Top Tips for Throwing a Great Halloween Party
Look to the Past to Plan a Retro Fun Filled Halloween
Sep 24, 2009
The 31st of October was an important date in the Celtic calendar; it signified the end of harvest and the beginning of the long harsh winter. On the eve of the 1st of November people traditionally celebrated the end of the fruitful harvest months of summer and by holding grand communal feasts where animals were sacrificed to placate the gods and food was gathered in preparation for the cold, dark days ahead.
It was also the time when the invisible veil which separated the spirit world from the real world was at its thinnest and witches, warlocks, ghosts and ghouls were able to slip through and cause mischief and mayhem amongst the living. To confuse them and to avoid becoming the object of evil spirits’ unwanted attention people dressed up in ghoulish costumes - a tradition known in Scotland as ‘guising’ (short for disguising). Some also carried a light, usually a burning ember in a hollowed out turnip, to keep the bogeyman at bay; this was the forerunner of the popular ‘Jack O’ Lantern’ pumpkin faces.
Some of these ancient rites have continued into modern times and although Halloween is still celebrated in numerous countries, the superstitious elements which added at touch of spine-chilling spice have diminished in many places.
One way to re-ignite some of the spirit which made Halloween a deliciously spooky affair in past times is to throw a retro Halloween Party incorporating some old traditions from the land where the whole macabre shenanigans began, Scotland.
5 Top Tips for a Horror Filled Halloween Party
Dressing up
Slipping into fancy dress is essential for any successful Halloween party and, because it’s Halloween, costumes should have some sort of horror slant to them. The gothic vampire look is a perfect choice for a dangerous, yet stylish and sexy persona. The imaginative use of face paints can transform an outfit from being just okay to being unique .
Lighting
Candles, candles and more candles create the perfect moody environment with lots of shadowy corners should anyone feel the need to blend into the darkness with the ‘beast’ of their choice. Stock up on pumpkins or, to be really authentic, turnips for a ‘Jack O’Lantern’ carving competition.
Traditional Games
The Scots have some fabulously simple old Halloween games which are almost guaranteed to have guests screaming, but with laughter not fear.
‘Dooking for apples’ involves filling a bowl with water and then floating some apples in it. Participants have to kneel down with their hands behind their backs and try to grab apples using only their mouths. It’s wet and wild fun. A variation is to kneel on a chair above the bowl and try to spear the apples with a fork aimed and dropped from the person’s mouth.
‘Treacle Scones’ are a wonderfully messy affair. Scones are dipped in treacle and suspended by a string. Once again it’s a hands-behind-the-back job as participants have to try to eat the scone in mid air. Substitute cream filled pastries for an equally messy, but delicious tasting, alternative.
Entertainment
‘Guising’ traditionally involved having to perform a ‘turn’ in order to receive a reward of fruit, nuts, sweets and even money. A ‘turn’ can consist of telling a joke, reciting a poem, singing, or even doing a simple magic trick. A reward is essential, so keep the best Champagne on ice only for guests who fully embrace the Halloween spirit and play along.
Scary Stories
Everybody, but everybody has a creepy tale to tell. Turn off all the lights, extinguish most of the candles and have guests recount their scariest ghost story; it’s guaranteed to raise some goose bumps. Taking up a strategic position near the most attractive single guest can be a good idea… just in case they need to grab on to someone for comfort when the shivers start running down their spine.
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