MY MEDALLION
If you’re planning to host a party this Halloween, we can help you get organized and stick to a budget. These suggestions will help with decor, what food and drink to serve, and even include advice on what music to play and how to create the right ambiance. Here are our top tips for how to throw a budget-friendly Halloween party.
Take A Thrifty Approach To Your Decor
Before you head out to the store, we recommend trying to find as many suitable items around the house as possible. You may be surprised to discover that you already have several pieces that can be used or repurposed as Halloween decor. Bring out all of the things you already have on hand from past years, including leftover napkins, plates, and decorations. Don’t worry if you don’t have full sets, as you can mix and match. Once you’ve gathered these together, only then should you head out to the local grocery, big box, dollar store or craft store. There are lots of inexpensive items you can pick up, including mini pumpkins, gourds, and construction paper to make your own cut-out shapes.
Invite Guests To Contribute
Having a potluck takes the pressure off the host to provide all of the food for the event and most guests enjoy being able to contribute and bring one of their favourite dishes. Potlucks work best with a little forethought! Take some time to roughly outline a menu (and leave a little room for flexibility). For example, ask your guests to bring a part of the meal without specifying exactly what it needs to be—a cold salad, a hot main dish with meat, or a vegetable-based side dish. To ensure an impressive display of food, ask guests to keep their contributions Halloween-themed. Be sure to take photos of the spread!
Create A Signature Drink
Offering a signature drink at an event is always a big hit and it doesn’t have to require a fully stocked bar. To help keep costs down, we recommend making and serving a Halloween-themed punch instead; guests can serve themselves throughout the evening and you won’t have to run around acting as a bartender all night. You might want to put one guest in charge of monitoring and refilling the punch bowl at regular intervals. For ideas, why not try this autumn punch from the LCBO that is non-alcoholic (of course you can add spirits to it), fireball sangria, or witch’s brew?
Make A Killer Soundtrack
The best parties always have great music playing in the background so be sure to get your song list organized in advance. Check out some Halloween-themed playlists that have already been put together on Spotify; there is a wide assortment to choose from for both kids and adults. If you have some time, search up a few of your favourite seasonal tunes and create your own original soundtrack for the evening.
Set The Scene With Sound Effects
Why not add another dimension to your party by including a few creepy sound effects? YouTube is a great source, with several eerie soundtracks to choose from that run for a couple of hours. Even better, you can have a scary movie running in the background! Keep the volume on low or simply have it play without sound. If you have (or can borrow) a projector, you can screen the movie onto a large blank wall, creating a scary vibe that makes guests feel like they’re inside the film.
We hope these tips have inspired you to throw a memorable Halloween party this year—and to keep it budget-friendly. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to follow the Medallion blog for more entertaining ideas this holiday season.
