Halloween parties are some of the most sought-after events of the year. It’s the perfect time to not only dress up and have fun but also let loose and celebrate the thrill of the spooky season.

If you’re throwing a spooktacular halloween party but have limited budget, this is the guide for you!

1.  Plan Ahead and Set a Budget

You need to set your budget and plan well, so you won’t be caught off guard by unexpected expenses. Setting your budget allows you to determine what your main priorities are and not spend so much on things that are not on your priority list. You need to set some budget for food and drinks, decor, and entertainment. Don’t forget the extra candy and costume accessories.

2.  DIY Your Party Decor

If your budget is limited, you can just do away from buying all of your decor and try some DIY decorations instead. There are a lot of low-budget ideas online that you can explore. For example, you could use your existing home items like candles, mason jars, or seasonal flowers to design your spooky centerpiece or maybe upcycle old items like wine bottles as potions or glass jars as lanterns. Just add some creepy designs with black paint or even stickers. You can even just use construction paper to cut our different shapes of ghosts, pumpkins, or bats. Your creativity can go a long way when it comes to decorating a low-budget yet fun-filled halloween party!

3.  Visit the Thrift Store for Your Costume

It can get expensive to buy halloween costumes from the mall or online. One of the best ways to save money and allocate that freed up cash to the other details of your party is by shopping your halloween costumes at a thrift store. It’s a treasure trove of fun, spooky, and unique clothing items that can be transformed into unforgettable costumes!

4.  Potluck-Style Party Snacks

More and more parties are going potluck style, including halloween get-togethers. It’s one of the best ways to take the pressure off the host to prepare everything. It’s also a great way for guests to share their favorite dishes and snacks.

5.  Low-cost Yet Spooky Invitations

Don’t forget to send out the spooky invites! You can visit sites like PosterMyWall to grab some ready-made Halloween invitation templates. Just edit the details and print away! There are lots of templates to choose from. If you have a certain theme, make sure your invitation cards match the aesthetic or vibe you’re going for.

6.  Create a Haunting Playlist

A halloween party is never complete without some eerie music! You can create a spooktacular playlist that can perfectly set the mood. You can choose the classic Halloween hits like Michael Jackson’s Thriller or some soundtracks from popular horror films. If you have the budget, hiring a local DJ can be a good idea. If not, you can just curate your own mix and add in some party hits for everyone to dance the night away!

7.  Launch a Costume Contest

Everyone loves a costume contest. They will either look forward to seeing who wins or go out of their way to stand out and grab the victory. It encourages guests to up their game, and it adds more excitement to the party. You can even have multiple categories for the contest and give awards to the “Scariest”, “Funniest”, or “Most Creative”. You can also have the guests vote for their favorites. Sky’s the limit!

8.  Don’t Forget the Games!

Make sure to prepare a series of games to keep everyone engaged. Research for some fun halloween games that possibly match your guests’ preferences. You can go for Murder Mystery, Pumpkin Carving Contest, Halloween Scavenger Hunt, Monster Freeze Dance, and many more. Prepare the game prizes too! They don’t have to be fancy– even candies or halloween-themed trinkets will do. You can even consider some silly awards to add more fun without breaking the bank.

9.  Host a Scary Movie Marathon

After the games or the dancing, perhaps you can set some time for some good ‘ol scary movie marathon! You can set up a spooky viewing area with pillows, blankets, and dim lighting. Some classic horror films you can add include The Exorcist, Mummy, or Dracula. You can also just browse Netflix, explore those Most Liked horror movies, and view  on demand.

A great Halloween Party doesn’t have to be fancy and expensive. It just has to be spookily fun. If this is your first time hosting a Halloween party. Worry not! Just relax, be creative, and focus on embracing the spirit of the season. Let your imagination run wild and give your guests a hauntingly good time!