Oct 31, 2019 | Adult Parties & Events, Parties
Halloween is a time for kids, costumes, candies, and fun. But who says it’s just for kids? Halloween is loved by the big kids too! Adults love to dress up and act silly too! And we certainly enjoy the treats too! My favorites are those bite sized chocolate bars, specially Snickers! But if that spooky caldron of Halloween Hawaiian Punch doesn’t quite do it for you, or you’re looking for something a bit boozy here are some fun Halloween Cocktails for you!
So get out your shakers and blenders and break out the booze to mix up some of these fiendishly yummy Halloween Cocktails! They’ll be a spooktacular addition to your Adult Halloween Party. Or you can whip some up and snuggle up with your partner once the kids are tucked in after a long night of trick or treating! However you decide to imbibe please do so responsibly and don’t drink and drive!
The Flavor Bender’s Witches Heart Halloween Cocktail looks ghoulishly lovely![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Walking Dead fans will swoon over this Walker Blood Sangria from Cravings of a Lunatic. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
The Black Beard Cocktail from Honestly Yum will surely chill your bones. It looks pretty terrifying but don’t be daunted! It’s a sweet cocktail made with spiced rum and chocolate stout. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Whip up Tammilee’s (from Tammilee’s Tips) Candy Corn Cocktail. It uses whipped cream vodka, yum![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Smarty Had a Party mixes up this creamy concoction called Liquified Ghost. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
This Witch’s Brew by Self Proclaimed Foodie is bewitchingly simple and tasty. [spacer
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The Tipsy Bartender’s Soul Reaper Cocktail is scary delish and packs quite a punch! [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
For Rent’s Green Potion Halloween Cocktail is simple to mix.
Oct 18, 2019 | DIY Kid's Parties
Our family loves Halloween. We have so much fun decorating, making costumes, and best of all throwing a Halloween Party for friends and family.
When Halloween falls on a weekend, like it does this year, it’s extra fun. We like to host a Halloween party in the afternoon then take everyone out to trick or treat when the sun goes down, with a quick costume change of course. (When Halloween falls on a weekday we usually throw the party the weekend before)
Here are some ideas to inspire you to throw your own Halloween Party. Your little goblins and ghouls will love it!
Halloween Punch is always a party favorite, specially when it comes out of a bubbling fog covered bowl.
We use green colored Hawaiian punch “spiked” with Sprite and place the punch bowl in a cauldron with dry ice.
Never put the dry ice directly into the punch bowl, and never handle dry ice with bare hands.
Here’s a Video from Chow Tips on how to safely use dry ice in your Halloween Punch
Serve ghoulish foods and place them in fun bowls. We have a battery operated treat bowl with a skeleton hand that grabs guests when they reach for a treat. I got it several years ago from Walmart.
These cute Frankenstein Marshmallow Pops are always a big hit.
Click here to learn how to make them.
Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies are easy to make with refrigerated Pillsbury Cookie dough and canned frosting.
Click here to learn how!
For healthier non-candy treats check out the ideas on Listotic.
Utilize “scary” ingredients from your pantry and fridge to create simple ghoulish treats.
Olives make great “spiders”, use them to top pizzas, deviled eggs, and more.
Sources:
My Recipes
Kiddie Foodies
Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons
Food.com
Recipe Runner
Grapes make great “caterpillars” when skewered on wooden sticks and great “eye balls” in a fruit salad.
Don’t forget to freeze plastic spiders and eye balls in ice trays for some Halloween drinks!
Decorate inside and out! You can do it inexpensively with Dollar Store finds.
Click here for decorating ideas using Dollar Store Finds!
Glow sticks make cool Halloween Decor, or decor for any other event too!
Click here for glow stick decorating ideas!
No party is complete without games, and Halloween Parties are no exception.
Bobbing for apples is always a hit and so is the sensory game involving touching foods and naming the “body part”.
Click here for game ideas!
We like to wind things down either before or after trick or treating by reading the kids a Halloween book or watching a not too scary Halloween Movie.
Click here for a list of Halloween reads!
Click here for some not so scary Halloween movies!
Oct 11, 2019 | Adult Parties & Events, Halloween, Parties
Halloween is lots of fun. I’ve mentioned many times that it’s my second most favorite holiday, second only to Christmas. I love the décor, the costumes, trick or treaters, treats, and most of all the parties. I’ve been planning and hosting Halloween parties since my kids were young, now we host them for the grandkids and their buddies. But Halloween parties aren’t just for kids, adults love them too!
