Boo! It’s that time of the year again. The temperature is dropping, you are looking for a matching outfit for your dog and yourself, and you’re buying a gigantic bag of candy for the neighborhood trick-or-treaters. Halloween is a mini kickoff to the holiday season; Thanksgiving and the December Holidays are right around the corner. You don’t have to be a professional to host an amazing Halloween party. However, there are some Do’s and Don’ts that you should follow to help make your party the best it can be. Let’s start off with a list of things about hosting a great Halloween party:

Be specific About Your Guest List

Is this going to be family friendly? Or is this a party for adults? Setting a spookier vibe for adults may be exciting for grown-ups but it can be equally as traumatizing for kids. If children are coming to the party, turn it down a couple notches. Spooky chicken fingers and fries might be great for children, but adults are probably expecting a spooky cocktail. On the flip side of the coin, children probably won’t appreciate your spooky quinoa dish. Understand who you are catering for and choose the menu accordingly. If you need help with the menu, Catering CC has you covered.

Scheduling

Be flexible about scheduling. Ask your guests and friends what their plans are for Halloween. Many Halloween parties don’t actually take place on Halloween. Many couples and adults have children and prefer to spend the actual night supervising their children while the kids make their rounds around a few neighborhoods. This goes back to the paragraph about the guest list. Make sure you know who you are inviting and then choose an appropriate time. If it’s on the night of Halloween, make sure that the party starts around 10pm or later. This will give parents enough time to supervise before going out.

To Potluck or to Cater?

If you choose to cater in the South Florida area, Catering CC is the #1 choice for your Halloween catering needs. If not, remember to include a “please bring” line on your invite. This can include desserts, themed foods and perhaps candy for late night trick-or-treaters. If you choose Catering CC, ask about our themed parties.

Select a Theme

Creating an atmosphere can be a fun activity for your party. Bringing a certain amount of Halloween and holiday energy can be a great experience for you and your guests, especially if it is a themed costume party (we hope it is!). Having a clear vision for your party and the grocery list is almost necessary if you want to pull off a successful party.

Serve Drinks

Choosing a spooky Halloween cocktail can be a great addition to the party. Just remember to monitor guests’ alcohol intake and call an Uber or Taxi if necessary. If the party is for children, try including a spooky punch bowl for the little ones.

There are a few things that you should never do while organizing a Halloween party (or any party in general).

Don’t send out the invites too late

Your party might not be the only one on the block, so make sure to send out invites sooner rather than later. It’s mid-September right now, so make sure you send the invites within the next week! Having a strong idea about who is coming and who is not coming can influence what kind of food to serve and what food not to serve (the general age of the party goers, any possible dietary restrictions such as gluten or dairy allergies etc.).

Don’t Overthink it

Don’t put too much on your plate. Asking for help and splitting up the labor of organizing the party can make it easier on you and can take some stress off as well. If you’re going all out on the décor, it might be wise to call a catering company so you aren’t stuck with the entire burden of the party. If you are having a hard time deciding how to decorate, keep it simple! Cobwebs, pumpkins and skeletons are a tried and true classic of any Halloween party.

Don’t Procrastinate

It’s easier to start planning for a party and slowing buying the goods a few weeks before the party itself. If you’re making spiked punch and also need to buy Halloween decorations, you don’t have to do it all in the same week! Don’t wait till the week of Halloween (or any major holiday for that matter) to start buying the candy, groceries and decorations. Ask friends and family for help. We are all about reducing the stress of throwing a party, which leads to our last point…

South Florida Party Catering

At Catering CC, we understand that no matter what type of event you are throwing, you expect the best. We deliver the best catering services every time! If you are looking for amazing full-service catering in South Florida, look no further. You handle the Halloween decorations, the theme and the party planning, and we’ll take care of the rest. Happy Halloween!

• Full Service On-Site Catering
• Event Rentals (linens, chairs, etc.)
• Bars/Bartenders
• Day-of Planning
• Liquor Licensed
• Buffet Style
• Plated Dinners
• Fully insured
• Culinary Stations
• Wait Staff
• Venue Experience

Give us a call if you need help catering your next big Halloween party!