TickYouOff
Sign in
Back
🎃

Halloween Party Planning Checklist

Medium 22 items · 2 hours
testuser's avatar
testuser Published 2 weeks ago Updated 1 week ago
Lifestyle

Whether it is ten kids in costume or a dozen adults with a bowl of chili, a Halloween party at home comes together in the same order. This list runs from the first invite to the morning after.

Decide early who is coming and whether children will be there. That one answer sets the music volume, the food, how dark the rooms can be and how scary the decorations get.

Check your walkways and doorway before guests arrive. Fog, dim lights and masks make trips more likely, and clearing a hallway of anything a person could catch a foot on is a quick job.

Progress
0 / 22
  1. Pick the date and decide who is invited — Kids, adults or both changes almost every choice below.
  2. Set a start and end time — A two or three hour window keeps the party from drifting into a late night.
  3. Send invites with a costume note — Say if costumes are required, optional or should avoid masks that block the view.
  4. Ask guests about food allergies — Ask when they reply, so you are not guessing at the buffet table.
  5. Set a rough budget — Decorations are the easiest place to overspend.
  6. Plan the menu — Choose food that can sit out for a while and be eaten by hand.
  7. Plan a drinks list, including non-alcoholic options
  8. Choose two or three activities — A costume vote, a pumpkin carving table or a movie corner is enough.
  9. Buy supplies and decorations — Do this a week ahead so you can test how things look.
  10. Use battery tea lights instead of candle flames — Flames near costumes and fake cobweb are a fire risk.
  11. Put together a playlist — Download it, so the party does not depend on your wifi.
  12. Make food that can be prepared the day before — Dips, chili and baked treats are usually fine made a day ahead. Keep anything perishable in the fridge overnight.
  13. Clear the hallway, stairs and doorway — Nothing on the floor that a costumed guest in low light could trip on.
  14. Set up decorations and lighting — Keep enough light on in the kitchen and bathroom to see clearly.
  15. Set up a food table and label anything with common allergens
  16. Set up a place for coats and bags — Costumes leave people carrying extra gear.
  17. Put pets in a quiet room — Doorbells, masks and strangers in costume can upset a pet.
  18. Have trash and recycling bags out and ready — Put a bin near the food table so cups do not collect on shelves.
  19. Plan how guests get home safely — Have a taxi or ride-share number or a spare bed ready if alcohol is being served.
  20. Take photos of the costumes — Do it early, before costumes come off or get spilled on.
  21. Clear up food and check the room for lost items — Look for phones, masks, props and anything left on the porch.
  22. Pack away decorations and note what to keep for next year
Sign in to save
📝 My Notes