㽶ƵֱI㽶Ƶֱm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers,㽶Ƶֱ says the heroine in L.M. Montgomery㽶Ƶֱs book 㽶ƵֱAnne of Green Gables.㽶Ƶֱ
All we autumn aficionados feel the same, right? The season usually takes its star turn in October, with , sweater-worthy days, and the heady aromas of spice, apples, pumpkin and woodfire.
And for many people, stirring into that mix just makes it yummier.
Throwing your own Halloween party is a great outlet for getting creative with the season, and it doesn㽶Ƶֱt have to be all monsters and mayhem (though that㽶Ƶֱs fun). There are themes that bring a party mood and style to the table and the room, while still evoking Halloween㽶Ƶֱs mystery.
You don㽶Ƶֱt need to go all out on a homeful of décor. I do a simple mantelscape in my living room that㽶Ƶֱs just a few décor pieces in autumn colors, a string of festive lights and a banner with a seasonal message. The vibe㽶Ƶֱs just enough Halloween for me, and when it㽶Ƶֱs over I can easily edit the elements for Thanksgiving.
Some party and decor trends:
Whimsigoth and pinkowe㽶Ƶֱen
Claire Brito, House Beautiful㽶Ƶֱs social media editor, says she㽶Ƶֱs seeing people leaning into a flirtier, more feminine interpretation of the darker .
It㽶Ƶֱs a nod to pop culture㽶Ƶֱs TV witches of the 㽶Ƶֱ90s 㽶Ƶֱ Buffy, Sabrina, et al 㽶Ƶֱ and to the lifestyle vibe of with its boho, natural, nostalgic vibe. Brought together, you㽶Ƶֱve got 㽶Ƶֱwhimsigoth.㽶Ƶֱ The look leans into moody purples and dusty pinks as well as vintage florals and plaids.
Another seasonal decor look with a goofy nickname: Say boo! to decor㽶Ƶֱs 㽶Ƶֱpinkowe㽶Ƶֱen.㽶Ƶֱ
Brito says it echoes the trends of and the Year of Pink, with blush-toned pumpkins, lacy tableware and mismatched glassware. Adding indoor plants inside Mason jars and making stacks of books will create an 㽶Ƶֱold greenhouse㽶Ƶֱ and 㽶Ƶֱromantic library㽶Ƶֱ mood 㽶Ƶֱ both ideal for a Halloween gathering.
Macabre mysteries
House Beautiful㽶Ƶֱs deputy managing editor, Olivia Hosken, likes a good old-fashioned murder mystery, and recommends games that get everyone teamed up.
Masters of Mystery㽶Ƶֱs game kits set the crime in different eras and environments 㽶Ƶֱ among them, the Wild West, Broadway, a palace, a pirate ship and the 1920s. There are also mysteries themed around 㽶ƵֱBridgerton,㽶Ƶֱ 㽶ƵֱRocky Horror,㽶Ƶֱ James Bond or outer space.
The game maker suggests how to set the scene for your murder mystery, including décor, menus, music and costumes.
For the Roaring Twenties, for instance, use a black-and-gold color scheme, with cocktail glasses filled with gold beads, strands of pearls, and black feathers for decorative elements. Era-popular deviled eggs, shrimp cocktail and icebox cake could be on the menu.
Victorian vibes
Author Lesley Bannatyne, who writes often about Halloween, says it was the Victorians who began turning Halloween into a celebration. Jack-o㽶Ƶֱ-lanterns on porches, blazing community bonfires, and doors hung with cornhusks and apples welcomed guests to the party.
Queen Victoria㽶Ƶֱs obsession with the supernatural fed a fascination with mystics and fortune tellers.
Try creating a 19th century look for your Halloween party. Think tarot cards, palmistry, astrology and astronomy art; glass jars filled with curiosities like toy critters, paper butterflies, silk flowers; black or gold painted twigs; cobwebs made of chunky yarn or cheesecloth.
Get the family candlesticks out, and set them with black taper candles.
㽶ƵֱLight them an hour before the party starts, so they㽶Ƶֱre extra drippy,㽶Ƶֱ Hosken says.
Add dark purple or deep red flowers, and Spanish moss. When the party㽶Ƶֱs over, most of these items can be repurposed.
Toasting time
Some bottles ideal for the Halloween party table:
19 Crimes is an Aussie brand named for the number of crimes it took for 18th century British convicts to be shipped off to Australia. The wines are named after colorful real-life rebels, with vintage photos on the labels. Scan the QR code on the back of the bottle to watch an augmented reality clip of the character㽶Ƶֱs story.
And California㽶Ƶֱs The Prisoner Wine Company has released an 㽶ƵֱUnshackled㽶Ƶֱ line of reds and rose, with metallic labels evoking a vintage combination lock.