7 Fun Halloween Party Ideas

Halloween parties with all its opportunities for strange sounds, projected images and crazy food are the most fun to prepare. All age groups enjoy it. You have permission to be crazy. Plan now for your 2016 Halloween celebration.

Halloween. Source: fllanora

Hosting a fun gathering for family and friends of all ages can be challenging for any holiday, but it can be especially challenging with a holiday like Halloween if you have family members and friends who fall into a range of age and interest demographics. 

After all, the little ones like the lighter, sillier side of Halloween, while teenagers are more into the scary and thrilling aspects of the holiday. 

It can get even more complicated if you have some fuddy-duddies in your group who think they've outgrown the childlike appeal of this anything-goes holiday. 

So, start your planning now and make it a memorable Halloween party ever.

1. How to be ghostly creative

How can you be ghostly creative? Believe me, it's in your mind, it's in your head, just open up and be inventive. Scrap those boring century-old designs. 

Let your imagination go wild so people will come to your party, not the thousand others being planned for Halloween. Your competition is all the bars and restaurants about town as well as the five-star dudes in the hotel industry paying the top planners to organize this day for them.

Not to worry. You can outdo all these. Homespun is a winner. Start doodling your invitations now. Anything goes as this is Halloween. But remember, hand-done invitations are much more personal than flashy commercial products.

2. Your Halloween Costume Trunk

Everyone loves a party and family parties where people dress up are the most fun of all. Imagine the Bat-family, Mom and Dad and two kids arriving all in their winged outfits. How about the royal family Queen, King, and maybe a princess?

Balls in the 18th century often had dress-up themes because it made the events different from the usual experience. Imagine all the planning, the sorting, the making of costumes and then guessing who's who in the party and debriefings at post-party lunches. Too much pre and post fun.

Halloween Costumes. Source: aesta1

So, if you don't want to be outdone, start preparing your costumes now. I belong to a family that seems to be planning parties all the time. 

I don't know sometimes if there are other things that occupy them. But anything fun, they're in. And this is as well all they talk about afterwards until the planning for the next party begins. 

In fact, when it comes to costume parties, they keep the preparation of their costumes hidden away from each other so it has maximum surprise on the day of the event. 

Designs are secretly guarded, ideas not shared just in case someone wants to steal their most creative thoughts. The intra-family rivalry is savage.

Pull out that trunk and air out the costumes. Do you have one? We have a trunk where all the old party and unusual costumes go along with old bits of cloth and random masks. 

The kids rummage through this when they want to play dress-up. I know some will always want to do their own unique costume so the old trunk is for the lazy ones who just can't be bothered.

Prepare masks and hats that those who don't have costumes can wear. You don't want some people to feel left out.

Start with your kids. What costumes will your kids wear this Halloween? Have they expressed their wish? You can make them decide what they want to be on this day. There are many costumes to try out. They don't have to be expensive. Make sure you have a budget. You can make use of what they already have.

By now, you must be tired of looking at same-same costumes and accessories. Why not put your creativity at work and make that one of a kind mask for you and your kids? 

Or just get ready-made hats or masks
Yes, if you're not the type to do the costumes or masks yourself, not to worry. There are so many choices around. Here is one they can easily wear and with even just this, they are ready for the party. The more important thing is to have fun.

3. Fun Activities for your Halloween Party

Fun activities should be a big part of your Halloween get together and a costume contest has to be among the best you can include in your party plan your party plans.

If your gathering will be fairly big, consider having a costume contest with multiple categories. Best costume for different age categories is one option, or you can go with categories like the cutest, scariest, most creative, and best overall costume, for instance. 

There's got to be a prize in each category, and it doesn't have to be something big. Maybe give out little certificates marking the placement in the "best" categories and a small bag of candy. That should suffice.

You can really add fun to your celebration when you prepare well. One of the things you can do is have ready-made hats or masks for your guests who are not in costumes. You can then engage them immediately in the fun.

4. Boo Halloween Games

Halloween Games. Source: aesta1

• Kids love face painting. You can have kits ready and let them paint each other. They can do this the moment they come in and each guest can just join in easily as they come.
• Traditional games like bobbing for apples and activities like spooky storytelling can be a blast, or you can get creative and make up your own games and traditions.
• Halloween-themed bingo or perhaps a Halloween-themed trivia game are just a couple of concepts to consider. 

Of course, prizes should be awarded to the winning teams or players in each game or activity you include in your party, and again, the prizes don't need to be elaborate, but awarding something always makes people feel good about their achievements.

