This year, we’re making it easy with some ideas for Halloween that won’t break the bank. Traditional games, fang-tastic snacks and the right vibe are all you need to send guests home grinning like manic jack o’lanterns.
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Spooky DIY setups you already have at home
Planning Halloween party fun means never underestimating the power of black sheets, old jars and fairy lights. If you need a haunted forest, hang the sheets across the wall and drape ripped pairs of tights over lamps for a ghoulish cobweb glow.
When you want a potion making station, fix fairy lights around a table top covered in a blood red satin cloth; fill empty jars with fruit juice and flavoured water, label them with names like “Dragon’s Toenails” and “Eye of Newt” and let the kids mix up their own spooky brews.
The star game: apple bobbing
When it comes to classic Halloween party games, let's talk about apple bobbing. Why has this game survived through centuries, various hygiene panics, and thousands of party guests getting water up their nose? The answer is simple: it’s hilarious and chaotic, in the best possible way.
To set it up safely at home, use a deep bucket or watertight container that’s wide enough for little heads to dip into - without causing mass panic with kids getting stuck. Solent Plastics’ airtight buckets are ideal. Sturdy and food-safe, they can be used for bobbing today and storing leftovers tomorrow! Add a twist by carving tiny jack o’lantern faces on the apples.
Costume forecast for Halloween 2025: Beetlejuice, witches and zombies
Are you wondering what the hot Halloween costumes are for 2025? Say hello to a mashup of pop culture hits and undead classics. After Beetlejuice Beetlejuice hit cinemas in 2024, expect a flood of Lydia Deetz goth girls and stripe suited Betelgeuse rogue spirits.
The US coming of age animated film, Inside Out 2, in 2024 has invented a whole new range of costumed characters such as the personifications of Joy, Sadness and Anxiety. They’re perfect for group or family costumes. Of course, the Wicked movie has cast its spell, so expect a lot of witches in pointy hats and sparkly dresses. The classics like vampires, zombies and skeletons never go out of style. Whether they’re DIY costumes, or bought in a store, these looks are fun, spooky and easy to pull together.
Keep your costume chaos in check with clear home storage boxes. Solent Plastics’ transparent containers make it easy to organise masks, wigs, face paint and vampire fangs, so there’ll be no more mystery bins of tangled tinsel and melted chocolate coins. With air control system lids, these boxes prevent the build-up of that weird attic smell, so your costumes will survive the year without turning into science experiments.
Keep pumpkin carving fun and safe
Halloween party ideas that won’t require a second mortgage, or a week off work to recover, can be a big success with a little careful planning. Nothing brings a group together like carving pumpkins — and nothing destroys your kitchen faster!
To keep your pumpkin carving area fun and manageable, start by dividing up your tools, stencils and waste. Use a 25-litre protective hard case from Solent Plastics to store and organise carving tools safely. These containers are tough, spacious and optionally foam-lined - perfect for keeping the sharp items away from tiny fingers.
Lay down old newspapers or disposable tablecloths and set out separate bins for seeds and other waste. A sturdy wheelie bin or recycling bin is perfect for chucking everything out efficiently at the end. Your kitchen will thank you, as will your future self the following morning!
Halloween party games that bring the laughs
We’ve already talked about apple bobbing, but that’s just the beginning. A few simple Halloween party games can turn your night from “nice” to “legendary”.
Mummy Wrapping is always a hit. Two teams, one roll of toilet paper per team and one lucky volunteer to get wrapped up in “bandages” from head to toe are all you need. The first team to finish and then unwrap again wins bragging rights, and probably the leftover snacks.
Haunted Hunt brings the excitement of a scavenger hunt with a spooky twist. Hide Halloween-themed items around your house or garden such as fake eyeballs, giant plastic spiders and potion bottles of sweets. Then send your guests on a chilling chase. Set a timer, add a cauldron for collecting clues and let the madness unfold.
Snack attack: how to serve spooky food without chaos
Food is arguably the most important part of any party. You want it to be seasonal, but still edible. Think ghost shaped sandwiches, Egyptian mummy-style hot dogs wrapped in cooked dough strips to represent bandages, jelly severed heads and chocolate covered strawberry “eyeballs”. Add crispy marshmallow brains and a punch bowl with floating eyes made from lychees and blueberries and you have the makings of a great spooky buffet.
Don’t just dump everything randomly on the table. Instead, use gastronorm food storage containers from Solent Plastics to keep edibles fresh, organised and perfectly portioned. These food-grade boxes are airtight, microwave and dishwasher-safe, and also see through, so guests can actually tell what they’re eating and there’ll be no surprises (well, none of the unplanned kind, anyway)!
After the party: storing decorations (and restoring sanity)
The party’s over, the kids are buzzing from sugar intake and your floor looks like a haunted tornado came through. It’s time to get everything packed away without losing your cool.
Our recycled black storage boxes with lids are perfect for stashing decorations, as they're sturdy, stackable and eco-friendly. Separate your lights, cobwebs, ornaments and props into labelled containers, and next year’s setup will be a breeze. The boxes even come with accessories like dividers and label holders, so you can be very organised if that’s your thing.
Your evening can be simple, fun and spooky with our Halloween party ideas that are easy to organise - and cost very little. With careful planning, some classic Halloween party games, and the right storage containers, you can host a 31st October party that’s memorable, manageable and just the right amount of messy.