The Halloween Party Countdown

The Halloween countdown has begun! Actually it began as soon as our party last year ended. We have never been really big into the whole Halloween thing and all the spookiness that comes with it, but now we get really excited about it because it means we get to throw our annual Halloween bash!

I have been so excited about it that I went back through my iphoto to find pictures of it. Our friend Madeline took pictures through out the party and I was thrilled when I remembered that she had because now I can show everyone!

I have never viewed myself as crafty or creative, but I have discovered that I really enjoy hosting get togethers.When we were talking to our friends about having a Halloween party I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did.

 I am by no means a pro, but I am learning as I go. Ha, I just rhymed! Here are a few things I have learned about throwing a Halloween party:

1. You can do it on a budget, so do it on a budget 

• There are so many great resources for throwing a party on a budget and so many of them are available to most of us. 
• My first resource was not my own house, but it should have been! If you have worked on any other crafts before you probably have all of the materials you need to make a lot of the decorations. Once I realized this my frugal student brain relaxed a bit. I, not being as crafty of a lady, had very little in the way of craft materials, but was able to do with what I had. For example: I made the banner in the above picture with cheap construction paper, tape, a hole punch, scissors and brown ribbon that I found in one of my drawers. Easy peezy!
• The dollar store is great, BUT, I have learned to always go to Wal Mart first. I know that everything at Dollar Tree is $1 so I always hit up Wally World just in case I can get things in a greater quantity for less than $1. If the prices are higher or I can't find what I need, I take a gander on down to the Dollar Tree, but Wal Mart often has more for a less or equal price. Dollar Tree is always loaded with seasonal stuff so it is always a great place to check out.
• Holiday food is fun! People enjoy making fun treats, so don't take on the responsibility of making all of the food and let others contribute. Our friends brought this super clever punch last year and everyone loved it!

2. Write your plans and ideas down

• Sometimes you come up with great ideas but forget what they were. Write it down so you don't forget. :) And then you can tweek things later if the initial idea is out of your budget or won't work out. 
• If you have anything else going on in your life, having plans organized on paper will help keep you sane. Last year Jon and I were both students and Jon was working, so, I learned this lesson the hard way. I did not write things down so my Halloween party ideas were floating among Abnormal Psychology and Interpersonal Communication theories. 

3. Sugar is easy, but don't make it everything

• If you browse through Pinterest for Holiday themed food, a grand majority of it will be sugary or sweet treats. This makes sugary food the convenient option, but not everyone loves loads of sugar and lets be real, sugar tummy aches are not fun.
• Salty or savory is always a good addition to party snacks. Chips and dip, pretzels, popcorn, or mini pigs in a blanket can do the trick! 
• Sometimes people just want something fresh to nibble on! Put together a veggie tray or ask one of your guests if they would be willing to bring one!

4. Prep the day before if you can

• We threw our party on a Thursday because our friends were going to be gone that weekend, so time was not exactly abundant. I tried to make 32 donuts, 16 rice krispie treats, 24 cupcakes, a pan of mini pigs in a blanket, and decorate all in a short afternoon and in between bouts of homework. 
• If it won't mess up the recipe, mix up any batters the day before and refrigerate them. That leaves only the baking portion for the day of and it allows everything to still be fresh.
• If any of the food needs to be dipped in chocolate make the main ingredient the day before so that it will be ready to dip the day of instead of having to wait for it to dry, cool, or harden.
• Start decorating bit by bit a couple days before the party. It's October so having fake spider webs around your house won't be weird. Putting them up will save your head some hair the day of. 

5. Plan activities but don't be a stickler on doing all of them.

• I kept trying to come up with fun games to play last year but wasn't super thrilled about any of them and felt like it would be awkward to initiate them.
• I had a list of all of the games but someone ended up bringing Guitar Hero and most people were enjoying playing it, so I did the smart thing and set the list of games aside. 
• Go with the flow. If people are enjoying chatting or doing something else, don't interrupt to push your agenda or try to force the "fun." Sometimes I can be a fun forcer but it ends up not being fun for anyone.

6. Remember this is supposed to be fun!

• Last year I had this vision in my mind of what the party was going to look like and I was rushing to get everything done on time. I stressed a bit and forgot to breath and smile. I didn't plan Jon and my costumes until the day of but I wanted to dress up, so let's add that to my list of To Do's. Ugh, right?!
• We had a friend visiting us who stepped in and asked what she could do to help. Halleluja! But then when my wonderful and oh so helpful husband came home, he made all these suggestions that picked up my vision and tossed it out the door, so I got more anxious. Long story short, his suggestions ended up being brilliant and needed. Just smile and be open to change!
• Moral of the story, don't get stressed out! Take my word for it and PREP so that you aren't running around like the Headless Horseman (did you catch my Halloween analogy?), and don't let the list overwhelm the excitement for all of the fun you are about to have! 

And it will be fun! 

I can't stop thinking about our party this year! I will be prepping the day before, choosing our Halloween costumes in advance, and just having fun with all of it!

Oh and I will be eating these yummy pumpkin donuts(gluten free style this year)  in between bites of broccolli!

Have a Happy Halloween!