20 Cheap Halloween Party Ideas for a #Winning Night

Now that you’ve figured out what costume you’re wearing, it’s time to finesse the details of your Halloween get-together. To help you out, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite budget-friendly DIYs that are as easy to make as they are on the eyes ;) Learn how to whip up some seriously spooky eyeball balloons using just a marker, and set the mood with creepy crawly Halloween candles in 10 minutes or less. Whatever your party needs, these 20 cheap ‘n’ chic Halloween party ideas are here to help you out. Scroll on for all the deets!

1. DIY Halloween Chocolate Bar Printables: Make sure your candy bars are the best on the block with these fancy wrappers. Just print out these free printables and wrap them around your fave chocolate bars for an instant cool factor. (via Studio DIY)

2. DIY Eyeball Balloons: Complete your spooky-themed decor with these giant DIY eyeball balloons. Paint a bunch using round white balloons and black and neon paint markers for a creepy photo booth backdrop. (via Studio DIY / Balloon Time)

3. DIY Gummy Worm-Infested Ice Cubes: Freeze gummy worms in ice cubes to add a fun garnish to your guests’ drinks. Pro tip: Substitute juice for water when filling your ice tray to prevent your drinks from tasting watered-down. (via Brit + Co)

4. DIY Frozen Boo-nana Pops: Whip up these adorable “boo-nana” pops by freezing and dipping banana halves in white chocolate and adding two chocolate chip eyes. For a healthier alternative, swap the white chocolate for yogurt. (via Skinny Taste)

5. Trail Mix Bar: You’ll definitely find yourself with more than enough candy on Halloween, so throw a little variety into the mix with a trail mix bar. Think: banana chips, dried cranberries and pretzel sticks. (via A Girl and a Glue Gun)

6. DIY Halloween Flags: Take some Halloween-printed washi tape, wrap it around a drink stirrer and you’ll have these super cute flags to dress up your cocktails. Replicate the technique with toothpicks for instant cupcake toppers. (via Brit + Co)

7. DIY Balloon-Dipped Mason Jars: Trade store-bought candles for these easy, spooky ones you can DIY. To give your mason jars a candy corn makeover, use white, yellow and orange balloons. (via Brit + Co)

8. DIY Pumpkin, Ghost and Black Cat Halloween Garland: Yup, Christmas decorations are already out in stores, so make use of them with this DIY! Paint white ghosts, orange pumpkins and little black cats onto wooden ornaments for an easy chic, Halloween-worthy garland. (via Dream Green DIY)

9. DIY Easy Tissue Paper Pumpkin Favors: These pumpkin pouches are as easy to make as they are adorable. Simply bunch up orange tissue paper, fill with treats and bundle at the top into a little pumpkin stem. (via One Little Project)

10. DIY Halloween Spell Garland: Inspired by the classic Halloween film Hocus Pocus, these DIY garlands are just what’s needed to hang over your dessert table. But be warned, they could suddenly inspire your guests to channel the Sanderson sisters and burst out in song ;) (via Lovely Indeed)

11. DIY Sharpie Balloons: Dress up regular balloons with a Sharpie. You won’t even need a helium tank to blow these guys up — just use double-stick tape to stick them to the wall! (via Trendenser)

12. DIY Spooky Balloons: Spell it out in trendy metallic letter balloons. It’s quick, easy and just what you need to spruce up a plain wall. (via 100 Layer Cake)

13. DIY Paint Pen Pattern No-Carve Pumpkins: These modern and minimalistic pumpkin designs don’t require much to make — just a paint pen! Though black and white designs are *so* chic, you can totally paint them any color you want to fit your party’s aesthetic. (via Lovely Indeed)

14. Googly Eyes Backdrop: A similarly spooky B&W photobooth backdrop can be yours in less than five minutes. Stick googly eyes of varying sizes to the walls or DIY your own with paper plates and black paint. (via Oh Happy Day)

15. DIY Lollipop Ghosts: This Halloween DIY may be *the* easiest party favor idea you’ve come across yet. Use tissues, lollipops, black and orange ribbon and a Sharpie to make these super cute ‘n’ simple party favors. (via One Little Project)

16. DIY Magic Potion Punch: Quench your guests’ thirst with a bubbling witch’s brew. The recipe is non-alcoholic, but a splash of bourbon would make this perfectly boozy. (via Bitz N Giggles)

