Halloween Party Tricks & Treats

With Halloween right around the corner, I figured quite a few of you may be hosting parties or play group gatherings this week.  As always, we like to think of ourselves as a go-to resource for the busy mom.  To help you out, I’ve compiled a short list of festive decorations, easy-to-make sweets and simple activities to do for you today that will make you look like the most “spook-tacular” hostess on the block.

Keep your decorations clean and simple, and try to focus on ideas that will appeal to both children and moms alike.

Welcome your guests with a candy corn wreath (did you see the step-by-step how-to guide I posted a couple of weeks ago?), and a front porch decorated with paper lantern pumpkins.  I L-O-V-E this idea from Country Living!  It’s one of those amazing ideas that leaves me wondering “why didn’t I think of that?!”  Simply strand a string of orange paper lanterns along a railing or around a window, and embellish with eyes, noses, and mouths made out of black electrical tape.  You can create different pumpkin faces and they will look cute day or night!

Need a simple centerpiece idea?  Try taping patterned ribbon around mini pumpkins.  Fill up a bowl and place it on your table.  Voila!

Another idea is to stick tree branches into the top of a pumpkin and hang paper bats from the branches to create an graphic look.  You could also hang small bags full of candy on them for the children to take home with them as a party favor.

Keep your food simple and stick with a theme.  I personally love the happy ghost theme…..you can serve glasses of milk embellished with “eyes” (cut shapes out of black electrical tape and adhere to the glass), or cupcakes with meringue ghosts on top.

When entertaining children, activities are key!  The traditional game of bobbing for apples is great for children of all ages, and one of my new favorites (for slightly older kids) is a number-guessing game.  Fill up a bowl or vase with candy corn, and have each child guess how many pieces are in the bowl.  Bring those math skills home, right?!  It’s cute and festive, and you can separate the candy corn into little bags for the kids to bring home with them after the game.

I hope these ideas help you plan a fun and festive Halloween party with your kids.  No matter how you celebrate – I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday!

Images: pumpkin centerpiece and Halloween display (goodhousekeeping.com), paper lantern pumpkins (countryliving.com), ghost milk glasses (matthewmeadstyle.com), ghost cupcakes (myrecipes.com), apple bobbing (inmagine.com), candy corn game (bhg.com)