I'm moving into the city this upcoming month. I have a couple friends in the area. It's near my college. I'm going to Party most definitely. Even if it's like, 5 people, you can still have fun!
Most definitely party . And if no one shows up, then more food and candy for you!
I like the open house idea. I find that many people don't want to commit to an entire evening and are more likely to stop by if you keep it casual. "I'm holding a Halloween open house - stop by and grab a bite and a beer - anytime between 6:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m." I did that one year and most people that dropped by ended up staying the whole time. If you want something more structured with games, contests, etc. maybe the block party idea would be best. In any event, I say party!
Wow LV Scott! Dare I ask what your budget is for the party? I would love to hire some servers and possibly a bartender, but until I don't have to pay for daycare any more, that is definitely out of the question! Also, how long does it take you to set up for your party?
Lately, we've been spending $2000 - $3000 each year, but a lot of that is spread out over several months (costumes, decorations, the facade, haunted house, food, drinks, etc). As far as the paid staff, the Babysitters get $10 per kid (split between them), the Psychic gets $80/hour, the Assistants to the Psychic get psychic ticket sales revenue MINUS the psychic's fee (so if they hustle and keep the people moving in and out, they can make $20/hour), the bartenders get $50 (split between them) PLUS tips (usually around $50-$60), and the photographers get $50 each. And, of course, they ALL get to eat & drink for free.
I usually start updating files (haunted house design, facade design, decoration theme, timeline, guest lists, prop list, shopping lists, etc) in June. We build up steam from July to September, and hit overdrive by mid-October. The Tuesday - Friday before the party I take off work to conduct the final transformation.
Muffy, sorry to hear that you are having health problems, I hope you feel better girl!! I have seen your web site and and your candy looks damn good, it makes my mouth water!!
I blew a lot of money last year and I was terrified that no one would show up. I would say half the people I invited showed, but I put on my invitation that people could feel free to bring up to 3 people with them and it worked out great. Almost everyone brought a guest and I made some new friends which came to my lastest toga party. It's a great way to get to know new people, get some variety and you'll find that alot of people love Halloween just like you!! 2 of my friends want to give me money this year to pitch in. (I am just planning a party for my friend this year instead of having my own, couldn't afford it, but it's like having my own just the same she puts me in charge of everything I just don't have to pay for it!)
I also like to idea of the babysitter and last year I had 3 friends, 1 bro in law, a mom and a sister helping me, I also paid my friends 18 year old brother to work (he's a great kid) and that worked out great!
__________________ An' the Gobble-uns'll gits ya ef you don't watch out!Little Orphant Annie-James Whitcomb Riley
I kinda like the block party idea. Altho, most of the people in my new neighborhood are families, while we're kidless (unless you count the dog & cat!). We've already met a few of the neighbors, so if we did do something, they would definitely be invited. I guess I have to think about it, talk to my SO and see what he thinks. I'm sure he'd be all about it. He usually wants whatever makes me happy.
At the very least, maybe we'd do a more intimate Halloween cocktail party and then go out afterwards. Anyone ever do a H-ween cocktail party?
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"There is no delight the equal of Dread." - Clive Barker
At the very least, maybe we'd do a more intimate Halloween cocktail party and then go out afterwards. Anyone ever do a H-ween cocktail party?[/quote]
No, I never have, but it would be the BOMB!! All elegantly dressed in black, maybe with interesting masks, different black and red cocktails with eyeball icecubes, interesting munchies, lots of cool dark music like Midnight Syndicate, I can just see it. Wouldn't it be so much fun???
I kinda like the block party idea. Altho, most of the people in my new neighborhood are families, while we're kidless (unless you count the dog & cat!). We've already met a few of the neighbors, so if we did do something, they would definitely be invited. I guess I have to think about it, talk to my SO and see what he thinks. I'm sure he'd be all about it. He usually wants whatever makes me happy.
At the very least, maybe we'd do a more intimate Halloween cocktail party and then go out afterwards. Anyone ever do a H-ween cocktail party?
You and your SO sound like me and my DH. We are the only couple on the block without kids. Believe me, if you throw a good party, the neighbors will attend every year, and the kids will have great Halloween memories too. It's really one of the reasons why I host the party, not only because I love Halloween, but because I want to instill the love of Halloween in the kids (future Halloweenforum members!).
I'm in agreement with Colmmoo, the kids are the biggest reason I do our party. I love to see them in their costumes and I like to see how creative they are. Scaring the beegeezees out of the older ones is the icing on the cake. And I need future Halloween addicts like me who can handle my party or haunt when I get to old to do it. Gotta carry on the legacy of being the lunatic in the family.
RS I just spent sometime looking for you but had no luck....some one on here had a halloween cocktail party but I could not find the thread. I typed in "Cocktail Parties" in the search engine but did not have time to read thru them all. I would think for a cocktail party you would have a good variety of appetizers & a really good & creative person to mix drinks. I think the person that had that cocktail party on here had a sit down dinner tho, I can't remember. I'm sure everybody would have ideas to help you. Any idea of how many people? I remember she was having a higher priced meal so she invited less people & made it very classy. I think I also remember her saying something about people not coming to their party so she was going to only have the couples come that were more into it. Also they too were going to come dressed in black & white.
Tallula....thank you for your concern about my health & that you liked the way the candies looked!! It makes me want to cry that you are not having a party this year Tallula, you already know what a huge fan I am your parties. Its hard this year for anybody to have parties especially with the price of groceries what they are & especially what you do. I hope your friend turns that whole thing over to you & make sure you take pictures for us!
Man I sure wish we all lived a lot closer to each other instead of being spread out all over the country!
I think we've been pretty lucky with our parties.
We have a small group of good friends who come every year. As a matter of fact, 3 of them will be getting 'die hard' awards this year for not missing a single party.
Plus every year we pick up one or two newbies. Mostly from the different places I work.
Thinking back....3 from the school where I worked, 1 from the activity center where I worked (she is too cool for words and is totally addicted now), and last year a coworker from ambulant care.
This year I work at 2 different locations....so, a whole new crop to choose from. One of my new coworkers is a gothic type and has already said she wants to help and be an actor.
Oh and I also met a group of 'american democrats abroad' recently. Perhaps a few of them will come as well.
To be honest, I think most of the people come to see what we've made. They think Pieter is totally crazy for doing all he does for one night. So, its curiousity that keeps them coming and keeps us busy doing bigger and better each year.
MsM
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Where there is no imagination there is no horror. ~Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
. And if no one shows up, then more food and candy for you!
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