17. DIY Spider Candlesticks: Check out your local dollar store for plastic spiders and DIY these creepy crawly candlesticks. Keep it simple with all-white candles, or use orange ones for a pop of color. (via The Alison Show)

18. DIY Burlap Garland: For rustic vibes, spruce up your party with a burlap banner. Hang it above your dessert table for an instantly festive look. (via Brit + Co)

19. DIY Witch Pitch: Put together this tabletop game for a cackling good time. If you’d rather play the game out in the yard, use larger cauldrons and beanbags instead of candy corn. (via Chica and Jo)

20. DIY Bat Garland: This free printable garland comes with bats in four different sizes. Mix or match their sizes for a unique pattern of your own! (via Hello Natural)

How will you be decorating your Halloween party? Be sure to check us out on Pinterest for more decor tips and ideas!

Hosting for the holidays just got a whole lot more magical with Anthropologie’s goodies. From elegant tableware that'll totally "wow" your guests to whimsical decor that sets the perfect festive mood, Anthropologie is the premier destination for polished party essentials. Whether you're planning a chic dinner party or getting lit with your cousins, these are the best finishing touches for a spirited gathering. Get ready to impress your guests with our picks!

Our favorite holiday hosting necessities from Anthropologie:

Let's dive into some of the best holiday hosting pieces from Anthropologie, from tableware to decor!

    Anthropologie

    Holiday in the City Stoneware Dessert Plate

    These adorable dessert plates are available in several different designs, all of which depict a different city pictured in holiday snow. Your Christmas sweet treats will look stunning served on these!

    Anthropologie

    Bow Icon Juice Glasses

    Anthro's viral Icon Juice Glasses are super cute for a variety of occasions, but these bows feel especially holiday-esque. Snag a set for your next gathering's cocktail lineup!

    Anthropologie

    Waterfall Coupe Glasses

    Martini, anyone?! These stunning, shine-lined glasses have the perfect touch of elegance.

    Anthropologie

    Benedita Bow Ceramic Stoneware Serve Bowl

    This serving bowl is perfect for salads, pasta salads, soups, and more. Bring it to a holiday potluck, and everyone will be asking where you got it.

    Anthropologie

    Morgan Shot Glasses

    Now it's really gonna be a party with these colorful shot glasses. Practical in the moment and quite cute when not in use, your bar cart is begging for this set!

    Anthropologie

    Festive Bistro Tile Dessert Plate

    'Tis the season for more and more sweet treats, but you could even serve dinner or apps on these unique dessert plates.

    Subscribe to our newsletter for more holiday decor, hosting tips, and recipe ideas for the season!

    Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

    As much as I love celebrity couples, I love celebrity sibling relationships even more. And Elle and Dakota Fanning are two sisters I've grown up watching since I first saw Dreamer in 2005. Considering Elle Fanning is only five months older than me, and I have a sister of my own, this is one relationship that feels particularly familiar. And while Elle has also watched Dakota Fanning act since we were kids, Dakota just revealed seeing Elle onscreen is just as special for her.

    Here's why Dakota & Elle Fanning get emotional seeing each other onscreen.

    Elle remembers "sobbing" during one particularly emotional Dakota Fanning movie.

    “When Elle’s in anything, it makes me feel it deeper,” Dakota Fanning said at TheWrap’s Power Women Summit on December 3. “She never can fully disappear into a character totally for me as her sister. She obviously does an amazing job, but I’m always gonna see my little sister a little bit.”

    And Elle is just as touched by Dakota's roles, and remembers "uncontrollably sobbing" after seeing Now Is Good, a movie where Dakota's character was dying of cancer. “Because it was my sister, I had a real traumatic reaction after that premiere and the screening,” Elle says. “Obviously the acting, but it was something felt on a deeper level.”

    “I’m doing this job, I’m an actor because my sister started before me and I watched her,” Elle continues. “I wanted to do exactly what my big sister wanted to do.”

    And their movies have also made an impact on everyone who watches them.

    When Brit + Co caught up with Dakota Fanning at the world premiere of The Watchers, I had to ask about one of her most iconic movies: Uptown Girls. "I love it," she says of TikTok memes and edits giving the movie new life. "It's nostalgic for people who are kind of around my age, who grew up watching that movie, I think it's like a comfort movie for people. And so I love that people are still revisiting it and loving it. And maybe now that everyone's older [they're] understanding different things about it."

