Whoever says that Halloween is too much skimpiness and not enough sincere fun these days, clearly doesn’t see the humorous and entertaining advantage behind this festivity, because Halloween is actually perfect for an all-out show of talent, imagination, and creativity. You can dress however you want, become a different character, a different person, throw an awesome party and make a night of terror something worth remembering.
If you’ve decided to throw a Halloween bash this year, we’re here to help you make your event the coolest cat on the schedule – and not 2000-late. Let’s begin by delving a little deeper into the details that make this funk of forty thousand years a bonafide extravaganza.
The music
This is a thriller. You need the bass, the rhythm and the melody to match the overall atmosphere. Remember, as macabre a groove as you wish to put on the loudspeakers, it has to be something your guests can dance to. Don’t think you’re so clever by being too underground, or playing spooky background sounds.
Halloween old school classics are always welcome – Ghostbusters, I Put a Spell on You, Monster Mash, This is Halloween, Creep, I Fink U Freaky, etc.
However, you will want to keep up with current trends as well, so include some artists that reign the current dark scene, too… artists like FKA Twigs, Muse, Tame Impala, Chelsea Wolfe, the Chemical Brothers and many more.
The costumes
Disney Princesses reimagined is the most boring concept in the world, so you have to be more creative than that, otherwise you’ll end up as last year’s Maleficent. Mad Max, for instance, was so awesome, you can definitely be one of the War Boys, or perhaps a dystopian warrior, oil-soaked lady in leather. Both costumes come with big guns, and are even better as a group or couple costume.
If you are a Game of Thrones fan, then feel free to improvise Cersei’s walk of shame – it’s a bit tactless towards Cersei, but any fellow GoT fans you meet will have a good laugh yelling “shame” your way, as you “shamelessly” pass them by with a drink in your hand. It may be hard to look like the trending Caitlyn Jenner, but a Donald Trump toupée and a fat suit will easily make you feel like a presidential candidate spoof.
Just remember that, sometimes, the best solution is just to be yourself and to create a unique costume that resembles nothing but seminal and abysmal fear.
The ooze and booze
No party is complete without some awesome drinks and cocktails to match the theme. You can either find a pro to make all of the beverages with immaculate ease, or you can roll up your sleeves and get a couple of friends to help you out. Whatever you do, repeat to yourself that you are doing this for fun and not trying to launch a legit cocktail bar. Start easy, with Black Velvet. Nothing spells witches’ brew better than this simple combination of dark beer and bubbly wine. Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble!
For all the vampires out there, an elegant concoction known as Blood & Sand is actually a century old cocktail comprised of warming scotch and sweet vermouth that will definitely quench your insatiable thirst. Finally, if you want to get all apocalyptic, the Black Sun is a balanced blend of bittersweet Cointreau liqueur, coca cola, and lemon – a dark twist on the classic Cuba Libre. Add a spooky swizzle stick and you’ve got the definition of Halloween in a glass.
The darkest décor
Don’t be afraid of the dark, embrace it. Find ways to spruce the ambience up without the expected carving of pumpkins. Invite ghosts inside your home, make everything look like it is haunted and eager to swallow your guests whole. Instead of a welcome mat, tie a few dirty fake skulls together and hang them at the entrance. Guests beware, for sure!
Find some empty jars and fill them with coloured water so that it resembles formaldehyde and add realistic toy spiders or bugs. ‘Head in a jar’ is also a perfect prop prank that you can play on all the newcomers. Make use of fake blood and cobwebs, too, hide skeletons in the bathroom and maybe even find dark neon lights to mysteriously emphasize the dust on your shoulders, your teeth, eyeballs… Rave to the grave.
The movies
If you have a home theatre, then you simply must indulge your guest with some horrific specimen of the seventh art. Just like music, old school movies are always a treat, but don’t make your repertoire too vintage. See if you can find some new motion pictures which will also raise your hair. This year was prolific with movies such as Crimson Peak, You’re Next, The Witch, Bone Tomahawk, or Alleluia! The Devil’s Carnival. Then again, a good trash horror movie is always an excellent substitute, so you and your friends can have an evil, care-free laugh.
Happy Halloween from the HSL crew!
