12 Years of Halloween Fun!

My sister and I are getting ready to host our twelfth annual Halloween Party next weekend! It's something we look forward to each year and normally have the next year's theme picked before we have even hosted the current party. Looking back through the photos makes me smile as it offers a snap shot of our lives each year for the past twelve years. Some faces have changed, the locations have moved and we've all gotten a little older. With each year's photos, you can see changing relationships, marriages, births and moves. I love reminiscing by looking through the photos - I don't think I could pick a favorite party!

Our themes for the past twelve years

2016 - Drive In Movie
2015 - Glow in the Dark
2014 - Rehearsal Dinner Trick or Treating
2013 - Dinner in the Apple Orchard
2012 - Dracula's Wake
2011 - A Celebration of Phobias
2010 - Starring Vintage Horror Films
2010 - Kid's Mad Science Lab
2009 - Dracula's Ball
2009 - Kid's Monster Mash
2008 - Candy Inspired Soriee
2007 - CSI Dinner
2006 - Day of the Dead Gathering
2005 - Harry Potter Ball
2004 - First Halloween Dinner

The first small party crowd (all still attending except for Amy who moved back to California from New York making the distance too far to commute)

We all look so young! Our youngest guests in particular show the years passing. Bella attended her first party in 2006 at just a few months old. She is now 10!

 

As relationships started, new faces have became regular guests at each party.

The first few years, the parties were mostly adults, but then new babies started appearing each year!

  

We have celebrated in Hampstead, our condo in Merrimack, Katie's condo in Epping and this year our house in Nottingham. We also took the party on the road ... an indoor mini golf course, an apple orchard and even our wedding venue.

We love integrating the theme into invitations, decorations and menus. Our guests even related their costumes to the theme some years!

 

 

 

  

So many great times with wonderful friends! Here's to 12 more parties and all the things that the next 12 years bring to our lives. 

Halloween Orchard dinner

This was the 10th year Katie and I have hosted a Halloween Party together - we are honored to share the holiday with so many special friends. This year we headed to a local orchard for an apple themed dinner.

We contacted a few orchards and made arrangements to host the party at Carter Hill Orchard in Concord, NH. Hosting a party off site is lots of fun but definitely involves a little extra planning. We chose a beautiful row of trees. Invitations were ordered from Bee and Daisy on Etsy.

 Before and After

The orchard provided the space and we brought the rest. We were very happy with the transformation. Three long banquet tables, hay bales and folding chairs were festooned with maroon, orange and green themed table clothes and plates.

Centerpieces included bright, festive flowers in apple barrels, apple candles and fresh apples. Cheese platters, crackers and a charcuitere plate were on the table for snacking as guests arrived.

 A peak of the table through the trees! 

Each place setting had an adorable sewn apple made by Wendy. Traditionally at our parties, the place card is something that can be taken home and used as a Christmas ornament.  

The temperature was on the cooler side so the hot apple cider served in mason jars was a big hit and great hand warmer.

We all sat down to enjoy an apple themed dinner: Apple pumpkin soup with bread rolls and apple bread, salad with apple cider vinaigrette, savory apple tarts with beets or onions, and apple cookies and bars for dessert.

Our guests in their great costumes!

 

 

Guests headed home with homemade apple pie (baked with love by Wendy) and their fabric apple.

We can't wait until next year!

Halloween Dracula's Wake

With somber tidings, we announce Dracula's Wake. Your presence is requested at calling hours to include casket viewing, refreshments and mini golf.

Our party was hosted at Monster Mini Golf in Danvers, MA in the party room. The room itself has a wonderful vibe with Gothic haunting decor. We brought decorations to supplement and celebrate the "wake" theme.

Upon entering the room, guests were greeted by a photo of the deceased and a full length black coffin which served as buffet for assorted appetizers.

Guests could read Dracula's obituary and view photos of his surviving relatives surrounded by candles and a ceremonial wreath. A bust of Dracula was prominently displayed. Women were presented with a corsage, men received boutonnieres and children had ribbons.

Creepy accessories for all guests which also served as favors. 

The coffin served as a buffet for an assortment of appetizers from chicken "bat" wings, "moldy" cheese balls, beef "flesh" pops, fried "black eyed" peas and more. 

One of my favorite party elements and a big hit with the younger (and young at heart) guests was the "blood bath" of tomato soup with "bone" grilled cheese sandwich dippers. 

After enjoying the appetizers, it was time to be tempted by the delicious desserts. "Tooth decay" trifle in push pops were displayed in test tubes. Strawberry tart was served with syringes of whipped cream ready for guests to dispense as prescribed. Guests also enjoyed "Blood" red velvet cupcakes and a twist on the traditional caramel apple with caramel-chocolate pears!

Guests enjoying the desserts and cranberry-cider punch.

 Guests came in costume to mourn the loss of Dracula.

 

After the casket viewing and feasting, we all headed to the indoor course to play mini golf!