I agree with a lot of the advice given here. The first year we threw a party, we had it on the weekend closest to Halloween. Such a big mistake. Saturday night before Halloween, everyone had plans. We had about 10-15 of our regular friends, no theme, nothing to make it exciting. And it was just that, a bore. Everyone sat around and it was like we just moved the hang out spot to our house. SNORE!!

So, the next year, I decided I need to have a theme for the party. Started making my own decorations and went all out. We did a pirate theme and had a little "booty" hunt around the neighborhood. I put a lot of work into it and MADE everyone participate. Even those that didn't want to, participated and had a great time. We had the party the week before Halloween that year, no issues with multiple parties. I think we had about 20 people that year.

Last year, we had a different theme and about 40 people. Those that had gone to the year before told everyone how great it was and it grew. Again, we had the party a week before Halloween and had no conflicts with other parties.

This year, we were going to have the party on halloween (had plans the previous week) but several people were having problems with babysitting, trick or treating, multiple parties, blah blah. So, we moved it up a day. I asked everyone to bring a snack to share as well as their own beverages. I explained that all my money went into the decorations and I was broke this year. I invited about 58 people and had about 45 show up, several of whom were brought by others who were actually invited. Still had several that didn't show up, but most explained how sorry they were after.

I say, don't give up. They grow every year. Our first parties ended by 12, 1 at the latest, this year we took the last drunk person home at 3am! Tremendous time. Do something to make it a little interactive. That gets them every time. I did a game again this year and it was a hit. People are still talking about it. It takes a little time and effort, but it's worth it when your halloween party is described as THE party of the year.

Bummer about the lack of peeps at your party. From my experience friday parties are always hard people get off work and then they would have to get dressed up and by the time they get there and get a drink in them they are pretty much ready to go home. If I am going to do a party it is saturday or nothing.

Food wise I try to do just some dips and simple stuff like veggies maybe crackers and chesse and then try to do some pot luck sort of a thing this way the party will automatically scale food wise with the number of people you have.

I really like the idea of games I will try to get some going next party for sure. Ironically i am not going to have a big party next year just because I will be getting married in the middle of October so we probably will be to tired to get everything done that quick. Maybe I will invite people over to see my haunt and just chill throughout the day before halloween.

I just pm you. I hope you're doing better. <hugs>

We're out a TON of money, and time, and the people who didn't show had RSVP-ed. JERKS. I'm really peeved about the ones who said they'd be there and then flaked. We shelled out money on costume prizes, food, drinks, even rented a hall to do the party in. Not to mention the time, and effort decorating. They didn't even call to say they couldn't make it. I absolutely know what you are going through and it SUCKS. At least most of the ones who did show came in costumes. We had fun, but it was a TON of effort the day of and the day after our wedding, and it was GROSSLY UNDERAPPRECIATED. I do have a wonderful wife to spook with for the rest of my life though, so I WIN!

IslandCryptKeeper
[eating leftover teeny-weenies from the party for the rest of the month]

Why do I feel like my husband if following me around on the forum. He can't help it. He sees I'm posting on a thread and finds the need to input his thoughts into the same thread. Ugh.

I do not! ... Okay, maybe a little.

2 bad..they're loss..i wish i was invited i would have def been there..especially for a little of the "punch" looks yummy to me:::

Congrats btw to both of u...im sorry your party was not 2 hot..but at least u got to b "intimate" at the party and with each other..Lmao..sorry couldnt help myself..I hope u both have a long and happy marriage though

thanks! the punch was so good and Im the only one that drank it.Saved a little but had to throw almost the entire thing away. such a bummer.

So disappointing when something like this happens! But don't let that deter you from future Halloween parties. Here's a few things I've learned on my own and from friends:

1) How many people show up at a party vs. how many people are invited is called the "take-rate" (in marketing terms). Generally, the take-rate for events is 30%. If you want 25 people at your party, you should invite 75.

2) For a high profile holiday like Halloween, choosing the date and time are important because you have to consider that there are other things competing for your invitees time and attention. Send out a "save-the-date" email up to two months in advance so people can put it on their calendars. Then follow up with an invite four weeks out. Then follow up with a reminder email about a week out.

3) Try not to take it personally when people don't RSVP or show up. Many people have other parties to choose from, or other obligations, so don't sweat it.

Oh spookylady I do empathise - every year I spent months planning my parties, weeks decorating and planning menus, I spent a small fortune on games and prizes, decorations, food and alcohol, and still people let me down. This year was the first year I had to work full-time and throw a party, in my new house, and I had to book a week off work just to get everything done. Considering only a handful of people showed (my true friends), it wasn't really worth the time and the cost. Next year I have decided to take a break from parties as a lot of my friends have birthdays or relative's birthdays around halloween time, or want to go clubbing for the evening so the guest pool is becoming a lot more shallow.

This year I was so caught up in the party planning that I didn't get chance to watch my favourite movies, bake my traditional halloween cookies, carve my pumpkin or any of the little rituals I like to do. I want next Halloween to be about enjoying my favourite things, so I'm going to throw up a few decorations, whip up an awesome costume, get some close friends round to have a few ghastly cocktails and listen to some party tunes and then head out on the town all dressed up. I suggest that next year, if people did not appreciate the effort you went into for your party, you focus on what you want to do for Halloween - how would you like to spend your special day/evening? If you fulfil your own needs, you are sure to have a good time and no effort on those activities will be wasted. If the TOTs were the best part of Halloween for you this year, throw yourself into that next year - you could spend some of the money saved from not throwing a party to buy extra decorations or treats! Chin up girl - for what's it worth, I think everything looked fantastic and I only wish someone else around me would throw a party like that! As I am the only one I know who ever throws a halloween party, I would like to see someone else try next year so I can be the one receiving the prizes for a change lol

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