Halloween Party Ideas

Halloween parties can be so much fun! It is one of my favorite times of year. With a little imagination, you too can have a magical party to remember.

Spooky ghost tablecloth and chair covers

Materials needed

• Muslin or inexpensive white fabric
• Scissors
• Sewing machine and thread
• Black acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• Disappearing marker (found at most fabric stores, such as Joann’s)

For chair covers, drape fabric over chairs making sure that you let extra fabric on the backside only of chair to fall to the ground. Mark with marker chair outline, plus a 1-inch seam allowance. After marking, sew along stitching line. Trim extra fabric, and turn inside out and fit onto chair. Draw ghost face on fabric with a pencil or marker. When happy with your ghost face, paint with acrylic craft paint. To set design, simply iron design on the wrong side of the fabric. This will heat set your project. Next take your scissors and make 3" cut on bottom of excess fabric on backside of chair approximately every 2 to three inches. Tear fabric up to seat bottom.

For the tablecloth, simply lay muslin over table leaving extra to fall off the edges and drape to the floor. Start cuts on bottom edges with scissors and tear fabric up to the tabletop. Under the edge of the table, attach rope lights with heavy tape. Place an oscillating fan under table. When the fan and lights are turned, the table will blow and glow, for an eerie effect.

Your party will definitely be the talk of the town if you put some thought in your decorations and food display. Even if you by your food from your local deli, if you assign each food item with a spooky name, it will add to the fun. Make simple place cars out of card stock, and place them by each dish.

The Haunted house I featured has a base of cardboard boxes. I learned the hard way that this is a crucial point, after repairing a house I created over and over one year. Take the extra steps in the beginning, it will save you time in the end. After you create the basic shape with the boxes, cover them with graham crackers you apply with hot glue. Next have fun decorating with all different kinds of candy. Use your hot glue gun, this is not edible, just a fun decoration. Make sure to add windows. Glue wax paper or cellophane behind openings. Place battery operated lights, or glow sticks under house for an illuminated, spooky effect. I placed a "tree" behind my house for a grand presence. I simply gathered twigs and sticks from the desert, and placed them in a vase behind the house. Next I hung sugar cookies I created on the limbs. You could purchase cookies and use them as well. I used a needle and thread to make hole in top of cookies, and tied a loop. I then hung my cookie ornaments on the limbs. This gives a truly finished look to your haunted house. Dry ice in a caldron nearby can also help add a scary ambiance.

The cupcake idea came directly from Martha Stewart. For details on the creep cakes visit her website.

To create to "snake-witch", I used frozen bread dough to form the snake. If doing a large snake, you may have to divide him up a two cookie sheets to bake. To make stripes, use egg wash to brush on design, and sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds. Follow directions for baking, let cool and assemble your lunchmeat and cheese. For eyes use olives, and for the tongue use a red pepper.

I hope your party turns out as fun as mine does every year, and you start a new tradition in your neighborhood. If you need help in planning a unique party such as this, contact me, I would love to help.

Remember, I do teach in- home classes, as well as classes in jewelry design at the Joann's at Arrowhead. I will be featuring some fun Holiday classes in November, so call the store for details. This is a great girls-night out, and a great way to prepare for the holidays. Please visit my website to view my painting and decorating ideas. Let me know if I could assist you in creating the home of your dreams!!