After over a year and a half of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are finally ready and excited for an almost normal Halloween. Whether it’s the costumes, treats, or general spookiness that gets you going, we can all agree that October 31 is one of the best days of the year.  If you’re choosing to stay in this year, here are a few of our top tips for throwing a BOO-some costume party:

1. Pick the Right Theme

What does Halloween mean to you? Is it scary, creepy, or magical? Do you like cobwebs and pop-out scares, or are cartoon pumpkins more your thing? Are you having a costume contest - and is there a zombie, vampire, witch, or celebrity look-a-like theme?

Set a spooky tone from the start. Whether you’re sending paper invitations or creating a Facebook event, don’t forget to give people an idea of what they can expect when they enter - if they dare. When people arrive at your home, make sure there’s caution tape on the doorway, and that the creepy mood lighting is set up just right. Remember, on Halloween, there’s no such thing as too much!

2. Keep your Monsters Fed

On Halloween, food can look like … just about anything! It’s important to keep your guests full, especially if they’re partaking in some adult beverages. The opportunities to use your imagination and creep out your guests are endless - hot dogs and ketchup as severed fingers, lychees, and food coloring as floating eyes, and green jello shots for a witch’s potion.

3. Set the Mood and Dance till Dawn

The right music can kickstart any party! Michael Jackson’s Thriller is an absolute classic but put on anything that gets people in the mood for some zombie-like dancing.

YouTube and Spotify have curated Halloween playlists right at your fingertips - and don’t forget to incorporate fun games like freeze dance. When the music stops, the dancers have to stop! Anyone left moving is eliminated. After a handful of rounds, the last one standing wins the prize (which, on Halloween, has to include candy and chocolate of course).

4. Stay Thrifty!

Having fun doesn’t need to come at an exorbitant cost. Between Dollarama and local thrift and craft stores, you can get creative and pack a punch while staying within your budget.

Halloween-themed cups and plates can often get a little bit pricey. Stick with plain utensils, and instead opt for themed plastic tablecloths - they’ll take up lots of space with spooky patterns (witches, pumpkins, and zombies), but they’ll also protect your furniture.

For decorations, stick with classics like caution tape, danger signs, and fake cobwebs. These are large and eye-catching, but won’t break the bank!. And, with some black and orange construction paper, you can easily make your own pumpkin garlands to string from wall to wall. Your guests’ costumes will be the real Halloween decorations!