Everyone has a holiday party or a New Year’s Eve Party. But what about a chic Halloween party? Halloween is celebrated as a holiday where people can get creative, have a little fun, and indulge before the chaos of the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
Perhaps the scariest thing about planning a Halloween party is trying to go it alone. Artfully done food and creative drinks are essential elements of any notable Halloween party. Top New Orleans caterers like Messina’s Catering & Events can take the fright out of planning for even the most decadent Halloween soiree.
First, Set the Mood
Any special event space can be themed for a Halloween party, but what can take your party over the top is decorating to accentuate what makes each venue unique. New Orleans is full of spooky, historic venues that would make the perfect backdrop for a unique Halloween soiree.
Take, for example, a historic old New Orleans church like Felicity Church; create vintage ambiance with an array of gothic candles, up-lighting, and play pipe organ music in the background. Or maybe you choose a venue with a spooky outdoor courtyard, like Chateau LeMoyne. Use fog machines to create an eerie feel.
Or maybe your venue doesn’t come with its own spooky feel; create it with red or purple up-lighting, black roses, or feathers. Maybe you’re looking for a lighter atmosphere? Pumpkins make for great décor options and can be painted for a chic feel.
Choose the Right Catering Menu
Just about anything can be Halloween-ized with the right arrangement or addition of props, food color, colored gel frostings, and more. But why force it? For a chic feel, choose fresh menu items that naturally have deep, fall colors to complement the theme, or maybe it’s the display that wows!
Pumpkin flavors are of course all the rage this time of year. Messina’s catering staff can infuse pumpkin in the menu with pumpkin soup shooters, pumpkin cheese balls, and pumpkin ravioli, to name a few. Hot, cold, sweet, and savory dishes can all be fresh, delicious, perfectly prepared, and can continue the theme of the event.
Don’t Be Afraid to Offer Unique Drink Choices
Bloody Mary’s can easily be transformed into bloody shots, and dry ice can add a spooky air to a signature drink caldron. Blood orange sparkling wine, vodka spritzers served in orange sugar-rimmed glasses, and grasshoppers served in martini glasses with ghostly garnish are other festive options. Another classic for Halloween is butterbeer, the drink that was a crowd favorite in Harry Potter’s wizarding world. Butterbeer is cream soda with added butter and caramel extracts and topped with whipped cream. It’s easy to make this an adult beverage by adding some top-shelf bourbon.
Offer an Array of Wickedly Decadent Desserts
Traditional Halloween candy is a treat, but black candied apples, red velvet cake bites, or flourless chocolate tortes add a touch of elegance to your event while maintaining the festive vibe. Maybe it’s a dessert charcuterie board with an array of dark chocolates, raspberries and figs. Smores are always popular, elevate them by serving them as dessert shooters.
Don’t forget the pumpkin! Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, and pumpkin bread are all crowd-pleasing favorites. Pair your sweet endings with an elegant coffee bar served in dark black mugs.
Have a Costume Contest with Related Prizes
While some people don a witch’s hat and call it a day, others go to great lengths to dress the part for a Halloween affair. Choose from an assortment of fun prizes, like tickets to a local haunted house, a ghost tour, or a football game for best costume. Other great prizes include escape room tickets or dinner for two at a local speakeasy-themed restaurant. Fortunately, New Orleans is the perfect place for entertaining ways to get spooked at night. From ghost and history tours to cemetery and voodoo tours, you can have a frightfully good time in the Crescent City on foot, by Segway, or even by horse-drawn carriage.
We Make Throwing a Halloween Catered Event a Lot Less Nerve-Racking
Everyone knows that planning a party of any size can seem daunting. At Messina’s Catering & Events, we can help you plan the perfect combination of food and drink for a creepy good time. To learn more, visit MessinasCatering.com to learn more.
