Halloween Party Makeover: Save Dollars and Pounds

Text size:  |  Post a comment  |  Print  |   | 
Add to my favorites

Overview

Your Halloween party does not have to be overloaded with sugar, nor break the bank. Be creative with healthy foods to turn them into a Halloween delight. You can also find free printable Halloween party invitations and decorations online. Invite guests to participate in the planning and food preparation to share costs. Use items from previous Halloweens for party games and decor. With a bit of preparation, you can pull off a party that won't ruin your diet or family budget.

Step 1

Find Halloween recipes with fruits, vegetables and protein ingredients. You can make fun, spooky foods out of apples, carrots and cheese sticks. Check out some of the creative and healthy recipe ideas from FamilyFun in the Resources section.

Step 2

Serve foods made out of pumpkin, a healthy vegetable with very few calories and no fat. A full cup of pumpkin has only 30 calories. You can make pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, pumpkin seeds, sweet and sour pumpkin and more. Check Resources below for recipes from the Food Network.

Step 3

Use apples for a healthy, popular Halloween treat or for playing games. Bobbing for apples is a Halloween classic, and the cost of setting that game up is minimal. All you need is a large bucket of water and apples. You can also have caramel dip for guests to dip their apples in if they catch them.

Tips and Warnings

  • Host a pumpkin carving party. It's affordable and easy to create fun Halloween memories. Have each guest bring a pumpkin to carve and their tools. Print out carving picture ideas for guests. You can also have judges and prizes for the best pumpkin carvings. Host a Trunk or Treat party if you live near a large parking lot or secluded roads where you want to make trick-or-treating easier. Have each car decorate the trunk with spooky items such as cobwebs or pumpkin lights. Line cars up in a circle or straight line and let kids go trick-or-treating from car to car. This is a safe and affordable party because most of the kids will know the families they visit.
  • Keep the party simple and don't be afraid to ask guests to contribute. Most people feel more comfortable bringing an item to share at a party.

Things You'll Need

  • Halloween recipes Pumpkins Apples Computer printer
Sharisa Lewis

About this Author

Sharisa Lewis is a freelance writer and editor for Livestrong.com, Work.com and eHow.com. Her work experience includes producing, editing and writing for AOL News, Washingtonpost.com and PBS Online. Lewis has a Master of Public Policy degree from American University and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Brigham Young University.

Last updated on: 10/27/09

Article reviewed by OmahaTyppo

Member Comments

advertisement

Additional Reading

Write for LIVESTRONG.COM

Write for us

Do you work in health, fitness or nutrition? Share your expertise by writing for LIVESTRONG.COM

Learn More

Stay In The Know By Email

Receive emails packed with helpful information on health, fitness, nutrition and lifestyle.

Tools

Track your daily calories. See how many calories you burn and consume.

BMI is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight.

Map your local running, cycling, walking and hiking routes and track your calorie burn.

Find us on the web, receive emails and use our mobile app to keep you motivated.

This tool will help you to decide whether to treat at home or see a doctor.