Halloween Party Inspiration

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Halloween is one of my favorite holidays to host parties.  There's so many themes to choose from.  You can get really creative with your décor. 

Depending on where you live you probably won't be setting up your dessert table outside.  But it was such a gorgeous day here in Portland and the lighting is so much better outside than in our house.  I couldn't resist setting up outside.  And our little graveyard adds to the overall look.

Caramel apples and candy corn. Must haves on a Halloween dessert table. 

You can attempt to make your own caramel apples or, you can pick them up at a pumpkin patch like I did.  They make them so much better than I ever have.  And pick up a couple of pumpkins while you're there.  Candy corn doesn't have to just be in a bowl on the table.  You can use it as part of the décor.  You know your friends will nibble on it every time they walk by the table. Even if it's part of the décor like how I used it here on the table.

The witches head is super easy to make.  Pick up a Styrofoam head at your craft store, some paint and a Halloween pick you can find in the floral or seasonal section of the craft store.  With a pencil, draw the lip line and hair line.  Paint the lips, eyebrows, hair line and add eye lashes if you want.  You can paint the skin green like I did or any colour that matches your party theme. Stick the Halloween pick in the head and you're done.

The only problem with caramel apples is, it's hard not to eat it before the party begins.

Desserts 

For me, no dessert table is complete without cupcakes.  And I can't have naked cupcakes so I topped these with Candyfetti and tulle poms that I made.  Normally I make my own cupcakes because I love to bake cupcakes but these are store bought.  If you're short on time or don't like to bake, pick up cupcakes at the store or bakery.

I like to have a variety of desserts on the table. A little something to please every one's taste buds.  I did make the chocolate covered Oreo's with edible glitter spiders. See below for how to make the chocolate covered Oreo's.

Cupcake toppers 

You can make your own tulle poms or order them in my shop until December 31, 2018.   Dress up store bought cupcakes with candy sprinkles, toppers and using liners that match the colours of your party.

How to make chocolate covered Oreo's 

I used an Oreo mold that had the spiders on it.  I melted black chocolate discs, painted the bottom of the mold and put it in the refrigerator to harden.  Once the chocolate was hardened I put the Oreo in the mold, painted more chocolate on top the Oreo and put back in the refrigerator to harden.  Once the chocolate was hardened I let them rest upside down until they fell out.  You might have to give them a little push but don't push too hard or you'll separate the chocolate top from the bottom.  I than took a small paint brush and painted edible glitter on the spider. 

Cookies 

Sugar cookies is one thing I always order for my parties.  I don't even attempt to make them.  There is so many great cookie artists out there.  It would take me forever to decorate sugar cookies and they wouldn't look nearly as pretty as when cookie crafters decorate them.

Look at that smooth icing job and spot on Halloween decorating skills. Yeah, mine wouldn't look anything like that.  I could learn how to decorate cookies like this. But I'd rather just support small cookie bakers.

Bubble bubble toil and trouble 

Bubbles, yes bubbles for adult parties. On a whim one party I had bubbles out. I mostly had them out for fun but my guests got so excited about them.  They all started blowing bubbles and we're having so much fun.  Little bottles of bubbles make great party favors, even for adult parties.

Check out the companion to this party- Witches Cocktail Party 

Shop this party-
Styled by Fizzy Party
Table Linen- Joanns 
Cake stands- Homegoods
Spell books, caramel apple trays, Styrofoam heads- Michaels 
Caramel apples- Krugers Farms
Oreo mold- Fancy Flours
Bubbles, lime green stands- Oriental Trading 
Cookies- Love Hope Cookies 

Steps to Planning You Best Party

Party planning.  Those two words can cause feelings of stress in some and energize others.  I think you know which camp I'm in.  Energized of course! 😉  We're going to dive into the steps to planning your best party.  We're talking mini girlfriends party here because as you know, that's what I do best. 

The biggest step or advice I can give is don't stress.  Your guests will sense it and see it all over you as soon as they arrive.  The hosts demeanor has a big affect on whether your guests will enjoy the party or not.  Be sure to get your What Not to Stress About Guide. 

The beauty of the mini girlfriend party is how easy it is.  You don't have to go all out and spend a lot of money and it shouldn't be overwhelming. 

Four to Six weeks before your party 

Theme- Here's the beauty of the mini party. You don't have to have a theme.  If coming up with one seems like a lot of work or is hard for you, skip it.  This is your girlfriends you're having over.  They don't care if there's no theme.  If you're like me though and can't imagine not having a theme go for it! But keep it small.  You don't need to decorate the whole house, do a big backdrop, balloon garland etc. You can find lots of inspiration here on my blog or Pinterest boards.  

Guest List- I like to keep it to 6-8 of my friends.  That way I can chat with everyone and I'm not rushing around hoping  I talk to everyone for at least a few minutes before they leave.  

Location- Your house of course.  Why rent a place for a mini party.  This saves you money and time.  You don't have to pack up all your party décor and arrive at the place early to set up and stay late to take down.

No entertainment needs to be ordered and you don't have to plan activities.

Three weeks before your party  

Invitations- I like to us evite but you can also send the details in an email.  I don't like to text the invitation because people can too easily forget or it gets buried in other text that come in.  

One week before your party 

RSVP-  Your guests should be RSVP'ing. Sadly, people are getting super lazy and not RSVPing even though it's easier than ever these days.  You might have to hunt your guests down like I do and say, "Are you coming or not?"  Yes, I have seriously said this to my guests before. 

Food- Purchase any food you'll be serving.  Oh, and  if you're guests ask what can they bring when you ask them if they're coming or not, tell them what food dish to bring. 😉

Day before the party 

Food- prepare what food you can ahead of time.  I like to serve brunch because I can make a lot of it ahead of time and heat it up the morning of the party. 

Décor- Set up as much the night before as you can.  Don't be like me and get up at 5:00 a.m. the day of the party and do most of the set up.  I do this because I've been throwing parties for years, I'm up at that time anyway because my man leaves for work then and I have lots of energy so set up is quick for me. 

Tidy up- There's no need to stress yourself by trying to cook, set up and deep clean the house. You'll be up late and tired the day of your party.  The kitchen and bathroom should get a good cleaning but the rest of the main rooms where guests will be just need tidying up. 

Party Day!!! 

Heat up any food that needs to be warmed up. 

Put the finishing touches on the décor. 

Welcome your guests. 

Enjoy the party!