Plan the Perfect Halloween Party

Though trick-or-treating was once the standard when it came to Halloween, more and more parents are forgoing that trend and instead choosing to host Halloween parties for kids and their friends. In part because of households where both parents work, and neither parent can make it home to take their kids out trick-or-treating, and partially due to safety concerns, the Halloween party has become a popular alternative to the standard Halloween.

Parents looking to host a Halloween party this fall should consider the following tips.

• Enlist the help of fellow parents. Because so many households are two income households, chances are strong many parents throughout your neighborhood cannot make it home to take the kids out on Halloween. Discuss a party with fellow parents and enlist their help. The idea will probably be warmly received and you'll have a lot less work as a result.
• Get RSVPs as early as possible. Ask parents to RSVP as soon as possible. This gives you a heads-up as to how much food and beverages you need to buy, but it also gives you ample to time to tailor the menu to a variety of children, many of whom might be allergic to specific dishes.
• Plan the menu. Though it's common to hear "Halloween" and instantly think of candy, you'll need more than candy bars and lollipops if you're hosting a Halloween party. Since the party will likely be on a weekend afternoon, plan to order a few pizzas for lunch or something else that's universally appealing and won't upset anyone's stomach.
• Stock up on candy. Kids might not be too excited about forgoing their beloved tradition of trick-or-treating, but that can quickly be offset if you simply give kids candy when they arrive and place a handful of candy dishes around the house. While this might seem like a sugary nightmare, it is Halloween, and kids deserve their candy.
• Make it a costume party. The tendency to forgo a Halloween costume when attending a Halloween party is common. But be sure to include on the invitations that costumes are required. This will make it feel more like Halloween for the kids.