A Halloween table for little ghosts to fill their bellies before the trick-or-treating begins

The Vibe

It’s Halloween or Trunk-or-Treat night. The kids can’t wait to get to the candy, but the adults want them to have something substantial so they don’t completely crash out from the sugar. Enter Dinner Before Dark. Come one, come all. We’re in costume, we’re excited, we’re ready to get the show on the road. You need this to be a quick pit stop before the kids overrun the joint and you end up with lost Halloween costume accessories before the night even begins.

The Menu

Apps for the kids and the adults. Think snack boards: quick, easy, grab-and-go. The adults need sustenance for the night ahead, too, so give them a nice charcuterie board or some stuffed breads. Everyone loves a giant pretzel with cheese dip you can keep warm in the crock pot. Order pizza! My favorite trick is to order the large party-size pies from our local grocery store. Is it gourmet pizza? No. Is it still good and does the job? Yes. I like to order one plain cheese party pizza and one pepperoni – typical kiddo favorites. I always have a cut veg. platter and a fruit platter as well. Adults are welcome to pick at the pizza, too, but I also have my Maple Turkey Chili in the crock pot with a stack of bowls and cornbread.

The Drink

Kids have free range to grab waters, apple juice, or some caffeine-free sodas. Adults can help themselves to the signature cocktail: Autumn Sangria.

The Table

I grabbed this white muslin material from a clearance rack post-Halloween one year, but you can grab a similar fabric from your local fabric store. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it’s meant to resemble scraps of fabric from a mummy. Pool it along the center of the table and top with excessive amounts of candles. If you have lots of little ones who may interfere with the vibe, maybe grab the battery-operated candlesticks. Don’t be too fussy about it; this party is an hour, maybe an hour-and-a-half before the kids are fed and want to get out there.

The Look

I’m not really one to dress in costume, but I do like to fit the theme. Here I have some JCrew skeleton earrings and my go-to kitten make up with ears, black top, black leggings, and Ugg boots because… it’s cold.