Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party

Halloween Decorative Jack o Lanterns, on Amazon

THEME:

Invite four or five friends over for dinner and an evening of festive pumpkin carving.

ACTIVITY:

Encourage guests to dress casual, as they might get scooped pumpkin guts all over their clothing. Provide aprons if possible. Guests should bring their own chosen pumpkins, but you should have a couple extras on hand just in case.

Provide the carving tools, stencils and patterns so your guests will have everything they need to work. Also have a few tealight candles on hand to light the pumpkins temporarily for show.

At the end of the night, photograph each guest with their lit pumpkin.

PARTY INSPIRATION:

Pumpkin Carving Party Tips, from Country Woman Magazine

Jeweled Pumpkins DIY Craft, at Glorious Treats

DECORATIONS:

Halloween Jack O' Lantern Punch Bowl, on eBay

Mosaic Pumpkin Candleholders, at Pier 1 Imports

MUSIC:

Zombified Halloween Beats CD, on Amazon

Monster Mix, by Mannheim Steamroller, on Amazon

APPETIZERS:

Cheesy Jack O' Lantern, from Kraft Recipes

Savory Pumpkin Puffs, at Martha Stewart

Yummy Mummy Spinach Dip, from Kraft Recipes

BEVERAGES:

Midori Spider's Kiss, at 365 Days of Cocktails

Apple Cider Cocktail Recipe, from Williams-Sonoma

Vampire Sangria, from Kraft Recipes

Jack O' Lantern Cocktail, at Not Just a Mommy

ENTREES:

Haunted Shepherd's Pie Recipe, from iVillage

Pumpkin Soup with Cheese Toasts, from iVillage

Black and Orange Halloween Pasta Recipe, from YumSugar

DESSERTS:

Pumpkin Patch Cookie Cupcakes (Madigan Made)

Moonstruck Chocolate Milk Pumpkin Truffles, on Amazon

Pumpkin Cookie Balls, from Kraft Recipes

Fondant Jack-o-Lanterns, from The Decorated Cookie Blog

Jack O'Lantern Tarts Recipe, from Martha Stewart

Great Pumpkin Cake, at Kitchen Daily

Jack-o-Lantern Cake, from Taste and Tell

BOOKS FOR PARTY PLANNING:

Halloween Pumpkins and Parties Book, on Amazon

Extreme Pumpkins, on Amazon

RELATED LINKS:

5 Tips to Throw an Awesome Halloween Party (Crazy Adventures in Parenting)

40 Pumpkin Carving Ideas (Country Living)

Free Halloween Pumpkin Carving Stencils (About.com)

Gremlins Pumpkin Carvings (Between the Pages)

Haunted Mansion Pumpkin Carving (Between the Pages)

How to Select a Pumpkin (Very Best Baking)

Pumpkin Carving Party Menu (Apples and Onions)

Pumpkin Carving Party (The Spooky Vegan)

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Visit tomorrow for a Halloween Wine Tasting Party!