Halloween Entertaining: The Devil is in the Details

This past weekend we hosted our 5th Annual Halloween Party, and it was a huge success! Over the years, I've learned how to host a flawless party that guests love. It all starts with a plan. You don't need to be as meticulous as I am (I start in August), but attention to detail is key.

The first thing I always do is choose a theme. A theme helps guide your guests and sets expectations. Costumes are always a must, and a fun theme makes it easier for guests to get creative. This year’s theme? TV Characters. To set the tone, I created a TV Guide-themed invitation. I hand-drew a cover to reflect different character possibilities, attached the cover to vintage TV Guides, and included a contents page with more details about the event. The looked like this:

After invitations, the next step is the food. A theme makes menu planning easier too! I researched shows where food plays a key role, like House of Cards (BBQ) and Big Bang Theory (takeout nights). Balancing sweet and savory, I created a TV-inspired menu that my guests loved.

Logistics are also important. After some trial and error, I’ve found the perfect setup: food on the kitchen island (easy to walk around), and drinks in the living room to keep the flow smooth. This layout helped avoid congestion and gave guests plenty of space to mingle.

I like to have a balance of savory and sweet for the food. I was having such a good time at the party, I didn’t capture photos of either of the set ups! #fail But, my friend Ted snapped one of the food table so you can get an idea of how I set it up and this the menu, which correlated back to a tv show.

Of course, no party is complete without a photo booth! It doesn’t have to be elaborate—this year I used a backdrop stand and let guests use their phones for instant photos. It’s a fun way to create memories and share photos afterward.

Planning is everything when it comes to hosting a memorable Halloween party. From the invitations to the food and photo booth, the details matter. Even after five years, we still look for ways to improve. My biggest takeaway? Always plan ahead and have fun with it! 🎃