My favorite time of the year is drawing near. I feel it in the air. I see the décor lining the aisles of craft stores. I’ve been planning my celebratory party for months. Nope, I’m not talking Christmas. Halloween! Surprised? Halloween is hands-down my favorite holiday. I love the crisp autumn weather, the festive colors, the spooky decorations and I LOVE dreaming up a wicked-good Halloween party. This year I chose a Costumes and Cocktails theme and today, I’m sharing my inspiration with ya’ll.

Up First: Invite
For me, it starts with the invitation. I’m a stationery aficionado and never ever pass on a paper invite for a digital one. I just love paper and am adamant the invitation sets the tone for the party! Plus, I love seeing my invitation stuck on all my friend’s refrigerators for months and months (and months and months). This year, I’m sending this Costumes and Cocktails Halloween party invitation.  I love the dark mood, but the invitation wording had me at muahahaha.

Next: Decorations
I fully admit I tend to go a little over-the-top with my Halloween décor. I have totes full of skulls, coffins and over-sized spiders. If you’re not Halloween-obsessed, no worries, you can pull off a super-chic look for this party theme with hardly any effort at all. First, choose a color palette. I like the classic black and white theme featured here. It’s simple and spooky but also classy enough for an adults-only party. Next, drive over to visit your new best friend – the Dollar Store, of course – and load up faux-pumpkins. Spray paint them black and white for instant super-cheap décor. Finish up by choosing some extra details like the DIY branches or garland featured in our look. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated to look pulled together!

And Finally: Cocktails
When the word “cocktails” is actually in your party theme name, you can’t skimp on this detail. Leave it to Food & Wine to compile an amazing list of 25 Halloween cocktail recipes. I’ll be serving the Dark and Stormy Death Punch at my soiree, admittedly because I totally love the name. Death Punch?! Come on, it doesn’t get much better than that. For my designated drivers, I’ll be making this Spiced Cider Punch and happily referring to it as a cocktail too!

Photo Credits: Spooky Black and White Russian: Homemade Banana, Table Scape: Frog Prince Paperie, Bat Placemat: Hester & Cook, Painted Pumpkins: Linen, lace, And Love