Hosting a Last-Minute Halloween Party That Doesn’t Suck

Essays, midterms, study groups, performances, internships, part-time jobs, game days, 30Rock and/or Dexter addictions: These are just a few of obligations that completely absorb students’ lives, leaving many stunned (myself included) when they realize Halloween night is just a few hours away.

Does that mean we’re condemned to a night of watching reruns on TV with our roommates, reminiscing about our trick-or-treating days when the elderly lady down the street handed out moth balls and three-year-old candy canes? Or the couple who handed out — wait for it, wait for it — full-size Hershey bars?

Heck no!

Reminiscing is fun, but that’s not a way to spend a night that’s practically designed for the immature young at heart. Here’s our guide to throwing a great last-minute party — or being the best-dressed guest.

DECOR:

• Under $15 — Grab a black tablecloth ($2, Target), orange plates ($2, Target), orange cups ($2, Target — sensing a pattern here?), black streamers ($1.50/roll, Target) and two packages of spiderwebs ($1.99 each, Target/Wal-Mart). The extra $2 can go toward food, or you can use it to buy a package of plastic flatware (if you can’t get it from the dining hall, that is).
• Under $30 — Purchase everything on the list above, but add one votive candle (50 cents, craft stores), a carving kit ($4, Target/K-Mart/Wal-Mart) and a large pumpkin ($8-$10, depending on size). Create a Jack O’Lantern and use it as the table’s centerpiece.

DRESS:

Katy Perry in “California Gurls” — It’s easier than you think: A candy-themed minidress costume (like Candy Girl, Rubie’s/Amazon, $29.22), or just a sparkly miniskirt/hotpants and a tight, popsicle-hued tube top, sky-high heels (Jessica Simpson Acadia heel, Zappos.com, $78.95 or Andres Machado heels for $19.90) and a blue wig (Amazon, $11.97) are the costume’s essentials. Add some Barbie-pink lipstick, winged eyeliner and an Elmo doll, and you’re a stunning replica of the pop siren.

Aldous Snow — With a mop of messy, purposefully unkempt hair (Rocker wig, Amazon, $15.95)and a skinny suit (blazer, H&M, $69.99; shirt, Amazon, $16.99; pants, 21Men @ Forever21, $15.99), you’re suddenly the star of one of the summer’s biggest movies — not to mention Katy Perry’s man candy. Whether you go as Snow, or the actor who played him, Russell Brand, this costume is perfect for someone who likes to really get into character on Halloween. Bring on the British accent!

Teen Mom (or 16 and Pregnant) — Everybody’s going to be the cast of the Jersey Shore, so surprise people by being one of the leads in MTV’s other surprise hit. People may not get it if you dress exactly like one of the show’s stars, so opt for a baby bump (partially deflated beach ball, perhaps?), some teenybopper-esque clothes (to show your age, of course; cropped vest, Forever21, $16.90; skinny jeans, Forever21, $8.99; blue shirt, Target, $12) and pigtails.

Antoine Dodson — The “Hide Your Kids, Hide Your Wife” internet sensation is one pop-culture costume that hasn’t gotten a lot of media attention, but is perfect for right now (Walmart Men’s tank, $8, and bandana, $2.95). Don’t know what I’m talking about? Check out this clip.

>>For more costumes, see these “Gangnam Style,” Hunger Games, Breaking Bad and Honey Boo Boo picks. Or try a meta take on Katy Perry or Lady Gaga here.

DISHES:

Hopefully, everyone’s bringing a dish, so all you have to worry about is the entree (otherwise, it could get costly). Here are a couple treats to consider:

• Vegetables and Ranch dip
• Pulled People Sandwiches (AKA pulled pork)
• Garlic parmesan broccoli
• Corn on the cob with flavored butter
• Peanut Butter Banana Beasties
• Jekyll & ‘Hide’ Brownies
• Pumpkin Pie Muffins

DIVERSIONS:

Aside from food, music and an endless stream of scary movies, here are a few simple tricks for entertaining the masses:

Pumpkin carving contest — Have people pair up beforehand and bring a pumpkin. Agree to a time frame (so it doesn’t get too longwinded) and let people hack away. The group can vote for the top Jack O’Lantern, and it’s up to you what the winner(s) receive: Bragging rights? Extra candy? A crappy paper certificate you scribbled on the back of old homework in chem lab?

Caramel apple bar — Class up that autumnal tradition of bobbing for apples by creating a caramel apple bar instead. Insert thin dowels into the tops of Granny Smith apples, then place shallow bowls of toppings around a fondue pot of caramel. Crushed Oreos, chopped nuts, M&Ms, mini chocolate chips and diced candy bars all make for tasty additions.

Zombiehunt — Turn your campus into one giant game of manhunt, only those who are found become part of the undead, seeking out fresh brains to feast upon. (It was fun when you were 10, and guess what? It still is.)

Broke Student’s Balderdash — Gee, golly gosh! I know, board games seem like something you grow out of when you’re 10, but trust me, nothing starts hilarious conversations (and outrageous lies) quite like this game. Just take a dictionary, flip to a random, obscure word and read only the word aloud. Have everyone write down what they think it means, then read their definitions aloud (including the actual one) and have everyone vote for their favorite.

You get 1 point for each person who picks your definition, one point if you write down the correct definition, and two points if you happen to guess the actual definition from all the ones read out loud. The first one to 25 points wins!