With Halloween just around the corner, now is the perfect time to gather a few friends for a relaxed girls’ night. Instead of a big costume party, try a low-key evening of pumpkin decorating, cozy movies and sweet treats. Below are simple ideas for snacks, drinks, crafts and entertainment to make a fun pre-Halloween get-together.
Treats: Halloween Candy Chocolate Bars
Bring back the nostalgia of childhood Halloween candy by turning favorite sweets into elegant homemade chocolate bars. Gather bite-sized candies, sprinkles, candy eyeballs and good-quality white or dark baking chocolate. Melt the chocolate slowly, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Pour it into break-apart molds, then press candies or eyeballs on top, or place some in the mold before pouring so they peek through. Let the bars set for a few hours before unmolding. Make individual bars as party favors or share a platter for everyone to snack on.
Drinks: Test Tube Sips
Serve sparkling juices in small test tubes for a playful, themed touch. Try flavors like pomegranate, peach or blackberry for variety. Arrange the tubes in a stand or a shallow tray filled with ice. For an adult version, offer a bottle of spirit on the side so guests can spike their drinks if they wish. The bright colors and portable servings make these a fun complement to the sweets.
Craft: Pumpkin Decorating
Set up a pumpkin decorating station with a mix of white and orange pumpkins and a selection of supplies: acrylic paints, brushes, stickers, googly eyes, temporary tattoos and adhesive gems. Offer wipes, paper towels and small bowls of water for cleaning brushes. Encourage guests to try different styles — painted faces, pun-inspired designs or a gallery of tiny decorated pumpkins to display together. Providing a few examples can help inspire anyone who’s unsure where to start.
Entertainment: A Curated Halloween Movie Playlist
While everyone decorates, play a selection of favorite Halloween films that are more fun than frightening. Create a printable movie playlist ahead of time to display at the party or share with guests so they can vote on which titles to watch. A mixed lineup of family-friendly classics, cozy comedies and light spooky films keeps the mood relaxed and enjoyable for all.
Click HERE to download the free printable movie poster
The poster prints up to 18″ x 24″. For an affordable large print, consider a color engineer print at a local office supply store.
Photos by Jeff Mindell | Movie Playlist Designed by Katy Jones
Host the party the weekend before Halloween or earlier in the week to avoid competing plans. A pumpkin painting night with simple snacks, festive sips and a comfy movie lineup is an easy, memorable way to celebrate with friends without the stress of a big costume event.
This post was created in partnership with IZZE. All content and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help keep creative projects like this possible.