Halloween - How to Throw the Best Party Ever

Halloween parties are not just for kids anymore. Although parents encourage their kids to attend safe, well-supervised parties, the majority of parties are now enjoyed by teens and adults.

Is it your turn to throw a Halloween party this year? If it is, there are many things you can do to thrill and chill your guests, and turn it into the best Halloween party ever. Try to plan the event a few months ahead of time. But, even if it's last minute, consider these tips:

Theme It

Choose a theme and purchase your party supplies as soon as possible. You will need to decorate your rooms, tables, stairway (if you have one), and walkway.

Buy party  invitations and mail them out at least two weeks before the party. Make sure the theme of the party is very clear to the guest.

For the best selection, purchase  your costume as soon as possible. Don't forget to buy your mask and accessories, if they're not included with the costume.

Party Food

Once you've decided on a theme and have purchased the associated decorations, costumes, and "tricks," turn your attention to the edible "treats" for your guests. Prepare foods that match your theme. There are many great recipes online. Make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and platters before you prepare the food.

When you set your food table, use your theme to determine the centerpiece. For example, a witch theme would have a medium-sized witch in the center with witch plates, napkins,  and cups. For a generic theme, use a variety of accessories that include ghosts, goblins, spiders, bats, jack-o-lanterns, black cats, etc..

Party Preparation

Clear out several rooms in your house. Carefully choose the best rooms for entertainment, food service, and general lounging. Although most of the rooms should have a dark, foreboding quality to them, your food area should be well lit.

Your house should look haunted. This effect is easily attained with the use of strobe lights. Strange and eerie sounds should emanate from your house. There are many great Halloween sound effects and "haunting" music soundtracks available to create the right ambiance.

Arrange "tombstones" and "creatures of the night" around your front yard. If you have trees, hang ghosts, spiders, bats, and ghouls from the branches. If you have a long porch, arrange an array of monsters sitting in chairs, hanging from beams, or lying face up on the ground (with "blood" drooling from their mouths).

Buy numerous pumpkins of varying shapes and sizes. Carve your pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns well in advance of the party. The scarier and creepier you carve them, the better. Use long-burning candles inside and make sure they stay lit throughout the night. Organize the jack-o-lanterns around your pathway and, if there's room, on your front porch.

Before your guests arrive, make sure the outside of your house is safely lit. You want it to look spooky, but you don't want anyone to get hurt. Clear a path to your doorway so no one slips or trips.

During the party, your guests can dance to freaky Halloween music, watch scary movies, participate in a ghost story contest, sing frightful Karaoke songs, and play spooky games. Of course, there should be plenty of snacks and candy available to guests in every room.

Every party-goer should experience at least one moment of terror. For example, an open coffin containing a "vampire" can actually be one of your children in costume and make-up. At random times, the "corpse" should arise from the coffin and lunge at some unsuspecting guest. And, don't forget those traditional Halloween gags such as whoopee cushions, dirty hand soap, and motion-activated props.

Each party attendee should be given a goody bag to take home. This can be filled with inexpensive candy, toys, games, gag gifts, spiders, or any other small items of your choice. Make sure the bag itself carries the theme of the party.

From start to finish, your Halloween party should involve your entire family. A well-planned party will be scary, exciting, fun, and most of all, a truly memorable event for everyone.

Everyone becomes a child again during the Halloween season. It's a time to pursue an alternative persona in a socially acceptable manner. Deborah L. Bishop is a writer who enjoys exploring the possibilities of life. Please escape with her as you visit her favorite Halloween website at: http://thebesthalloweenstoreever.com.