Hosting a haunted dinner party is such a fun way to celebrate the holiday! You don’t have to go over-the-top with scary decorations unless you want to…a Halloween party is one of those situations where ANY decor is fair game! But if you’re more on the side of not-so-spooky, you can still create a moody vibe that will be a holiday delight to your guests! Today I’m so excited to share with you some really simple decorations that are hauntingly beautiful and still easy to create! And as an extra bonus, I’ve teamed up with some blogger friends who are also sharing recipes fit for any haunted house! You can find all their links at the end of the post, including my recipe for a dark & decadent dessert that’s perfect for a sinister soiree! Let’s set the table, light the candles and serve up a spooky good time!
haunted dinner party…happy ghouls!
we almost always have a bone-chilling feast during the holiday. whether with family or a few friends, the great thing about a Halloween party is there’s no rules! it doesn’t matter what kind of decor you choose…just add some candlelight and you’ll create a haunting vibe!
vintage finds
this year my decor had a softer look but i kept the creep-factor by adding in some vintage portraits. i even placed a couple directly on the table for an unexpected spooky detail!
there’s something so eerie about old photos and i was lucky to find these at a garage sale! painters tape helped temporarily cover traditional portraits of our boys…and the lace helped hide the fact that they didn’t perfectly fit!
directly under this creepy fellow is a simple vignette to add to the mood. i used a battery candle since it was tucked inside a container filled with dried moss…always practice fire safety!
simple centerpieces
since Spanish moss has that eerie vibe, i added more to the tiered centerpiece of mini gourds…
the addition of fresh fruit in deep tones can enhance any Halloween table! try plums, black grapes, dark berries or figs.
keep it dark!
this simple urn filled with fruit and purple basil is pretty and even though it looks like an arrangement, it’s intended for eating!
huge blueberries on a tiny tray look lovely AND compliment the savory cheese with a pop of sweetness!
even the bread is dark…an easy & tasty way to keep the table looking deliciously ominous!
infusing the water with purple basil & berries tastes good AND gives this simple carafe an eerily beautiful appearance!
phantom touches…
and did you spy the wine bottle? it’s really easy to find beverages that will fit any theme…this one couldn’t be titled any more perfectly!
a gauzy topper adds some spookiness to another bottle in a tarnished wine cooler. make sure to NOT polish your silver for a haunted dinner party! the look is perfect and less work is a definite treat!
this fun appetizer on the table might not be scary but keeps the ghostly theme going…shortbread cookies & pumpkin dessert hummus is a sweet bite for guests!
set the table
you don’t need lots of fancy plates or linens to set a pretty table. here i used napkins i picked up at a discount store many years ago, my aunt’s hand-me-down silverware, and a black paper doily as a disposable place mat!
a simple sticker with each guest’s initial and a tiny ribbon easily dress up these pretty “place cards” and show diners where to sit!
spooky ambiance
any party is enhanced with candlelight…but for a frightful dinner it’s a MUST! they cast spooky shadows which will create the perfect holiday mood!
just scatter a few across the table…and mismatched is totally OK!
extra illumination on the side tables can allow for all the electric lights to be dimmed or even off during the meal!
sweet ending
one of my family’s favorite cake recipes is the perfect dessert for this dark theme…Aunt Sarana’s Chocolate Cake! get the printable recipe at the end of the post!
this recipe is so easy and has the consistency of a pound cake. we love it with cream cheese icing so i just tinted it with black food color & topped it with another berry to complete the dark look!
one more fun detail
another vintage portrait behind the tasty cakes completes the theme…
but this one has a creepy detail. i pierced the eyes and taped battery lights behind the holes to give them a frightful glow! try using lights that operate by remote control so you can turn them on as you all sit to dine…really spooky!
so if you feel inclined, dim the lights as the sun fades…
and dine at a haunted dinner party this Halloween!
haunt your table this holiday!
(I’ll be sharing the recipe for the main course on friday…so stay tuned!)
dont forget:
grab this printable recipe AND the links for all the other delicious ideas from my talented friends!
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 1 loaf cake | 15 Minutes |
| Cook Time |
| 40-45 Minutes |
|
|
|
This dense cake is similar to a chocolate pound cake. It's lovely with icing but also with fruit and a light glaze. A really versatile dessert to serve for many occasions!
|
- 1 1/2 Cups flour
- 1 Cup sugar
- 1/2 Cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 Cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 Cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon baking soda to add to the hot water
- 1/2 Cup milk
- 1 stick butter softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 4-5 Cups confectioners sugar
- 2-3 teaspoons milk
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Sift the dry ingredients together to blend well. (not critical if you forget to sift)
- Add all other ingredients, adding the hot water mixed with the baking soda last.
- Beat or mix with spoon until blended.
- Bake in a greased loaf pan 40-45 minutes or until a pick comes out clean. For a 9 x 9 square pan, bake appx. 35 minutes. For 12 cupcakes, bake 15-20 minutes checking often.
- Cool completely before frosting.
- Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add almond extract and then confectioners sugar one cup at a time until you reach the consistency you desire. You can add the teaspoons of milk in between sugar, and add more if icing gets too thick.
blog links~
A Red Spatula: meatball mummies
DIY Bucket List: brain parfaits
Worn Slap Out: 5 easy Halloween snacks
Roses & Whiskers: Halloween chocolate cake doughnuts
pin for later~
product guide~
Home Goods: table runner, tiered tray
Hobby Lobby: assorted votive candle holders
search Etsy for vintage portrait photos
Natalie Mayhew
October 22
Love the whole mood, vibe and lighting! I’d love to be joining you at that table!
Lori
October 22
Aww, thanks Natalie!! I’d love to have you as my guest!!
Sprinkles & Confetti
October 29
Those vintage photos definitely add to the mood!
Lori
October 31
Thanks Jackie! I was so excited to find them!!
Holly Hulke
November 3
I love the vibe of this dinner party! What a great garage sale find with the old photos! They definitely amp up the spook factor!
Lori
November 4
I was so happy to find those! They really are a fun decoration to have at Halloween!
Beth
November 15
Spooky! My favorite detail is the vintage portrait with the eyes lit up!
Lori
November 18
Thank you! I felt a little creepy poking her eyes out though! lol
Press Print Party!
November 20
What a cool dinner party. Those pictures look like they’re haunted!
Lori
November 25
I loved those when we spied them at a yard sale! 😉