Ghastly Ghouls or Subtle Spooky? Let’s Make a Party of It

This year Halloween falls on a Saturday, so nobody has to be up for school the next morning. That’s enough of an excuse for us to make a party of it. Queensland skips daylight saving, so it’s dark not long after six. That gives the little ones time for a lap of the street before dinner and still leaves the grown-ups a long, warm night out the back.

This month we’re giving away a $100 Noosa Civic Gift Card to help you pull off your Halloween party. Costumes, lollies, decorations, the lot. Entery details at the end of this blog post.

Whether your style is ghastly ghouls or subtle spooky, we’ve rounded up ideas for the kids, a game night for the grown-ups and some styling pieces you won’t have to pack away on 1 November.

Little Monsters, Big Fun

Kids don’t need much convincing. Hand them a costume and a bag of lollies from Woolworths and they’ll take it from there.

Pair the witch costume with black leggings and sneakers so they can run between houses. Light layers win in this weather, so leave the capes and masks for cooler countries. Pop on sunscreen if you’re heading out before the sun drops, and pack a water bottle for the walk.

If the dog insists on coming trick-or-treating, a hat is much easier to get on than a full costume.

Big W | Child Witch Costume, 4 to 6 Years | $12
Petbarn | All Day Halloween Pumpkin Pet Costume Hat | $17

Just keep the chocolate somewhere the dog can’t reach!

The Less Tacky Kids’ Table

Not keen on fake blood on the couch? Set up a craft table on the back deck instead. It works for a mix of ages and gives everyone something to do between the costume parade and the lolly count.

Big W | Halloween Mega Craft Tub | $9

It’s packed with glow beads, stickers, card and foam for pumpkins, ghosts and bats, and whatever’s left over can go home in the favour bags. Storm season is starting, so keep a spot clear inside in case an afternoon storm rolls through and the craft table has to move to the kitchen.

Game Night, Grown-Ups Only

Once the kids are in bed (or at least in another room), it’s your turn. This edition of Monopoly is set in Halloween Town, which gets the theme onto the table without anyone having to dress up.

Big W | Monopoly Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas | $39

Buy Oogie Boogie’s Lair, build your Toy Factories and argue about the rules the way you always do. Set it up on the outdoor table with a few candles and you’ll barely notice the hours go.

Two Drinks for the Table

Warm nights call for something cold and fizzy. Both of these use the same ginger beer and a few limes, so the shopping list stays short. The shaker has five recipes printed on the side, handy once you’ve worked through the two below.

House | Cellar 2 Piece Cocktail Set including Shaker and Muddler | $39.99
BWS | The Kraken Black Spiced Rum 700ml | $78
Woolworths | Bundaberg Ginger Beer 375mL x 4 pack | $7.95
Woolworths | Bickford’s Pomegranate Juice 1L | $6.50

The Black Widow

Fill a tumbler with ice and ginger beer, then pour 30ml of spiced rum slowly over the back of a spoon so it settles in a dark layer on top. Squeeze in some lime and stir when you’re ready to drink it.

The Witch’s Brew (Alcohol Free)

Half pomegranate juice, half ginger beer, poured over ice with a squeeze of lime. It comes out a deep red, and it gives the drivers something nicer to hold than a glass of water.

The rum is for guests 18 and over. Mix a jug of Witch’s Brew early and keep it in the fridge.

Subtle Spooky, Sorted

If plastic skeletons aren’t your thing, lean on candlelight and darker colours. A black candle and a few burgundy tapers will tell your guests it’s Halloween well before anyone spots a pumpkin.

Adairs | Orlo Citrus Noir Black Candle 340g | $49.99

The scent is citrus, which suits a warm spring night more than anything heavy or spiced.

Adairs | Aluma Burgundy Taper Candles Set of 3 | $14.99

Group these in mismatched holders down the middle of the table.

Beacon Lighting | LEDlux Glow LED 3 Pack Ivory Candle in Warm White | $44.95

For anywhere little hands or long costume sleeves might get close. They’re handy outside too, where an evening breeze off the water would blow a real flame out.

Pillow Talk | Havana Lantern | From $39.95

Pop one of those flameless candles inside and set it on the outdoor table as the sun goes down.

Win Your Halloween Party

Calling all ghouls, ghosts and party planners. This month we’re giving away a $100 Noosa Civic Gift Card to help you pull off your Halloween party. Costumes, lollies, decorations, the lot.

Entries close Sunday 25 October and we’ll draw the winner on Monday 26 October. Good luck!

Enter now

One Trip and You’re Done

The costume, the craft tub, the ginger beer and the candles are all under one roof at Noosa Civic, with free parking. That makes the Halloween shop a lot easier, and leaves more of Saturday 31 October for the party itself.

Prices are as shown on retailer websites at the time of writing and may vary in store. Visit noosacivicshopping.com.au to find your favourite stores.