Halloween is a great reason to gather friends, have a family night with horror movies, or prepare for little guests coming for treats. In 2026, Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, so there will be plenty of time for a themed party.
The main secret to stress-free preparation is not trying to buy everything in one evening. Divide tasks into decor, costumes, food, sweets, and pumpkins, then distribute purchases among participants. Such a list is convenient to keep with the whole family in Pickt: everyone adds needed items, marks what's already bought, and sees what's still left in the cart.
Below is a ready-made checklist that you can save, adapt to your party format, and use for a home party, themed dinner, or trick-or-treat preparation.
Home Decor: Checklist for an Atmospheric Party
You don't have to turn the whole house into a horror movie set. It's enough to decorate the entrance, main room, table, and one photo zone. Choose one style: classic orange-black, gothic, haunted house, or fun family Halloween.
- Garland of orange, black, and purple flags.
- Balloons in themed colors.
- Paper bats for walls, windows, and doors.
- Synthetic spider webs.
- Decorative plastic spiders and bugs.
- LED candles or safe tea lights.
- String lights with warm orange, purple, or green glow.
- Pumpkins of different sizes: real, decorative, or soft fabric ones.
- A welcome sign for the front door.
- Black tablecloth or runner for the table.
- Disposable themed plates, cups, and napkins.
- Window stickers with silhouettes of witches, cats, and ghosts.
- Portable speaker and a playlist with atmospheric tracks.
- Photo zone backdrop: dark fabric, curtain with spider webs, or paper decorations.
- A basket or bucket for candy at the entrance.
For coziness, use layered lighting: turn off bright overhead lights, add string lights, candles, and table lamps. If there are children or pets in the house, choose LED candles instead of open flames.
What Not to Forget for the Photo Zone
The photo zone doesn't require big expenses. Hang a solid-colored backdrop, add spider webs, paper figures, and a few accessories: witch hats, masks, signs with funny phrases, capes, and toy brooms. Make a separate list of small items—these are the ones most often forgotten at the last moment.
Costumes and Makeup
A good costume starts not with buying a ready-made set but with an idea. Choose a theme in advance: movie characters, monsters, fairy-tale characters, family matching outfits, or one common color code. This way, photos will look harmonious, and preparation will be easier.
- Main costume or base clothing for the look.
- Mask, wig, hat, cloak, or cape.
- Comfortable shoes, especially if you plan to walk.
- A warm layer of clothing for the evening outdoors.
- Face and body makeup suitable for the skin.
- Brushes, sponges, and cotton swabs for makeup.
- Safe glue for false lashes, scars, or glitter.
- Makeup remover and wet wipes.
- Temporary hair color or colored spray.
- A small first aid kit: band-aids, antiseptic, pain reliever.
Before the party, test the makeup on a small area of skin. Do not use unknown dyes near the eyes and lips. For children's looks, it's better to choose simple options: cat, pumpkin, ghost, wizard, bat, or superhero. They are easy to put together from regular clothes and a few accessories.
If you go outside after sunset, add a reflective element, a small flashlight, or a glowing bracelet to the costume. This won't ruin the atmosphere and will make the walk noticeably safer.
Treats and Sweets for Trick-or-Treat
For guests, it's better to prepare portioned treats in individual packaging. They are convenient to hand out, store, and pack into bags. Calculate the quantity in advance: add a reserve of about 20–30% to the expected number of guests.
- Mini chocolates and chocolate bars.
- Lollipops, caramels, and chewy candies.
- Small packs of cookies or crackers.
- Popcorn in individual bags.
- Marshmallows for cocoa or dessert skewers.
- Gummies in the shape of worms, eyes, or pumpkins.
- Themed cupcakes or muffins.
- Cookies decorated with icing.
- Apples, tangerines, or other convenient fruits.
- Juice, lemonade, water, and caffeine-free drinks.
- Cocoa, tea, and spices for a warm drink.
- Nuts or salty snacks—separately and labeled for allergens.
- Paper bags or small buckets for handing out sweets.
- Stickers, ribbons, and a marker for personalized bags.
Check with guests about possible allergies and dietary restrictions. A good idea is to make two baskets: one with sweets, the other with small non-edible surprises, such as stickers, mini toys, pencils, or glowing bracelets.
For the festive table, add simple dishes that can be eaten without complex serving: mini pizzas, veggie sticks with dip, cheese balls, sandwiches, nachos, fruit skewers. Label the dishes with fun names—for example, "witch's brew" or "spider snacks."
Pumpkin: Selection and Carving
The pumpkin is the main symbol of Halloween. For carving, choose a dense, stable pumpkin without soft spots, cracks, or mold. It should sit evenly, and its skin should be quite hard. A medium size is usually most convenient: such a pumpkin is easier to carve, carry, and light up.
- One or more pumpkins for carving.
- Marker or pencil for drawing the design.
- Pumpkin knife or a special carving kit.
- A large spoon for removing pulp and seeds.
- Cutting board or a sturdy mat.
- Gloves and paper towels.
- LED candle or a small string light for illumination.
- Container for seeds and pulp.
- Trash bag.
First, draw a face or pattern with a marker, then carefully cut off the top at a slight angle. Remove the seeds and some pulp to make the walls thinner. Cut out details from large to small. Children can be tasked with drawing, scooping with a spoon, and choosing the lighting, while knife work should be left to adults.
Don't throw away the seeds: rinse them, dry them, mix with a little oil and spices, then bake until crispy. This is a simple seasonal snack for guests.
Preparation Timeline: 2 Weeks, 1 Week, and the Day Before
2 Weeks Before Halloween
- Decide on the format: home party, dinner, walk, or trick-or-treat.
- Make a guest list and send invitations.
- Choose a theme for decor and costumes.
- Create a shared shopping list in Pickt and distribute categories among participants.
- Order rare decor, costumes, and supplies if needed.
- Plan the menu and check guests' allergies.
1 Week Before Halloween
- Buy non-perishable sweets, tableware, napkins, and decor.
- Check costumes, shoe sizes, and accessories.
- Put together a playlist, choose movies or games.
- Set up the photo zone and test the lighting.
- Buy makeup and do a trial makeup application.
The Day Before the Party
- Buy fresh food, drinks, and pumpkins.
- Decorate the entrance, main room, and table.
- Pack sweets into bags or baskets.
- Prepare costumes, charge the speaker and phones.
- Carve the pumpkins or leave this activity for guests.
- Open the shared list in Pickt and check that all purchases are marked.
Halloween preparation shouldn't be stressful. When decor, sweets, costumes, and small tasks are gathered in one shared list, nothing gets lost, and each participant can take on their part. Save this checklist, add your own traditions, and throw a party that all guests will remember.
