Halloween Happy Hour - Casual or Elegant!

Product Number:69113

Who ever said that Halloween was just for the kids? Not me, and in fact, I think that Halloween is a terrific time to entertain adults with a cocktail party with lots of clever touches! In looking over the fun decorations and invitations available for this type of event, I devised both formal and informal plans for your next Halloween celebration! Will you ask guests to dress in costume? I wouldn’t do it at my house, but I’ll leave that decision up to you!

For a Casual Get Together

Invitations

  • A funny invitation is available from Announcing It, depicting a beer keg and cups covered with spider webs. The sample wording invites guests for “munchies and mayhem,” setting the tone for a laid-back party. (announcingit.com)
  • A similar feel can be achieved with Fine Stationery’s invitation that features a jack o’lantern drink tub, filled with bottles. (finestationery.com, pictured above)

Decorations

  • Since your party is more relaxed, go ahead and get out those kitschy plastic skeletons, faux cobwebs, tombstones and black candles. 
  • Outfit a few lamps with green light bulbs for an added spooky effect!

Menu

Munchies

Keep your buffet simple, with munchies like:

Main Course

  • For the main course, set up a chili or baked potato bar with lots of topping choices.

Dessert

For dessert, create a candy buffet by filling a variety of clear glass containers with seasonal favorites such as:

  • M & M’s - try to pick up the Halloween colored versions
  • Candy corn
  • Caramels
  • Hershey kisses
  • Black licorice sticks! - use a tall thin glass container to stack the licorice upright!  

Add spoons to the containers and cellophane bags on the side for easy take-out!

Drinks

Both invitations suggest that beer will be served at the party, so keep that beverage in line with the theme as well!

  • Sam Adams drafts an “Octoberfest” beer that is heavier than summer brews, with a nutty flavor.
  • Pete’s Wicked Ale or Hop Devil Beer from the Victory Brewing Company are perfectly haunted choices, too! (You can learn about additional autumn beers at beerabout.com!)
  • Don’t forget to offer non-alcoholic drinks such as mulled or chilled apple cider, soda and bottled water.

For a More Elegant Affair

Product Number:42232

Invitations

  • Invite guests for “martinis and mayhem,” using a stylish invitation from Announcing It, depicting an eerily enhanced martini! (announcingit.com)
  • A similarly fashionable choice is sold by Fine Stationery, featuring attractive orange paper lanterns that can be repeated in your party decorations. (finestationery.com, pictured at right)

Decorations

This party calls for a bit more restraint in the decorations! To give your event a cohesive and more sophisticated feel, choose a color scheme and stick to it! For example, if you choose the martini invite, I’d set a color scheme of red and black for the party.  Choose red or black dinnerware and linens. Set the scene with black, goblet shaped candles from Stonewall Kitchen. (stonewallkitchen.com, $29.95 for a set of three)

Floral Arrangements

Halloween floral arrangements are also easy to find online! Consider:

  • FTD’s Batwinged “Booquet” by Todd Oldham with black, red, and yellow flowers in a bat embellished vase! (FTD, $59.99, AAA members receive a 20% discount!)
  • For a dramatic effect, try red roses in a black vase with red rose petals strewn across the table!
  • For a “black and orange” theme, Hallmark offers a dozen orange roses, arranged in a black vase sporting a witch on the front! ($49.95, hallmark.com, pictured)
  • For a less expensive alternative, fill a vase with black or red silk roses and drape the entire vase with faux cobwebs!
  • For a funny display, go to instructables.com for instructions on how to make creepy black pom-pom flowers using black trash bags!

Menu

Appetizers

Plan to serve a variety of hors d’oeuvres.

  • Take a look at Busy Bee’s collection of appetizer recipes for some inspiration.
  • Try to offer at least one food choice that is a bit more substantial, like sliced beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce on the side.  I make my own sauce by adding fresh horseradish to light mayonnaise until it’s sufficiently spicy!
  • Another nice option is satay chicken skewers - these are sold at my local Sam’s club and are really tasty!

Dessert

  • Splurge on the amazing spider web cake from Dean and Deluca! This spectacular confection is composed of dense chocolate layers with orange chocolate mousse which are then covered with vanilla butter cream and shrouded with black-tinted white chocolate. ($125, deananddeluca.com, serves 10 – 12)
  • You can also create the candy buffet mentioned above!

Drinks and Garnishes

Martinis are a must! For the “red and black” party see recipe for Vampire’s Kiss.  For the “orange and black” party, see recipe for Orange Satin Cosmo.  But don’t forget to offer a wide assortment of non-alcoholic beverages as well!  For a bit of festive flair, add a themed garnish:

  • Trim the rims of your martini glasses with black licorice, black plastic spider rings or white plastic vampire fangs!
  • If you’re feeling a bit crazy and your friends have a terrific sense of humor, purchase several “Barbie” type dolls from the Dollar Store and use their dismembered arms and legs as drink stirrers!

Whatever route you choose, I know that you will have a fabulous, frightening and terribly fun party! Cheers for some adult revelry at Halloween!