Throwing an adult Halloween party is pretty much like throwing a kids’ Halloween party, but with a bit more. When throwing kids Halloween parties you to keep decorations less scary, the food simpler, the games and activities geared for the appropriate age groups, and of course the drinks all non-alcoholic. Adult Halloween parties can be spookier and more sophisticated. You can go to town with the décor; you can go for gory themes à la Texas Chainsaw Massacre, a subtler vintage theme like the Haunted Mansion, or a more sophisticated theme like maybe channeling trendy designers like Kate Spate and decorate with black and white stripes and polka dots. Really the possibilities are endless.
Adult Halloween parties also require food that’s a bit heartier and more sophisticated than mummy pizzas. You can spread out a dinner buffet or for small parties host a spooky sit down dinner. And of course you can serve booze!
As for party activities you have lots to choose from, including some drinking games! Or if you prefer you can watch scarier movies that you wouldn’t want the kids to watch.
Here are some ideas to help you plan your Adult Halloween Party this year!
Vintage Halloween décor from Wedding Paper Divas
You can order cool Halloween invites from them too! Click here! (affiliate link)[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Here’s a spooky idea from the Krazy Coupon Lady. Glowing patio stairs!
Click here to learn how!
She’s got lots of ideas for decorating with glow sticks too![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Bubble, bubble toil and trouble! I love this spooky cauldron from Home and Style![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
I love this classy dessert table by Smash Cake Southern California!
Sophisticated and spooky!
Floating candles are cool, specially for Harry Potter fans! Your theme can even be Harry Potter.
Learn how to do this and get more Harry Potter ideas from Eating Bender! Click here![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Chic and sophisticated, I love this spooky stripe setting by Elle Decor! It brings the trendy look of Kate Spade to mind.
Jello shots, literally”brain” dip! Learn how from the Stylista!
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For drinking games with a Halloween twist check out Celebration’s ideas here!
This is the Halloween version of classic beer pong![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
And don’t forget the booze. Click here for some spooktacular cocktail recipes from around the web![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Sep 27, 2019 | Adult Parties & Events, DIY Kid's Parties, Halloween
Photo by Savvy Nana
Halloween is on Friday. It’s not to late to throw a Halloween party. When my kids were young we used to throw a pre-trick-or-treat party, it was lots of fun!
Consider inviting friends over for pot luck, it makes it easier to feed excited kids. And making one dish to share is easier than preparing the whole dinner yourself.
A few games before hitting the streets gets the evening off to a good start. Then wind things down after trick-or-treating by sharing a good Halloween book or watching a scary movie.
Here are a few ideas to jump start your party.
Dinner Suggestions:
A spooky twist on pigs-in-blankets. These Mummy Dogs from Raining Hot Coupons are easy to make and will surly be a hit.[spacer height=”-100px” id=”8″]
Jack-o-Lantern Sandwiches from Delish.com are really just layers of ham and cheese baked in ready made pie crust. If you prefer you can use slicked turkey or other cold cuts instead of the ham.
Halloween twist on deviled eggs by Delicious as it Looks.
This spider web dip is a spooky variation of party favorite 7 Layer Dip from Momtastic.com.
Had to throw these adorable Frankenstein Marshmallow Pops from Just a Taste! They are too cute!
This Pumpkin Fudge Eclair Cake from Inside Bru Crew Life looks super yummy!
Click here for recipe.
Savvy Nana
Witches brew is always a hit at our parties. Any punch will do, it’s the fog that makes this spooky fun.
DIY Dry Ice click here.
How to use dry ice in drinks safely click here.
For more Halloween dinner recipes click here!
For Homemade Halloween treat recipes click here!
Games:
A fall party staple is bobbing for apples, if you don’t want to get wet try tying donuts on strings and let the players chomp away.
Instead of pinning the tail on the donkey dis-assemble a jointed skeleton cut out and have the kids re-assembling it blind folded.
Instead of a pinata try this Pop Goes the Pumpkin from MarthaStewart.com. The Pumpkin makes a cute decoration and the kids will love popping the balloons to find their surprise.
For some ghoulishly good fun have blind folded kids guess which body part they are touching.
Simply place assorted food in containers and have the blind folded child stick her hand in each container to feel around, she must guess the body part that is in each container.
Use peeled grapes for “eyes”, cold cooked spaghetti for “hair”, etc.
When the fun and food are over gather your ghosts and goblins to trick-or-treat in the neighborhood. By the end of the evening you will most likely have a group of over tired kids, wind them down with a quiet activity such as reading a Halloween book or watching a Halloween movie.
