MAKE IT CUTE

In the words of China Anne McClain’s iconic Halloween hit, we’re “calling all the monsters.” Spooky season is officially upon us, and the best way to celebrate? A creepy, crawly kickback for your crew.

Get ready to have so much fun it’s scary, thanks to our whodunit games (yes, they’re cool again), sweet ‘n’ sour candy creations and the perfect ratio of fright to fab. Hold onto your broomsticks, bc this Halloween hang is guaranteed to put a spell on your guests.

Daring decor

@rustychicdecor

Spooky settings: The key to an on-theme tablescape? A fabulously freaky centerpiece. Paint pumpkins with white acrylic paint, then give your gourds the ghost treatment by adding black eyes and noses. Pumpkin plates are a must (snag some Augisteen Pumpkin Paper Plates), as are faux cobwebs and orange and black balloons.

@funkissd

Witch's brew: To DIY a faux bubbling bev, blow up balloons in purple and smoky hues. Thread the knotted ends through a balloon strip, varying the pattern as you go. Attach a Command hook to the wall where you want the top of your balloons to hang, then turn your arrangement vertically and place the last hole of your balloon strip on the hook. Arrange the bottom of the balloon bunch in a cauldron (snag one at a party supply store)

Ghostly games

@martarodie

Murder mystery: This one *does* require some planning in advance. (You have to tell your guests which character they are before they arrive—decked out in their house colors, ofc.) But solving a spine-chilling IRL puzzle with your besties is basically peak Halloween bonding. A Harry Potter-themed party pack will have you guessing all night long.

Truth or scare: Grab orange and purple cardstock and cut into rectangles. Next, separate into two decks and label the cards in each pile as “Truth” or “Scare.” On the blank sides, write out Halloween-themed Q’s (Do you believe in ghosts? What movie is too scary to watch?) and daring to-dos (tell a 90-second ghost story).

Treats not tricks

@_ourdailyjourney_

Mummies in a blanket: Flour your countertop. Next, pop a can of crescent roll dough and spread into a rectangle. Cut into 10 equal strips. Grab a miniature hot dog and wrap with a strip, leaving room at the top for eyes. Bake at 375° F until golden brown (about 13 minutes). Remove from oven and let cool for five minutes before placing candy eyes on each mummy.

@myfoodandfamily

Spiderweb seven-layer dip: Spread a can of refried beans in a serving dish. Mix 8 ounces of cream cheese with 1⁄2 cup of sour cream and 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning. Layer over beans. Then, pile on salsa, green onions, jalapeño peppers and cheese. Spoon a layer of guac on top and garnish with halved cherry tomatoes, cilantro and olives. Finally, fill a Ziploc bag with sour cream, snip off the corner and pipe a cobweb design on top.

@kelly.cerri

Candy charcuterie board: What Halloween bash is complete without sweets? Fill a platter with candy corn, cheese balls and other fan faves (yes to chocolate-drizzled caramel corn), then adorn the surrounding space with Orange Creme Oreos, yogurt-covered pretzels, gummy worms and peeled clementines.

Eyeball juice: A gory spin on a classic party punch: Combine one 52-ounce bottle of mixed berry juice with a 2-liter bottle of Sprite or club soda. To make some freaky floating eyeballs, drain a can of lychees, then gently press a blueberry into the cavity of each fruit.

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this story originally ran in our October/November 2023 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

In your spooky girl era? Check out these other fall-tastic stories:
🍁 Your perfect fall fragrance, based on your aesthetic
🍁 Fall outfits inspired by Harry Styles
🍁 Your dreamiest autumn reading aesthetic, right this way...

Slider image: @party_bite
Top image: @rustychicdecor

by Lena Genovese and Kathleen O'Neill | 10/1/2023