Daily Party Dish

Best Homemade Adult Halloween Costumes

A great night of drinking, eating, and catching up with family and friends was had by all at my cousin Lisa’s recent adult Halloween party. This year, I had the opportunity to finally attend with my husband after we moved back into the area, and we were so excited to make our own costumes and see how Lisa and her husband Tom decked out their home for the festivities.

I was not only thoroughly impressed by the decorations (every nook and cranny in the house screamed Halloween), but the guests also came dressed to impress in their October 31^st finest.  Below are some of the coolest couple and handmade costumes from the night.  When you’re done checking out guests, make sure to New Halloween Costumes too!

There were some awesome homemade costumes, including some unique couple’s get-ups, too.  My husband Aaron and I dressed as Sharknado and Finn Shepherd (the lead character) from the hit Sci-Fi movie Sharknado. To make the Sharknado costume, I wrapped myself in tulle and stuck felt sharks all over me, and I made the chainsaw out of an empty kitty litter box.

I thought my costume was rockin’ until my cousin Bruce showed up with a Sharknado headdress that LIT UP! At the costume contest, he won “Scariest Costume.”

My cousin Mindy won “Funniest Costume” as the Bun in the Oven. (She’s got a baby on the way.)  Her husband Mike was the “baker.” *rolls eyes*

My sister Kathleen and brother-in-law Sam came as Sloth and Chunk from the movie The Goonies.  I loved the throw-back, and the costumes were spot-on, from the fake teeth for sloth to the brown shaggy wig for Chunk (which my brother-in-law hated!).

A shout-out to the hosts: My cousins Lisa and Tom went as Beetlejuice and Lydia Deetz. 

Some of my other favorites included Edward Scissorhands (who won Best Male Costume), and Doctor Who (the seventh).  Where did he get that sweater vest?

Happy Halloween from everyone and Party411.com, and enjoy making your Halloween costumes this year!

Halloween Candy Corn Bark Favors

When the Halloween candy first starts making its appearance in stores, the first thing I do is go out and buy a bag of my favorite – candy corn.  Candy corn is not just delicious, but also mysterious (what the heck is it made of?) and unspoilable (pretty sure it could survive any number of disasters, including being left out in a candy bowl for weeks at a time).  With so many admirable qualities, I’ve been looking for ways to incorporate this traditional candy into any upcoming Halloween parties (including my sister’s Halloween open house for which I am making these awesome Candy Corn Jello Desserts).

Last weekend, I put together these easy-to-make candy corn bark gifts as a thank you to family and friends for recently helping us move, and I thought they’d be wonderful favors to give to guests after a night of spooky fun.   After giving these favors a shot, make sure to check out our other great Halloween Party Favors and Halloween Party Ideas as well! Enjoy!

 

Materials

• 2 ½ - 3 cups white chocolate chips/wafers
• 1 cup candy corn
• 1 cup broken pretzel sticks
• Wax paper
• Cookie/brownie pan
• Small cellophane bags
• White paint marker
• Black, orange, green, and brown craft paper

Directions

1. Melt the chocolate 1/2 cup at a time in a microwavable safe bowl on 30 second intervals. 
2. While the chocolate is melting, break pretzel sticks into fourths, and when the chocolate is ready, mix in the majority of both the candy corn and pretzel sticks. (Put some off to the side.) 
   
   
   
   
3. Set up a cookie sheet covered with wax paper, and then pour the chocolate mixture into the wax paper, spreading it evenly.  Sprinkle the remaining candy corn and pretzels onto the top of the
   chocolate. 
   
    
4. Place the tray in the refrigerator for an hour before breaking the bark and dividing equally into cellophane bags.
5. Measure the top of the bag and cut black craft paper to fit, stapling to secure the paper to the bag.  Use white paint marker to write a brief thank you.
   
   

Now you have a cute favor to pass out to family and friends as they head home after your next Halloween bash! Happy Halloween from every at Party411.com!