Sep 20, 2019 | DIY Boys Party, DIY Girls Party, DIY Kid's Parties
October is a fun month to have a birthday party. There are so many themes to choose from it will be hard to decide which one you want to use.
Bright fall colors make eye popping decorations. Take advantage of the bounty of fresh fruits and veggies fall offers and serve healthy party food like zucchini pizza!
Here are 6 party themes for your October born child.
Halloween Party!
For late October birthdays there’s nothing wrong with combining the birthday party with a Halloween party. You’ll only have to decorate once!
There are so many fun treats, games, and activities for kids with this theme including Frankenstein Marshmallows, bobbing for apples, and watching scary or not so scary movies.
Click here for fun Halloween Party ideas!
Flintstone Party!
In honor of Bam-Bam’s, of Flintstone fame, how about a Pebbles & Bam Bam or Dinosaur Party?
Greet guests with a giant inflatable dinosaur to set the tone and serve Stone Age goodies like Dino Bones (chicken lollipops).
Sources:
Savvy Nana
Not Just a Mommy
Glorious Treats
Not Your Normal Steam
Mad Hatter Tea Party!
October 6 is Mad Hatter Day! Throw a Mad Tea Party complete with flamingo croquet field.
This is essentially an Alice in Wonderland themed party, just emphasize the Hatter by using more tea cups and top hats in your decor.
Click here for Wonderland party ideas and FREE Printable!
Click here to learn how to make flamingo croquet set!
Click here to learn how to make tea cup floral centerpieces!
Grover Party!
October is Grover’s birthday too. Throw a Sesame Street themed party starring Grover of course!
It might be fun to set up a cookie buffet for this party, instead of treat bags let guests choose their favorite cookies to take home.
Learn how to DIY your own cookie buffet click here!
Sources:
Savvy Nana Ms. Fox’s Sweets
Melly Moments HWTM
The Purple Pug
Firetruck Party!
October 9th. is Fire Prevention Day, a Fireman or Firetruck Themed Party is definitely in order!
Grab some plastic fireman hats from the party store and let the kids have a blast!
Sources:
Loving My Nest
Smart Party Planning
Spaceships and Laserbeams
Director Jewels
Wonder Woman Party!
Last but not least October 24 is Wonder Woman’s birthday. Throw a Super Hero Themed party starring everyone’s favorite female hero, Wonder Woman!
Sources:
Pizzazzerie
Life’s Sweet Moments
Anders Ruff
Kara’s Party Ideas
Parties and Patterns (free printables)
For more Super Hero ideas and free printables
check out Devon’s Super Hero Party!
Planning your Themed Party? Let us design custom party stationary for you! We design everything from invitations to menu cards specially for you!
Order your personalized invitations from my Esty Shop! We can design it and send you the files so you can print it yourself or if you prefer we can send you finished cards that are ready to send! Savvy Nana Crafts check it out!
Aug 19, 2019 | Adult Parties & Events, Bridal and Baby Showers, Parties
Four years ago we were planning my son’s summer wedding. It was a fairly large wedding with just under 200 guests and we had over a year to plan it, but we were quite busy the whole year.
My two daughters were bridesmaids as were the bride’s two cousins, her maid of honor was her high school best friend. We all assumed that the maid of honor would do her duty and plan both the bridal shower and a bachelorette party. The bridesmaids offered their help about 7 months before the wedding; the MOH said she’d get back to them.
We were all shocked when one month before the wedding the MOH told the bridesmaids that the bride didn’t want the shower nor party, and she, the MOH, didn’t have time to plan them.
A week later as we were putting welcome bags and favors together a discussion about a shower and bachelorette party ensued; the bride was waiting for her MOH to throw both. We didn’t have a choice but to break the bad news to the bride, thankfully she didn’t quite have a melt down! Instead she called a meeting with her bridal party for the next day, I was invited along. It was an awkward meeting, but the MOH agreed she could make time to plan the parties, that is until she sent a text to the bride later that evening quitting! She stated she was just too busy to take on MOH duties and didn’t like the bridesmaids.
This unnecessary drama was upsetting, but the bridesmaids stepped up to the plate. The MOH was replaced by the bride’s cousin and another cousin was appointed bridesmaid, thankfully the gown fit the new bridesmaid and the old MOH returned it!
Once the dust settled we realized we had 2 weeks to plan and execute a bridal shower and a bachelorette party; and we didn’t even have a guest list! Undaunted the girls set to work with the help of their mothers. Together with various friends and relatives we were able to throw both events without anymore hitches! Thank goodness for Party City!
