How To Host The Ultimate Halloween Party
By
2 hours ago
Frightfully good tips (and tricks) for making your home stand out
Halloween is just days away – and with spooky season coming to a head on a Saturday this year, we anticipate plenty of parties this weekend. If you find yourself laden with hosting duties this year, fear not. We have all the expert intel you’ll need to throw the best Halloween party on your street. First things first: set the scene.
‘My golden rule for Halloween hosting is to spend on things you’ll still use on 1 November, like candles, good lighting, table linen in autumnal colours – even a few home bar upgrades,’ says Anushka Mahanti, co-founder of B Corp homeware destination FableRoom. ‘Skip the plastic decorations that you’ll condemn to landfill a few days later.’ Below, we round up some of her top tips for hosting the ultimate Halloween party, plus our favourite decorations you can keep up all year round.
Halloween Hosting: An Expert Guide
Turn Off The Big Light
When it comes to hosting any kind of party, the big light is a no-go. ‘Harsh lighting really kills the atmosphere,’ agrees Anushka. ‘I switch off the big light and use table lamps, wall lights and lots of candles at different heights: low pools from table lamps at seat height, a middle layer from wall lights at eye level, and candles on top for flicker. Chic lamps with a warm orange glow are a smart Halloween investment that you can enjoy year-round.’
Scent The House
‘It might seem obvious, but light a candle an hour before guests come, so the smell greets them at the door,’ suggests Anushka. ‘For Halloween, choose spiced and smoky rather than sweet. Think clove, cinnamon and orange.’
Borrow The Palette, But Skip The Props
A quick colour change is also a great way to bring a slice of Halloween to your home, without feeling too on the nose. ‘Play with colours like burgundy, olive and black to set the scene,’ instructs Anushka. ‘Cushions and throws are the easiest things to swap in a living room, so they’re a good place to start. I layer with a velvet in a light neutral as the base and add a deeper, jewel-toned velvet on top, with a dark throw. You can then add accent colours like terracotta for lift.’
Bring The Bar To Your Guests
‘My top hosting tip: bring the bar to the party,’ recommends Anushka. ‘If the drinks are in the kitchen all night, so are you – and probably away from your guests. Set up a small bar in your main hosting room and pre-batch one dark cocktail and one good alcohol-free option. Then you can enjoy your own party.’
Put Everything On A Tray
This is both for a spooky effect and easier clean-up, Anushka tells us. ‘Trays feel quite Addams Family to me. I always recommend serving at different heights for a bit of texture, and use trays for everything. A black croco-leather tray looks smart and atmospheric on the table, and clearing up takes five minutes.’
Shop Halloween Decor
