I'm not the best at watching scary movies. I spend most of the time with my eyes shut wishing I'd opted for a rom-com (I know - I'm rubbish). From a young age, I've always enjoyed the lighter side to Halloween - parties, Trick-or-Treating, fancy dress - it's a great way to welcome in the darker nights. With that in mind, I turned to my favourite childhood Halloween movie for some party decor inspiration: HOCUS POCUS!
Released in 1993, re-watching it is extremely nostalgic for my sister and me. Sarah Jessica Parker is by far the funniest character, with a hilarious Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy joining her to make up the 3 Sanderson Sisters. A young Thora Birch also joins the cast, alongside Omri Katz (from Eerie Indiana fame).
HOCUS POCUS PARTY NIGHT-IN
Invite some friends over (ideally those who remember the film or love all things '90s) crack open the Smirnoff Ice (another blast from the past), put on your fancy dress item (to get you into the spirit!) and enjoy the softer side to All Hallows' Eve:
(Scroll down for where to buy items.)
OK, so I couldn't find a 'black flame candle' but this was the closest I could get! Dress up as Binx the cat, Midler's Winifred Sanderson or opt for berry lips like Sarah Jessica Parker.
Scatter flameless tealights on your coffee table to add atmosphere. Top up popcorn buckets with bright orange Wotsits to add some colour.
Give your guests individual mini pumpkins filled with black and orange jelly beans.
Vampire fang sweets: A nod to Max's dad in the film, who dresses as Dracula for the all-nighter party...
It's not a party without some bunting. If you have a mantelpiece, use it to display spray-gold pumpkins and flameless candles. If you have a black cat, add it here too as a subtle salute to the character Thackery Binx...
... Unless you have your very own real-life Binx aka Mog. (N.B. tealights are flameless! - I never use tealights during parties, not worth the worry.)
Candy Duty: A nod to Allison's "Candy Duty" in the film where she has to monitor a huge cauldron of candy before abandoning it to help stop the Sanderson Sisters.
SHOP THE LOOK
Mini pumpkin buckets, £9.99(x8)
Pumpkin bunting, £6.90+ (similar)
Plastic cauldron, £6.42
Flameless tealights, £7.99
Flameless black & orange tealights, £17.19 (similar)
Black cat mask, £5.99
Mac 'Rebel' lipstick, £14
Popcorn bucket, £6.46
Retro sweets hamper, £9.99
Gold spray (for pumpkins), £5.99
Straws, £3.49
What better way to end than with my favourite scene from the film - the Sanderson Sisters putting a musical spell on Salem:
If you want to add some (not so spooky) pumpkins to your home this Halloween, take a look at more pumpkin decoration ideas here.