Thankfully when my daughter got married the following year her bridal party planned her bridal shower and bachelorette party well in advance. The Las Vegas themed bridal shower was held at our house in honor of the Las Vegas wedding. The bachelorette was in Las Vegas and didn’t require a whole lot of planning other than transportation. The bridal party was very much on the ball and got everything done. Their drama didn’t start until the day before the wedding! But that’s a different story!
I hope no one else has to go thru the wedding drama we did, but if you do rest assured you can still plan and throw a great party at the last minute. Whether the bridal shower you’re planning is last minute or not here are some ideas to help you get started.
*clicking on product links will take you to our Amazon affiliate.
A Paris/Chanel Bridal Shower is perfect for the bride who is a fashionista, is off to Paris on her honeymoon, or both.
You can get inexpensive Paris themed decor, like the Eiffel Tower, at Ross, TJ Maxx, discount stores and on Amazon.
You can change up the colors, but keep the black, it’s tres chic!
Serve dainty finger food, French macaroons, and don’t forget the champagne!
An Italian Themed Shower for a bride who loves to cook, is going to Italy for her honeymoon, or both!
Set up food stations: Pasta Bar, Italian Soda Bar, Bruschetta Station, Wine Bar, and even a Gelato Bar.
You can decorate with herbs planted in tomato sauce cans, and jars of assorted pastas, they can double as party favors and game prizes!
We did an Italian themed “Despidida del Soterra” (good-bye to singleness) when my daughter got married. We served different types of pastas and sauces and lots of breadsticks and garlic bread.
Beach themed parties are always fun. It’s the perfect bridal shower theme, specially if the honeymoon’s at some romantic tropical island like Hawaii or Bora Bora.
Decor can be dreamy and bright, calling to mind tropical breezes and gentle ocean waves.
Use shells, wind chimes, and sandcastles to create a romantic background.
Serve fresh salads and seafood. For dessert offer tropical fruit mousses or sorbets.
Nothing screams romance more than a vintage garden tea party. If you’re bride is a romantic it’s the perfect bridal shower theme for her.
Have it outdoors if weather permits. Instead of tables and chairs lay out a pretty cloth to sit on and make it a picnic.
You’ll have ready made decor with the surrounding trees and flowers, enhance them with pretty lanterns you can hang from low tree branches. Wildflowers in vintage bases add romance.
Serve tea sandwiches, scones, and other tea party fare on vintage china and teas in silver or pretty china teapots.
Don’t forget to line serving platters with paper doilies for added cuteness!
A Las Vegas theme is popular for bachelorette parties, but it works for a bridal shower as well.
The girls had one for my daughter, her wedding was in Las Vegas. Decorating was easy and inexpensive; lots of playing cards, dice, and crap table/blackjack printed felt used as tablecloths.
Serve fun foods such as sliders, chips, dips, and mini tacos.
Pamper the bride and her guests with a spa bridal shower. It’s a great way to unwind and visit with her friends before the big day.
You can set up DIY stations for facials and mani-pedis. Your supplies can serve as decor and favors.
Serve fresh salads and infused water and play soothing background music. With treatment like this everyone will be ready for the wedding on time!
Learn how to make your own bath salts click here! They make great favors, pack them up in small jelly jars, too cute!
For the bride who loves to cook and bake or the bride who needs to learn how, a kitchen/cooking shower is a great idea.
You can plan on a cooking/baking demonstration as part of the event. Have each guests bring their favorite recipe written on a recipe card to share with the bride.
Decorate with kitchen utensils and gadgets, they can double as favors or the bride can take them home for her own kitchen.
You can serve the bride’s favorite foods or just about anything you like.
For the elegant bride plan a Breakfast at Tiffany’s shower. It’ll be extra special if she happens to be an Audrey Hepburn fan too!
Your colors are set, Tiffany blue and white of course! Decorate with strands of faux pearl necklaces, over sized “diamond” rings, and other bling.
You can set up a breakfast or brunch buffet, don’t forget the Mimosa or Bloody Mary Bar!
For the bride going on a honeymoon cruise send her off in style with a nautical themed bridal shower.
Decorate with fishing nets, lighthouses, anchors, oars, and other seafaring gadgets.
Serve fresh seafood and salads, and set up a Bloody Mary Bar.
Throw a Floating Umbrella Garden Party, it is a shower after all! I just love this idea of using umbrellas for decor, it looks so fun! I think it’s a great idea for a spring bridal shower.
You can make it a tea party and serve finger foods and tea cakes. Use bright colors to make it fun.
