This year I am throwing a pumpkin decorating party for Halloween. I’ve been scouring the Internet for fun decorating ideas, easy appetizers and creative Halloween themed cocktails. Below are 10 tips and ideas for making your Halloween party spook-tacular too!

1. Chill out. Keep drinks chilled with a pumpkin cooler dreamed up by the one and only Martha Stewart! Simply cut an extra large pumpkin in half, scoop out the icky insides and place a punch bowl filled with ice inside.

2. Whiteout. Makeover your living room by covering all the furniture with white sheets. This will give the space an eerie feel…

3. Go batty. Tack paper cutout bats to your walls. Click here for an easy tutorial…

4. Label away. Make festive labels for drinks and snacks…

5. Lighten up. Put tea lights into old mason jars (or baby food jars) and add a spooky face…

6. Add some creep factor. Drizzle red candle wax onto white candlesticks to create a slightly haunted ambience as spotted on Martha Stewart…

7. Much on these. As for snacks, these “Mummy Mia!” mini pizzas are serious crowd pleasers…

8. Tasty treats. Your guests will go crazy for these devilishly delicious Skeleton Cupcakes…

9. Say cheese! Set up a Halloween themed photo booth! Click here to check out my blog about making your own…

10. Get inspired. Coordinate a beautiful spread... (I am pretty much obsessed with these decorations featured on Hostess Blog.)

What’s your party plan for Halloween?

XO Lauren

You might also like…
Party Planning: DIY Photo Booth
Tuesday Ten: A Taste of Fall
Tuesday Ten: Creative & Crafty Costumes
Recipe Box: Pumpkin Spice Lala Latte

Photos: MarthaStewart, CountryLiving, Dana-made-it, Etsy, TheHouseofSmiths, Skiptomylou, Decorologist, Parents, MyRecipes, SmileBooth, HostessBlog

Whenever I throw a big bash, I like to set up a photo booth so guests can snap silly pictures. Since setting up an actual photo booth is pretty unrealistic, I suggest making your own! Set up a digital camera or a Polaroid on a tripod and face it toward a blank wall or drape a sheet or streamers to create a fun backdrop. If you use a digital camera, upload all of the photos the following day to a photo sharing site or Facebook for everyone to enjoy. Trust me, the photographs are always a hit.

Add an element of fun to your booth by providing guests with a basket full of silly props. One of my favorite props to include is a “mustache on a stick” (pictured below). Click here to learn how to make your own mustaches.

Other fun prop ideas include word bubbles, mini chalk boards (write your own message), hats, feather boas, confetti, lips or glasses or bowties on a stick (similar to the mustache above), empty frames, or anything else that might fit the theme of your party.

Encourage guests to take photos by posting a sign beside your photo booth that reads something like this “PHOTO BOOTH! Pick a prop. Strike a pose. Say cheese!”

Have you made your own photo booth before? If so, share your tips and pics in the comments below.

XO Lauren

Photo: elizabethannedesigns, loveandlavender