So, here we are, one week out from Halloween night, and you haven't planned a single thing. Whether you're teetering on the edge of hosting a last-minute gathering or have the party details texted out with no idea of what to serve, we've got you covered. From easy Halloween appetizer recipes to cocktails and mocktails with three ingredients or less all the way to simple but scary desserts, these ideas are easy to throw together in little to no time. Plus, it doesn't hurt that your phone won't scream at you when you log into your banking app on November 1. If you need a last-minute costume to pair with your fun evening, there are myriad quick costumes you can make related to food, hair color, favorite movies, etc. Of course, you can even opt for a theme, such as Rhyme Without Reason, which may take off the pressure for couples trying to find the most perfect duo costumes. Alas, there's no more need for any planning anxiety with our handy-dandy last-minute Halloween party ideas. Let's get scary... and lit!
#SpoonTip: If you're seeking something different than a traditional Halloween party, opt for this spooky brunch.
Last-minute Halloween party decor
Buying: The one great thing about procrastinating is you might do it so well that you accidentally arrive to stores just in time for major Halloween sales. As of now, Michael's is offering 50% off or more on its Halloween decor, both online and in-store. Plus, Target's indoor Halloween decorations are discounted, many for less than $5, including tombstone wall hangings, string lights, and spider webs that you can easily stretch across your whole party space. Of course, you can never go wrong by hitting up your nearby thrift store or dollar store, which are sure to have Halloween candy bowls, hanging ghosts, garland, window decals, and beyond.
Free: Even if you don't have a ton of time to decorate your dorm, apartment, or house, fear not. You can set the mood with a few minimal touches. For example, you can play your favorite movies on TV in the background. Of course, you can opt for classics such as Hocus Pocus and Haunted Mansion available on Disney+. Additionally, you can find the entire Twilight saga on YouTube for free with ads if you're looking for an earnest romance involving vampires and werewolves. Or, you can try a Halloween ambiance video on YouTube including this spooky library scene and the "The Gusty Gourd."
DIY: If you have a spare hour, you can definitely DIY a few of your Halloween party items — and yes — they're actually doable crafts. TikTok user @aleagueofherhome shared how you can transform sticks from outside into vase fillers with a few paper bats. Plus, you can turn black yarn or string into a sick, wall-sized spider web, according to @craftylumberjacks. No time for yarn? Simply tape up white streamers (toilet paper works, too) and turn your door into a mummy. Finally, pumpkins of all shapes and sizes will be available at local markets throughout the full fall season, meaning you can *thank gourd* and grab some natural decor. You don't even have to carve pumpkins with a ghost or spider design. Opt for painting on these cute and easy thumbprint designs.
Last-minute Halloween party snacks
You don't have to worry about buying pastry puff dough and making several ghost and pumpkin-shaped hand pies unless you really want to. Make your Halloween party a breeze by ordering a Papa John's Jack-o'-lantern pizza to your door for just $11. Or, better yet, you can pick up a ghost or pumpkin-shaped pizza from Aldi to bake at your own convenience.
Of course, you have to have something crunchy to pair. Pick up some creepy snackies with Cheetos Bag Of Bones, Utz Witch's Brew Party Mix, black and orange tortilla chips, and whatever other seasonal chips or crackers are in stores.
Additionally, you can turn any charcuterie board into a scary one with the addition of a little plastic skeleton. Add a sheet of wax paper to your table, add your skeleton to the middle of it, and then build your meats, cheeses, nuts, fruits, and veggies around the little guy. This allows you to easily transform any store-bought party tray into a beautiful, bone-chilling board.
Last-minute Halloween party drinks:
Every Halloween party needs to have a staple drink that is both delicious and TikTok-worthy. For example, you can never go wrong with making a three-ingredient "Vampire Blood" red cocktail. Add one shot of your preferred liquor over ice, fill your cup with lemon-lime soda or tonic water, then top it off with grenadine. Plus, this makes an easy mocktail for the sober-curious, too, when you simply remove the shot.
Additionally, you can level up any G&T with Empress. I mean, it's purple, which makes any drink automatically witchy and cute.
Making big-batch drinks is also a great idea for pleasing the masses. You can even transform any plastic cups you have by adding unique Halloween designs on each cup with a Sharpie. This might save you the trouble of people losing their own cup throughout the night.
You can also save money and time by asking everyone to bring their own borg and whoever has the best name for theirs wins a little prize.
Last-minute Halloween party dessert:
Your favorite late-night dessert spot, Insomnia, is prepared to deliver a spooky treat right to your door. In honor of the forthcoming Five Nights At Freddy's film starring Josh Hutcherson and Scream King Matthew Lillard, the cookie shop is selling Freddy Fazbear's Cookie Pizza.
Plus, you can save time by heading to Krispy Kreme to pick up their Scooby-Doo doughnuts with four design variations.
If you're looking to make some spooky desserts at home, you can make a few recipes with ease. For example, if you find packs of Pillsbury ghost and pumpkin cookies — a total crowd-pleaser — you can level them up by baking them with chocolate chip cookie dough, in cupcakes, or in brownies. Just because the dough is pre-made doesn't mean you can't get super creative!
Additionally, a pack of Oreos can go a long way in the dessert world. (Bonus points if you get the Halloween variety with orange filling!) With Oreos, you can crush them up and add them to a brownie mix, you can dip them in chocolate and add orange and black sprinkles to the top, you can make graveyard dirt pudding cups, or make a no-bake Oreo cheesecake dip.
However, if you are super short on time, Reese's Pumpkins, Snickers, Twix, and other Halloween candy trick-or-treat faves will be a total win at your party.
Last-minute Halloween party games & entertainment
It's super easy to make a fun Halloween party. With delicious snacks and some fun decor, guests will be in a spooky spirit. Of course, one can never go wrong with holding a Halloween costume contest with a fun prize. Plus, you can do a quick DIY photo booth or Amazon Prime overnight order a batty backdrop for your wall.
Having a lighthearted competition is always fun, and can extend into teams of guests building Halloween cookie houses and decorating pumpkin and ghost cookies.
If you're going for a classy Halloween party vibe, you can opt for a wine and candy tasting. These treats pair perfectly together, and your local Trader Joe's or Aldi will have cheap wine of many varieties.
Additionally, for a chill, late-night hang, you can host a horror movie or Disney movie drinking game.
Get a spooky playlist together, and you will officially have the perfect Halloween party, and no one has to know you have only just now started to plan it.