A Stress-Free Guide to Hosting an Adults-Only Halloween Party

Halloween is the perfect time to leave the kids and pets with a sitter and get together with friends for a fun party. But how do you plan an entertaining adults-only party, complete with a killer costume, delicious drinks and fun decor?

We’ve rounded up 10 tips for an adults-only Halloween party that’s certain to have your guests feeling the Halloween spirit this autumn. From theme ideas to tips from a bartender, this is how to have an entertaining and spooky bash.

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Tip 1: Pick a theme

It’s easy to throw a Halloween party by simply telling everyone to just show up in a costume. However, if you really want your party to feel like a well-planned get-together, decide on one theme that all your guests have to follow in order to really make their costumes stand out. You could pick a spooky movie, such as Hocus Pocus or Get Out, and have your guests come in costume as their fave characters.

If movies aren’t your style, you could do a hilarious meme theme instead. Ask your guests to dress as their favourite meme – the options are endless. From Chris Pine at the Venice Film Festival, to Keke Palmer saying “Sorry to this man,” you’ll have the most fun with this theme. Bonus points if you decide to have your guests vote on who has the funniest costume.

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Tip 2: Serve Up Some Cocktails from Apothic Wines

Any Halloween bash isn’t complete without some delicious drinks. Apothic Wines has you covered – your guests can enjoy Halloween cocktails that are easy for you to make right at home. For the wine lovers searching for something new, Apothic Wines’ Apothic Red Cosmo Cocktail is the perfect beverage to sip on while they dance the night away. Have martini glasses on hand to serve this refreshing cocktail — and to showcase the perfectly on-theme blood-red hue.

For guests seeking a little more zest, Apothic Wines’ Apothic Ginger Sparkler is a drink they won’t forget, thanks to the kick of ginger and the fresh garnishes of your choice. Have someone on designated bartender duty so that everyone can be served in a timely manner.

Bartender Kathryn Glancy has advice for anyone preparing cocktails for guests. “My tip is always: if you’re having fun, they’re having fun,” she says of thirsty guests. “Always prepare your workstation. Cut your fruit and prep your garnish in advance as much as you can,” she says. “Make sure your fridge and bottles are tidy and in order so that when you get hit with a rush you know where everything is and have set yourself up for success.”

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Tip 3: Cook a Perfectly Paired Dessert

Your guests will surely be hungry after sipping on their drinks throughout the evening. For a classy dessert that pairs well with your tasty Apothic Wines cocktails, you can prepare a tantalizing poached pear recipe for some Halloween party food that’s sure to make an impression.

Make sure there are enough pears for each guest and grab a saucepan that can fit them all. For the full recipe, you can find the steps and ingredients you’ll need here.

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Tip 4: Plan Out Your Costume

There’s nothing worse than hosting your guests in a last-minute costume that you threw together an hour before your party. Once you’ve established what your theme is, start brainstorming how you’ll assemble your outfit. Think about if you own any clothing items that you can use for it, or consider if you need to head to the store (thrifting is a great option!) to pick up some new accessories.

If you have any pets that will be in attendance, we’d also recommend ensuring they look their very best with a costume of their own as well.

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Tip 5: Do Some Nostalgic Activities

Who says pumpkin carving or Halloween movies are only for children? Embrace the carefree fun that Halloween brings by setting up a station where guests can carve pumpkins, and do a swap at the end of the party so that each person leaves with a different one.

You can also have classic Halloween films playing during the festivities, so that partygoers can enjoy some of their favourite scary movies while they enjoy their food and drinks.

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Tip 6: Play Some Mood Music

Get into the Halloween spirit by putting together a fun playlist filled with songs that fit the party vibe. We’d recommend a mix of old and new artists – think: “Vampire” by Dominic Fike and “Creep” by TLC, so that you don’t only have “Thriller” or “Monster Mash” blasting on repeat.

Prepare a playlist ahead of time so that you aren’t having guests fight over the aux cord. If you really want to make it an inclusive experience, have your guests contribute to a shared playlist ahead of time so that all their song requests are met.

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Tip 7: Decor, Decor, Decor

Halloween parties are a time to go all out with decorations – when else will you get to hang skeletons and cobwebs all over your home? Don’t be afraid to play with bold colours, and make your guests feel warm and welcomed by using candles and soft lighting.

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Tip 8: Incorporate Nature Where Possible

Sure, the temperature tends to be a bit cooler in October; however, if you have outdoor space to use for your party, then this is a great way to incorporate nature into your event. Use space heaters if you have them, and get lots of blankets so your guests can stay warm under the stars.

Another tip? Fall leaves are the perfect accessory from nature to dress up your party. If you want to give your party a cozy vibe, consider making a wreath of leaves or hanging some from your ceiling or balcony, for a colourful, earthy experience.

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Tip 9: Make Clean-Up a Spooky (and Simple) Experience

Set up areas for your guests to put their empty wine glasses and plates, and ensure you have spots for the garbage and recycling. Decorate your garbage bins with ghosts or pumpkins (pick up some pumpkin garbage bags if you’d like) and you can even make Halloween-inspired labels (think: “ghoulish garbage”) so that guests know where to put things.

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Tip 10: Thank Your Guests

Although it may seem obvious, don’t forget to thank your guests for coming and spending time with you at your gathering. If you’re having a more formal bash, feel free to send Thank You cards in the mail – you can personalize them with photos from the party if you like, to add a special touch and remind them of all the fun memories you made together.