Do you ever get bogged down trying to plan out your Halloween party? Every year I try to plan something bigger and better than the year before, but sometimes it feels like my enthusiasm back fires and I’m left with too many activities for the kids that didn’t get done or too much candy leftover.
While your Halloween party can have any theme, I’ve learned over the years that a simple Halloween dance party is the greatest way to let adults and kids alike have fun, without overwhelming everyone with the evenings itinerary. In the past I’ve built haunted mansions in my back yard, or held a barn party at my neighbors. I’ve even transformed my house into a haunted hospital where guests dressed in gothic costumes had to perform emergency surgery on zombie pinatas. These were fun parties, but they were exhausting. Not only did I have to coordinate parents, neighbors and kids, but I had to make sure adults were present at all times at the different areas. This made me crazy and I didn’t enjoy the party as much as I would have liked to.
That’s when I discovered the simple dance party solution. If you throw a dance party, all of the food can be simple finger foods, which cuts prep time in half. The house can be decorated in whatever theme suits your fancy and there is no pressure for anyone to dress up in a theme. I always give prizes for the best costumes, so I’m never afraid someone will show up in street clothes. My friends simply know better.
If you’re looking for great Halloween mixes, spend a couple of hours looking up old radio show playlists. Some of my favorite songs have come from local radio shows that like to showcase rare or unusual creepy songs. You’ll never go back to the way you used to throw a party. I guarantee it.
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.
