Thread: Mandatory costume?

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I'll be hosting my 2nd annual Halloween party this year and was thinking of making a change. Last year costumes were a must, but I know I lost attendance from some of my closer friends, so this year I might make it optional. Would this be a mistake? What do you guys do?

Illusionist

I always ask that costumes are required. I don't think anyone has not come because of it, but some still show up costumeless.
You can always have goofy costumes ready for people that show up with none. Sometimes that threat scares them into dressing up.

This is my second year hosting a party also. On last year's invites, I put "Costumes are not required, but are highly recommended." I also noted that prizes would be given out and I listed the costume catergories. I was surprised that everyone came in costume! So this year, I'm just going to state that it was awesome how everyone dressed up and that I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with this year. As a reminder, I'll list the costume catergories again. I agree with, Runaway. If you put somewhere on the invite that a costume will be provided for them if they should happen to arrive with no costume, it may 'scare' them into it lol. Do you have a contest as well? If not, you may want to consider it. People seem to get excited at the possibility of winning something

I always say costumes required. I have had a few who stretch it, but they do come as something. One year someone who works for a hospital came in a scrub suit and a male friends came in shorts, polo, visor and carried his golf club as a golfer. LOL

I was not happy, but they did make some attempt. They were the ones who felt uncomfortable and they didn't win any of the awesome prizes. LOL

Last year I did have people put their favorite costume vote in a bucket and the winners received Halloween trophies. That seemed to go over well.

I always have people dress up. I don't word it as a "requirement" however. I'll say something like, "Please dress as your favorite..." or "Come dressed for the occasion..." Then there isn't any kind of a negative pressure or connotation with your invitation.

As others said, I put that costumes should be worn (disguises encouraged eg) but don't say required. Its been my experiance that some people just won't ever dress up but the majority will. Plus those that dont dress up at a costume party always stand out and usually learn their lesson for next year :P

I just never understood why your own friends can't be team players and put on a damn costume! I had a costume party for my birthday back in May and guess what? My sister and I are the only ones that dressed up! It kinda made me mad. Sometimes I feel like people just come for the free food and booze!

I agree with others... though I never make it "mandatory" I always make it well known its preferred. In the invite I normally put something like... "Only those in costume will be saved from a most horrifying death. " or "costume severely advised".

Also, I usually have a consequence if someone shows up without costume - normally like doing a gross shot or being forced to do something embarrassing.

I feel if you make it blatantly optional people may not want to dress up for fear of being the only one in costume. Then its can be a bad domino effect for future Halloween parties as people may be less inclined to dress up.

One of closest male friends will NEVER dress up and I would never exclude him from my party because of it, although I will never understand why you can't just throw on something!! No one says you have to spend a crap load on a costume or put all kinds of makeup on your face. And because he won't dress up neither will his wife but I'm still working on her. They were the only 2 out of around 40 people to not have on a costume last year, so overall I thought that wasn't bad.

But no, I would never make it a requirement. Just have fun!