HauerTo: Throwing the Ultimate Halloween Party...Without Breaking the Bank

So you want to throw a Halloween party that'll have both kids and adults howling with joy, but you don’t want to drain your bank account like a vampire at an all-you-can-drink blood buffet? Here are three tricks to treat everyone, from mini monsters to grown-up ghouls:

1. DIY Decorations That Are More Fun Than Freaky

Forget overpriced store-bought décor. Raid your closet for old sheets and transform them into ghosts, or use cardboard to make tombstones. Bonus points if you write hilarious epitaphs like "Here Lies Fred, He Lost His Head." Grab some glow sticks from the dollar store, toss them in balloons, and voilà—instant eerie lighting that’ll impress everyone from toddlers to wine-sipping adults.

2. Costume Contest—For Cheap Prizes, Big Bragging Rights

Host a costume contest that’s fun for both kids and adults! Categories like “Best DIY,” “Most Likely to Scare the Mailman,” or “Least Effort Put Into a Costume” keep the mood light. Offer dollar-store trophies or goofy handmade certificates. The real prize? The glory (and endless teasing) that comes with winning “Most Ridiculous Costume” when Uncle Bob shows up dressed as a banana.

3. Create a Killer Playlist & Candy Bar

A party’s not a party without tunes and treats! Put together a playlist of Halloween classics—Thriller, Monster Mash, and some spooky sound effects to keep the vibe going for both generations. Then, set up a candy bar with all the favorites. Buy in bulk to save cash, and throw in some non-candy options like popcorn or pretzels. The kids will love the sugar rush, and the adults will appreciate the nostalgia of raiding a candy bar like they’re 8 again.

With these hacks, you'll throw a Halloween bash that’s so good, it'll haunt everyone's memories—in a good way, of course!