Easy Halloween Dessert Jello Worm Cups

These worm Jello cups were a blast at my family’s annual leaf hike, which happens the week before Halloween!  When I put them out on the dessert table, family members gathered around and commented on how real the worms looked.  They even had ridges, thanks to the straws I made them with!  Plus, I had the kids believing the worms were real for a while, and I even got a few “ewwws” when I picked one up and popped it in my mouth!

If you want a Halloween dessert with some shock value, make sure to try out this realistic recipe.  The worms will keep everyone entertained, especially if you bring a few extra on a sheet of wax paper for people to gross each other out with!  Make sure to check out some of our other Halloween Party Ideas that would go great with this unique recipe (which is easier than it looks).

 

Materials

Jello Worms

• 2 packages raspberry Jello (3 ounces)
• 1 packet unflavored gelatin
• Green food coloring
• 1 package of 100-120 straws
• 3 cups boiling water
• ¾ heavy whipping cream
• 1 large ball jar 
• Wax paper

Pudding Cups

• 10-12 single serving cups
• Cool Whip
• 2 packages chocolate pudding
• 4 cups milk
• Nilla Wafers (or other cookies)

Directions (makes 100-120 worms and 10-12 pudding cups)

1. In a bowl, mix boiling water, raspberry Jello mix, and unflavored gelatin.  Allow the mixture to cool in the fridge until it is room temperature (about 20-25 minutes).
2. Remove the mixture from the fridge, and add 15-18 drops of green food coloring and heavy
   whipping cream.  Set mixture off to the side.
3. Fill a large ball jar with straws until it is tightly packed.  Make sure to stretch out the bendy part of
   the straw, so this feature shows up in your worms. (Note: I ended up using a taller ball jar than the one pictured below.) 
   
4. Pour the Jello mixture into the straws until the ball jar is filled to the top.  Refrigerate for four hours.
5. Next, set up a workstation on a cookie sheet covered in wax paper.  Remove the ball jar from the fridge, and pull the straws out of the jar, setting them aside. (Don’t worry, the worms will stay in the straws).
6. Hold a few straws at a time under warm water for about 3-4 seconds to loosen the Jello.  Then, holding one end of a straw firmly on the cookie sheet, slide your finger along the straw, pushing the Jello out onto the wax paper. 
   
7. Do this until the cookie sheet is full, and refrigerate the worms for another hour until firm. Make sure the worms are separated on the cookie sheet when they are cooled, so they do not stick together.
   
   
   
8. While they are cooling, make the chocolate pudding (uses 4 cups milk), and layer the pudding and Cool Whip in the cups. 
9. Crush Nilla Wafers (or other cookies) in a bowl, and sprinkle the crumbs on top of each cup.  Add 6-7 worms, and you have a realistic (and delicious) Halloween dessert for the kiddos!

Easy Halloween Spider Sucker Party Favors

Surprise the kids at your next Halloween get-together with adorable spider suckers.  These easy-to-make party favors are great add-ins for a treat bag and are even more fun to pass out to trick-or-treaters on Halloween night! Speaking of Spider Theme Halloween Party Ideas, these suckers would be a sweet craft for the kiddos to make along with other spider treats, like Spider Oreos or Chocolate Pretzel Spider Webs!  After decking out your haunted house in everything spider, make sure to check out some of our other spooky Halloween Party Ideas, too!

Materials

• Black pipe cleaners
• Sticky back googly eyes
• Dum-Dum suckers
• Hot glue/Hot glue gun

Directions

1. For each spider sucker, you will need one pipe cleaner (cut into fourths), two eyes, and a sucker.
   
   
   
2. Wrap each of the four pipe cleaners around the base of the sucker, bending each of the legs to create “feet.”
   
   
   
3. After you’ve done this to all four legs, hot glue the bottom of each spider, so the legs don’t move or come loose.
   
   
   
4. Next, spread the legs out, and remove the back from the sticky eyes, attaching them to the body. (If you don’t have eyes with sticky backs, use glue to attach the eyes instead.)
5. Store completed suckers in a large container with a sheet of wax paper in between each layer (so the legs don’t get tangled!).  Trick-or-treaters will love this unique (and themed) Halloween surprise! 
   
