Halloween and Day of the Dead
Tips for organizing your Halloween party
By
Kiwilimón - 2018-10-16T09:10:45.138541Z
Halloween or Day of the Dead is celebrated on the first and second days of November, dates when many people engage in traditions such as decorating their homes, wearing outfits in purple, black, red, and orange colors; and also wearing costumes according to the dates.
During these dates, witches, pumpkins, crystal balls, owls, and, in general, the most eerie costumes are taken out of the closet to show off and participate in parties with friends or family.
Organizing a Halloween party is more than just organizing a simple costume party. To stay true to a traditional Halloween party, you must respect some traditions such as: pumpkins, candy for children, etc.
In the case of Mexico, a traditional altar is important.
Costs
One of the important points to consider when organizing a party is knowing the budget you have to spend.
The cost of a Halloween party per adult can be around 130 pesos per person, and in the case of children, it could be around 80 pesos each.
If you want to reduce the budget a bit, you can opt for a more collaborative approach where your guests contribute, with prior organization, food, drinks, and even decoration materials. This can significantly reduce the costs of the Halloween party.
Invitations
Depending on what you have chosen regarding the budget for the party, you can now know how many people you would like to invite.
Here arises the question of whether to invite people verbally or in writing. Usually, close friends or family are invited verbally (either when you see them or by phone); for office colleagues or not-so-close friends, you can do it in writing. Additionally, there is the option of making the invitation via Facebook (here you have the option to make it private and choose who you want to attend, so you won't receive people you don't even know).
If you want to create a written invitation and distribute it among your guests, you could opt for a pre-made one for the occasion or decorate it yourself at home to save on costs.
It is important to note that you should write down any incidents or changes in your guest list. Confirmations, new additions, cancellations, etc. You must keep track of who you have invited, who is going to attend, and who is not, etc.
If you want the party to be a success, remember in the invitation that all attendees must come in costume.
Food
In the case of parties just for children, the parties take place in the late afternoon or at the end of it, and for this, you can serve food that acts as a snack-dinner for the children. Natural drinks like juices, water, and sodas.
In the case of a party for adults, there are two main options:
That the party is before dinner. It is advisable to have a buffet or appetizers available, with cold and hot dishes, of a certain consistency, to serve as dinner, unless dinner will take place later.
That the party is after dinner. In this case, the food needs are lower, and it is sufficient to have canapés and snacks, sweet and savory, and what is known as finger foods.
In both cases, the drinks should be varied, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
Below we recommend some recipes that you can prepare for the occasion.
Decorating
According to the theme of the party, and although the famous Halloween pumpkins should not be missing, the decoration should include common elements of this type of party such as witches, owls, skeletons, bats, etc. There are specialized stores where you can see new items or where they can advise you. Darkness, carpets that make noise, screams, smoke, and many other special effects can create a more eerie atmosphere for your party.
Besides giving a spooky effect to the party, you can mix something as terrifying as special effects with some dance music, so your guests can have fun and shake their bones.
Remember to use very dim light and even colored light to give a special atmosphere to your party.
The Venue
If you have invited many people and the space is not very large, it is advisable to remove some furniture and decorative items that could obstruct or are of great value, to avoid any unpleasant incidents.
Calculate the available space to ensure that guests are comfortable and have enough room to move around.
Generally, it is calculated at 1.5 to 2 square meters per guest, free space, not counting furniture and other elements that take up space.
Activities
If you want to add a bit more fun to your party, you can organize small games or contests to liven up the night. A contest for the best costume, the most elaborate, the scariest, etc. Small games to discover who is hiding behind a certain costume, who makes the scariest face, etc.
Practical Tips
- Organize separate parties for children and adults. Do not mix both parties or allow children to attend the adult party.
- For the children's party, prepare small bags with a variety of candies to give to each child. For the adult party, you can do the same but with other joke items or something a bit cheekier.
- If parking is difficult in the area where you will hold the party, you can indicate nearby open spaces and parking lots with the invitations to facilitate the process for your guests.
- If possible, organize a small coat check to avoid a pile of clothing and outerwear accumulating without any control.
- You should try to control all aspects of the party to avoid facing unforeseen events or having to resolve complicated or embarrassing situations.
Cooking Recipes
Now that you have covered all aspects of the party you are organizing for Halloween night, it is important to know what recipes or dishes you will offer, both for children and for adults.
Take note of the following recipes we recommend. Also, it is important that you click on the title of each recipe to learn how to prepare them.
For Children
Halloween Cookies. These delicious sugar cookies have a frosting to decorate them for Halloween. They are very tasty and not too difficult to make.
Brownies for Halloween. The classic brownie recipe to celebrate Halloween with children.
Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies. These cookies with brown and orange chocolate chips are a delicious dessert for Halloween.
Halloween Chocolate Lollipops. These delicious chocolate lollipops are very easy to make; you only need to buy molds for the figures.
Chocolate and Marshmallow Covered Apples. These apples are covered with chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts; they are a good dessert for Halloween parties or children's parties.
Witch Fingers Cookies. Delicious butter and sugar cookies shaped like fingers and decorated with fake nails for Halloween or a costume party.
Ghost Meringues. Delicious and creative ghost meringues for this spooky season; make them, your kids will love them.
For Adults
Pumpkin and Mushroom Soup. A delicious pumpkin and mushroom soup that can work as soup for any meal or even as a spectacular soup for a dinner or party if presented inside a pumpkin.
Pumpkin Pie. This rich recipe is a pie with a filling of pumpkin and cream cheese. This recipe is typically eaten in October and November in the United States when pumpkin is in season.
Halloween Drink. A rich cocktail that contains midori, vodka, and apple juice.
Bloody Drink. This Halloween, don't miss out on enjoying a delicious drink to share with your friends, with an original and creative idea.
Halloween Corn Candy Cookies. Incredible and delicious cookies that your family will love.
Spooky Strawberries. Delicious and irresistible strawberries with white chocolate, ideal for Halloween parties.
Mummy Mouths. Incredible and delicious mummy mouths that all your guests will love.