The trick to pulling off a successful Halloween party that falls on a school night is to organize everything ahead of time and purchase ready-made food so you can concentrate on having fun rather than slaving over a hot stove.
The other matter you want to have a handle on are the safety issues. Plan on a responsible adult accompanying the children during Trick or Treat; ensure that masks don't obscure the child's vision when crossing streets; and establish rules with the kids ahead of time regarding candy inspection and how much of the sweet stuff can be consumed on Halloween day.
Your efforts at maintaining proper nutrition for your child shouldn't be completely abandoned just because it's Halloween. Organize your party so that the kids are fed a good meal before they head out spooking and munching.
The holiday also provides the opportunity to form your child's social conscience. Offer to buy your kids' candy for a nickel apiece on Halloween night, and plan a trip to your local homeless shelter the following day. Lots of good can come from this practice, not least the joy you'll see on the faces of the shelter residents when the children walk in bearing gifts.
Quick Party Planning
OK, so it's party time. You'll first need to decide whom to invite. A busy weeknight is not the time to invite the entire neighborhood, so decide on a few close friends who who might contribute a salad or a dessert (um, forget the dessert). Once the list is drawn up, engage the kids in helping prepare the invitations. You can give them black and orange construction paper, scissors, glue, glitters, markers — the sky's the limit. Or else you can use the computer to make the invitations.
Currently there are a number of quality CD-ROMs on the market that allow you to design professional quality invitations. One such product is PrintMaster Gold by the Learning Company. Others include the American Greetings CD and the Hallmark CD. All are available at any computer store.
Once the invitations are made and delivered, you’re ready to make decisions on the menu. A quick and simple entree like spaghetti is perfect for your Halloween party. A tossed green salad and store-bought loaf of French bread is all you need to round out your dinner.
A bag of ice and some soft drinks will keep all your little ghosts and goblins happy. With today's pre-washed packaged greens it's easy to make a salad: simply open the package, toss in some walnuts, dress with a little extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar and you're in business.
If you use Halloween-themed decorative products — table cloth, paper plates, paper cups and plastic silverware — your party will have a festive look and clean-up will be simple. When you're shopping for the paper products, pick up a Halloween-themed centerpiece for added atmosphere.
Creative Costuming
No Halloween party is complete without costumes. For those who are sewing-challenged, some pattern companies sell patterns that do not require sewing but can be put together with Velcro. Oftentimes, costumes can be made from clothing you already have on hand. Your daughter's ballet costume can double as a ballerina costume. You're son' baseball outfit can be called up as a Hall of Fame Halloween costume. Don't be afraid to be creative!
As far as sound effects are concerned, there are scores of Halloween-themed CDs available. The Monster Mash is always a good choice. There's also Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor if you want to add a classically spooky touch to your party.
When everyone gets home on Halloween afternoon, put out a healthy snack for the kids (this will sidetrack them from eating too much candy before dinner), and then start decorating the house. This is another area where the kids can be entrusted with pretty much the entire job. While they're decorating the house, you can get the spaghetti going. Once that's made, you're ready to set the table with your Halloween dinnerware. Keep the spaghetti on the stove, with the greens and bread close at hand.
Let the Festivities Begin!
Once your guests arrive, serve up some drinks, feed the kids and send them out on their happy adventure. Discuss the route they plan to take so they don't disappear for hours to the outer reaches of the neighborhood. And remember, especially after sunset it's always a good idea to have an adult tagging along.
Now you can enjoy a leisurely dinner with your friends. When your ghosts and goblins arrive back home, get straight into the candy inspection and buy-out. The Halloween effect can be heightened if you dim the lights and play some of that great Bach mood music.
Since all your table settings will be disposable, the clean-up process should be a snap. Simply bring out a trash bag and let everyone deposit their plates, cups and silverware in the bag. Tie up the sack and throw it out!
Now you can actually allow your ghosts and goblins to do what they've been doing all along — sampling their candy for dessert.
The night might end with a viewing of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and perhaps some scary stories. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy it. After all, these are the good old days.
Happy Halloween!
