The easiest and most efficient way to get a party going is to have organization without it you will eventually get lost, forgetful, and you may even give up!

In order to stay organized make lists!

Here are the lists I recommed:

1) Who will you be inviting?

2) Will you have food, and if so what will you eat?

3 Information for the invitations; what time? where? what day? Do you want people to RSVP? Do you want people to dress up/wear costumes? Do you want others to bring food/candy?

4) Make a list of all the decorations you need.

5 Will you play games? If so, what games are you planning to play? What will you need for those games?

6) Things you need to do and when it needs to be done.

After creating your lists you can use them to keep track of the things you've already done! When you get something done check it off your list! (It feels really good when you get to check something off and also when you look and see how much work you've already put into making this party fabulous!)

The first thing you need (In my opinion) when planning a Halloween party (or any party) is invitations. The reason is because a party isn't really a party unless there are people to celebrate with!

There are many different places you can buy invitations but instead of buying invitations this year I am going to make them! This is my plan:

What I will need:

Orange, black, and cream colored Card Stock and Construction paper.

Orange, black, and cream colored ribbon.

Markers and pens

Glue

a hole punch

and maybe some glitter!

Here's what I'll do:

1) Fold one sheet of card stock in half.

2) Using my hole punch I will punch two holes in the front of the card. One at the top and one at the bottom.

3) Choosing one of the colors I will cut a peice of ribbon and thread it through the holes. Then I will tie a bow in front and add a drop of glue to the back of the bow to hold it in place.


4) Next will come the actual words. I am going to go with Happy Halloween at the top and You're Invited in the middle;


5) I will then write all the party information on the inside.

There are many different ways to make Halloween invitations, you could use different shapes such as a ghost or witch! You could use different colors, or even add a photo of your child dressed in her favorite Halloween costume! Remember to be creative!

Decorations
I think decorating is one of the best things about throwing a party! I love it!

For this Halloween Party I am going to decorate with spiderwebs, fake flying bats, flying witches, Halloween pictures hanging from the ceiling, spooky purple and black tablecloths, a fake skeleton on the front porch, and so much more!

There are many Halloween decorations out there! You can choose to decorate spooky or you could do a cute halloween! The choice is all yours!

I recommend going to your local Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, or other shopping center and just browsing the Halloween aisle! You will find lots of great ideas there! Let your creativity soar!

Games

There are so many Halloween games this list could go on and on, so I will only list my favorites!

Dunking for Apples
I am sure everyone has heard of Dunking for Apples...It's where you fill a small tub full of water and add some apples then people put their hands behind their back and try to get out the apples using only their mouth.

Guess what It Is
Guess what It Is, is a game where you are blind folded and have to guess what yucky thing you are touching, or tasting! The person who guesses the most right wins a game! You can use peeled grapes for eyeballs, spaghetti or ramen noodles for worms, and any other creative slimy thing you can think of!

Pin the Broom on the Witch
This is a variation of "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" you can make a big picture of a witch and some small pictures of a broom. Blind fold your guests spin them once or twice in a circle, send them the way of the witch, and see where they pin the broom!

Pinata
I know most people only use pinata's for celebrating birthdays however Halloween is the perfect time for a pinata! Think about it, you break open something filled with candy! How great!
You can even make your own pinata!

Here's How!

First blow up a balloon or make the shape that you want with wadded up newspaper and masking tape.

Second cut strips of newspaper.

Third using 1 cup flour and 2-3 cups water make paste.

Fourth dip the newspaper strips in the paste and scrape off the excess. Then cover the balloon or other shape with the newspaper.
Do this continuously until it is entirely covered. (I recommend doing this over newspaper, or on an old tablecloth to avoid making a mess)

Fifth Let the pinata dry, when it is completely dry (usually within 24 to 48 hours) paint the pinata. Then let the painted pinata dry for another 24 hours.

Sixth when the paint has dried cut a piece of the pinata so that it can open, do not take this completely off. Take the inside of your pinata out and fill it with candy!

Movies
Halloween Movies For Kids
If you are thinking of showing a movie at your party but can't think of any good ones I've listed a few on that page!

This is always an important part of any party! If people know you will be serving food at your party they will come hungry! Always make sure that you have enough! My "rule of thumb" is to prepare enough for everyone to have seconds. If I have leftovers I send some home with guests, and eat the rest during the next few days!

I have come across some pretty neat Halloween treats such as:

Veggie Dip Pumpkin

Recipe for Veggie Dip:

8oz chive and onion cream cheese
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 Cup carrots, shredded
1 Cup cucumber, peeled, chopped, and seeded
1 clove garlic, minced

Here's what to do:
Beat Cream cheese, lemon juice, and garlic in a medium bowl using an electrical mixer, until well-blended.
Add carrots and cucumbers, mix until blended.

Carrot Pumpkin ball
Cover a plastic foam ball with lettuce. Cover lettuce with toothpick skewered carrots. Use green pepper peices and black olives for the eyes, and green pepper for the mouth and stem.

as well as:

Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Muffins

Here's what you need:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup veggie oil
3 large eggs
1 Cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup water
2&1/4 cup flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
2tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Here's what to do:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees, stir together sugar, oil, eggs, pumpkin, and water; set aside. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Stir in pumpkin mixture; stir in chocolate chips. Fill greased muffin cups 2/3rds full with batter. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.