Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party

This year we decided to host a pumpkin carving party to celebrate Halloween.  I’ve been keeping the decor simple with mostly white pumpkins and my Olivewood Pumpkin collection the last few years but since we were hosting a party I brought out all the Halloween decorations.

I even put up a Halloween tree and I think that I might LOVE it more than a traditional Christmas tree.

I’ve loved decorating with hanging witch hats ever since I saw this photo on Pinterest a few years ago and I added them to my front porch area to greet our party guests.

It’s been fun to see the witch hats blowing in the wind.  I use fishing line and a tack to hang them.  A sewing needle works well to string the line through the top of the hats.

For the party I had the usual easy party food…veggies and dip, chips and salsa, etc.

I also tried out a few new recipes that are specific to Halloween.  I modified my Easter trail mix recipe for this Halloween Trail Mix and had it in bowls throughout the house and small individual containers with the appetizers.

Drinks included a green potion punch for the kids, a variety of fall/pumpkin beer for the adults and Apple Cider Sangria.

For dessert I set up a caramel apple bar where guests could dip apple slices on sticks in melted caramel and a variety of toppings.

Dinner was buffet style and included pumpkin and ghost shaped pasta with a meatball marinara sauce, salads and Italian meatball sliders.  All the recipes are linked at the bottom of this post.

I usually have some kind of a photo backdrop at parties and I did it again at this one.  We included silly props for guests to take photos with.

The carving station was simple with tables set up with a plastic table cloth (so I could scoop it up and throw away the pumpkin gut mess at the end of the night) and a bucket on each table with carving tools, knives, scoops and templates for pumpkins.  If you are planning a carving party be sure to have trash cans set up near each table for all of the seeds and mess that goes along with carving pumpkins.

The party was tons of fun, I have a feeling we will do something similar again next year.  What is your favorite Halloween tradition?

Halloween Trail Mix

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Ingredients

  

• 6-8 oz Rice Chex Cereal
• 2 10.5 oz bags Muddy Buddy Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chex Mix
• 1 22 oz bag Candy Corn
• 1 10.5 oz bag Reese's Pieces
• 1 14.8 oz bag Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Minis
• 1 11 oz bag Peanut Butter Chips
• 16 oz Peanuts (any kind)

Instructions

 

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
• Serve in a large bowl or divide into individual containers.

Apple Cider Sangria - Fall Party Drink

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Ingredients

  

• 1 750ml bottle Prosecco
• 1.5 cups Club Soda
• .5 cups Amaretto
• 2.5 cups Apple Cider
• 4 Apples, sliced thin
• Cinnamon small dash in each glass
• 1 pkg Cinnamon Sticks

Instructions

 

• Add all liquid to a pitcher and stir well. Add two of the sliced apples and cinnamon sticks to the pitcher.
• Use remaining apple slices and place 2-3 in each drinking glass. Sprinkle a little cinnamon over the apples and glasses are ready to use.
• This drink can be served at any temperature. Some guests will prefer with ice like traditional sangria but served as a fall drink some enjoy it warm.

Italian Meatball Sliders

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Cuisine Italian

Servings 48 sliders

Ingredients

  

• 24 turkey meatballs
• 1 40 oz jar marinara sauce
• 1 TBSP Italian seasoning
• 2 24 roll package Kings Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
• 12 slices provolone cheese
• 1/2 Cup butter, melted
• 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350.
• In a large pot over medium heat cook meatballs, marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Stir occasionally. Once meatballs are fully cooked cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
• Use a nonstick spray to coat the bottom of two 9 x 13 baking pans. Cut buns in half and place with cut side up, covering the entire pan. 24 buns should fit in each pan.
• Cut meatballs in half. Place one meatball half on each bun and use sauce to cover all buns evenly. Spread provolone slices on the meatballs and sauce. Place bun tops on top of the cheese.
• Use a brush to spread melted butter over the top of all the buns. Evenly spread parmesan cheese on top.
• Cover pans with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and cook 3-5 more minutes. Use a spatula to separate and remove sliders from pan. Serve warm.