    Dakota starred opposite Brittany Murphy, who also had roles in movies like Clueless, 8 Mile, and Girl, Interrupted. Brittany passed away in 2009 when Dakota was 15. "I loved Brittany so much and I still miss her," she says. "So anytime that she has, you know, a moment where people think about her is also nice."

    You can see Elle Fanning in A Complete Unknown, in theaters December 25, and you can also stream Dakota Fanning's new show The Perfect Couple on Netflix now.

    We are officially consuming pumpkin-flavored things faster than leaves can fall off trees, and we can't wait to try out some of our newest creative pumpkin carving ideas. To keep the momentum going with our Halloween decor obsession, we've rounded up the best of the best in pumpkin design. So whether you're getting intricate with it or just want to drill a few holes, these unique ideas will get you carving and embellishing creatively this Halloween.

    Image via Brit + Co

    Flamingo Pumpkin

    It's always a bit easier to just paint them, right? And you can easily add everything you need to make a flock of them for your living room.

    Shutterstock

    Make this cute fox by slicing spots for cardboard ears and tails and painting a little heart face!

    Image via A Beautiful Mess

    Daisy Pumpkin

    Celebrate the Summer of Love all the way into October with this boho, no-carve pumpkin design.

    Image via Handmade Charlotte

    DIY Cat Drilled Pumpkin

    Opting for a repeating pattern and some paint creates a fresh look without having to spend hours carving out a ghoulish face.

    Image via In My Own Style

    Candy Jar Carved Pumpkin

    Turn your pumpkin into a candy jar with some knife skills and chalkboard paint.

    Shutterstock

    Nightmare Before Christmas fans can make these 'kins with black and white paint!

    Image via Brit + Co

    Unicorn Pumpkin

    Because we all need a little bit of magic as we go about our day.

    Image via A Beautiful Mess

    Thanksgiving Pumpkin

    White pumpkins are versatile, and this simple fabric paint DIY will carry you through from Halloween to Thanksgiving.

    Textured Clay Bow Craft Pumpkin

    Go ghostly with your own textured bow from clay for a unique décor piece! (via Michael's)

    Etsy

    Cute Ghost Pumpkin

    Carve a ghost with this Etsy stencil - easy, peasy!

    Image via Design Improvised

    Modern Geometric Pumpkin

    Since you won't be carving, stick to a smoother faux pumpkin for this DIY. Its less-pronounced ridges will make it easier to apply these vinyl pieces.

    Image via Studio DIY

    Gold Confetti-Dipped Pumpkin

    These pumpkins were *meant* to be seen.

    Image via Aww Sam

    Cactus Pumpkin

    These are simple to DIY and are a major conversation starter.

    Image via Dans Lakehouse

    Turquoise Pumpkin

    Rhinestones make everything prettier, and we love this DIY teal-painted take on the orange classic.

    Image via Brit + Co

    DIY Animal Pumpkins

    Invite the girls over to spend an afternoon carving woodland creatures. They'll thank you later.

    Image via Brit + Co

    Finding Dory Pumpkins

    Ya know, for the kids in your life. Don't forget to do Hank the Septopus!

    Image via Brit + Co

    Gold Leaf Patterned Pumpkin

    Yes, you can add a chic touch to your decor with a *pumpkin*.

    Image via Brit + Co

    Cosmic Pumpkins

    Those pre-painted plastic versions are the perfect backdrop for a night's sky or the Milky Way.

    Image via Brit + Co

    Emoji Head Pumpkins

    Bring those keyboard faves to life this year with a stoop full of emojis.

    Image via Brit + Co

    Anatomy Pumpkins

    Rather than hanging a skeleton outside the door to spook trick-or-treaters, carve these pumpkins for a more original take on the tradition.

    Image via Studio DIY!

    Pun-kins

    Bow down, witches.

    Image via Aww Sam

    Cross-Stitch Pumpkins

    Take your hobby to the next level this season with these charming & ghoulish designs.

    Image via Paper & Stitch

    Creepy Cat-Eye Pumpkin

    This one doesn't need to be big to make a statement. The multitude of eyes staring back at you as you walk across the room is creepy enough.

    Skeleton Diorama Pumpkin

    Love this diorama idea! Choose your theme and add some sparkle. Make it a party! (via Michael's)

    Image via Sarah Hearts

    Scalloped Pumpkin

    Have some tissue confetti left over? Excellent. Layer it to create a fish-scale effect.

