Tips for Throwing a Halloween Party

Hosting an Epic Halloween Party

Fall weather is already here and finding an excuse to throw an epic party isn’t hard. Beautiful weather and the perfect excuse - Halloween - means a party is all but guaranteed to be a hit. Here are a few tips from Agent Clean to throw a memorable and exciting Halloween Party.

3 Things to do to Throw a Halloween Party

1) Decorate for the Theme

A fun element to bring to any party is a theme for your decorations. While Halloween is a theme, you can be more specific and make it a fun adventure for those who attend. Try decorating and suggesting costumes based on a time period, movie, or style. How about a Hogwarts themed party? Maybe a video game themed party? Or have a medieval, renaissance, fantasy, or other time period theme.

Even if you don’t want to have an official theme, having some party decorations can provide a nice ambience to the event, especially in the evening times. Consider putting up outdoor string lights around the patio or in the trees, some backyard torches to light the walkway, or led water lighting if you have a fountain or pond. You can also use the classic pumpkin decorations or skulls and headstones to add a spooky vibe to your theme.

2) Clean It Up

Once you decide to throw a party, it’s time to get your home and patio into top shape.

Focus on high-traffic areas of the house such as the kitchen, hallway, and bathroom.
Pick up clutter such as toys, trash, and odds and ends.
For the deck and patio, pick up toys, hoses, and tools.
If you have a pool, clean up the water to remove dead bugs, grass and leaves.
Vacuum and dust the house, especially if you have pets. Nobody wants fur in their food and drink!

If you want to make your house shine, have a cleaning service company soft wash your house and deck and pressure wash your patio and sidewalk. Soft washing is a low-pressure cleaning method that removes mold, mildew, and algae from surfaces without the risk of damage from high pressure. Power washing your patio and sidewalk will remove dirt and mold from the surface and make it look bright and clean for your guests.

The prep work is usually what makes or breaks a good party.

3) Get the Food

Let’s be honest, food is a huge part of throwing a party. You don’t want to have too much or too little, and you want to accommodate your guests’ tastes. The first key to getting the food organized is a proper head count.

If you’re throwing a small party just for close friends and family, start a list of the likely attendees to get an idea of how much food you’ll need. If you’re having a more informal party, social media is a great way to get a quick RSVP from potential guests. Set up your event on Facebook and send invites with a request for RSVP before the date of the party. This gives you time to prepare the food.

When it comes to the type of food to have, try to offer a variety of options that are easy to grab and carry around. If you’re doing anything bigger than a dinner party, you’ll want to forgo things like casseroles, roasts, and other formal dinner options as most informal backyard parties involve standing and mingling. Try to present a spread of finger foods such as little sausages, cocktail sandwiches, chips, and veggies and dip. Provide paper plates and plastic utensils for easy clean up, and have large receptacles nearby for guests to deposit their trash.

Throwing a Halloween party can be exciting, fun, and rewarding. It can also be a nightmare with poor prep. The key is to plan the event carefully so that you can let loose and have a great time with friends and family.

How to Throw a Fourth of July Party

Backyard barbecues and fireworks are a staple at any good Fourth of July party, but what are some other ways to make your Independence Day celebration epic? Here are a few tips to throw the best Fourth of July party in 2021.

Five Tips to Throw the Best Fourth of July Party in 2021

1. Party Decorations

A party without decorations is still fun, but your summer event can really stand out with a few decorations, especially one that already has a theme! The Red White and Blue may seem cliché but it makes decorating an easy task. Grab some themed napkins and plates from your local grocery or partytime store to add some color to the table. Red, white and blue ribbon streamers are inexpensive and easy to hang. Finally, break out a U.S. Flag if you don't already fly one and let it wave proudly o'er the deck!

2. Food for a Party

The heart of a party are the people who attend, but let's be honest, food is a close second! People love to eat, especially at parties, and especially on the Fourth of July. There's something about a cold beer, burgers and brats or BBQ, chips and soda to make a Fourth of July party a time to remember. Great party food keeps the conversation flowing and the happiness of the guests high.

When planning the food, decide how to proceed based on the number of guests you expect. Is it a friends and family gathering with a set time in mind? Or is it a neighborhood gathering with people stopping by at various times? Whatever the situation, there are a few options.

Catering. This is often the best choice for a larger group and if you have the funds to afford it, or if people are pitching in to help. This is also a great option for a family and friends gathering if you don't want to have the mess of cooking. Either way, find a place that can cater your party and will setup on time. Many BBQ restaurants offer catering, and it's an easy way to feed a bunch of hungry party-goers.

Pot luck. This is a great option when you have a larger number of people coming. Have people bring a main or side dish, or a dessert. You can even coordinate a list so that you don't have only side dishes or main dishes. Pot lucks at Fourth of July parties are a great way to ensure everyone gets fed while minimizing personal cost. It's also fun to try a bunch of different foods and dishes!

DIY. If your Fourth of July party will be a smaller gathering with friends and family, or if you enjoy tackling large projects, you can provide the food yourself. Heat up the grill, grab some brats, burgers, and hot dogs, or throw some meat in a smoker. Whatever you decide to do, make a little more than you think you'll need so that your guests can eat their fill throughout the night. It's also a good idea to work out a system if you're grilling for a bunch of people to make sure food gets out in a timely fashion.

3. Soft Wash and Clean Your House

Most Fourth of July parties are outside in the backyard or on the deck or porch. Having a clean, attractive space for your party helps keep the focus on the food, fun, and fireworks. Power wash or soft wash your deck or siding, and consider having your windows and gutters cleaned. Guests will appreciate the tidiness, and you'll get to show off your home. Agent Clean offers a full suite of cleaning services like siding, roof, and deck soft washing, as well as window cleaning, concrete cleaning, and gutter cleaning.

It's also a good idea to clean up and organize the interior of your home, or anywhere guests might be. This usually means the living room, kitchen, and bathrooms. Cleaning up these spaces will keep your guests happy and comfortable while you host an epic Fourth of July party.

4. Beverages

What's a Fourth of July party without some booze? Drinking is a favorite past time of many Americans, and drinking responsibly is a great way to celebrate Independence Day. Plus, if you're keeping to the red, white and blue theme, there are some fun drinks you can serve at your party.

For recipe, Click here --> Red, White, and Blue Sangria Recipe

Your other mainstays for a Fourth of July party are pretty straightforward - beer, soda, and maybe some punch will round out the beverages and have something for everyone. Lemonade is another good choice if you want something with a bit less sugar than soda, and it's a summertime favorite!

5. Fireworks

The obvious entertainment for a Fourth of July party is fireworks. These fun and colorful explosives are sure to light up the sky and brighten everyone's mood, but be sure to follow safety protocol when setting them off. Nothing kills a party vibe like injuries. As a precaution, follow all instructions on the firework packaging, and have a hose and water source or a fire extinguisher nearby. It's also a good idea to have a first aid kit in case of minor burns. Remember, if there is a major injury, call an ambulance. Also check to ensure that fireworks are legal in your municipality, or that you are far enough outside of city limits.

Throwing a party can be a fun time for everyone. The most important thing is to be safe with fireworks and enjoy the time spent with friends and family.