Could you imagine if you went to a party: Lights on, music extinct, refrigerator empty, groups of people you don’t know aimlessly standing around like a herd of cattle, not knowing which way to “moooooove?”
Ever been invited to a party like that? I bet you and everyone around you had the same cohesive thought: Where is the nearest exit?
Let’s face it, a party like that could only be fun by drinking way too much “pumpkin juice,” and even then, it’s not worth the headache.
Three ingredients are essential to make a party fun: Atmosphere, activities and snacks. With Halloween just around the corner, why not throw a costume party? Here are some ideas that will help bring the Halloween spirit to the party.
Atmosphere: Lights, camera, action. A movie projector is a great way to decorate your walls. People like to be visually stimulated. So dim the lights down low, and project Halloween movies like Frankenstein, or classics such as the series Friday The 13th, during the party. Movie projectors can be a little pricey; so if you can’t borrow a friend’s check out eBay Inc. or Craigslist or just rent one.
Yes, music and a designated dance area are key elements for any party; a Halloween party is not a party without dancing to the one-hit wonder song Monster Mash: by Bobby Pickett…. at least once. Yes, this Halloween classic comes around once a year, so add it into your music mix for the evening.
Some other great songs that captures the spirit of Halloween: “Thriller,” by Michael Jackson, “Pet Cemetery,” by The Ramones, “Scary Monsters,” by David Bowie, “I Put a Spell On You,” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, “Love Potion No.9,” by The Searchers, “Werewolves of London,” by Warren Zevon, “Psycho Killer,” by the Talking Heads.
For decorations try a 99 cent store. Cob webs and plastic spiders are easy to put up and give a frightful scare. You should be able to find Halloween themed cups, paper plates and napkins too. If you wanted to have some original decorations, invite friends over a couple of days before the big bash and carve, decorate or paint some pumpkins.
People put time and thought into their costumes, they should be rewarded. Having a costume contest is a great way to do that. Categories could include: most original, funniest, realistic, sexiest, best-couple costumes and the list goes on. If you wanted to hand prizes to the winners, gift-certificates are never a bad route.
If you wanted to budget and save, get creative. Look for supply and demand. A line for the bathroom can always be expected. A vocal outburst about the length of the line will likely occur. Hand a winner a bathroom pass, which allows them to cut to the front of the line for the rest of the evening.
People love to change the music in order to dance to their favorite song, hand them a music pass. To spruce up the snack bar, try this pumpkin pie cheese cake to the left.
Hope these ideas help to spark and ignite your imagination this Halloween season.