    Hocus Pocus Pumpkins

    Image via Lovely Indeed

    Hocus Pocus Pumpkins

    Thackery Binx would be proud to sit by these while guarding the book and the black flame candle.

    Image via Handmade Charlotte

    Tetris Pumpkin

    AKA Pumpktris, this carved and LED-equipped 'kin is perfect for the throwback gamer in all of us.

    Image via A Bubbly Life

    Retro Label Maker Pumpkins

    Live your office supply dreams all season long with a label maker.

    Image via Paper & Stitch

    Text Pumpkins

    Text designs make a big impact without all the hard work.

    Image via Delineate Your Dwelling

    Simple Tassel Pumpkin

    There are never enough ways to use all the cute tassels in the world. This is ideal for adding texture to the waxy ones.

    Image via Design Improvised

    Pom Pom Pumpkins

    Living colorfully is a 24/7 kind of lifestyle. Embrace the trend this fall with a collection of rainbow pumpkins.

    Image via Hello, Wonderful

    Hot Crayon Pumpkin

    Don't bother with melted crayon art. Instead, use the technique on these tiny little ones. They'd make a stylish centerpiece and are a way to get the kids involved.

    Image via Hello Wonderful

    String Art Pumpkin

    String us along anytime for an art project that combines bright fabric, metal, and organic materials.

    Image via Lovely Indeed

    Gold Geo No-Carve Pumpkins

    These geometric gold pumpkins may look fancy, but they only require you to use a gold pen.

    Image via JoJoTastic

    Boho Agate Geode Jack-O-Lantern

    Incorporate crystal magic into your Halloween decor-scape with agate slices that glow deep blue when candlelit.

    www.instagram.com

    Pumpkin Flower

    This may not be for novices, but it's a totally different take on pumpkin carving for those at home with a scalpel.

    www.instagram.com

    Jacqueline Coonan on Instagram: "Crescent Carvings 🌙 / Candle Holders 🕯 / @michaelsstores Pumpkins 🎃 #pumpkincarving #pumpkincarvings #pumpkincrafts #pumpkinart #pumpkindecor #pumpkindecorating #pumpkinpainting #foampumpkin #diypumpkins #diyhalloweendecorations #diypartydecor #diyhomedecor #halloweentablescape #falltablescape #falltabledecor #mymichaels #makeitwithmichaels #makersofinstagram #makersgonnamake #craftersofinstagram #craftersgonnacraft #longislandartist #longislandart"

    White Moon

    Simple yet refreshingly different, this white pumpkin carving is perfect for beginners.

    Day of the Dead

    www.instagram.com

    British Autumn Vibes on Instagram: "Spooky season 😍🍁🧡 #britishautumn #autumnleaves #autumnvibes #autumndays #sweaterweather #pumpkinspiceeverything #autumn #fall #fallvibes #ukautumn #pumpkin #pumpkincarving #halloweensmorgasbord #halloweensnacks #spookyseason"

    Day of the Dead

    Inspired by El Día de los Muertos, this skull pumpkin is more adorable than spooky.

    www.instagram.com

    Abstract Pumpkin

    Turn pumpkins into art by painting an abstract design in your favorite colors.

    www.instagram.com

    Harry Potter

    If people wear costumes on Halloween, why can't pumpkins get in on the fun?

    Which creative pumpkin carving idea do you like best from this list? Share pictures of your pumpkins with us on Twitter and join our newsletter for more creative inspiration!

    This post has been updated.

    "What would you do if your entire family, and your hometown, set you up to find love?" That's the question Ashley Williams poses in the first Small Town Setup trailer, coming to Hallmark+ in 2025. And if anyone has the answer, I have no doubt it's Hallmark — if anyone knows about warm, cozy, and sappy romance it's them! Even if you're not a huge reality dating show fan (or if you couldn't stop watching Reese Witherspoon's Love in Fairhope) this is one January TV show you won't want to miss.

    Here's everything we know about Hallmark's dating show Small Town Setup, hosted by Ashley Williams.

    'Small Town Setup' puts you right in a Hallmark movie.

    All six episodes of Small Town Setup premieres on Hallmark+ on Thursday, January 2, 2025, and is hosted by Ashley Williams, who you'll recognize from movies like Falling Together and Two Tickets to Paradise as well as How I Met Your Mother.

