When it comes to setting the mood for an upcoming Halloween party, the invitations matter. I love Halloween party planning (obviously, or I wouldn’t have all things Halloween on the brain 24/7) and I’ve found that setting the tone for your event starts with the perfect party invitation. There are lots of ways to go about inviting your best friends to your Halloween bash, so it’s a great way to indulge your macabre, creative side.
If you are crafty, there are templates, specialty papers, ribbons and cut outs galore to create those memorable invitations. Think over-the-top, as the above image (via MarthaStewart.com) indicates. If I received a let’s-go-all-out invite with a faux human finger, I’d be excited to see what else the hosts had in store for their guests. The idea is to lure your guests into your trap, er, I mean, your party venue that gives them a taste of what the evening will be all about. If you will have Halloween potions or drinking games, let your guests know. If the party will have a murder to solve, give them a clue up front.
If handmade crafts aren’t your thing, there are lots of other options for you. I really like these invitations for a murder mystery Halloween party, and there are lots of other sites that you can custom order invitations. Some will even address, stamp and mail them out for you for a fee. You could also use technology to get the word about your party out. Although less formal, a creative Facebook event invitation can still get the buzz about your Halloween party going.
In fact, some friends of mine who are well-known in our community for throwing the best annual Halloween party sends only Facebook invitations, and then after the party is over, they post a guests-only photo album of posed and candid photos of everyone from the evening. They also announce the winner of the costume contest on their Facebook account. You can find some great costume ideas here.
If its a kids Halloween party, you can include a print out of a coloring page, scavenger hunt or other Halloween-themed activity for young guests to get them excited for the party. You can find lots of printable activities online, take this site for instance.
Whether you are planning a murder mystery, a spooky kid Halloween candy-fest or a costume contest, the best way to get your friends to flock to your party is to send out the best invitations. Using social media or handmade signature craft cards to do so doesn’t matter, just as long as your guests feel welcome and the invitation indicates the party theme.
If you consistently plan your invitations with an eye towards creative excitement, before long your holiday party will become known as the fall event to attend and lucky recipients of your invitations will be envied.
Emma Rae Curtis is a costume/dressing up/makeup & accessories expert. She mainly writes about Halloween but also about all things costume and dress-up related.
