OK. I know that Halloween is meant to be for the kids. It’s filled with costumes, fake blood, novelty songs and sweets.
So am I the only thirty-something that probably loves Halloween just as much as the children hopped up on sugar? Am I the only thirty-something who starts getting excited about smoke machines, pumpkins and additive-filled food from the middle of September onwards?
Probably. But you know what? I don’t care! I like the fact that for one day, adults can act like children. We can get dressed up in ridiculous costumes, splatter ourselves with tomato ketchup, dance to the Ghostbusters theme tune and consume bright green drinks, whether they involve alcohol or not. I like that for one day we can forget about the bills, the washing up, work and all of those adult responsibilities. We can be children again.
And this is why I look forward to October 31st so much. I know – it probably is just me...
Planning a Halloween party for all ages?
Trying to plan a Halloween party that appeals to both children and adults can be difficult. Here at thebestof Haverhill, we have put our collective thinking caps on and have come up with a few ideas that will work for all ages and won’t result in a ridiculous amount of additional work.
Dastardly drinks
It’s simple – lemonade can be coloured with whatever food colouring you want. Green, red, black – any of these colours will work well at a Halloween party. And for the adults, you can add gin, vodka or any other clear alcohol. Just make sure you use different glasses for the adult’s and children’s drinks!
Devilish dishes
Choosing your Halloween food really depends on the type of party you are planning. If it’s a small, sit-down affair, you could opt for spaghetti (worms) with tomato sauce (blood). Alternatively, with a little thought and creativity, simple party food can easily be ‘freaked’ up.
For example, tomato dip in a poppy seed loaf ‘cauldron, pea and bacon chowder becomes a ghastly green witches’ brew and sausages wrapped in strips of croissant dough are transformed into freaky hot dog fingers.
Damned decorations
It is very easy to go overboard when it comes to Halloween decor. Even if you are planning on holding your party in a relatively small room, you’ll soon find that a few plastic spiders and pumpkins won’t go very far. We recommend spider webbing; available both online and in many supermarkets, it’s cheap (usually less than £2 per bag) and goes a very long way. Spend £8 to £10 and your room will be covered in the stuff!
You can also grab the Christmas fairy lights from the loft and use them for atmospheric lighting. And the best thing? At the end of the night, you can simply pull the webbing down, unplug the lights and your room’s back to normal!
Fancy getting out and about this Halloween?
Not everyone wants the hassle of hosting their own Halloween party, so here’s a run-down of what’s happening in and around Haverhill this Halloween 2014.
ScaresVille The Haunted Village
Kentwell Hall in Long Melford is playing host to a truly terrifying series of nights over the Halloween season – do you dare enter?
ScaresVille The Haunted Village After Dark is open on selected evenings from Friday October 10th until Saturday November 1st 2014.
Please click here for more information.
Halloween Quiz Treasure Trail
Remember that's it's also half term in Haverhill, so this Halloween themed event is the perfect way to keep the kids amused! Taking place every day from 2pm and 4pm between Saturday 25th October and Sunday 2nd November 2014, the whole family is invited to explore Nowton Park in Bury St Edmunds to follow the spooky Halloween trail and take part in a quiz in a race to win prizes!
Quiz sheets are available from the park's cafe and cost £1 per sheet.
Please click here to find out more.
Drop-in Pumpkin Carving
On Wednesday 29th October from 12:30pm until 4:30pm, children and their parents are invited to come along to East Town Park visitor centre in Haverhill to design and carve their own pumpkin for Halloween.
Tickets cost £4 per child, which includes all tools and materials.
Click here for further details.
The Halloween Trail at East Town Park
On October 31st 2014, East Town Park in Haverhill will be descending into chaos as it’s overrun by ghosts, ghouls and spirits! Prepare to be scared... very scared!
Providing fun for the whole family, The Halloween Trail is a free local event that starts at 7.30pm. Get dressed up in your scariest costumes and make sure you don’t forget sensible shoes and a torch! Please note there is no parking on site so walking to the event is recommended.
Click here for more information about East Town Park's Halloween Trail.
Additional Halloween events are being added to thebestof Haverhill as the spookiest night of the year draws closer. Click here to view all Halloween 2014 events in your local area.