   
   

Somewhat Kinda Sorta Easy Halloween Pumpkin Peep Garland

As Halloween quickly approaches, I’ve been looking for some cheap and easy ways to decorate my apartment for the big day.  When I saw a Christmas variation of a peep garland, I thought, “Hey, I can do that! All I have to do is substitute Halloween peeps!” ...  ...  *shakes head*  I approached this Halloween Peep Garland with the naiveté of a child, but having survived a sticky marshmallow disaster and emerging victorious, I now consider myself a weathered veteran. As a devoted blogger, I will now pass all of my experience and advice onto you.  If you decide my peep garland is too much to handle, check out some of our other Halloween Party Ideas for an easier foe. 

Materials

• 2 packages pumpkin peeps
• 1 package black pom poms
• Waxed floss
• Large sewing needle
• Paper towels

Directions (or, more accurately, things that you shouldn’t do when making this garland…)

1. Set up an organized and clean work station.  Doing the opposite was my first mistake.  I like to craft on the floor (which is carpeted). Sticky peeps + carpet = huge mess.  After the first attempt, which ended in a 15 minute carpet cleaning, I cleared off the dining room table, rolled out two layers of paper towels, and made a pile of peeps and pom poms. 
   
   
   
2. Next, soak several paper towels with warm water and set off to the side.  Cut a 5-6 foot length of floss, and string it through a sewing needle.  Pierce a pom pom, and tie off the pom at the end of the garland.  Make sure to use floss for this project. The first time I attempted this garland I used black sewing thread. Bad idea. After one or two peeps, the thread was a tangled, sticky mess, and so was I.  Use floss; it’s the only way.
3. Now, on to the tricky part.  To separate the peeps, cut them with kitchen shears.  Pierce one pumpkin peep onto the garland, and push it until the end.  At this point, the string will be very sticky, so you need to wipe the needle and string off with a warm paper towel. Do this after each peep, or you will have a hot, sticky mess (like I did).
4. Alternate peep and pom until you reach the end of the garland.  It will be like crossing a marathon finish line (not really, but, you know, you’ll feel awesome)!
5. Before putting my garland up, I thought I’d let it “dry out” and, you know, “get harder.” So, I laid it out on a cookie sheet covered in wax paper.  I thought that one or two nights would do the trick.  I let it sit for FIVE NIGHTS, and those peeps are just as squishy as the day I took them out of the package.  I swear, those peeps would survive a flash flood, a pack of rabid dogs, or a nuclear war. 
   
   
   
6. Even though this project sounds like more hassle than it’s worth, the final product turned out pretty cute (albeit squishy).  And to be fair, it was cheap to make.  Just make sure you follow my tips to make it easy!

Glitter Pumpkin Centerpieces and 9 More Ways to Make Unique Pumpkin Decorations

One of my favorite childhood memories of Halloween is designing, emptying, and cutting my yearly pumpkin.  We’d cover the table with newspaper and make a mess of the dining room, but we’d have a Jack O’Lantern Jamboree with five or six creative (if not beautiful) pumpkins to show for it. 

Over the years, I’ve developed an appreciation for pumpkin decorating, and I now see pumpkins as a fun and chic way to create unique table centerpieces, decorate a front door entrance, or add some pop to a buffet or sign-in table.  For my Halloween table centerpiece this year, I created glitter pumpkins
and wrote a tutorial (which you’ll find below).  I also came up with nine other decorating tips to try once you come home from the pumpkin patch!  After you’re done making your Halloween centerpieces, make sure to check out some of our other Halloween Party Ideas for your next get-together, too!

Materials

• Three types of glitter (purple, green, and gold or brown, orange, and gold)
• Miniature pumpkin or larger
• Glue
• Paint brush
• Covered work area
• Pen or marker
• Aerosol hair spray (Aqua Net works well and is cheap.)

 Directions

1. Make sure your pumpkins are thoroughly washed and dried. Then, on the bottom of the pumpkin,
   mark the color of the glitter you will use on each section of the pumpkin with a pen or marker.
   