5. Sneak in Halloween Surprises, Sounds and Drama

The Bose is out. Drums are dusted. Speakers are flutter tested. Make one person responsible. Not YOU. Plan with this person the music and sound effects you want for the start of the party. 

The key is you want to make your guests feel they are in for the greatest fun of their lives. Build it up from here. Make family members join in. Tape the scariest sounds they can make and blare this out as soon as the guests come. Get wireless speakers you can scatter around the house.

Make sure that there are no blah moments by sneaking in surprises using sound effects and drama. Rent a fogging machine and give them a blast once in a while. Get one in the group to dress as Vampire and come in at one point of the party throwing treats or candies and lunging at a naked neck. Or, get some in the group to come in procession with candles and a coffin.

Halloween Surprise. Source: aesta1

Have a DJ. It is even better if you have an amateur one in the family or your circle of friends. It is always fun. In fact, if you have a karaoke, this is the time to let those off-tune members of your circle belt their hearts out. You will scare off even the ghosts, witches and vampires.

6. Halloween Party Treats

Why not ask each invitee to bring a dish? When you do this, it makes the guests feel it is their party, too. It is hard to be a good guest but it is fun to be part of the party. Just ask them to bring whatever they like: food, drinks, treats, music, whatever. This is the time of year when you can be crazy and not be embarrassed about not being a good cook. Who cares on Halloween? 

• Prepare mostly finger food so people can mill around as they eat. Have a good variety.
• Have a corner for drinks so people can help themselves. Make sure you have enough water jugs in there. 
• Prepare several corners for food so people can spread out.
• Decorate your serving bowls and plates with items that you can make, easily find in the supermarket or online. There are lots to choose from. 
• Use red food colour and splatter the table with it. Make sure your table cloth is one of those throwaways.
• Provide big garbage bags visible to people so they don't go after you each time to ask where they can throw things.

Halloween Party Place

7. Halloween Party Place

Decorate, decorate, decorate. Will it be a wizard's den? A haunted house? A vampire's Airey? An enchanted forest? Or, a spooky graveyard?

Have an ugly pumpkin contest with voting at the party. They'll love it.

There are many themes you can choose from. Involve some of your friends and family members to bring some of their Halloween decors so you don't have to invest so much on creating the spookiest Halloween party place.

Ask them to come early to help set up the place. You start them having fun early when you do this. Involve the kids in preparing. They'll love it.

Jewelry for Valentines

What could be more romantic than this gift on her special day? Precious jewellery inside a red ribboned box hidden somewhere easy for her to find. Nothing creates a smile and gives a lasting forever style of memory than a new necklace or ring or bracelet to mark this special day on her calendar.

Hundreds of years of tradition are built into most of the designs available and so a bit of history can be discovered in every jewellery gift. Although Valentine's Day is a time for jewellery as nothing is more romantic than putting the sparkle of St. Valentine's eyes unto the fingers or wrists of loved ones, any special day also calls for special jewellery.

Jewellery is precious and is one of the oldest artefacts of civilization. In fact, when you visit archaeological digs, you often see pieces of jewellery. Ancient civilizations already recognized the value of the jewellery. In some cultures, they are doubly more valuable as these are the only ones a woman can carry out of divorce. Not that this is what we wish for. We wish for the jewellery to strengthen the bonds you have.

The gold jewellery in the picture is the symbol of a good life, a beautiful gift for your loved one's birthday.

Choosing Jewelry for Gifts

When you choose jewellery to gift or keep for your own collection, start with basic designs. Both men and women, young or old, wear chains. Get yourself a finely crafted gold chain. You can get one in silver or white gold as you build up your collection. You can wear the chain as is or with a pendant.

Silver chains are also a good addition to your collection. For everyday wear, they are better. But silver needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain its lustre.

Giving your woman a beautiful set of jewellery on a special occasion is a fine gesture. The collection, in time, can become very valuable. We have read of historical accounts of women and their use of jewellery during hard times. In many cases, these are the things women would carry with them and these jewellery have saved their families from hunger and starvation.

Building Up Your Own Jewelry Collection

As you build up your jewellery collection, move from the basic to special jewellery sets. Choose something that goes well with a number of your party outfits so you can wear them several times. Having this set in your collection will give it more value and you can pass this on to your children.

You can have jewellery set in your birthstone. Start with this and build it up as you have the resources. Make sure you have one set in pearls.

Fun and Frivolity in Valentine Gifts

There's no better time than Valentines to express our love for people dear to us. Spurring on our imagination will be worth it to make these people feel they are special and loved.

