Halloween is a time characterized by jack-o-lanterns, costumes, candy, and lots of orange and black decorations. Kids are excited to become someone new for a night, while adults are looking forward to sneaking a few sweets out of trick-or-treating baskets. For us, this time of the year is a reason to spend a little extra time with loved ones. (It also happens to be Jenna’s husband’s favorite holiday. Spider webs, skeletons and more adorn the front yard of the Dails every October!) Halloween is simply a sugary, spooky, and convivial time of the year for all involved. And, in addition to all the tasty sweets and the fun decorations, we see Halloween as just one more reason to gather with friends and family. With this in mind, we decided to put together a polished & purposeful Halloween Tablescape that you can easily recreate in your home!
It might seem like quite the challenge to transform Halloween into anything that resembles “polished” or “purposeful.” But, as with everything in life this past year, we’ve tried to insert intention into everything we do. In this way, we chose specific items that not only brought in the essence of the holiday, but also helped to create a warm and welcoming space.
Pick up your phone and start texting your friends and family! You now have the perfect excuse to invite loved ones in this season for a polished & purposeful Halloween dinner party gathering.
Let’s start with the tablescape design.
Want some more Halloween ideas and inspiration?! Check out the bottom of this post for Easy Grab ‘n’ Go Treat tutorials and a Gourmet S’mores Pairing Party!
Easy Tips for Creating a Polished & Purposeful Halloween Tablescape
1. Soften the Halloween Color Palette
Halloween is known for its pumpkin orange and pitch black colors, but those both can be harsh when decorating your home. Opt for colors that have a muted, softer hue for a tablescape that will blend seamlessly with your existing decor. The creamy richness of caramel is a perfect swap for the traditional orange, while matte black instead of polished black offers a subtle elegance and modern style. These softer hues go perfectly with fall colors too. Beige and creams that you might’ve used in your transition to fall marry harmoniously with a muted Halloween palette.
Does color choice serve a purpose? It sure does! Choosing soft colors manifests a calm ambiance in any space. When a space is calm, so are you. When the hostess is calm, guests are too. It’s a chain reaction resulting in time well spent with those who mean the most.
Featured Items: 12 Inch Caramel Taper Candles, Matte Black Glaze Stoneware Pitcher, Matte Black Flatware, Olive Brown Woven Cotton Tasseled Throw, and Brown Woven Striped Linen Dinner Napkins
2. Incorporate Taper Candles
There’s something fantastically Edgar Allan Poe about a candelabra on a tablescape, and there isn’t any author that’s as Halloween as Poe. Taper candles instantly add a vintage-inspired elegance to any space and a touch of stunning drama. Choosing a collection of taper candle holders at varying heights with caramel candles easily transforms your tablescape into a Poe-inspired Halloween design.
#HostfulHack: Disperse candles throughout your tablescape to add a sense of warmth. The general rule is you can never have too much candlelight. This simple addition will create a relaxed and welcoming environment, encouraging guests to stay a while.
Featured Items: Hand Forged Antique Brass Taper Holder and Hand Forged Antique Brass Candelabra
3. Consider Your Menu
Of course, one of the most significant components of tablescape design is food! Incorporating the hues of the holiday through your menu will add a finishing touch that is undeniably Halloween.
For orange, opt for ingredients such as pumpkin, blood oranges, or carrots. Not only does it contribute one main color of Halloween, it also offers a variety of hearty nutrients. Black might seem a little tougher to achieve, but there are so many options for this Halloween hue too! Consider olives, beans, blackberries or licorice as additions to your dinner party menu.
Check out our Blood Orange Moscow Mule recipe (pictured above) for Halloween cocktail inspo!
Complement Your Halloween Tablescape
Looking for more Halloween ideas and inspiration? Check out these posts that help to foster relationships in new and creative ways!
Out-of-the-Box Halloween Treat Ideas
Find fun and easy ways to celebrate Halloween with these creative yet simple ideas! Learn how to put together your own Mini Apple Pie Ghost Kit or delicious Apple & Caramel Trick-or-Treat Grab ‘n’ Go Bags!
Create a Gourmet S’mores Pairing Party
Find inspiration, printables and a complete guide to making an easy and absolutely delicious DIY Gourmet S’mores Pairing Party to spend Halloween with loved ones in a fresh, new way.
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