Don’t Be a Scary Guest: Halloween Party Etiquette
Don’t Be a Scary Guest: Halloween Party Etiquette
It’s “Spooky Season,” and you have been invited to a Halloween party. Here are some Halloween party etiquette dilemmas and how to handle them like an angel, not a monster.
A Spooky Costume Dilemma:
You have been invited to a neighbor’s Halloween party, and the invitation says “dress in costume.” You want to go, but you don’t want to dress up. You are contemplating a small white lie to get out of the party entirely. Do you have to wear a costume, and can you bow out by being “busy” for the evening?
Answer: It all depends on how the invitation is worded. If it says “Costume Party,” that means the host wants you to be dressed in some sort of Halloween-themed attire. You can get around it by wearing a witch’s hat or a cape, cat ears, or something you can easily remove if you find others aren’t dressed either. To “bow out” is up to you, but you will run the risk of getting caught unless you really do go somewhere, or turn off all of your lights and hide! I say go and have fun. Enjoy the festivities and be a good neighbor.
Accepting Spooky Host Gifts:
I am hosting a party and always feel weird when I am given a host gift. Is it polite to open the gift right away, or can I wait until later? Do I set up a gift table for the gifts? I don’t want to be rude.
Answer: You don’t have to open the gift immediately. The host is busy greeting guests and not expected to open each gift in front of the giver.
Gifting Spooky Gifts:
What type of host gift is off limits for a Halloween-themed party? Can it be something spooky or does it have to be something serious and thoughtful?
Answer: A host gift can absolutely be something silly or playful. The choice depends on how well you know your host and whether they will appreciate your humor. If you are unsure, I would stick to something thoughtful and perhaps seasonal, such as a pumpkin-shaped candle or seasonal handwash. A lovely plant in a pot is another good idea. Avoid anything gory or frightening, however. Don’t bring a gift that will create extra work for your host, i.e., flowers not in a vase.
Sending Spooky Thanks:
Does the host have to send a thank you note for a host gift? Isn’t this a redundant thank you gesture?
Answer: A guest brings a host gift as a gesture of thanks for the invitation. The host does not have to send a thank you note for the thank you gesture. However, there are exceptions to every rule. If the gift was particularly generous, or delivered before or after the party, the extra effort deserves some type of acknowledgement.
A Spooky Menu:
Is it impolite to ask the host what they are serving to determine if you want to eat before you arrive? What about bringing your own liquor for your favorite cocktail? Do you offer to share with others?
Answer: It is not polite to ask the host what the menu will be unless you have a particular medical restriction or dietary issue. Bringing your own liquor is also bad form unless the host has made the party a BYOB. If you do bring a beverage, however, you should certainly share with others.
Spooky Drinks:
Do you bring the unused bottle back home?
Answer: No – leaving it behind is the most polite and discreet way to handle a half-used bottle of liquor.
Spooky Cups:
My friend always brings her Stanley cup to every event, and I want to ask her to leave it at home. Rude or not rude?
Answer: Not rude. For your special event, you can let your friend know you will be serving drinks in specific cups and would appreciate her leaving her oversized thermal cup behind or out of sight.
You may also like Halloween Party Office Etiquette: The Good, The Bad and The Scary.
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