Thread: Thinking of skipping hosting Halloween party this year - people's reactions?

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We've had a Halloween party for the past 8 years or so. I'm thinking of skipping this year - I have a lot going on around then and frankly I'm tired of decorating the whole house to the hilt over two weeks at least, only to have people eat and leave after an hour and a half. For any of you who've held a party every year and took a break or stopped altogether, what reactions did you get from people who would usually attend? Did some want you to have the party or did they not care overall?

This is a yearly topic here. Do what suits you! Decorate for you, first. We also did the mega-HW party for years and years, and ultimately kids, the cost, moving, changes at work, etc... just killed my desire.
We hosted a pumpkin carving "party" last year, and that was just about right for us. No real decorating at all, we just ate, carved pumpkins, let the kids play, took pics and everyone went home.

No worries about people showing up late, leaving early, not showing up at all, or anything else. I hope to one day host a party again when the kids are older, but for now... keeping it simple. Good luck with whatever you choose to do!

Skip the party if you don't want to throw it. If you're not going to enjoy it, other people will pick up on it and everyone will have a bad time. so take a break. Or scale back. Or go to somebody else's party. don't kill yourself if you're not having fun doing it.

I think i'm skipping out on our annual party this year too. There's been a bit of a falling out between a group of some of our friends and it just seems like a lot of hassle for people to feel awkward. I still plan on watching all of my favourite halloween themed movies during October. (I have a bit of a routine for that month hahaha)

I still have a work haunted house to put on though, so that will be good! I also always decorate around the house too, so i'm still excited for that too.

I think it's totally ok to skip a year. Good to re-fresh.

Don't feel obligated to throw it! I mean, you have done it for 8 years LOL. So taking a break isn't bad--very much needed
actually :P

I have skipped it for the past 2 years as it gets in the way of my haunt plans...

A break however is always good! Have a great 2011 Halloween season none the less!

Thanks, guys! The more I read your responses, the more relaxed I'm feeling. Actually planning the party has always been so stressful for me anyway. So what reactions did you get from folks when you took breaks? Did you give everyone a heads up that you were skipping it that year?

I've learned that you really just have to be flexible & take things year by year. Life & circumstances are always changing. I had a newborn last year so we scaled back a ton & just had some close friends over for a laid back night. I was a little upset about not being able to go all out at first, but it turned out to be a good Halloween for us. This year we're going back to our all out adults only Halloween party, but I realize that in the future we'll probably need to turn that party into a more family oriented Halloween party since most of our friends now have young kids. No matter what the circumstances are though, I think we'll always find some way to celebrate with our friends & family. I think it's fun to switch things up every once in a while. I'm really excited about this year's party & I think that it is partially because I did take a break last year & now I'm ready to get back into the groove.

Well maybe you could still have a small dinner party that would only last about and hour and a half and not have to go all out with decor. That's what I'm doing this year. Just a quaint little dinner party with my family and the kids. I'm decorating, but I'm not getting crazy with it. That way you can still have a 'party' but without all the hustle.

If I even utter the words of not having a party it is alot of moan and groans.People look forward to it every year.
Last year we had well over 100 ....that is alot of work.But to see the guest enjoying themselves is priceless and makes it all worth it.