Halloween Party Planning Checklist

Hosting a Halloween party and need some creative ideas? Planning a party can be a lot of work. Follow this Halloween Party Planning Checklist and make your job easy!

As mentioned in previous blogs, there are a lot of elements that go into planning a party, especially a Halloween party. The sky is the limit with creativity and there are some really fun things you can do to really make a great Halloween Party that is memorable and fun.

*This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, click here.

To see the items you need to purchase for your Halloween Party, see the list at the end of the blog!

1. Purchase Outdoor Decorations

The first item on our Halloween Party Planning Checklist has to do with purchasing outdoor decorations. After all, this is the first impression people have when pulling up to your party.

I find that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on outdoor decorations to make an impression. If you don’t want the outside to be scary, here are a couple inexpensive Halloween decorations that you can start with;

Large Spider Web with Spider

This takes up a lot of space and really makes a statement!

Hanging Skeletons

These are perfect to hang on any outdoor lights or columns you have on or in front of your home.

Three Witches Silhouette

Halloween Projector

This helps tie everything in together!

The only other thing I would add are spider webs everywhere! Spider webs are cheap and easy to use. We also change the light bulbs on the outside of house to orange for an added glow.

If you are looking to do something a little more scary (YES!!!) then opt for some of these options;

Climbing Zombies

Hang a couple of these on your house and the whole neighborhood will be spooked!

Projector Kit

You can couple those zombies with this projector kit which will really make your house scary!

Zombie usb for projector

You will need to purchase this projector as well. These projectors are great. We own one and use them year round. We purchased the Santa Clause usb for Christmas and we use the projector for outdoor movie nights in the summer.

Caution Tape

Put some caution tape over the front door and garage door to add the thrill value :).

Blood Window Decals

These are so easy to apply and they really look scary.

2. Choose a Theme

Then next item on your Halloween Party Planning Checklist is choosing a theme. I always say, every party needs a theme. Creating a theme allows you to have a basis for planning the party. For the sake of this blog, Halloween will be our theme, but I also love the idea of having a themed Halloween party. It makes it very easy for your guests and also for planning purposes as well.

3. Purchase Indoor decorations

The Halloween Party Planning Checklist would not be complete if you didn’t have any indoor decorations. When it comes to decorating the house, there is a lot you can do, but I don’t think it’s necessary to decorate your whole house. The trick here is to focus on decorating the room and/or spaces where people will be gathering the majority of the night. The other rooms in the house can be filled with candles, lanterns, spiders, webs etc.

For the main room, I always suggest a fireplace display (if you have a fireplace).

Fireplace Mantel Decorations

Table Decorations

Here are a couple tablecloth ideas;

As you know from my previous blogs, I always like to have centerpieces on all my tables. Here are a couple ideas for some centerpieces;

4. Figure out the Food

For Halloween Parties, I usually just do appetizers, pizza and beverages.

For appetizers, check out this link. There is a gallery of 45 creative appetizers that can give you ideas and inspiration for your party!

Ordering pizza is usually the best option for dinner. Once the pizza arrives, throw some plastic spiders on top of the pizza for an added touch.

5. Create a Dessert Table

I would not go crazy with desserts for a Halloween party, because I would focus more on the apps and drinks but creating a dessert table is a must on the Halloween Party Planning Checklist. For some fun Halloween dessert ideas, check out this blog.

A huge part of creating a dessert table is adding the decorations! It is usually one of the man focal points when decorating for my parties. You can use one of the above mentioned table cloths and then use some of these ideas for the table decorations;

Cupcake Stands

Cake Stand

Halloween Garland 

Small Spiders for the Table

6. Get Out the Adult Beverages!

For Halloween parties, it’s a good idea to decorate the table/bar for your Halloween party. For some Halloween drink ideas, visit this blog. They have some great drink ideas that will really wow your guests. A great drink to have at any Halloween party is Apple Cider, Everclear and cinnamon sticks. Have that brewing over the stove. It makes for a great drink and has the house smelling yummy!

For the decorations, I would keep it simple and add just a couple fun touches.

These drink cubes are a must! Make a bunch of them before the party and put them in the ice bucket for your guest’s cocktails.

Halloween Cocktail Napkins

Cocktail Cups

Cocktail Boo Stirs

7. Play some Halloween Music and/or Scary Movies 

For every party, background noise is always a must. I particularly like spooky Halloween music playing and then a Halloween movie playing on the TV.

8. Make Sure you Have These Extras

Okay, these are the extras that will go in all the other rooms and also in the main spaces as well. These extras will really tie in your whole party and make it look like your whole house has been decorated!

Flame-less Candles

You can never have enough of these. You can use these year round so they are a good buy.

Spider Webs

Pumpkins

You can spray paint pumpkins to go with any look. They are a cheap way to add some Halloween decor.

Strobe Light

These are good for indoor or outdoor decorations depending on the vibe you are looking for.

Black Light

Fog Machine

Halloween Backdrop

Disposable Cameras

Have your guests take pictures in front of the backdrop or anywhere else in the party!

Summary

These fun items should really add quite the experience for all your Halloween party guests! Whether you purchase it all or buy a few things, I hope this provided you with some inspiration for your upcoming Halloween party!

For tips and tricks on how to plan a party, check out my blog 1o Steps to Planning the Perfect Party.

Also, for more Halloween party inspiration, check out one of my fellow blogger’s site, tikkido. She has some excellent ideas!

For a list of items you need to purchase for your Halloween Party, see the list below!

1. Spider web
2. Hanging Skeletons
3. Three Witches Silhouette
4. Halloween Projector
5. Climbing Zombies
6. Zombie usb for Projector
7. Projector
8. Caution Tape
9. Blood Window Decals
10. Fireplace Mantel Decorations
11. Black Sequins Tablecloth
12. Orange and Black Tablecloth
13. Black Web Tablecloth
14. Candelabra Centerpiece
15. Skull Centerpiece
16. Halloween Lantern Centerpiece
17. Floral Centerpiece
18. Haunted Candelabra Centerpiece
19. Pumpkin Centerpiece
20. Light up Cupcake Stand
21. Classic Cupcake Stand
22. Cake Stand
23. Halloween Garland 
24. Small Spiders
25. Small Scull Heads
26. Misting Cauldron
27. Scull Ice Cube Molds
28. Halloween Cocktail Napkins
29. Cocktail Cups
30. Cocktail Boo Stirs
31. Flameless Candles
32. Spider Webs
33. Mini Strobe Light
34. Black Light
35. Fog Machine
36. Halloween Backdrop
37. Disposable Cameras

For more lists on all things “mom,” subscribe to my blog!

Get all the lists for moms you need. Mom lists are the best lists!