Happy Halloween! If you've been following for pretty much any amount of time, you know that Halloween is a favorite around here. This past weekend, we hosted our 7th annual costume party and it was an absolute blast. We originally started hosting a party all those years ago because we wanted an excuse to dress up with all of our friends and every year, I'm reminded of how much fun that is.
This year was a little different. For the first time, we had it on a Friday night (for personal reasons) instead of Saturday and we also asked our guests to bring a treat to share, while Chris made a big pot (okay, 3) of his grilled pork chili, cornbread, hot apple cider and homemade rootbeer. It was significantly less stressful but also about half as many people came--around 100, instead of 200+. It was a much more manageable number and we also hired a high school boy (Preston's little brother!) to run the camera, so Chris and I could mingle and actually enjoy the party. We'll do it all the same next year--although likely back on a Saturday. That seems to work better for everyone.
Here's a few snapshots of the decor around the house.
We made the floating candles and hanging bats years ago and still pull them out every year.
As you can see, people brought it with their costumes, as they do every year. We also let our girls choose their costumes for actual Halloween, but do a family costume for the invitation.
It works well, because Chris and I usually opt to be something that we can throw on in 10 minutes or less since we're usually prepping for the party down to the wire. This year, we were fencers.
But here are a few of the real stars of the show--our favorite costumes of the night!
1. American Gothic! The frame was such a nice touch.
2. Ursula and Jafar (both homemade costumes!) were out of this world.
3. The Joker and Harley Quinn!
4. Superman and Lois Lane!
5. Cranky Old Ladies that stayed in character alllllll night!
6. A Catrina!
6. This Mario Party Crew!
Tonight our girls are dressing up as a fawn (Greta) and Minnie Mouse (Faye, again!) and going trick or treating and I'm excited to stay home and pass out candy. Do you dress up to pass out candy? Sometimes I'll put on a wig, but maybe this year, I'll go all out!
Happy Halloween!
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What did you use to hang the candles? I am looking for something to hang from my ceilings with minimal damage
The floating candles totally reminds me of Hogwarts!
The party, AND costumes, look amazing! Does Chris have a special cornbread recipe!?
Not really! We just used the jiffy cornbread mix
Your halloween posts are my favorite! Do you send the invitations in the mail or as an email/evite? Thank you for sharing!
We just do Evites!
I pass out candy to the kids and a treat (Merlot or Chardonnay) for the adults. There is a huge crowd of kids and parents who dress up and the ladies love to find my house. Hey, it is chilly out and the wine is appreciated. They all stand around, toast each other and then wait for the kids to come back up the street - I'm on a cul-de-sac, so you can't lose the kids.
This year, they dressed up as the "spice" girls - they had signs like nutmeg, etc. One year, they were bunches of grapes using balloons. And then the kids were all dressed in a single color, but together they were a box of crayons. I have to go over to the house of one of the ladies, since they really did their house up with a tunnel, skeletons, etc.
Totally off topic but Julia you are gorgeous! I would love a post on the following if you are ever in need of content : )
1) your style
2) how you bounced back from pregnancy
3) your workout routine
Love both the blog and the podcast!
Oh girl. I still have 20 pounds to lose.
I love it! You inspired us to make some bats this year, next year the candles are happening!
Party looks like fun! I am wondering...how exactly did you trim it from 200 to 100 people?
The decorations are perfect and those floating candles are amaaaaazing (gonna have to make those next year)! Looks like a great party. Happy Halloween!
Wow! I wish I knew you and lived in your neighborhood! You look like you're the fun neighbors... How did Willow adjust to the big crowd?
She thrived! We were so worried about her beforehand but she loves kids so much.
Yay- I’m glad she enjoyed herself! I worried about this too!
Your friends go all out! Those costumes are amazing!