   
   
2. Next, squeeze some glue into a bowl, and use a brush to completely paint one section of the pumpkin. Pour glitter on the section until it is thoroughly covered, and allow the pumpkin to dry for five minutes. 
3. Do not move on to the next color of glitter until all the sections for the first color are finished. This will prevent the colors from mixing. Make sure to put glitter on the stem last, so it is easy to spin and move the pumpkin while decorating the rest of it.
4. After the pumpkin dries, seal the glitter by spraying it with aerosol hair spray.  This will prevent the glitter from falling off the pumpkin (for the most part).
5. Group two miniature pumpkins along with a larger one in the center of a circular table for a beautiful centerpiece! 
   
   

After giving the glitter pumpkins a shot, here are nine other pumpkin decorating techniques you can try:

Wordy Pumpkin: Add words to any pumpkin with a hot glue gun and black/orange buttons.  Try spelling out “Boo!” for a classy look.

Vampire Pumpkin: On a miniature pumpkin, cut out a square mouth and add plastic vampire teeth
(which you can find at any Halloween store).  Add shortened straight pins with black or red tips for eyes to finish off this creepy look!

Rainbow Pumpkin: Glue crayon remnants to the top of a pumpkin, and use a hair dryer to melt the wax.  This technique creates a pleasing multi-colored wax drip on the top and sides.

Ahhh! There’s a Spider On My Pumpkin: Break out the black puffy paint to make these unique decoration! Pipe the paint onto a white gourd or pumpkin in the shape of a web draped over the top.  Use black acrylic paint after the web dries to add a spider!

Candy Corn Pumpkin: Use yellow and white spray paint on a tall oval pumpkin to create a candy corn
look.  Remember, spray yellow on the bottom and white on the top, leaving the middle a bright orange.

Miniature Pumpkin Candles: Using miniature pumpkins, cut a circular hole in the top of the pumpkin about 1 inch deep (make sure to remove the stem).  Place a votive in the hole, and you have a pumpkin candle holder! Cluster several of these around a larger centerpiece for a classic look.

Pumpkin Pie Favors: As a party favor, purchase a pie pumpkin for each guest (or family).  Write the family’s pumpkin pie recipe in black paint or permanent marker on the outside of the pumpkin.  Tie a coordinating ribbon around the stem, and you have a sweet and memorable favor!

Pumpkin Mummy: Wrap a pumpkin in gauze, leaving a small square of the pumpkin uncovered.  Paint two eyes in the square, and you have a pumpkin mummy!

Confetti Pumpkin: Push multi-colored brads (can be purchased at any craft store) into the surface
of a white pumpkin by the dozens. It makes the pumpkin look as though it has been sprinkled with confetti!

Happy pumpkin decorating from everyone at Party411.com!

Halloween Glitter Spider Web Table Decor

Halloween is just around the corner, and that means breaking out the spooky decorations for parties and trick-or-treaters.  My family has an adult Halloween party every year, and I made these cute glitter spider webs as table and buffet decor. Even though we don’t have a long rectangular table, a dozen of these would look great grouped as a table runner.  Not only were they easy (and fun!) to make, but they also will work great as one of several Spider Theme Party Ideas. Try pairing these table and buffet decoration with fun spider theme party desserts, like my Chocolate Pretzel Spider Webs and Oreo Spiders! 

Materials

• Glue
• Wax paper
• A variety of glitters
• Small knife

Directions

1. Cut a piece of wax paper the size of your first web.  Use the glue to create an asterisk (star) using four lines.
   
   
2. Next, connect the lines using a web pattern, working from the center of the star outwards.
   
   
3. Sprinkle glitter on the web, and use the wax paper to move the glitter around, thoroughly covering the glue. After applying the glitter, shake the glitter off of the web.
4. Allow the web to lay flat for at least 24 hours.  When the web is thoroughly dry, remove it from the wax paper by slowly sliding a knife underneath it.
   
