7 Alternatives to Halloween House Parties

Halloween is upon us and everywhere we look, the scare is in the air. In college, Halloween house parties tend to be popular, but they are not for everyone. If you want to join in on the creepy fun and host a get-together at your place that’s not a typical Halloween party, try out some of these alternatives with your friends to celebrate this fun holiday.

Image: Daisy Anderson via https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-cookies-on-wooden-table-5583444/

Halloween craft party

If you and your friends are creative, you can host a Halloween craft party. There are plenty of inexpensive and easy crafts that anyone can do. You may even decide to carve or decorate pumpkins. These crafts can help you decorate your current housing situation and do so in a way that is unique and individual to you and your likes. To help reduce cost, use things you already have around, and do not be afraid to reuse things you were going to throw away anyway.

TV show binge

There are plenty of scary TV shows out there, especially ones that come out around this time of year. You may decide to watch a newer show or dig into the vaults to watch an older show. Either way, inviting people over to binge-watch a Halloween or scary TV show (or a few) can be a great alternative to a typical Halloween party. Figure out what shows are available on the streaming services you and your friends have and take a vote. Between episodes, have your friends predict what will happen next, especially if none of you have seen the show before.

Movie marathon

Likewise, there is no shortage of scary Halloween movies both online and on DVD. In fact, there are so many that you can decide to have a theme for your movies. Many movies have sequels or more that can be grouped together and watched back-to-back. Some Halloween movies are so bad and not scary, they are actually funny, so you could do a marathon of these. Again, research the movies that are available on your accessible streaming services and take a vote. Also, take into consideration how much time you are willing to devote to watching movies in one sitting. And don’t forget to put out plenty of snacks!

Dinner party

If you want to throw a party of sorts that is not a conventional Halloween party, consider having a Halloween potluck. Decide whether it will be candy, regular, or themed potluck, and have your guests bring something for everyone to share. This is a great way to have a dinner party at your apartment on a budget so that you are not responsible for buying and cooking everything. Hang up some Halloween decorations that you made or purchased. Just be sure to make note of any food allergies your guests may have to avoid any bad situations that may arise.

“Bonfire”

One of the most popular activities of the fall is having a bonfire. However, this is not always possible for college students, especially those in dorms or apartments. There are alternatives that can be done to help get the feeling without the danger (and wrath of the campus higher-ups). Get a space heater, put out some blankets and pillows, and sit around the heater. For added effect, heat up some hot chocolate and snacks and sit around the heat source and just talk to each other. Have a no electronics rule so you can just enjoy each other’s company and conversations. You may even decide to play a few games.

Storytelling session

Halloween is the perfect time to tell and read scary stories. While reading and writing these stories alone can be fun, it can be more fun to do them as a group. Invite friends over to your apartment for a Halloween soiree and challenge guests to either bring the scariest stories they know or write their own scary stories. As an additional challenge, consider having a theme or a list of things to include or exclude. Take a vote and have prizes for the best and scariest stories read at the gathering. Be sure to have plenty of snacks and beverages on hand. This is a perfect Halloween idea for groups of friends who are writers or English majors.

Costume picnic

One of the most fun parts of Halloween is dressing up in costume. You can choose who you want to be and have fun with it. This fun does not have to end in college. Invite a group to your apartment to have a meal together in costume. If you decide to host the get-together outside, have each person bring a part of the meal. People may look at you and your friends but have to fear. Own the fact that you are having harmless Halloween fun! You may opt to do individual costumes, or team up and do a group costume idea. Whatever you choose, go all-out, and do not worry about what others will think.

Halloween is a fun time. While parties are not for everyone, there are other ideas that people can try that may be more fun.