photo by wwarby
Halloween isn’t traditionally celebrated in Australia but over the past few years spooky festivities and events have been popping up left, right and centre.
Once the trick-or-treaters have called it quits, it’s time for the big ghosts and ghouls to come out and play.
You could go to one of the many dress up nights around the city, but here at City Journal we can’t think of anything better than hosting your own Halloween party.
Step one: who’s coming?
The first thing you need to do is work out who you’re planning on inviting.
Once you’ve sorted out numbers it’s time to send out the invites or whip up a Facebook event. Then it’s onto the menu.
Step Two: what are you eating?
Get ready to sink your fangs into some tasty treats. For events like Halloween it’s best to keep the menu light, focus on finger food.
Ingredients like pumpkin are great to use. If you’re planning on making a Jack-O-Lantern then get the most out of it by using the leftovers in a pumpkin soup or mini pumpkin pies.
As Halloween is traditionally an American holiday, consider plating up some sliders or mini hotdogs. For some added spice try some Buffalo wings or Mexican chilli shooters.
If you’re after some healthier recipe ideas check out City Journal’s spring entertaining recipes.
When it comes to serving up, cast a spell on your guest with plastic witches’ cauldrons or spooky pumpkins. You can buy these plastic cauldrons in most craft shops or reject shops. Make sure you rinse them before serving your enchanting potions.
Don’t forget to mix up a chilling cocktail. Bloody Marys are an obvious choice. If that’s not up your alley, unleash your inner mad scientist and concoct your own potion or poison and make the most of coloured liqueurs and ingredients.
Step Three: how will you decorate?
Halloween 101, Jack-O-Lanterns are a must. While they may be a bit of work to carve up, they’ll give your party the perfect atmosphere. Whole pumpkins aren’t always the easiest to find, you should be able to track one down at the market or even at the bigger supermarkets around this time of year.
For an easy alternative use empty wine bottles as candle holders. You can burn a candle in them the day before to get spooky wax drips around the bottles. Once they’re done you’ll be ready to raise spirits at your séance.
At City Journal our favourite kind of decorations are the edible kinds. Consider a mini candy bar, Halloween goes hand in hand with sugar comas, and who doesn’t love a sweet treat? Don’t go over board, chances are you’ll still have plenty of leftover lollies when your guests go to ground.
Step Four: what will you do?
Being adults you don’t have to plan games and activities but if you’re going to keep the “living dead” living then you’d better keep them entertained.
If you’re not too superstitious get your hands on some tarot cards and see what your future holds.
You can hold your very own séance with an Ouija board. Who knows what messages the spirits have for you?
Step five: what will you wear?
Costumes for Halloween are non-negotiable. To ensure your night is the best it can be, make this clear to your guests. No one wants to be that person at a costume party who didn’t dress up!
Halloween offers endless opportunities. You can go as almost anything, from a famous person to a hotdog.
If you want to keep it traditional, go with a “Creatures of the Night” theme. You’ll have all the usual suspects from witches to vampires, zombies and werewolves.
If you want to be a little different there are lots of freaky new themes. Try “Dead Celebrities”, it’s a chance to catch up with all the greats from the grave.
Or why not theme your night based on a TV show you love, have a True Blood or a Walking Dead all-nighter.
A few tips for putting together your costumes, if you want a quick and easy fix you can always order online or head to your local costume shop. Warning: if you’re ordering online make sure you leave enough time for postage.
For all the vampires out there, if you want some authentic fangs have a search online for Scarecrow fangs. They can be a bit tricky to mould to your mouth but they look fantastic.
If you want to be a bit more creative, first decide what you want to dress up as. Once you’ve decided make a list of the basic things you need, but no need to get too specific – keep an open mind to avoid blood-curdling disappointment.
The next step is to check what you’ve already got. Then it’s time to hit up some op shops, hunt around for bits and bobs that could work well together.
Remember you don’t have to look exactly like the stereotypical witch or vampire, sometimes it’s nice to have something a little quirky.
If you follow these simple steps your party should raise the dead. All that’s left is to have a frightfully fun night with all your freaky friends.
Do you have any tips for the perfect Halloween party? Let us know in the comments box below.