   
   
   
5. TIP: If the web breaks as you are removing it from the wax paper, apply a dot of glue to reattach the broken segment.

Pumpkin Beer Cooler + 9 More Fun Ways to Serve Drinks at a Fall Party

Every year, my husband’s family goes on an annual “Fall Leaf Hike.”  We gather at a local park, eat some great cooking from the grill, jump in some leaves, and enjoy a hike through the forest on the family’s favorite trail. Although the ultimate purpose of the party seems to be athletic, we really get together to catch up and eat some great food!  This potluck bonanza, which includes the extended family, can get just a little excessive, and sometimes guests end up bringing the same types of dishes.  (How many chocolate chip cookies can we have, people? A lot, I guess. :D)

This year, I was assigned the drinks, and I wanted my contribution to STAND OUT!  I made a fall cooler out of a large pumpkin and filled it with beers and bottled pops both the adults and kids enjoyed. (PS: My cooler fit six bottles, but my husband drank two of them before I could snap some pictures!)  Along with my DIY beer cooler, I also came up with a list of nine other ways to spice up the drinks at your next fall party.  After trying one of these DIYs on your own, make sure to check out some of our other Fall and Autumn Theme Party Planning Ideas, too.

Pumpkin Beer Cooler Materials

• Large Plastic Container
• Serrated Knife
• A Large Pumpkin
• Ice
• Spoon (to scoop out pumpkin bits)
• Stretchy Elastic Headband
• Permanent Marker
• Dry Erase Marker/Paper Towel
• Bottled Drinks
• Vegetable Brush

 Pumpkin Beer Cooler Directions

1. Thoroughly wash the pumpkin with a vegetable brush and dry.
2. Use a serrated knife to remove the top 1/2 of the pumpkin, which you can discard.  To make an even cut, I placed a stretchy headband at the midpoint of the pumpkin and used a permanent marker to draw a line. 
   
   
   
   
   
3. After cutting the pumpkin, there may be some leftover marks from the permanent marker.  A trick to remove them is to draw over the marks with a dry erase marker, wiping it up with a paper towel as you go.  The permanent marker is removed with dry erase marker!
4. Remove the pumpkin innards and discard.  Make sure the inside is free of loose debris and little bits. (Roast the seeds for a delicious snack, too!)
5. Place the large plastic container inside the pumpkin and fill with ice.  Do not place the ice directly in the pumpkin because it will become waterlogged and will leak.
6. Arrange any bottled drinks in the plastic container, and Voila!  You have an easy and trendy pumpkin cooler.

9 More Ways to Dress Up Fall Drinks: Whether it’s apple cider, hot chocolate, coffee, spiced wine, or a fall cocktail, try adding something special to your party drinks with one of these nine suggestions.

1. Vintage Thermos: Collect five or six vintage thermos (plaid is best!), set them out on a buffet or drink table, and fill them with hot chocolate and warm apple cider.  Guests will enjoy the nostalgic feeling of pouring a glass of their favorite warm drink from a thermos, whether they’re inside or outside.
2. Apple Cups: Make some interesting glasses for your guests by cutting off the first ½ inch of an apple and hollowing out the contents. Fill each glass with apple cider, and top the beverage off with a cinnamon stick.  Family and friends will love this simple drink with a fun twist.
3. Fruit Add-Ins: Dice apples and oranges to add to spiced wine or apple cider.  Try adding fruit to cold cider with ice cubes. Yum!
4. Hot Cocoa Bar: Instead of just serving hot chocolate, create a bar where family and friends can pick from their favorite add-ins.  Make sure to offer the standard favorites, like whipped cream, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup, but include a few fun ones, too.  Some other options? Candy corn, caramel syrup, cinnamon candies, sprinkles, nuts (walnuts and pecans), crushed
   peppermint candy, crushed candy canes, and crushed chocolate bars (Twix and Butterfinger). Have fun!
5. Straw Garnishes: If you’re considering serving a straw with your drinks, try adding a unique garnish.  Cut a thin slice of the width of an apple or orange. Make sure to remove any seeds, and slide the straw through the natural hole of the apple/orange slice.  Put the straw in a drink, and make sure the fruit floats on the surface of the drink.
6. Dippin’ Cookies:  Make sugar cookies to fit the size of your coffee mugs.  When serving hot cocoa place a cookie on top of the mug, covering the top completely.  Guests will love getting a cookie to dip along with their drink!
7. Whipped Cream Toppings: Today, whipped cream has become an essential for most hot chocolate and coffee drinks.  Jazz up your warm concoctions by offering one or more of the following toppings for whipped cream drinks – candy corn, chocolate syrup, shavings, cocoa powder, fall themed sprinkles, melted caramel, crumbled Oreos, or cinnamon candies.
8. Decorative Sugars: Dip the rim of a glass in water, and then dip the rim in colored sugar. Red and orange are great for a fall-themed party, and sugared rims are a sweet touch to fall cocktails or spiced wine.
9. Fall Themed Water Bottle Labels: Add these personalized labels to a few dozen water bottles, and put them in a metal bucket filled with ice. Guests will enjoy the personalized detail, and they work wonderfully as favors! 

