With Halloween creeping up on us, what better way to celebrate than with a classic pumpkin carving party? But, that’s where the “classic” ends and the “sparkle” begins!  This year, I decided to mix up the usual Halloween colors with some gold, polka dots and glitter (of course!!) 

First, I picked up some jack-o-lantern pails at the 99cent Store and sprayed some gold to use as my centerpieces.  I also bought mini pumpkins and glittered them with Martha Stewart’s tinsel glitter and glue.

Getting flowers to match my Halloween color scheme was a piece of cake since there are so many varieties of orange and white flowers.  I chose Carnations because they hold up nicely and I love their vibrant orange color.  While Baby’s Breath would have been a great white flower to pair with my Carnations, I decided to use white Button Poms instead for its shape and texture.

Next on my list…candy corns (check), black tablecloth (check), black striped straws (check) and orange polka dot wrapping paper (check) to use as my table runner.  All these items were super easy to find since every store screams Halloween from the moment you walk in!  Nowadays, you don’t have to search online for cute decorations because they’re available everywhere – from Target, to Michaels, and even Party City!  

I’ve been obsessed with Studio DIY’s Hanging Spider Balloon creation, especially the gold glitter spiders.  Instead of buying pre-made spiders, I created my own using black construction paper and glue…so simple!  Next, decoupage the bodies in gold glitter, add your guests’ names to each spider with a gold marker and attach the spiders to balloons. This will create a festive backdrop for the party.  Guests will love the personalized touch and feel special as soon as they enter the room.  Another option would be to place the balloons and spiders behind or above each seat and use them as place cards so guests will know where to sit.

Balloons make any party feel fun and festive so of course I stocked up on balloons – solid colors, big polka dots, mini polka dots – and reused my Geronimo Balloon Tassels to create a garland and voila – an instant “spooky” photo booth backdrop for my friends to show off their carved pumpkins!  So even though it’s Halloween, don’t forget to always leave some sparkle!

Courtney Chan has been an educator for over a decade, inspiring her students to think creatively and dream big!  And she makes sure to incorporate her own advice into everything she does - from planning special events in the classroom to joyous celebrations for her close family and friends.  She enjoys crafting, DIY projects and creating themed events from start to finish.

Courtney has a penchant for all things that shine and you'll never see her leave home without her signature sparkle, glitter or gold.  Her blog "Sparkles For All" combines her passion for planning special events with her motto to always shine bright like a diamond!  

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