I’ve been hosting Halloween parties for nearly a decade. What started as a casual gathering of friends in 2009 turned into a backyard party in 2010, and by 2011 I was making Halloweenie Roast an annual thing.
Over the years I’ve learned a thing or two about how to host a killer Halloween party. But the best tip I’ve learned for making a Halloween party truly spectacular?
It has to have a theme.
I know, I hear you: that seems like a lot of work or, if you’re hosting a small gathering, it feels like overkill.
But I promise you…it’s not.
Here are 5 reasons you need a theme for your Halloween party:

It elevates your party from a casual gathering to an EVENT
Storytime: the second year I hosted Halloweenie Roast, it was a generic Halloween party. No theme, no focus. None of us really dressed up in costume. And…it was BORING.
The following year I picked a theme – a masquerade ball – to encourage costumes. I didn’t do much more than tell my friends to decorate a mask to wear, but it absolutely transformed the feel of the party. It went from a gathering just like any other to feeling like something special as we wandered around all night, figuring who was who behind their masks.
And all it took was picking a theme!
It informs your menu
I’m the type who pays attention to the tiny details of a party. While Halloweenie Roast already has a set menu each year (weenie roasting!) I always try to incorporate a little something on-theme for my guests. This makes sifting through the monstrous Pinterest boards of recipes I have so much easier.
The year I hosted a Harry Potter-themed party, I made pumpkin pasties. For Dia de Los Muertos, it was everything from guacamole to pan de Muertos. Last year for my Tim Burton theme, I made simple black and white cookies.
My parties are pot luck, so a theme was also a fun way to implement a contest for the best on-theme item!
It helps customize your decor
You can take a spin through my Tim Burton Halloweenie Roast for proof. I went a little over-the-top because I was so inspired by my theme. The year I did a Harry Potter theme, I hung candles over the kitchen island to mimic the great hall.
It doesn’t take much to transform your party from something ordinary to something your friends will talk about for years. Just a few touches will do – which is great when you’re also hosting a party on a budget.
It makes the rest of your planning SO much easier
Last year my Killer Halloween Party e-course students learned on day one that planning a theme was my key to killer Halloween parties! Their response?
“Theme helped tremendously. As you said, it indeed makes everything else easier. We went haunted Victorian mansion with a mannequin dressed as a Dickens’ character.”
“The best tip I learned was to have a theme and to keep your theme running throughout.”
Once you have a theme, it makes planning your menu, decor, activities and even your playlist a snap! And less time stressing over details is a good thing in my spellbook.
It’s FUN
I mean…you could say you’re going to a Halloween party…but what if you were going to a serial killer Halloween party? Or a Friday the 13th party? Themes make everything more fun, and I know your party guests will have a blast with it just like mine do! (Seriously, check out some of the Tim Burton costumes at the end of this post!)
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Okay, so now that you know a theme is the one thing missing from your Halloween party…
What theme would you pick for your Halloween party?
I’d love to hear it in the comments, and who knows? You might just see some tips, tricks and ideas for your theme right here on Spooky Little Halloween later this year!
Your favorite Halloween party hostess,




Sam @ The Haunted Housewife
Good point. It’s always been my dream to host a Halloween party but I’m too shy and I don’t know many people in-person! I still pin ideas on Pinterest though ;) When that day comes I’ll have to remember to stick to a theme. You may have just saved the life of my future Halloween party lol
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Just start with a few people! :) I feel like having a party is the best way to celebrate Halloween, and mine has grown so much over the years. I went from 4 other people the first year to inviting somewhere between 50-60 this past year!
And you know who to email when you need help party planning! ????