A "Progressive" Halloween

Adults often get left behind at Halloween since they have to stay at home manning the door and doling out candy for all the little trick-o-treaters in the neighborhood.  If your neighborhood has few children or if you live in the city center, or in a condominium or townhouse complex,  you might not see many costumed children.  But Halloween is not over for you!  I suggest gathering some friends that live in your neighborhood or building and have a Progressive Halloween Dinner Party.

What you need is at least 3 homes within walking distance of each other and hosts with imagination - that's all!  Each host is assigned one course of the evening's meal and each house is to host the group for that course. Of course, costumes and decorations are mandatory!  Invitations should be sent in advance and can be designed like a menu with the location of each hosts house and any activities planned. One evening I heard about included 5 locations with the first serving cocktails and appetizers, the second serving soup and salad, the third was the main course and the fourth had coffee and dessert.  The fifth location hosted games and activities and was...

A few tips to help the evening run smoothly:

- Discuss with the hosts the number of guests invited and the timing of each course.  It is important that the whole group not spend too much time at one or two houses in order to allow enough time to enjoy each location.

- People can discuss their decorations and food with each other, or you can insist all ideas be kept a secret to ensure a big surprise at each stop.

- Choose locations that are no more than a 10 minute walk away from each other and encourage walking from house to house as people may be drinking and this lessens the need for a designated driver.

Some ideas include the use of candles and carved pumpkins for spooky lighting, using hay bales as seats in the back yard, tombstones and coffins for tables, costume contests and monster movie trivia games to keep people in the mood, even loot bags decorated with Halloween characters for everyone to take home...the list is endless.

Remember, nothing is too over-the-top for Halloween!  Using fog machines, "live" scarecrows and grim reapers as escorts, bubbling punch bowls, creepy music and outlandish costumes will only liven up the night and make this Halloween dinner party unforgettable!

Photos courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

Comments

[Kelly MAhoney]

Great ideas! Halloween is my favorite holiday and I don't intend to ever outgrow it.