Host a Great Pumpkin Party for Halloween- Theme and Menu Ideas

What could be more fun that hosting your own Halloween party? There are many different ways to plan a Halloween bash, whether it is for grown-ups, children, or a combination of the two. Themed holiday parties can be great fun for everyone. One of my all time favorite cartoons is the classic Halloween special, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Why not pay homage to this classic favorite of children and adults by having a party on Halloween, or the day before the big event, focused on the theme of waiting up for the great pumpkin.

Invitations:

Make sure the invitations that you send out clearly state the theme. If you are having a Halloween costume contest or awarding prizes for anything else, be sure to indicate the guidelines on the invitation.

Decorations:

Decorate your home with all types of pumpkins. You can use traditional jack-o-lanterns, whole pumpkins, party favors and disposable paper products decorated with pumpkins, etc.

Menu:

You will probably want to offer a variety of party foods to appeal to all of your guests, but pumpkin should be at the center of your menu.

Great Pumpkin Party treats might include:

• Pumpkin Cake
• Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
• Pumpkin Cookies
• Pumpkin Walnut Loaf
• Pumpkin Muffins
• Pumpkin Pie 1
• Pumpkin Pie 2
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Pumpkin Soup
• Many additional pumpkin recipe ideas from hubbers!

Keep in mind that some guests may not like pumpkin, so you might want serve some foods shaped or decorated like pumpkins, or that are just a nice shade of pumpkin. You might even want to get a sheet cake decorated with the Charlie Brown characters waiting in the pumpkin patch.

Spice Things Up With the Menu:

If you want to get the guests involved in the fun, and save some preparation time and money, ask guests to bring their favorite pumpkin dish. You could even name a few of your guests as judges, and hold a pumpkin taste-off. Alternately, you can involve all your guests, asking them to vote for their favorites by secret ballot.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages:

• Pumpkin Juice
• Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Orange juice or V-8 (just because they're orange!)
• Orange Crush (ditto!)

Cocktail Suggestions for the Grown-Ups:

• Pumpkin Ale (store bought)
• Pumpkin Beer (make your own)
• Pumpkin Chai Cocktail
• Pumpkin Martini
• Pumpkin Pie Martini
• Pumpkin Shake
• Pumpkin Pie Vodka by Modern Spirits (available only during the fall months)
• Pumpkin Wine (store bought)
• Pumpkin Wine (make your own)

Activity Ideas:

• Pumpkin carving contest
• Pumpkin treat-tasting contest
• Watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
• Dancing to the tunes of The Smashing Pumpkins
• A surprise appearance from The Great Pumpkin himself

If you have other ideas for hosting a Great Pumpkin Party, please post them in the comments section below!