There’s no time like Halloween to unleash your creative genius and throw a bash—or monster bash—they’ll talk about for years. The devil’s in the details, so here are some Halloween party planning tips to help get started. We also have lots of spooky decorating ideas, frighteningly good Halloween party games and of course, more Halloween recipes than you can shake a witch’s broomstick at. Please remember: safety first! Take a look at our Halloween safety tips.

1. Pick A Theme

Setting a theme for a party always helps to set the stage. Try a traditional Halloween idea, like a Costume Party, a Jack-O-Lantern Party, or a Scary Movie Party.

2. Set A Date, Time & Place

Once you've decided on a theme, it's time to set the date, time and place for your Halloween party. If the number of guests you've decided to invite is large - consider having your party in an alternative location, such as a community hall or firehouse.

3. Make A Guest List & Do Invitations

Make your list ahead of time - that way you'll be sure not to forget anyone! If you're going to mail your invitations, be sure to post them well enough in advance to give them time to be delivered.

4. Choose Food & Drinks

Try some of our spook-tacular recipes in our party menus:

Halloween Party Menu for Kids
Halloween Party Menu for Adults

And don't forget to check out:
Halloween Cupcakes
Halloween Treats

5. Plan Your Costume

Around Halloween it's easy to find costumes for sale in a variety of places. If you want something extra special, you might want to consider renting a costume for the evening. However, some of the very best costumes can be put together with items you have in your own closets.

6. Plan Decorations

Our recommendations for the perfect Halloween decorations:

Ghostly Furniture Covers: To set a ghostly mood for your celebration, adorn party furniture with lots of white sheets. Old or new, it doesn't matter, just keep them white.

Instant Atmosphere with Colored Lights: Replace the light bulbs in the party room with colored bulbs (available at your local hardware, craft, or party store). Black, red, blue, and green light bulbs cast eerie (yet festive) glows. If you have a lamp that uses two bulbs, combine a red and a blue bulb to create a cool double-vision effect.

NOTE: Make sure the colored bulbs do not exceed the recommended wattage of your lamp and make sure to leave enough light to allow guests to easily move about the room.

Webs Overhead & Creepy Crawlies Underfoot: Purchase spider webbing, plastic rats, spiders and snakes at your local craft or party store. Place the webbing on lamps (don't place too close to a light bulb), in the corners of the ceiling, across the tops of doorways-everywhere you want to create an aged and creepy look. Place the rats, spiders, and snakes in corners, under tables, and other unexpected places. In low light they look scary (and real!).

Ding Dong Our Witch is Dead: Remember the famous scene from "The Wizard of Oz" where they pan-in to show the house fallen on the wicked witch? Recreate the scene in your party room. Purchase a pair of red and white striped socks, fill with other socks, newspaper or fiber-fill (pillow stuffing), place the socks under a chair or sofa (so the top part is hidden) and then place the foot part of the sock inside a pair of ladies high-heel shoes.