Throwing the Perfect Adults-Only Halloween Party

It’s that time of year again.The fall season is here, and that means Halloween is just around the corner. While I love to watch the little ones out trick-or-treating, throwing adult-only Halloween parties has been one of my biggest highlights of the holiday. It’s just something about seeing a group of friends all decked out in their costumes that brings a big smile to my face.

If you’re considering throwing a party, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Insist that everyone wears a costume

Showing up to a Halloween party without being dressed is almost as bad as going to a pool party with no plans to jump in. As the host, you have to make it imperative that everyone participates. I usually threaten my guests by saying their costume is their “ticket” to get inside. It’s worked out pretty well so far. Haha.

Since you’ll have 100% participation, be sure to have a prize for the best costume. You can create a committee to judge or let everyone participate by voting.

Decorate, Decorate, Decorate

Don’t be afraid to go overboard on the decorations.

A black light can help set the atmosphere perfectly. Also, try finding some glow in the dark spider web to spread around.

Be sure to welcome your guests in style. I light my house up with an orange flashing yard light. And the Wicked Witch of the East is always there to greet them at the front door—well, at least her legs are there.

When it comes to decorations, nothing is really off limits. Just remember your house should feel very festive from the moment your guests pull up.

Serve great food and drinks

You don’t have to get too creative with the menu. That is, unless you prefer more Halloween-themed edibles. If not, any party-friendly food will do. Think Chicken Wings, Buffalo Chicken Dip, Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders, etc. Remember, adults like real food.

But even if you don’t go overboard on the food, you should still think outside the box for your presentation. Here’s an idea I found on Pinterest.

I decorated the table with what appears to be a lifeless man and placed the food in and around him. For his head, I used a Red Velvet Cake that was supposed to represent his brain with a knife handle sticking out. The food table was a big hit.

Use a frozen “hand” to keep your punch cool. Take a plastic glove, fill with water and freeze until the guests arrive. Unfortunately, my fingers didn’t stay attached. This was a welcome mishap though as severed fingers in the punch bowl made for a little more fun.

Create the perfect playlist

I spent a little time putting together some classic Halloween favorites. It contained everything from Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” to “I Put a Spell on You” by Annie Lennox. I even mixed in a few current tunes, just to keep things interesting.

Set up a photo booth

Have a designated area for your guests to take photos. I usually hang a decorated backdrop in a separate bedroom. You can also add props, such as decorated picture frames or silly hats. If you don’t have a camera to set up, assign someone with the task of taking everyone’s photo.

As you can see, it takes minimal effort to ensure you have a successful adult Halloween party. I’ve thrown some great ones for the past three years. But I’m always looking for new ideas! What else would you suggest to help adults enjoy the holiday more?