Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, which means one thing: you're hosting.
Or you're thinking about it. Or you've already said yes in the group chat and are now quietly panicking. All valid.
The plan at a glance
A week out: pick the vibe, count heads.
Three days out: shop the shelf-stable stuff.
Day before: cheese, stations, lighting, playlist.
Day of: cheese out two hours early, board built one hour early.
One week before: decide the vibe
Pick a theme, or don't. "Costumes encouraged" is plenty. If you want a theme, keep it broad enough that nobody needs to order anything online.
Count heads. Plan for everyone who said yes, plus a couple who didn't.
Go grazing, not dinner. A Halloween party is a standing, mingling, costume-adjusting night. Boards win every time.
Three days before: shop the shelf-stable stuff
Tins, crackers, jams, olives, chocolate and wine all keep, so get them early.
A few tins of fish, a couple of jars and a stack of crackers take care of half the table. Our spooky cheese board guide has the full creepy shopping list.
The day before: cheese and set-up
Buy the cheese. Three to five kinds, about 60 grams a head. A soft one, a sharp one, something bold and one crowd-pleaser.
Set the stations. Board in one spot, drinks somewhere else, candy near the door. Spreading out stops everyone crowding the kitchen.
Lighting. Lamps low, candles where they can't get knocked over, big overhead light off. Instant atmosphere for free.
Playlist. Make it now. Not at 8:45pm.
Party day: the timeline
Two hours before: cheese out of the fridge. Cold cheese tastes of nothing.
One hour before: build the board, open the tins, chill the whites and bubbles.
Thirty minutes before: fill the candy bowl, light the candles, get changed.
Doors open: hand everyone a drink before they've finished taking off their coat.
The candy bowl at the door
Trick-or-treaters start early. Keep one bowl by the door so kids don't wander into your party, and a second, grown-up bowl inside with dark chocolate.
The drinks table
One red, one white, one sparkling and something non-alcoholic that feels special.
Label them with spooky names if you're the type. We are absolutely the type.
Let us do the heavy lifting
Want a board built for you? Ours are made behind the counter with 24 hours' notice, so order by Thursday to be safe. Or swing by 614 Gerrard St E, tell us how many ghouls are coming, and we'll set you up. #AllTheBestStuff