How to Throw a Halloween Porch Party
Once upon a time, I was a Grinch — a Halloween Grinch. I had no use for Halloween; I just didn’t care for the spook and scares. But acquiring children made my heart grow three sizes, and I fell for the sweet magic of Halloween as the most hospitable holiday — the night when neighbors stroll from home to home, and strangers cross lawns and doorways to make easy community for one evening. Now, for the past several years we’ve thrown a potluck party on trick-or-treat night, setting a table right on the porch, loaded with easy crowd-pleasing food like tater tots and pulled pork. It’s the most fun, low-pressure sort of gathering to share the responsibilities of passing out candy while watching kids in their costumes and hanging out with friends.
Here’s what I make, and some strategic tips for getting it all ready in time for the first doorbell ring, plus a few tips on dressing up a porch for a party. Because, on Halloween night, the porch is where you want to be; it’s impossible not to fall in love with the holiday (and your neighborhood) while on your front stoop.
A good Halloween read: The Soul of Halloween Is More Important than You Ever Imagined
Why I Throw Porch Parties on Halloween
I live on a major trick-or-treat street (I buy over 500 pieces of candy!), and juggling my own kids’ trick-or-treat experience with handing out candy prompted us to beg friends to come over and take turns dropping candy into Elsa and Iron Man’s tiny hands. This turned into a full-blown porch party, my favorite way to party in October. It’s so simple: Make some food, set out a table, invite your friends, and hang out eating good food, indulging trick-or-treaters and sipping cider.
A Menu & Recipes for a Halloween Porch Party
Here’s some of what I like to cook for a porch party, from the cutest mummy hot dogs that even I can make, to a big batch of mulled cider.
How I Cook for a Halloween Porch Party
So, obviously if you have kids, most of your pre-trick-or-treat time will be spent helping kids get dressed and then, ahem, taking copious pictures. If you don’t have kids, you are probably also still busy; trick-or-treat starts so early! Getting food ready for an early dinner on Halloween means turning to everyone’s favorite helper: the slow cooker.
A couple of days ahead I’ll make this Halloween party mix (so cute!) and soft pumpkin cookies. The mummy hot dogs can also be prepped ahead of time and refrigerated and baked just before serving.
Then, in the morning before work (or even the day before), cook the pulled pork in the slow cooker. Warm in the oven or slow cooker that day and put out on your porch potluck table, along with soft slider rolls and a second slow cooker or Instant Pot full of mulled cider (a side of bourbon or rum optional!).
The other thing I really love at fall parties is a tater tot bar. I cook some tater tots in the oven (I love a mix of regular and sweet potato tater tots) and serve in a big bowl along with some jarred salsa, queso, and guacamole. They’re great for little kids, they warm you up, and, I mean, who doesn’t love a tater tot?
Top off your table with some chips and popcorn (I am planning on making this peanut butter popcorn this year) and an extra bucket of candy and you are more than set.
Easy Ways to Decorate for a Halloween Porch Party
I just don’t have the time or energy to go all-out for Halloween decorating (and I still don’t like the full spook — too scary for my little girls), so I leave the dry ice fog to my neighbors and just hang some lights. I also cover my high-powered porch ceiling lights with orange construction paper which takes two seconds and gives the house a nice glow. (Obviously don’t do this if your lights have a bare bulb or there is any fire risk; ours are low-heat and covered.)
If you have a little more time or energy, Lisa, our lifestyle director (her house is pictured all through this post — isn’t it adorable?), has more tips for you.
- Use a hay bale or two for extra seating: These are easy to find at farm stands and make nice, easy seating. “But put pillow cases on top (because hay can stick your butt and it hurts!)” says Lisa.
- Use an empty planter to hold ice and drinks: Lisa used this antique planter and put ice and beers inside.
- Use painter’s tarps as tablecloths: These are from Home Depot and are inexpensive and look like linen!
- Turn a pumpkin (or fake pumpkin) into a wine dispenser! This is a fabulous instructional from Lisa. (Honestly, it’s easy!)
Add a few candles (flameless, for kid-friendly safety) and some spiderwebs and you’re set for a low-key but awesome porch party.
I have to say, Halloween is now the holiday I look forward to the most (my kids are going as Elsa and a Minion. What can I say? They love their animated heroes!) and it feels like my own neat trick, as a cook and someone who loves to host but rarely has time anymore, to bring people so simply and easily to my front porch. Happy Halloween to you; I hope it’s a treat.
