How to Throw a Sophisticated Halloween Dinner Party

August 8, 2019 Just Jes

We all know the traditional Halloween party with dry ice and fake spider webs all too well. This year spice things up a bit by creating an unforgettable sophisticated Halloween dinner party!

I know too many adults that LOVE Halloween, but feel a little let down if they don’t find something fun to do.

I know this for sure; everyone would love to join in on a chic and sophisticated Halloween dinner party!

If you’re not sure where to get started, fear not! This guide will help you step by step plan the most epic Halloween dinner party of your life.

Keep reading to the end to get your free detailed printable checklist!

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01 | PICK YOUR THEME

Undoubtedly, the most exciting part of the whole process is picking a theme for your Halloween dinner party!

Also, think about if you want your guests to dress up with a specific style of costume (think masquerade) or maybe no costumes at all.

With so many too chose from it is no wonder why this step can feel a bit daunting. Take a look at the list below and see what might work for your dinner party.

VAMPIRE THEME

Think blood bar, blood chocolate fountains, dark crimson red tableware, and black candelabras. You can go modern or Victorian making it a very versatile theme.

GOTH THEME

This theme is truly endless in ideas. Blacks, golds, deep purples, and dark reds are all beautiful sophisticated colors with an eery feel. Create a jaw-dropping table display with lots of candles, heavy fabrics, and deep dark colors.

TAROT CARD THEME

This type of sophisticated Halloween party isn’t for the faint-hearted. Think physic crystal balls, vintage Halloween decor, gypsy caravans, and tarot card readings. This theme can be fun and unique.

OTHER HALLOWEEN DINNER PARTY THEME IDEAS

Witches and Potions
Vintage Halloween
Black and Orange
Farmhouse Halloween
Murder Scene
Beetlejuice
Nightmare Before Christmas
Mad Scientist
Frankenstein
Werewolves in old London
Alien Invasion
Edgar Allen Poe
Creepy Carnival

02 | FIGURE OUT THE DETAILS

Before you start to go crazy buying supplies make sure to work out all of the details.

PICK A DATE- Unless Halloween is on a Friday or Saturday chose a weekend before the actual holiday. A lot of people cannot participate on Halloween day itself.
PICK A TIME- Pick a good start time for your party. If you have a lot of activities planned, start earlier. If all you have is the dinner itself, then it’s ok to start a little later.
PICK THE COMPANY- Figure out exactly who you will be inviting and decide if you want to send out official invitations or just invite people casually.

03 | HALLOWEEN THEMED FOOD TO DIE FOR

Halloween food has a rap for being the most fun food to make for parties. There are dozen of clever ideas that can take your food from just ordinary to spooktacular.

We all know the traditional hotdogs wrapped in Pillsbury crescent rolls to look like mummies or the gummy worm chocolate cupcakes, but this year we are taking this Halloween food to a new level of sophistication!

Take a look at these clever adult Halloween-themed food ideas you must try for your party.

APPETIZERS

Take your cheeseboard to the next level with a large variety of artisanal delights with a few scary accents like a skeleton hand and of course a few pumpkins.

Take the classic deviled egg and make it a bit scarier with deep purple tones and a center with a little something extra.

DRINKS TO SCREAM OVER

A deep velvet hue with a black sugared rimmed. This cocktail screams classy.

Nothing says festive like a little bloody sangria shot!

MAIN DISHES

Wow your guests when you pull out this eyeball pasta pie that will be super easy to make!

A few decorative skulls can leave your guests wondering where these mouthwatering ribs came from!

DESSERT IDEAS

A mixture of elegant treats is the best way to enjoy creating Halloween-themed desserts that aren’t tacky.

What’s not to love about an extra dark gothic Chocolate cake?

Here are a few tips about your Halloween dinner menu that will make things so much easier.

Do a trial run of new recipes. Sure the picture makes it seem simple enough, that is until you try it the day of to find out you did not “nail it!”
From scratch, of course, is very admirable especially at a dinner party, but depending on how many people are attending you might not have the time to make everything yourself. Do not be ashamed if you buy some pre-made food. No one will judge you.
If people ask if they can bring any food. take them up on it! People enjoy helping out others for get-togethers, so let them.

04 | THE GAMES

Playing games is so much fun at any party, but playing adult sophisticated Halloween-themed games is even better!

Pick a few activities that you want to do at your Halloween Dinner Party. Just make sure to not overwhelm your crowd with too many activities. Just a few really good ones should do.

Here is a list of adult Halloween-themed games to take your dinner party from ordinary to hauntingly memorable.

TAROT CARD READING – For the right crowd a tarot card reading can be tremendously fun. Beware of people getting a little spooked… as they learn more about themselves than they maybe wanted to!

You can hire someone to do readings or purchase your own set of tarot cards. All the sets come with a book to read from to understand the meaning of the cards.

MURDER MYSTERY – If you haven’t participated in a murder mystery party then make this the year you give it a try. Even the most unwilling participant won’t be able to resist joining in on the mystery.

You can buy a murder mystery game and follow the instructions if you have never done it before. What is so extra great about these games is that it is interactive entertainment for the entire evening.

TEMPT THE FATES – Take truth or dare to the next level by writing down dozens of truths and dares and mixing them in a bowl. No one’s safe from pulling a dare!

ESCAPE ROOM – Have you heard of those clue games where a team is locked in a room and has to work together to figure out how to get out before… *gasp* it’s too late?

Well, this is one game for the adults that will get everyone involved. Warning friendships are made or broken under this type of pressure! You can find plenty of these types of interactive games to purchase that will help you set up all the clues.

FEAR FACTOR – What’s scarier than sticking your hand in a moving box of an unknown creature or eating things blindfolded? Create a game of fear factor challenges to put your friends to the ultimate test.

THE TRADITIONAL COSTUME CONTEST – If you’re going to throw a costume party you got to have a contest! Come up with some clever categories and make sure the prizes are to die for.

05 | PULLING YOUR HALLOWEEN DINNER PARTY TOGETHER

Now that you have all the details worked out it’s time to pull this party together. If you have the funds to go buy everything you need that’s awesome!

If you don’t here are some ideas to help keep this party within a realistic budget.

Use as much of your own Halloween decor as possible.
Cheap plastic table cloths can be found at the dollar store and adding some black lace on top will take those cheesy table cloths to sophisticated tables in no time.
Dry ice is cheap and effective at creating that eery look throughout your home.
If you’re looking for soft lighting, white Christmas lights can create the type of glow you’re looking for.
Ask friends and family if they have anything they can donate. Decor, food, etc.

Your efforts will be very appreciated by your guests. It’s not every day you get to attend an elegant Halloween themed dinner party! So pull out those candles, dust off that skeleton, and go have yourself an unforgettable evening.

Don’t forget to print out your free Halloween Dinner Party Planner below!