children and adults, you definitely need to filter out any gruesome, surprising décor and activities when children are involved.”

If you haven’t already decorated your home, a party is a perfect excuse to fill it with pumpkins, scarecrows and fall flowers. You can add special touches that reflect your party theme.

Holiday music is always a good choice with plenty of CDs and streaming sites offering popular tunes that include such standards as “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, “The Monster Mash” by Bobby Pickett and “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.

Cooper added, “The classic movie silently playing in the background of the party seems to be a popular trend this year and/or the use of projectors indoors and out.”

Don’t forget to include the holiday when you plan your menu.

“There are so many Halloween-themed foods that you can get creative with: sausage mummies, cookies with character cut-outs, cupcakes, green punches, and red cocktails with gummy eye candy or syringes will delight your guests,” said Cooper. “A lot of these foods could be easily prepared at home however, we recommend ordering from a catering service for a larger number of attendees.”

Giving your guests time to relax and enjoy good conversation makes a great party, but you can step it up with entertainment.

Cooper said, “Entertainment is a key component to how your party will turn out. It’s important to keep your guests entertained, and that can make or break a party. There are so many games, such as a spooky scavenger hunt and scary movie trivia.”

She reiterated, “You can also choose to screen a classic horror movie for some part of the evening. Many do so as a silent, background display.”

And you might want to give your guests a little something to take home with them.

“Halloween is incomplete without giving and collecting candy,” said Cooper. “Choose classic thematic party favors to giveaway as a thank you gift to your attendees. Small, hollowed-out pumpkins and miniature witch cauldrons serve as perfect little containers for storing these treats.”

The Centers for Disease Control also recommend a few safety trips for Halloween celebrations:

“Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could cause someone to fall.

“Keep candle-lit jack o’lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.

“Remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely.”

Whether you’re throwing a big costume party or inviting a few people over for dinner after the parade, Halloween entertaining can be creative and fun.

Plan, prepare and then relax and have a “boo”-tiful time!

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