How To Hold A Halloween Party
DID YOU KNOW?
The first of November is the observance of Samhain, when the barriers between this world and the next are at their most insubstantial. The spirits of the departed are said to have leave to return to among the living at this time. Samhain – "summer's end" in Gaelic – represents the close of summer and the commencement of the dark time of the year. The observance of Samhain persists in conventional calendars as all hallow's eve, or Halloween.
Hi there! Well it's that time of year again when all the ghosts and goblins roam the streets. Those dangerous streets! It's because of this that we've decided to do something a bit different with our pages this year. Let's talk about having a block or neighborhood Halloween party. There is no set in stone way of doing it, so we 're just giving some ideas and helpful hints to get you started. We realize some of you live in the country, some in suburb areas and others in cities. This job is more than a one man/woman job as well. But you can do it and it'll be fun!
The first thing you need to do is get together with your neighbors or the nearby schools and tell them your idea. Even tell the neighbors that don't have children! Ask for volunteers to help. Devise a plan then assign jobs. Find out how many kids and/or families will be attending this party then get a place in which to hold it. Neighborhood clubhouse, Sr. Citizens building (they like this by the way because they feel included in something, plus many of them will help out), the local elementary school or even a nearby park (just make sure you get the cities permission first). Explain to everyone that it's for the good of all to do it this way.
"Why?" they'll ask.
Because:
• It will keep the kids safe!
• They can save money, as it would be cheaper for each household to donate $5.00 (or whatever it is you will need per home but no more than $10.00) than to buy 2 bags of candy. (I used to spend over 10 times that amount and still run out)
• This party will last only 2-3 hours and no one will be knocking on their doors every 2 seconds or trampling on their lawns and flowers.Next, get those teenagers involved! Give them something to do. They can be responsible for making decorations, security, supervising some of the games, setting up and cleaning up, collecting money. Ask one of them to DJ the event, allow another be responsible for acquiring the party music.... Monster Mash, Addams Family, Alfred Hitchcock, spooky sounds and so on. Have another take pictures. Let some of them run the decorating committee.
Organize your games and have set times for each one to start. Remember this party is for all ages, so you have to have some games for the very small, 7 - 12, and older. Each child should receive a goody bag at the end of the event (they would be lost without some candy to take home) The finally of the evening should be the costume contests (also divided into 3 age groups).
Planning The Events:
Use some of those tried and true games;
• Bobbing for Apples
• Musical Chairs (to Halloween music)
• Teach them the Monster Mash...this is always fun for all ages!
• Costume Contests.....(2 groups)
• Invent some of your own
Some Helpful Hints:
Try to do as much of this in dark, darkened rooms or outdoors with party lights. Remember, the kids love Halloween because they can run around in the dark and have fun! I have seen several Halloween parties fail because it was too bright.
• Have prizes that they would really like to win. It doesn't have to be very expensive, just fun!
• Serve hot dogs off the grill and have a trash can full of popcorn. Get the Senior Citizens to make candied and caramel apples, keep it simple as far as food and snacks go.
• Maybe someone can do face painting - kids love this. Yes I know, many of them will have already had this done but many won't and would enjoy it.
• Ask a local farmer if you have one, if he would loan you a couple of bails of hay. (chances are - he'll just give it to you).
• Use old party lanterns (I'm sure someone in the neighborhood has them) and place white cloth over them to look like ghosts (muslin can be bought inexpensively at your local fabric store).
• The ideas are endless.Use and/or modify what you have to keep cost down.
The money you've collected goes towards prizes, drinks, hot dogs, apples, treat bag and a little towards decorating.Last and most important: Safety
Do not allow any of the children to go home alone. Have the teenagers walk home younger children if an adult is not present and keep the teenagers in pairs as well. Safety in numbers!We have some Halloween crafts posted and more will be added in a week or two. The links are placed on the "Fall" main page.
We hope you all have a fun, safe and Happy Halloween! Don't forget to e-mail me an tell me how it went! I can't wait to hear your stories.... I may even post some of them here :-D
Pumpkin Seed Snacks:
After you clean out your pumpkin save the seeds for a special treat!
INGREDIENTS:
2 C. pumpkin seeds (approximate)
2 Tbsp oil or melted butter
1 tsp salt (optional)
PREPARATION:
Wash the seeds place in a bowl and stir in oil. Spread out to single layer on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle salt (popcorn salt works best but table will do) on top if desired. Bake at 250 degrees F. until they begin to brown.The floaters are links. One goes to the fall crafts page and the other goes to the Halloween MIDIs page. The pumpkin is linked to the coloring book. Make a costume here!
All content/design and graphics Copyright © 1998-2004 Personality Creations unless otherwise noted. Bexar County, Texas DBA Lisense acquired October 1999 as Personality Creations.
Fall Crafts / Info Online Java Coloring book for Fall Printable Fall coloring book Fall Postcards Halloween/Party Halloween Sounds Court Jester Costume Thanksgiving Dinner Thanksgiving Meal Planner
Hosted by Domainmaker
