Oh, Halloween: there’s magic in the air and candy on every child’s mind. While a ghastly chuckle is heard in the background and witches soar in the sky with their brooms, I’m most likely found in my house, busy and running around in hopes to finish preparations for our annual Halloween party.
If you were ever to attend one of my parties, you would see that I dedicate myself to a theme and really stick with it. Whether it’s a Hawaiian luau in my backyard or a “Roaring 30s Night,” I like to get my guests in the spirit of whatever is taking place. You can only imagine how much fun I have with Halloween celebrations.
Over time, I have learned how to really spook up my house. Here are some easy and budget-friendly ways to give your party that scary edge on Halloween night.
Crank Up the Music!
Everyone knows how music completes a room’s ambiance and mood. Nowadays, it’s extremely easy to find not-so-cheesy Halloween music. Play it on your sound system (on a constant loop, of course) and it’ll definitely give your party that “haunted mansion” feel.
Black Lights
Black lights are so much fun to work with. It gives you a great excuse to keep the lights dim or shut in a particular room and you can decorate accordingly. I like to put up large kraft paper on the walls and use paint and markers specifically made for black-light. You can draw on some gushy blood marks, write creepy messages, etc. Your guests will be really impressed with the glowing (and creepy) artwork!
Creeping Hands
The next time you’re shopping for Halloween decorations, skip the orange and black streamers and pick up a pair of rubber severed hands. These look particularly scary if you place them at the bottom of your doorframe, stick them out of candy bowls, etc.
Ice, Ice Baby!
Have you ever tried using dried ice? Well, now is definitely the time! Much like music and lighting, the smoke from dry ice can create an eerie atmosphere for your party. I love using it on my dessert table, especially by the punch!
Eerie Photographs
Eerie photographs are quite easy to put together and create such a great, haunted effect. Replace the photographs in your home with some old, creepy ones (most of which you can print yourself) and place some cobweb around the frames for good measure.
Do you ever host Halloween parties? How do you spook up your house? Tell me in the comments below!