There’s something to be said for the jolt of excitement we get from office Halloween parties. Coworkers filling bowls with candy. Department heads geeking out over costume plans. If, like us, you love Halloween, here are 15 fresh ideas that will help you plan a memorably spooky office party.
1. Form a Party-Planning Committee
Some people have a knack for planning office parties. Lean on them to help you plan the ultimate Halloween bash. Assemble a group from multiple departments to organize the Halloween party. Give them a budget and guidelines and let them run with it.
2. Pick a Halloween Theme Related to the Business
Every good Halloween party needs a theme. Choose one that ties in elements of the business (perhaps with an eerie angle).
3. Choose Classic Decorations
You can’t go wrong with Halloween classics like fake spider webs and plastic pumpkins. But if your office party has a theme, think outside the box and let that guide the decorations.
4. Hold a Costume Contest
No Halloween party is complete without a costume contest. Give your office a chance to show up as a superhero or as the Stranger Things Demogorgon. Select winners in different categories—funniest costume, scariest costume, and most original. And be sure to give out prizes.
5. Have a Group Pumpkin-Carving Contest
Carving pumpkins into goblin faces is a fantastic team-building activity for the office. Let management choose groups to encourage staff who don’t normally interact to work together. The winners earn the right to humblebrag.
6. Decorate Desks
Decorations provide the spook factor to office Halloween parties. Encourage employees to decorate their workspaces and award prizes. This creates an air of friendly competition.

7. Set Up a Photo Booth
A photo booth with Halloween-themed props is an awesome interactive activity for an office party. Especially if costumes aren’t allowed. When people come together with neon wigs and vampire’s teeth, that puts it over the top.
8. Trick-or-Treat at the Office
Among the joys of Halloween are the candy and treats. Encourage staff to bring treats—or have goodies like chocolate cake or soft pretzels catered. Everyone can go around the office from desk to desk trick-or-treating. This takes people all over the office and lets them interact.
9. Collaborate on a Charitable Project
Serving others always brings people together. Choose a nonprofit organization and collect items at the party to donate. Or, costume-clad employees can visit children’s hospitals or senior centers to bring treats.
10. Have a Scavenger Hunt
We are superfans of scavenger hunts. When faced with the possibility of finding treasures, we get pretty excited. Plus, a Halloween scavenger hunt encourages the whole office to work together.
11. Solve a Murder Mystery
Once everyone starts using their brainpower to solve a murder mystery, you’ll discover that a fun office Halloween party can truly bring people together. Plus, you’ll enjoy the thrill of playing Sherlock Holmes.

12. Play Old-School Party Games
Apple bobbing and pinning the tail on the donkey are classic games that will put everyone in a good mood.
13. Wrap Up Co-Workers Like Mummies
Use toilet paper or streamers and wrap coworkers like mummies. Make it a competition.
14. Hand Out Party Favors
Give out company swag, candy, or gift cards. Don’t let your staff leave without some token of appreciation of their hard work.
15. Close Up Early
Let everyone go home early, if possible. No one wants to get back to work after all the partying. Plus, many employees may have kids. This would give them some extra time to get ready for trick-or-treating.
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