5 Not-So-Halloween Party Themes for the ‘Big Kids’

Aaaaahhhh, Halloween.  The crisp autumn air, the orange glow of the trees, corn mazes, jack-o-lanterns and children running around the neighborhood, with their costumes over bulky jackets, collecting a bagful of candy.  But everyone knows that Halloween isn’t just for the kiddos, right?  If you’re looking for a fun, not-so-Halloween party theme for the adults, why not try one of these alternatives.
Literary Night
Tailor your party around a specific book, literary time period or author to keep everyone on the same page (pun intended!).  Invitations can be designed as library cards, scrolls or the cover art of a specific book.  If you want to add some traditional Halloween elements, tie a spider or other creepy crawler to the string holding a scroll invitation together or design the library card invitation specifically for a fictional spooky, haunted town. Snacks, decorations and activities can include anything that enhances the particular literary subject of your party.  

Get creative!  Think of the time period or general theme of the book and branch out from there.  For instance, if you choose “The Great Gatsby”, think gangsters, flappers and the roaring 20s.  Serve mint juleps or fill up a tub with ice and have several drink options chilling for guests. Serve foods such as finger sandwiches, bon-bons and other bite-sized morsels.  To entertain guests, play poker, Mahjongg, or have a dance marathon.
Toga Party
Think ancient Greece, ivy wreaths, white sheets and gilded accessories.  Parchment invitations can be rolled into scrolls and tied with silk grass strands found at most fabric and craft stores.   Decorate with white and gold streamers and balloons and drape plastic grape vines and silk ivy garland around the room.

If you’re lucky enough to have warm weather around Halloween, have the party outside using the same decorations for the deck or patio.  For refreshments, serve grapes (of course!) and other in season fruits or vegetables, sliced baguettes with cheese and salami, walnuts, assorted chocolate candies and wine or grape juice. Games can include bobbing for apples and a toga costume contest with categories such as most authentic, best Greek god or goddess, best accessories, best college frat toga, etc.
Masquerade Ball
A masquerade ball is an event in which guests come dressed in costume and wearing a mask.  Costume and decoration themes can revolve around a Renaissance or Victorian theme with long hooped-skirt gowns and powdered wigs.  Or, if you prefer a more laid-back approach, have guests come dressed in the costume of their choice or put a spin on things with your own masquerade theme.

The only catch is that everyone needs to be wearing a mask.  If you go the more traditional Victorian route, you can serve snacks such as canapés and champagne or have fun with your own theme.  Decorations for this type of party can include masks hung on the walls, streamers and balloons.  For entertainment, include a costume contest, charades or a guessing game of who’s who.

Decade Party
For this category, no decade is off limits.  Do you and your friends have a favorite time period?  Is it the retro 60’s, the totally awesome 80’s or the post-war 40’s?  Whatever decade you choose, doing a little research will help you come up with decoration ideas, snacks and even games to play.  Be creative and immerse yourself in the past!

Celebrity/Oscar Night
Send out invitations to all of your oscar nominee guests in white envelopes sealed with gold sticker seals.  Have everyone come dressed as their favorite actor or actress, living or deceased.  Decorate with draped red velvet and gold cord around the room or red and gold balloons and streamers.  Hand out ‘Oscars’ to the best costumes in several different categories and play charades or have guests act out a scene from one of their celebrity’s movies.  For refreshments, serve champagne or sparkling cider and finger foods.

Remember, parties are always better when you incorporate your own sense of creativity and style.  Use the above ideas as a launching pad for your own creative muse to inspire your next Halloween party.  Happy Haunting!

Emma Rae Curtis is a costume/dressing up/makeup & accessories expert. She mainly writes about Halloween but also about all things costume and dress-up related.