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Halloween Glow Stick Creepy Eyes

I needed a way to creepify my front yard for trick-or-treaters this year, and I came up with a cute and cheap way to add a spooky element to my Halloween décor. Scattered around my yard or hidden in corners for my sister’s annual Halloween open house, these glow stick eyes will make family, friends, and nervous trick-or-treaters jump! When combined with several other Halloween Party Ideas, my house will be the scariest on the block!

Materials

• 12-16 toilet paper tubes
• Exacto knife
• Pen
• Scissors
• 12-16 glow stick bracelets (in a variety of colors)

Directions

1. Make sure all the toilet paper tubes are free of any extra bits of paper.
2. With a pen or permanent marker, draw patterns for eyes on each of the tubes.  (Use some of mine for examples!)
3. Cut out the patterns using an exacto knife and scissors.
4. After cutting, press the tube flat, so it is easy for passersby to see the eyes.
5. Arrange the tubes in bushes and around the yard on Halloween night.  Put a glow stick bracelet in each one to make them glow. (I used purple, green, and orange!) LED votives might also work well for this project. 

Halloween Candy Corn Vodka Jello Desserts

One of my family’s favorite holidays is Halloween.  It’s a rare day where we get to dress however we like, take candy from strangers, and scare the bejeezus out of each other!  Unfortunately, some of the fun is taken out of Halloween as we become “too old to go trick-or-treating” (bah!).  However, if you’re having family and friends over like I am, then there’s one sure way to make the adults feel like they’re a part of the action. Serve booze! And theme it!

These Halloween Candy Corn Jello Desserts include vodka which will add some spice into your Halloween bash. Plus, you can make a non-alcoholic version of this dessert for the kiddos.  After trying this recipe, make sure to check out some of our other Halloween Party Ideas, too.

 Ingredients (makes nine cups)

• 1 package (3 ounces) yellow Jello
• 1 package (ounces) orange Jello
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 cup vodka
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 container Cool Whip
• Candy corn
• Clear plastic cups
• Cookie sheet

Directions

1. On a large cookie sheet, arrange the plastic cups. Make sure they are not touching, so the Jello forms evenly.
2. Make the yellow Jello for the bottom layer of the candy corn shot by first boiling one cup of water. Remove from heat and add the water to the Jello mix in a separate bowl. Mix until the Jello is dissolved.
3. After the Jello dissolves, add one cup of vodka.  Then, fill each cup about 1/3 of the way full.
4. Put the cups in the fridge to chill until the Jello sets (but is not completely firm).  This takes about 1 ½ - 2 hours.
5. Make the orange Jello, but instead of using 1 cup vodka, use 1 cup cold water.  I decided to only make the yellow layer alcoholic, so my guests wouldn’t be tripping over themselves if they had two!
6. Fill the cups up to 2/3 of the way with orange Jello, and then put the cups back into the fridge and allow them to set for another 4 hours. 
7. After the Jello is firm, add a large dollop of Cool Whip, and sprinkle four or five pieces of candy corn on each.
8. Make sure to serve with a spoon and a smile! Enjoy, they go fast!

Non-Alcoholic Version: If you want to make this dessert for the kiddos, just follow the directions provided on the box, omitting the vodka. My sister asked me to make these for her open house on Halloween night where all the kids in the family gather to trick-or-treat. Fun!

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