5 Tips for hosting a Grown-up Halloween party

Halloween is tomorrow! If you’ve decided to throw a party with an adult guest list we’ve got 5 Tips for you. We all know Halloween is associated with Ghosts, Ghouls and Goblins but we forget that it doesn’t have to be all about the kids. No matter your age, Halloween can be a fun time to share in the spirit of all things spooky, eerie and creepy.

#1 Create a Spooky Atmosphere

Skip the cartoon version of Halloween and instead, opt to create an eerie and spooky mood. Choose a simple color scheme that compliments fall. Use a lot of candles to provide a relaxed, dim lighting scheme and use natural fibers in your décor to have an older feel throughout your venue. If you are having a party in your home, focus your décor in the main areas and go all out instead of trying to cover the entire house. Always bring personal touches to your decorating, it will help guests remember it was your unique party.

#2 Get Creative with Cocktails 

If you’re group doesn’t drink, embrace themed non-alcoholic drinks. Either way make the beverages part of the experience. There are a number of Halloween themed cocktails across the web, including these 27 inspirations from HGTV. Let your glassware and serving ware get the Halloween treatment by including vials, beakers, dry ice and interestingly shaped stemware. Crystal skull containers also add a chill and can be filled with any color to offer a variety of looks.

 

#3 Theme Your Food

Forget filling bowls with chips and candy, instead opt to create themed but sophisticated snacks. Depending on your skill level, try different types of treats. These Pumpkin Cheesecake Truffle Mummies are unique and delicious.  Deviled eggs get an extra creepy vibe with olives in this Spooky Spider Eggs recipe. Use small cookie cutters of fall or Halloween shapes to create cut outs from quality cheese, like our Hickory Smoked Cheddar. Our Summer Sausage pairs well with the hickory smoked cheddar and its simple round shape can frame the cheddar cutouts well.  If you’ve chosen fun dippables, then try offering a variety of dips. We offer several herb mixes that will spice up the party. Since it is Halloween, candy is often expected try our Old Kentucky Bourbon Chocolates. They offer a unique taste, and will be eaten so quick the kids will never find out.

If you are opting to serve a full meal, keep it simple with this Black Bean Pumpkin soup, it captures the spirit of the season and offers a canvas for decorating. Get colorful with spooky spaghetti and meatballs. Spaghetti noodles are easily dyed any color to fit your scheme. Be sure to dress the plates before serving, or serve family style from theme fitting bowls. If you don’t want to purchase all brand-new dishware, try looking online or in local thrift shops to purchase low price but non-disposable items. Antiques can be of great use here, so you may check with family members to borrow as well.

 

#4 Offer an Activity

If you’re looking to take your party over the top, give everyone a focal activity. Making your party a scavenger hunt, a murder mystery, or escape room style theme. If you’re not ready to make the whole party around the activity, try offering a game station. Set up horror movie trivia, Guess the Villain (a twist on Heads Up!) or a scary photo booth. Choose the right activities based on the interests and size of your group. If your planning for a large crowd, you may offer a few game options so that those interested can play what they want.

#5 Dress Up!

Don’t forget to mention that costumes are a must on the invite! As the host, don’t focus so much on the party that you forget yours either. Choose something that fits the theme. (Maybe skip the banana costume this year) If your hosting as a couple, be sure to dress that way, it will solidify that guests can identify you as the hosts. If your party has a theme such as celebrity, or zombies let guests know. Some common themes for more elegant costumes could be steampunk, 20s, masquerade, mermaid, vampires, gods or royals.

Halloween parties in the end are all about the fun! No one knows you or friends better, so pick your theme and costumes accordingly. An organized party can knock the socks off your guests, and if you’re going for big impact don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it is a party planner or just making a small group of 2-4 of you it can really take the pressure off one person to bring so many elements together.

Broadbent B&B Foods
manager@broadbenthams.com

Broadbent B & B Foods, have been producing Old Fashioned Country Hams since 1909. A Truly American Food that has been on this continent since colonial days, it was a staple that sustained many of our first settlers as they moved west. The climate had to be just right to cure hams in the days before electricity, and Kentucky's climate fit the bill! Therefore, the Broadbent family brought those traditions with them and used them to dry cure and preserve their pork. Today, we are still dry curing Country Ham, Bacon, and Sausage like our forefathers did. In modern cuisine, country ham is far from a Staple. It is found on the menus of ritzy restaurants across The United States. While it is still, in fact, Country Ham, it is often cut paper thin, and labelled as Prosciutto; which is used as the center piece for many Charcuterie Boards.