Go to or throw a Halloween party

A Halloween party doesn’t need a big budget or a complicated plan. People come in costume, which already does half the work, and what’s left is music, snacks and a room where it’s easy to talk. This covers both sides: hosting one and being a good guest at someone else’s.

If you’re hosting

Keep it small and simple

Six to twelve people is a good size for a first party at home. You can talk to everyone, and the room doesn’t feel empty or packed. Pick a simple theme: classic spooky, a movie, a colour, or no theme at all, with the only rule being that everyone wears a costume.

Send invitations a couple of weeks ahead, as Halloween weekends fill up quickly. Say the time, the place and what to wear, and ask people to tell you about allergies.

Plan the music

Build a playlist ahead of time so you aren’t picking songs at the party. Start with something mellow and spooky as people arrive, then move to songs people can sing along to. Keep the volume low enough to talk, and think about your neighbours.

Make easy snacks

Food for standing and chatting works best.

• Popcorn and a big bowl of candy
• A dip with chips or crackers
• Something warm in a pot or slow cooker, such as hot cider
• A few simple treats, like caramel apples or cookies with orange icing
• Water and a non-alcoholic option

If you serve alcohol, it’s for guests who are 21 or older in the US, and it should always be optional. Make sure people have food and water, and that nobody drives if they’ve been drinking.

Decorate with a few things

You don’t need much. Candles in jars, a string of lights, a few pumpkins and a sheet over a chair is enough. If you use real candles, keep them away from curtains and costumes, and put them out before people leave. Battery ones are safer in a crowded room.

Add one or two activities

• A costume contest with silly categories, so everyone wins something
• A table of small pumpkins and paint for painting pumpkins
• A game where people guess each other’s costumes
• A scary-story circle with the lights low

Don’t over-plan. A party works when people have room to talk, with a couple of things to do if the conversation slows down.

If you’re going

• Wear a real costume. Half-effort costumes are fine, but you’ll enjoy the evening more if you committed.
• Bring something. A snack, a drink or a bag of candy is a good thing to arrive with.
• Check the details. Ask the host what time to arrive, whether to bring anything and who else is going.
• Plan your ride home. Costumes, dark streets and late nights are easier with a plan, so travel with a friend and agree how you’ll get home.
• Say thank you. A message the next day is a nice thing to send.

Make a plan for the night

1. A few hours before, set out snacks, drinks and music.
2. When guests arrive, take their coats, show them where the food is and introduce people who haven’t met.
3. Start an activity about an hour in, so the party has a shape.
4. Keep an eye on the room. Introduce someone who’s standing alone and check that people are okay.
5. Tidy a bit as you go, so the morning isn’t a disaster.

If something goes wrong

• Nobody is talking. Start a costume question or put on a game. It breaks the ice.
• It’s too crowded. Open a door or a window, and move food to a second table.
• Someone has had too much. Give them water and food, and help them get home safely.
• The noise is too loud. Turn it down and let people know you’re keeping the neighbours in mind.

Make it a fall evening

Make your costume the night before, pick a playlist and put pumpkins on the table, and the party takes care of itself. If you want a ready-made look, our costume idea helps you build one from your closet, and a movie night is a quieter way to do the same thing with fewer people.