The ultimate Halloween party checklist
Halloween is just around the corner which means it's time to hang up the spooky decorations, get dressed up in your scariest costumes and head out for some trick-or-treating with the kids, or even throw your own party at home!
We've put together this ultimate Halloween party checklist to help you throw a spooktacular event! From decorations to food, here’s everything you need for a memorable night.
Invitations
🎃 Send spooky invites (paper or digital).
🎃 Include details: time, date, location, costume theme.
🎃 Mention a costume contest, food/drinks provided, or "BYOB."
Decorations
Exterior/entryway
🎃 Cobwebs, fake spiders, and skeletons.
🎃 Carved pumpkins (jack-o'-lanterns with candles or LED lights).
🎃 Fog machine or eerie lighting.
Indoors
🎃 Hanging ghosts, bats, or witches.
🎃 Black/dark tablecloths, fake blood splatters.
🎃 Dim lighting: candles (battery-powered for safety), string lights or coloured lightbulbs.
🎃 Themed centrepieces (skulls, creepy dolls, potion bottles).
🎃 Horror themed backdrop for photos.
🎃 Mood music/Sound Effects: Playlist with spooky soundtracks or horror movie themes.
Costumes
🎃 Costume theme (optional) for example monsters, haunted mansion, movie villains, etc.
Dress up contest using the categories: funniest, scariest, most creative & best couple/group.
🎃 Small prizes (Halloween-themed trinkets or candies).
Food & drinks
🎃 Savoury:
"Mummy Dogs" (pigs in a blanket styled as mummies).
"Witch Fingers" (breadsticks shaped like fingers with almond "nails").
Spooky cheese platter (use plastic skeletons or themed serving dishes).
🎃 Sweet treats:
Candy apples, "monster cupcakes," pumpkin-shaped cookies.
"Dirt cups" (chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos, and gummy worms).
Candy buffet with classics (candy corn, chocolates).
🎃 Themed drinks:
Punch - Red "blood" punch with floating eyeballs (lychee or peeled grapes).
Dry ice for fog effects in drinks.
Vampire’s kiss cocktail - cranberry juice & vodka.
Witch’s brew (green or purple drinks). Apple Sourz and purple WKDs are a good choice if you fancy a little tipple!
Activities
Game ideas -
🎃 Pumpkin carving contest.
🎃 Bobbing for apples or Halloween trivia.
🎃 Murder mystery game.
Movie screening -
🎃 Classic horror or family-friendly Halloween movies depending on your crowd.
🎃 Create a cosy outdoor theatre (blankets, pillows, projector if available).
Get crafty -
🎃 Make your own decorations to hang on doors, windows and doors.
🎃 Pumpkin carving is lots of fun. You could also do painting for kids or guests who don’t want to carve.
Music & entertainment
🎃 "Thriller" by Michael Jackson, "Ghostbusters," "Monster Mash," etc.
🎃 Include creepy sound effects in between songs (creaking doors, eerie wind).
🎃 Karaoke - blast out your favourite tunes.
🎃 Scare zone - A section of the house or yard where guests are intentionally spooked (with actors, scary decorations).
Party favours
🎃 Halloween-themed goodie bags including mini packs of sweets and/or chocolates, plastic spiders and glow sticks.
🎃 Custom pumpkin spice candles or small toys.
Safety
🎃 Make sure the venue is well-lit to avoid accidents.
🎃 Keep candles out of reach, use flameless ones if possible.
🎃 Always have a first aid kit on hand.
🎃 Kid-friendly spaces if children are invited.
Final touches
🎃 Send out reminders for RSVPs.
🎃 Finalise shopping and remember to make sure you have extra snacks, drinks and décor.
🎃 Have a plan for cleaning up after the party (stock up on bin bags, use disposable plates/cups etc).
By following this checklist, you'll ensure a thrilling and successful Halloween bash! 🎃