Adult Halloween Party Planning

While many adults only associate Halloween with children and candy, Halloween can also be a freakishly fun time for the young at heart. Even if your friends aren't that fun, it's amazing what a few costumes, cocktails, flashback music, and stupid party games can do. In this article, I have shared some of my go-to party ideas for adults. You can throw an all out crazy bash or you can keep it simple and clean.

Invitations

It's the 21^st century. Most of us have and use the Internet. To make the invitation creation and delivery process simple, use Evite. You can sign up for a free account and get started creating and sending your own invitations, e-cards, etc. You can save contact lists for future use and you can create a variety of fun and unique invitations that are sent by a simple click of the mouse.

If you want to make your own invitations on paper, try using some kind of recycled material, like paper grocery bags, so you can promote a little bit of green living.

Make sure your invitations include all of the obvious essentials, like the date, the time, the address of your Halloween party, and how to RSVP. Also make sure you include some of the additional party details. Will people be dressing in costumes? If so, are the costumes cute or adult-themed? Should the guests bring anything with them? Will you be serving alcohol? Are you ok with people bringing alcohol? Will you serve any food? Make sure questions like these are answered for your guests ahead of time. Also share your phone number and/or email address in case your guests have any questions.

Guests

Do make sure you introduce all of your guests to one another. While you may assume they've bet or they are already best friends, it doesn't matter. Nothing will make for a dull and uncomfortable party like guests who have no clue who's standing next to them.

If you can, try to invite people who get along, but don't let the sourpuss of the bunch keep you from inviting dear friends.

Costumes

If your guests are going to wear costumes, have some kind of prizes ready for the best in a variety of categories. Categories can include: Best Homemade Costume, Best Couple's Costumes, and Least Effort Put in to the Costume. It is fun to hand out prizes to your guests, and it can also provide an added and unexpected benefit. At one of our Halloween parties we had several shy guests. They didn't want to get involved in the games, singing along to the songs, or anything too outgoing. What did bring them in to the activities was the acknowledgment of the hard work they put in to their elaborate homemade costumes.

Food

You don't want to be in the kitchen slaving away all day before or during your party, so stick to simple finger foods...even more fun if you make a Halloween dish that looks like fingers (see my article on fun and healthier Halloween recipes). If your guests want to contribute something to the festivities, have them make a simple finger food, too. Mini sandwiches, meat and cheese rollups, meat and cheese trays, veggie trays, chips, dips, and cookies all work well. I wrote an article on fun and festive appetizers that many adults are sure to love at a Halloween party. Check it out here for ideas.

Drinks

If you are serving alcoholic beverages, keep it simple. Don't buy overly expensive liquors just to have them thrown in to a punch. If you are making a punch, don't fill it too full of liquor. Not only will it taste bad, but it will likely get your lightweights drunk too early and too fast.

Insist that guests who will be partaking in the alcoholic beverages either give you their keys and get a ride home or that they will be forced to sleep on your stinky futon. It is your party, so you have the right to make sure that your guests and the people on the road are safe.

Music

Throw in some of the standard Halloween songs, but also make sure you add some songs from your era. If you grew up in the '70s and start playing Bee Gees songs, you are likely to be met with some groans and people rolling their eyes. However, within minutes, your guests will not only be singing and dancing, they'll also start reminiscing about flashy spandex pants. This will bring up interesting memories, leading to great conversation pieces that help people to get to know one another.

If you want to make your own party favors, you could make a CD with your favorite songs from your Halloween party playlist. A cheap, easy, and memorable gift to take away.

And last, but not least, here are some essentials to have on hand at your Halloween party:

Napkins/paper towels

Plenty of toilet paper (perhaps some scented candles too?!)

Stain remover

A mat for your guests to wipe their shoes on

Enough plates, bowls, silverware, and glasses so you won't have to be in the kitchen doing dishes all night

Water

Soda

Beer

Wine

Liquor

Snacks