Valentine Special. Source: aesta1

Have you picked your Valentine gift for your special someone? Maybe you've got ideas based on your Christmas experience. But Christmas and birthdays are different. 

Valentine's is a chance to have fun and give something frivolous and amusing. So, if you haven't made a choice and you're staying in the air and pulling your ear lobes, here are some fabulous gift ideas.

Valentine Jewelry. Source: aesta1

Jewellery is always the top of Valentine's list. Flowers, chocolates, and a sneaky package from Victoria secret can be less expensive and real heart warmers. 

Remember, Valentine's is silly cards and ridiculous big hearts and time to have fun so you want something special but appealing to the lighter side of life.

1. Think Humour for your Valentine Card

Choosing just the right card can be a challenge but getting one with awesome humour just right for your loved one and your own unique relationship is always a big plus.

Start with choosing the biggest or the cutest card you can find. Cards are usually pink but maybe this year, choose another colour just to surprise her/him. Get one with humour.

If you can't find what you need, make it. Go to a bookstore or craft supply and get your materials. He or she will even find this more amusing. You can shape the paper the way you want it, choose the colour to make his/her eyes got big and add bling and symbols that will break your beloved's heart into sobs of joy.

2. Give meaning in a box

Immediately after your loved one has had fun with the card, hand her/him over the box. Yes, this is not just a women's special. Men often wear jewellery like a chain or a wristlet.

Imagine their joy when they open the box and the sparkle hits them. They will remember the first gift you gave and the romance will be rekindled.

If you're not yet married what better time is there to present a ring that says tadaaah...wow, she or he will never forget this particular Valentines Day.

It is important that you give a gift full of meaning. Everyone loves this. I know of someone who gave his wife a necklace with a heart cut in two. He wears one half and his wife wears the other. What a lovely gesture.

3. Put meaning in your greeting

Think bait and you'll find that special greeting to touch your loved one's heart. I sometimes think Cupid's arrows often miss its target. I used to wonder that maybe it is dull. Right. When you're together with a person for over 20 or 30 years, things settle down. You take things for granted, at times. This is only true for people who don't really give this day much attention.

My best friend's sister has always been my idol when we were growing up and I vowed to myself I will be like her when I get married. She plans special things for her husband for Valentine's. It varies each year so she never stopped surprising him. Once, she transformed her house into a nice ballroom so they can dance the whole evening, just the two of them. She chose all their favourite songs and they had a ball, full of romance and love.

It really does not have to be fancy. With just a bit of care and thought, you can make your Valentine's evening something to remember for years.

A cheap but meaningful gift

Silver and priced really cheaply, this would be a good gift when money is tight but you want to make your loved one know she is special. Price does not really matter in gift-giving. It is more the thought. Let them how much you appreciate them as your friends.

The Bund. Source: aesta1

4. Have a Fun Evening

Yes, after the meaning, fun is back in again. Plan a lovely evening. Maybe start with cocktails at home that you mix yourself. Practice well before the day. Surprise them with a new and unexpected taste. Start your research now before it's too late. This way, you can stock what you need. Unobtrusively, that is.

Then, go for a special dinner. Think romance in this one. Just the two of you.

Cap this with a drink or if the night is still young, go for fun. Dance till the wee hours.

5. Book your loved one to a special treat at a spa - You can go together

Many spas now have all kinds of services where couples can go together. Make it a special day, not just an evening. Or if you think she would prefer to have a good spa treatment on her own, give her this experience for Valentine's day. Then, you can go for a special night out after.

6. Show your love in a song - Give the latest album of your favourite singer

This could be a band or even better, get concert tickets for both of you and enjoy it together. The concerts don't have to be on Valentines Day. Just present her the tickets. Or, just play this song for her:


7. Small things bring big rewards

One of the things you can do for your loved one is what many partners have already done before and have seen big rewards for these tiny acts. Wrap tiny gifts with meaningful messages to lift the spirit of your loved on and to make them feel very much loved. Hide these in places they usually check out so they easily find them. Watch their reaction as they open it. You also will share in the joy as you watch them enjoy these tiny gift and messages.

8. A Special Act on Valentines
To honour St. Valentines, do something good. In your small section of the office, this is your chance to make all the women feel special. Be thoughtful on this day. Buy a dozen or so red roses and give each woman in your section her choice. A friend did this in his office before and people really appreciate it. Each one feels she has been thought of on this day. Didn't matter whether they have a special Valentine's or none, they all enjoyed their roses.