Throwing a killer Halloween party is no small task. It's a delicate balance between concentrated effort and nonchalance. Some may go so far as to call it an art -- which may be a stretch. But honestly, what is worse than laboring over the perfect costume than wasting it on a miserable excuse for a good time? Luckily, Weekend is here to help. Want to throw the Halloween party everyone will be crashing? Included are four easy steps to ensure success in all of your Halloween party endeavors. \nHere to aid in the quest for Halloween party glory are three veterans to the game: juniors Colleen O'Sullivan, Alicia Lemons and April Abbott definitely know how to party. Last year, the girls hosted at least one party each month. For our purposes, that makes them certifiable experts in the art of throwing a good party. Also, many students throw parties, but these girls are part of the elite group that do it with style. \n"We just want to give something back to IU and do our part in maintaining its cultivated reputation," O'Sullivan says. \n \nPREPARATION AND DECOR\nInitially, the key to any good party is being prepared. \n"You've got to figure two kegs off the bat, at least 12 bags of ice, juice, a handle of hard liquor, and plenty of cups," O'Sullivan says. The ladies are planning a costume party for this year's Halloween. Taking decorations into consideration, the girls estimate spending around $300 on the party. If this seems a little steep to you, don't give up. Avoid the problem by getting a bunch of people to throw down. \n"The more people who pitch in, the better and easier it is for everyone financially," Abbott says. The girls are receiving help from their neighbors this year, and also their other roommate, Adam Hecht. Hecht is not too helpful when it comes to cleaning and decorating, but "just sort of throws down money and lets the girls take care of the fine details." \nAfter the traditional trip to the liquor store, the girls usually begin preparing their house. For the Halloween party, preparation is pivotal. \n"It's all about mood setting," Lemons says. "It gives people an incentive to have fun." \nSpiders draped across the ceiling, cobwebs, lights, a punch-filled cauldron and Halloween-shaped jello shots are just a few of the more wholesome things the girls have in store for their guests. Candy and condoms at the door and a prize for the guest with the best costume are also on the agenda.\nExperience pays off, and the girls have learned how important it is to always hide the valuables. \nAfter having a cordless phone and porn stolen at previous parties, they are taking no chances. Phones, keys, remotes, DVDs and breakables are all hidden from plain view. Finally, the girls tidy things up for their future guests. They insist that a clean bathroom at a party is not a luxury, but a necessity.\n"We make sure there are plenty of hand towels and toilet paper. We try to make things look nice," Abbott says. "People are much less likely to pee on the seat when the bathroom looks somewhat presentable."
COSTUMES\nWhat's worse than having a great costume but a lame party? Not much, except maybe having the perfect party and a wretched costume. An obvious essential to any Halloween party: the hosts must be dressed to kill. In other words, no one will want to dress up for your party if you don't. \n"You've got to make your costumes fabulous, you don't want people showing up in lame costumes, or worse, looking better that you do," Lemons says. \nWhile a superb costume takes some work to put together, there are places to go and people to help you out. One of the largest costume shops in town is Costume Delights, 336 S. Walnut St. Alice Fulk, owner and proprietor, helps hundreds of people find their perfect costumes each year. Fulk says that Marilyn Monroe blows away the competition for hottest costume this year. Zorro, Renaissance characters and the "idealistic macho costumes" are also popular. \n"My goal has always been to give someone a quality rental costume for less than you can make it," Fulk says. \nAlso, a good costume is never complete without the essential accessories. "I have told many customers that you simply don't wear a costume without accessories," Fulk says. "The accessories and the trim make a difference." \nFulk says a person's attitude is the most important element involved in making a costume stand out.\nThis year the girls are taking a classic approach with their costumes. Abbott is going as Marilyn Monroe, O'Sullivan as Elvira, and as for Lemons, she says she will be going as "a little bunny named Playboy." Hecht has yet to acquire his costume, though he says he has it all planned out in his head. Though his costume is a surprise, Hecht offers that "no one will escape his lasso of truth."\n"Everyone has a party on Halloween," O'Sullivan says. "Ours has got to be the one everyone will be talking about." Lemons adds, "Reputation is key." \n"The costume makes the party," Fulk says. "The person wearing the costume feels like a party when they put it on." To encourage their guests to share in the festivities, the girls have adopted a time-honored approach: drink for free if you dress up.
MUSIC\nIt almost goes without saying, no party is complete -- or even remotely happening for that matter -- without good music. For their parties, the girls always burn new party CDs. This is a selective and complicated process. They strive for a combination of old school classics and the newest, freshest thing. There is, however, one proviso:\n"It's all gotta be rump-shakin' music," O'Sullivan says. The girls say they may have some Halloween music playing as people walk in, but they retain a strict dancing-music-only policy at their parties. \n"If we do use Halloween music, it would be like the 'Monster Mash' or something," Abbott says. \nThe girls say that one or two Halloween songs will suffice, and they advise to avoid Halloween overkill if at all possible. \n"The goal is to just keep people movin' and groovin', to keep the feet goin' and the beer flowin'," says Hecht. \nOf course, if you're really looking for a way to top the competition, why not hire a band? Many of Bloomington's best bands may have nothing better to do than entertain you and your friends on Halloween night. Probably not gonna happen, but it's worth a shot. \nIf you fail, it's OK. Just make sure to have plenty of party music to keep things running smoothly. \n \nHOSTING: A CRASH COURSE\n"It's all about pleasing our guests, and we go all the way," Lemons says. "The No. 1 rule of thumb: don't give attitude to new people … that ruins the party."\nThe girls advise that you be kind to all of your guests, even the ones who don't dress up, don't know anyone and are just drinking your beer for free. \n"If you're cool to your company, they will be cool to you," Lemons says. \nIf guests become problematic or disrespectful in any way, you should take it upon yourself to promptly kick them out. Many times, your friends will have your back, and the problem will be removed before you have to take action. \n"We're not too pushy about rules," adds O'Sullivan. "We just hope everyone retains a certain amount of respect." \nPerhaps the most important lesson a great host can learn is hospitality. Be a nice friend and look out for the safety of your guests. After the keg cashes out, try to keep as many of the intoxicated guests as possible at your house.\n"We always have a place for people to stay if they're too drunk to drive, or we call them a cab," O'Sullivan says.\nThere you have it, kids. This kind of Halloween party may not be your forté, but through these steps you can discover what is, and throw your very own ragin' Halloween party. Above all else, remember to have fun and don't stress. Maybe you'll make some money back, probably you won't, but it will all be worth it in the end.\n"To have everyone have a great time and look forward to our next party is enough gratification in itself," O'Sullivan says.
