How to Throw a Pumpkin Decorating Party for October Birthdays or Halloween

What better way to celebrate Halloween or an October birthday, than to throw a pumpkin decorating party? Read on for tips on invitations, decorating, party favors and more!

Invitations: The first step to any party is sending out invitations. You can purchase Halloween or birthday invitations just about everywhere, but how about making your own?

Younger children love to get (and to make) Jack-o-lantern invitations. All you need to make the Jack-o-lantern invitations is construction paper (orange and black), scissors, glue, a pen, and a bowl. (A bowl?) First, fold the orange construction paper in half. Then place the bowl in the middle of the paper and move the bowl slightly to the left. Trace the bowl so that your cut-out will be mostly round, with a flat side on the left (to hold it together). Cut the orange paper. Next, cut the black paper into eyes and mouths for your Jack-o-lantern invitations, then glue them to the orange paper "pumpkin". On the inside of the invitations, write your 'what, when,where,' and RSVP information. Parents and children can have pre-party fun by making Jack-o-lantern invitations together!

Older kids are thrilled with a pumpkin carving stencil as an invitation. Pumpkin carving stencil invitations are very easy- children 10 and over could probably do this on their own. First, print out the pumpkin carving stencils. (To find free printable pumpkin carving stencils online, click here.) Hint: You may want to choose a different pumpkin carving stencil for each guest. Next, turn the stencil over and write your 'what, when, where,' and RSVP information on the back. Also suggest that your guests bring the invitation/pumpkin carving stencil to the party and use it as a pattern to carve their pumpkin!

Decorations: A pumpkin carving party is likely to be messy, so plan accordingly! Being outdoors would be your best bet, weather permitting. (That way you could hose down the patio or driveway afterward!) If that's not possible, try using your basement or garage. If you absolutely have to be indoors, cover as much surface area as you can with disposable table cloths. (Party City has rolls of plastic table covering that you can cut to fit any length table.) Since the kids will mostly have their attention focused on the pumpkins, there's no need to go overboard on decorations. Plus, you've probably already decorated the house for Halloween. Just add a few streamers and a couple of balloons to turn it into a "party"!

Pumpkin carving: Ah, the main event. Be prepared by having all your materials assembled ahead of time. You'll need pumpkins, carving tools, stencils, tape, markers, paint, feathers, glitter, newspapers, and plenty of adult supervision. I would recommend NOT having small children actually carve the pumpkins. The can punch out or draw designs for an adult to carve, or decorate their pumpkin with paint, glitter, and feathers instead. If you trust older children to behave safely with carving tools, make sure the kids have constant supervision from trustworthy adults.

Party favors: Of course, the pumpkin is going to be the biggest party favor! If you're using paint on the pumpkins, be sure to provide something to protect the inside of the car from the wet paint on the ride home. In addition to the carved pumpkins, treat bags filled with Halloween candy and novelties can serve as party favors. If you really want your guests to have fun with the party favors, hand them out as prizes! Create categories like "Scariest Pumpkin", "Prettiest Pumpkin", and "Most Creative". Brush up on your adjectives the day before- make sure you have a different "award" for each child.

A pumpkin carving party is a fun and memorable way to celebrate Halloween and October birthdays!