Invites & Decorations
For any party, you want to let your guests know what to expect right away. Sending invitations sets the tone and gives them key information. Will they need to wear a costume? Will there be a specific spooky theme — or are all creatures allowed? Communicating this early makes sure everyone is on the same page and helps get people excited for the big night. You can print invites at home or a shop to mail out, send them over email or share them via social media.
For your decorations, be bold. Set the scene of your party with props and eye-catching hanging decorations. Hosting on a budget? You don’t necessarily have to spend money on elaborate decor. Get crafty with cardboard to make ghost shapes, cut bin liners into spider legs, or simply carve creepy faces into pumpkins!
Halloween Party Cocktails
Every Halloween party for adults needs killer cocktails and mocktails to fire up the celebrations — trust us. Not only do you need spooky drinks that reflect the theme, but given how busy you’ll be organising and hosting, easy Halloween cocktails should also be on the menu. Here are our top three:
Bloody Mary
It’s a no-brainer. Already aptly named, this classic cocktail comes with a gruesome backstory (seriously, look it up!) and is a deep crimson red. There are many variations on this cocktail, including our own Bloody Mary recipe, which comes complete with a range of garnish options that are sure to impress guests.
Our premixed Ghost of Mary Tudor cocktail is a transparent twist on the Bloody Mary. Created by our master mixologist Patrick Pistolesi, it’s tomato-rich with Ketel One Vodka and a touch of spice. All you’ll need to do is shake the sleeve, pinch and tear off the corner and pour over ice — quick, simple and delicious.
Red Sangria
Another blood-red beverage, this Spanish cocktail is the perfect balance of dry and sweet. Bold, flavourful and fun to make, it might take a little more effort than other cocktails, but we promise it’ll be worth it. A classic Sangria usually features fruit such as oranges, lemons and green apples soaked in red wine, brandy and orange liqueur. Add a dash of sugar and sparkling water, then refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavours to develop before serving.
Mulled Apple Juice
This drink is a non-alcoholic alternative to mulled wine, made with apple juice, strips of orange peel, cinnamon, cloves and honey. Ideal for any guests who are driving to your party as well as anyone who loves autumnal flavours!
Those are just a few suggestions, but there are many more cocktails you can add a tortuous twist to. Plus, there’s lots of fun to be had coming up with silly Halloween cocktail names to keep the theme going. Don’t forget to include cocktail napkins as part of your decor shop, and remember, you’ll need plenty of ice to keep your cocktails nicely chilled. You can read up on the best types of ice for cocktails before the big day. We recommend picking up a spherical ice tray and also considering making Halloween dry ice drinks — this type of ice creates a unique, spooky smoky effect.
Halloween-Themed Food
When you throw a Halloween party, it's important to keep your guest well fed. Put a spin on some party favourites to really stand out. We’ve selected appetisers, mains and dessert options that are sure to be tasty crowd-pleasers.
Pumpkin Tortilla Chips
This one takes no time at all to whip up. Use a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter to make shapes in flour tortillas. Pop them in the oven, and you’re good to go. Serve with a range of dips like hummus, salsa and sour cream — whatever takes your fancy.
Green Popcorn
Who doesn’t love popcorn? Pop some and then mix it with white chocolate that you’ve dyed green with food colouring. Allow the mixture to sit on parchment paper. Serve it in a bowl, or buy a small cauldron container to make it look like a witch’s brew.
Bite-size Eyeballs
Take cheese pastry puffs and add slices of cucumber, olives and squiggles of spicy Sriracha for an eye-catching Halloween treat.
Blood-spattered Cheesecake
Take this popular dessert and dial up the drama. Bake or buy a smooth and creamy white chocolate cheesecake. Liberally ice the top with a tube of red gel frosting or create your own frosting with a mix of water, hulled strawberries and sugar. Not a cheesecake fan? Try red velvet cake instead. Consider pairing with a White Russian - a classic dessert cocktail.
Adult Halloween Party Games
One of our best tips on how to host a Halloween party is to get everyone talking and keep up the energy with adult party games. There’s a vast range to choose from that’ll keep guests entertained and serve as icebreakers. Check out our top picks:
Murder Mystery
Make your living room a crime scene and transport your guests into a Halloween whodunit. You’ll each become characters in a story, and it's up to you to determine which character is the murderer. You can find free murder mystery game scripts online, which provide instructions about the characters and gameplay.
Halloween Feel Box
Gross out your guests with this hands-on Halloween party game. Fill boxes full of items that are cold, slimy or otherwise unpleasant to touch, such as cooked spaghetti and peeled grapes. Take turns sticking your hands in the boxes and try to guess what the items are. Not for the faint of heart!
Eyeball Beer Pong
If you’re looking to turn up the thrills with a Halloween drinking game, put a spin on a party classic. The same beer pong rules apply; just replace the ping pong balls with store-bought eyeballs and start practising your throwing skills. If cocktails are more your thing, feel free to switch out the beer for a slightly fancier version of the game.
Halloween Party Boxes
Wave your guests home with a final treat to remember the night by putting together party favours. Gift sachets of NIO's popular cocktails so guests can enhance their evening in the comfort of their home. You can also add a selection of trick-or-treat sweets, pumpkin-spiced biscuits and creepy keychains to round out your party box.
Following these handy hosting tips means all that’s left is figuring out a show-stopping Halloween costume worthy of a scream queen or king - we’ve got faith in you!
If you love hosting and want another way to enjoy time with friends and family this year, check out our guide to How to Host a Christmas Dinner Party.