I love Hallowe’en parties. They are my favorite parties to give, to attend, to plan and to savor. I’ve traveled hundreds of miles for a Hallowe’en party and I would not hesitate to do so again. As I’ve got older I think they become more precious to me, being the lone remainder of the nostalgic seasonal occurrences of youth. I can no longer trick or treat, and I’ve no more schoolroom parties awaiting me. Haunts are months of planning and weeks of production and since we are the dreamers and designers and do-it-yourselfers of our haunts, it holds little surprise for us. The Hallowe’en party remains to offer that feeling of anticipated wonder. We get to don a costume and be thrilled and chilled and immersed in the experience. An evening, a few precious hours to indulge in the spectral spectacle. What is it that makes it all so special? It shares all the common elements of every other type of party; music, food, decorations…and yet. There is that something other…a sense of whimsy, of mystery, of funhouse fear that is singular and potent.
The most fantastic advice on how to give a Hallowe’en party must have come from the Dennison’s Bogie Books, please click pic to link to an archived site to read further on how to give just such a bash, with perhaps a dash of Monster Mash.