Going all out for Halloween can be fun. You spend weeks putting together an outfit. You plan an iconic Halloween party and send out invitations to everyone you’ve ever met. You hire a caterer and buy the most extravagant decorations. But as much fun as going all out for Halloween is, sometimes you just want to keep things low-key. Instead of hosting a party with a hundred people, you only invite a few of your closest friends. Instead of getting the party catered, you stick to a couple of bags of chips and candy. And instead of buying an expensive costume, you put something together at the last minute. Having a low-key Halloween party can be just as much fun as having an extravagant one. You just have to do it right. So if you’re thinking of keeping things simple this year, check out these 4 ideas for a low-key Halloween party:
1. Have a Movie Marathon
Sometimes the best type of party is just inviting a couple of your closest friends over and binge-watching movies in your pajamas. And there’s no better way to celebrate Halloween than watching scary movies, am I right? If you want to keep things low-key this year, a movie marathon is a great option. Get some popcorn and candy and tell everyone to wear a onesie costume. A movie marathon is also a good idea for a Halloween date night with your boo.
2. Spooky Dinner Party
A dinner party is another great option for those who love to cook but want to keep this casual this Halloween. Invite your closest friends for a spooky dinner party that they will never forget. A dinner party is easy to put together but is still a ton of fun. All you need to do is think of some spooky recipes to make and you’ll be good to go. You can even serve the food in a cauldron if you’re feeling extra eerie.
3. Make Bloody Mary’s
Drinking a Bloody Mary on Halloween just makes so much sense. If you’re looking to celebrate Halloween during the day this year, invite a couple of your friends over for a memorable brunch with endless Bloody Marys. Making a Bloody Mary is quite simple. All you need is tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and horseradish. Or you can just use a mix to keep things extra simple. You can also do a Bloody Mary bar and have your guests garnish their drinks with their favorite toppings. Nothing says low-key Halloween more than sipping on Bloody Marys with your besties.

4. Have a Costume Contest
Just because you’re keeping this low-key this year doesn’t mean you can’t still dress up. Dressing up is an absolute necessity for Halloween, and one of the best ways to celebrate is with a costume contest. Just invite a couple of your friends over and make sure everyone comes in costume. Having a costume contest is a fun way to get in the Halloween spirit without having to plan an entire party. The best-dressed person will take home extra candy.
Halloween is a time to dress up in a costume, eat lots of candy, and spend time with your friends. But just because it’s Halloween doesn’t mean you have to go all out. You can have just as much fun while keeping things low-key. Any of these ideas are great ways to celebrate Halloween with a simple party. At the end of the day, if you’re surrounded by people you love, you will have fun anywhere. And as long as you have lots of candy, too, of course.