Host a Neighborhood Halloween Party!

More than ever, families, neighborhoods, schools, churches, and youth organizations are opting to pool their resources to host a big Halloween bash in lieu of traditional trick or treating. It can be a party for as many as 50 or as few as 5... just start with a plan, draft some help, form a committee, and spread the work around.

Dads can help carve pumpkins and hang decorations; moms can split the and baking cooking duties, teens can help with playlists and games, and even the little ones can help. We pulled this party together in an afternoon. Here are some easy ideas for your neighborhood Halloween party!

DESIGN AN INVITING ENTRANCE If you don't have time to go all out, a few scary pumpkins and some strategically placed lighting to greet your guests is all you need! But if you are one of those who like to really boo it to the max, then click on Oriental Trading Company or head to your local dollar store, they always have tons of Halloween items for only a buck each. 

CANDY  TABLE DECORATIONS If you don't have time to carve a pumpkin, no worries. Make this plastic pumpkin person for the center of your buffet table. The total cost was $4.

Add lots of fun touches; put eyeballs in the punch, use ghoulish containers, spiders, Halloween napkins, and lots of orange will tie it all together. This design is perfect for a sweets table. Along with the candy, have cupcakes, popcorn balls, dipped pretzels, apples and other fruit as healthy options. Plan for an assortment of candy stations positioned around the room; kids (and those with a sweet tooth) can fill up their bags just as they would if trick or treating. 

You can also offer lots of other goodies; pencils, stickers, cards, small books, crayons, sidewalk chalk, and notebooks, journals, and diaries are all great little presents the kids can fill their bags with.

GAMES: Well, there is always Wii and other video games you can play. But old school games like the fishing pole game, cake walk, musical chairs, pin the tail on the donkey are all perfect for Halloween when you change them up a bit. Pin the whiskers on the cat, for example, is a lot more fun.

Need more great ideas for your Halloween? Our friends at MyRecipes.com have wonderful collection of spooky recipes, treats, decorating ideas, and lots more... check it out!