Thread: Your Go-To Ideas for a First Time Host?

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Hello all...I'm new here but thought I'd get some ideas from the pros. I absolutely love Halloween, and just bought a house so we figured we'd start a tradition of hosting a Halloween party. So far I have some lighting (black lights, flood lights, strings, etc), food ideas, and some props and wall coverings, but I'm looking for things I cane make or buy on the cheap that make a big impact. What are your "must have" decorations/drinks/etc.?

Does anyone know how to make a large, menacing ghost to light up with a flood light? I have some sheets...

Also, if you have not seen the movie Trick r Treat yet, do so!! Perfect Halloween movie in the spirit of Tales from the Crypt or Creepshow, but more visually awesome. I watched it last night and it really got me excited for Halloween.

Check out the threads in the party and props sections, or do a search using the handy-dandy search button located in the upper right of the page to find specific stuff.

There are so many things, it would be hard to list them all!

Quick search for party prep tips:

Does anyone decorate the bathroom?

Adult Halloween Party Games????

Post Your Pics!! Decor Vingettes and Buffet Spreads

Halloween Themed Drinks

Menu Ideas??

Welcome to the forum!

[COLOR="Plum"]Hallow and Welcome to the Forum!
Buckle in and get ready for a wild ride! There are soooo many great ideas here. Like Frankie's Girl encouraged - just search away. You won't be disappointed![/COLOR] BOO!

Thanks guys!! Yep, I've done some searching, and I wish I could do everything. But this is our first party so I'm trying to narrow it down to the most awesome things that have the biggest affect on atmosphere. There's so much...I've been spending waaaay too much money. A friend said to me, "What are you going to do when Halloween is over?" Be bummed...

Originally Posted by bundlesofvitals

Thanks guys!! Yep, I've done some searching, and I wish I could do everything. But this is our first party so I'm trying to narrow it down to the most awesome things that have the biggest affect on atmosphere. There's so much...I've been spending waaaay too much money. A friend said to me, "What are you going to do when Halloween is over?" Be bummed...

I always answer: "Start planning for next year!" and then do an evil laugh with the evil hand wringing...

Biggest effects for the buck in my opinion:

lighting (switch out the bulbs for blues, reds or oranges, have candles if you can burn them safely, don't have the whole place lit up). Black lights (real ones, not the crappy "party bulb" blacklight they sell for a few $ (those are not real ones and get dangerously hot) are great - but they'll be having you cleaning like crazy if you use them in the bathroom or kitchen.


Cheesecloth: shred/pop holes in it and drape it over furniture, use it as drapery (remove curtains and raise blinds and use shredded cheesecloth instead), hang from ceiling fans and fixtures... you can also dunk it in a weak tea/coffee solution to "age" it, or dunk it in laundry detergent (no rinsing) for an awesome glow with real blacklight.


Remove your regular decor stuff: Sure, you love your family pics and your sports collection... but it's not exactly scary. Either take down that stuff and stick it in an unused room or spook it up with spiders, webbing, stick on eyes...


Sheets: get white sheets from any thrift store for cheap, and drape them over the furniture like you see in the old haunted house movies... easy and keeps the furniture clean too. (added bonus if you do blacklights and you wash them in laundry detergent to get them glowing. )

Awesome - exactly what I was looking for. Is it too early to start decorating?! Hehe...

I haven't been this excited about Halloween in a long, long time. It's cool to find a forum where people are as dorky about it as I am!

Have LOTS of garbage cans around!

And have fun

I have all my light bulbs changed to orange and purple (found at rite-aid). Mosty orange with hints of purple. It looks so awesome in here! The only bad thing is, there's no good lighting right now. SO if you need to see something, you have to go to the kitchen where the good lights are. LOL

I changed out all our regular drapes and put up black panels. That really helped to change the look of the rooms. I really wish I could put that scene setter up but I'll have to put that on my list to do next yr. I am out of money for this yr.

I also put some string lights underneath my kitchen cabinets for a cool effect.