Est. 2008?

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday.  The decorations, the baked goods, and my favorite part, finding the perfect gifts for friends and loved ones.  I love the 'holiday season.'  Michaels not only has their Halloween decorations out, but they've already got a pretty sizable Christmas section going on.  We just flipped the calendar to September!!! 

While I love Christmas, I'm in no hurry to actually host the holiday at my place.  Several years ago my sister held a Cinco de Mayo party and we joked that, since Mom had Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, she now had her 'holiday.'  Hmm...what holiday could I lay claim to?  Halloween seemed like the obvious answer since we don't really do much grilling, eliminating the 4th of July and Labor Day, there wasn't much else to choose, it was a no brainer.

So, in 2008, just a couple weeks after getting married, we hosted not just our first party, but our first annual Halloween party.  Since I'm pretty excited about our theme this year, I was in the mood for a little flashback.

In 2009, after basically just hosting the previous year like a dinner party, we got into the fun spirit of Halloween.  Decorations were ordered from Oriental Trading and Melanie came up with a theme for us.  Loved the decorations and our theme made for some fun pictures.

Front entry table

View into the kitchen from the living room

There wasn't really a theme in 2010.  I wanted to be a zombie, but nobody else did, so, as long as you came in costume, it was all good.  Adam had fun giving all the appetizers fun names to go along with the theme.  Each year we add another piece or two to our decorations, I was excited to get some black cake stands at Target and show off my homemade mini pop tarts and pumpkin cupcakes. 

All homemade appetizers, a lot of work, but so good.

Our fun menu, Adam came up with most of the names!

Entry table as dessert buffet

In 2011 we were coming to terms with being new parents so a Halloween party never materialized.  I did manage to get Sebastian to the pumpkin patch and put together a costume for him.  We plan to take him back to the pumpkin patch again this year, maybe his eyes will be open for pictures!

 

I should do a separate post of the pumpkins Adam's carved over the years.  I usually clean them out and let him cut them up.  If it were up to me I'd spend about 30 minutes figuring out what I wanted to do before starting, it takes him about five minutes and he always has fun and unique ideas.  We're all set for our party this year and we have a fun theme.  I'm pretty sure I'll do a homemade dessert, but I've already got my eyes on several appetizers at Trader Joe's and I think we'll order pizza for dinner, keep it easy with minimal clean up or kitchen prep.  I can't wait to post pictures from this year's party, our theme should provide for some fun times!