1. Parenting & Family
About.com
Teens

Discuss in my forum

Halloween Party Planner

Halloween Party Tips

By , About.com Guide

See More About:

  • Make a sign in board for the door and place colorful markers with it. Have guests to sign in.

  • Plan the party with another teen and his/her family. This way you are guaranteed some help with the budget and chaperoning.

  • Set the stage by placing scary objects and spooky noise effects in the foyer or entrance room just outside the party room.

  • Run a costume contest, use categories like: most original costume, spookiest costume, funniest costume and best group costume.

  • Time to get out the Christmas lights! Using white Christmas lights and candles will add to the eeriness of the party room and they fit in the budget.

  • Unless your teen Halloween party theme involves a dinner, make all food edible while standing up. Teen love to mingle and have the energy to remain standing during a party and often do.

  • Choose a part of the house to have the party in, preferably with direct access to the bathroom. Block off the rest of the house with spider webs, black sheets, or other decorations. Let your teen know that no one should be roaming around the house.

  • On all invitations, write a note to the parent. Let them know they are free to call, and attend! You may even want to call them. Most of the time, you will get offers of help to make treats.

  • Don't look like a chaperon! Dress up, and have some fun! Invite some of the other parents and have them dress up too! Try to keep a 1 to 6 ratio.

  • Keep the party active. If you are going to have pie eating or bobbing for apples, get a Halloween paper table with a plastic back for a drop cloth. Another apple contest to replace bobbing is stringing up apples from the ceiling at different heights, then see how fast your teens can eat the apple with their hands behind their back.

  • Instead of buying expensive pumpkin pies for a pie eating contest, fill pie shells with whip cream.

    • ©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

    A part of The New York Times Company.