Let’s get ready for Fall Parties

The fall is one of the most sensory-rich times of the year. So often our attention is directed toward the macabre— bats, skeletons, witches— while these aspects of the season can be fun, they aren’t all there is to it. Halloween-themed parties can celebrate beauty just as easily.

From gorgeous decorations to a seasonally themed menu stuffed with fresh ingredients, there are tons of ways to put your touch on gathering.  In this article, we go over ways to host a tasteful Halloween-themed corporate picnic outing.

Plan your menu carefully

In most parts of the United States, the fall is considered the harvest season. In other words, there are a plethora of delicious, fresh ingredients to take advantage of.

Pumpkin is a natural choice. Creamy soup. Delicious ravioli. Desserts that your guests will spend the next 11 months thinking about.

The key is to emphasize seasonal flavors in a way that is both creative and varied. So often our fall celebrations are characterized by overly processed ingredients. While there is nothing wrong with reaching for a can now and then, a well-planned fall party can strive for so much more.

Colors

There’s always fun to be had with traditional Halloween colors. Greens. Blacks. Oranges. But don’t be afraid to tap into the richer spectrum of fall shades. Purple. Deep red. Gold. Even brown. The sky really is the limit so don’t hinder yourself creatively by thinking only of colors you might encounter in a Spirit of Halloween store.

Music

While we all love to Monster Mash, that isn’t the beginning and the end of a good fall soundtrack. If you are interested in shaking up the beat a little bit, consider looking for instrumental classics.

For example, there are many violin overtures dating back to colonial times that have been played at Hallow’s Eve ceremonies for centuries.

 These choices, though not spooky in the traditional sense will give your event a sense of culture. And of course, you don’t have to limit yourself to music from the 17th century.

Your music choice should match the rest of your theme. Classical tunes are great for a more formal event.

If you are planning a party that trends in a delightfully cheesy direction their options for that as well. Consider a playlist of spooky movie soundtrack tunes. Don’t exclude Halloween-adjacent songs like “People are Strange or “Psycho Killer.”

Fall Flowers

Obvious perhaps, but important. While we live in an age where seasonality is an abstract concept to the average person, it is worth keeping in mind that the fall has some of the most beautiful plants of the year.

Mums are great and certainly deserve a spot on your centerpiece. However, don’t forget that they are just the tip of the fall plant iceberg. Don’t sleep on Aster. Red sedum. Even some black-eyed susan may still be in bloom at a nursery near you.

And of course, there are also classics that should be featured in your rotation. Dried-out gourds. Stalks of corn. Even acorns and dried leaves. It’s during this time of year that the season’s plants have their last hurrah, giving as much of themselves as they can while preparing for the long winter ahead.

Take full advantage of the gifts that Mother Nature is willing to give you as you plan your decorations.

Leave room for fun

None of this is to say that you should exclude the more fun aspects of Halloween. Planning an upscale party is great, but there’s always room for a little whimsy, right? Inviting your guests to wear a costume to the party is an obvious and fun way to tap into the theme.

You can, of course, always set guidelines for what costumes are appropriate for the occasion.

There are also endless ways to decorate in a way that is both classy and pleasantly hokey. Halloween candy table garnishes. Trinkets here and there that are spooky without being directly macabre. 

Leaning into the spooky aspects of Halloween can be crowd-pleasing and enjoyable. That said it is important to respect everyone’s comfort level. Keep your party PG and you shouldn’t run into any problems.

Conclusion

Interested in planning a beautiful fall picnic party but don’t quite know where to begin? That’s very understandable. Fortunately, there is a solution easily within reach. Contact us today to get started with a free consultation.