    Just like your favorite Hallmark movies are all about finding love, Small Town Setup focuses on singles coupling up. The show will follow a single who "has made it in the big city, but has yet to find love." And their concerned parents (definitely a Hallmark trope and an IRL trope...) get the whole neighborhood involved in finding three potential matches.

    "When the singleton arrives home for a visit, they are presented with dating options curated by their hometown. After three dates, will they find love in their hometown? Or head back to the big city? All is revealed at a big town hall event, full of heart, warmth, and a few laughs along the way."

    Okay, getting the entire town involved in my love life sounds crazy, but the whole community coming together for a town hall event sounds exactly like the kind of sweet and sappy event my life needs. (Listen!! Dating as a 20-something in the city is harder than I expected...)

    Throughout the trailer we see our singles looking for love around their hometown, going on small town dates, and finding connection in the most unexpected places. Yeah...I'll be tuning in — especially since Small Town Setup is totally giving Gilmore Girls.

    Check out the 11 New January 2025 Movies Viewers Will Adore — and you'll want to add to your calendar ASAP!

    Heaping plates of Christmas cookies are synonymous with the holidays. It seems that nearly every country around the globe has their own variation on the holiday classic. In fact, some of these regions have been making their version of Christmas cookies for literal hundreds of years.

    If you’re looking for a way to reconnect with your heritage, or maybe just want a little baking inspiration, check out our picks for the yummiest Christmas cookies from around the world.

    The Noshery

    Mantecaditos con Guayaba

    These may look like ordinary thumbprint cookies, but these almond shortbreads from Puerto Rico are filled with a special guava marmalade. (via The Noshery)

    Broma Bakery

    Meringues

    French meringues are a classic crumbly egg white cookie with a chewy interior. These get an extra European twist with the addition of Nutella. (via Broma Bakery)

    Pretty. Simple. Sweet.

    Alfajores

    Deeply flavored dulce de leche, a caramel made from whole milk commonly found in Spain and many Latin American countries, is the key ingredient in these super pretty sandwiched Christmas cookies. (via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.)

    Fancy Peasant

    Melomakarona

    These Christmas cookies that hail from Greece get their sweetness from a generous soaking of fresh honey! (via Fancy Peasant)

    Very Eatalian

    Baci di Dama

    The name of this Italian treat translates to “lady’s kisses” — how adorable is that? These bite-sized cuties are made with ground hazelnuts and filled with a dollop of dark chocolate. (via Very Eatalian)

    Cooking Classy

    Linzer Cookies

    These Austrian Christmas cookies are typically made with raspberry jam, but feel free to get crazy with a filling of your choice. Plus, the gorgeous windowpane look will make them a prize takeaway at your next cookie exchange. (via Cooking Classy)

    Olivia’s Cuisine

    Basler Brunsli

    If you’re hanging out in Switzerland around Christmas time, you’ll definitely see these chocolate treats around. They’re often described as Swiss brownies due to their deliciously chewy texture. Perfect with a cup of eggnog or coffee! (via Olivia’s Cuisine)

    Cilantro Parsley

    Buñuelos

    These tender miniature fritters from Mexico are a mix between a donut and cookie. Whatever you want to call them, they’re delicious. (via Cilantro Parsley)

    Chef Lindsey Farr

    Apricot Kolachys

    The Hungarians definitely know what’s up when tart apricot jam gets wrapped in a blanket of flaky pastry. They’re a bright spot on a cold Christmas day. (via Chef Lindsey Farr)

    Life, Love and Sugar

    Cutout Sugar Cookies

    In the United States, a plate of these festively decorated sugar cookies is just what Santa ordered. (via Life, Love and Sugar)

    Saveur

    Polvorones

    You’ll find these simple pecan shortbread cookies all over Mexico around this time of year. The coating of powdered sugar and canela, a type of Mexican cinnamon, really bring the flavor to the next level. (via Saveur)

    A Healthy Life for Me

    Pignoli

    These Italian Christmas cookies are made of a chewy almond base and topped with pine nuts. (via A Healthy Life for Me)

    Fancy Peasant

    Kourabiedes

    These Greek Christmas cookies feature a buttery biscuit topped with mass amounts of powdered sugar. (via Fancy Peasant)

    Does your family have a traditional cookie recipe for the holidays? Tag us @BritandBo in your Instagram photos and let us know!

    This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

    Lead image via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.