A Harry Potter Halloween

It’s been a week since I have posted something new. This time of the year creates chaos in my home. Halloween is serious around here, surpassing all other holidays. It brings back fond memories of my father, enjoyment of dressing up, and many hours of decorating and cooking.

This year I thought I would do a playful theme, Harry Potter. This movie franchise has been popular since its release in 2001. Over the years my family and I have become huge fans. Why not celebrate the wizarding world with a party? I turned on my creative and thrifty side to produce an event to remember.

It was important to capture main elements of each movie. Platform 9 ¾, Hogwarts Express is a larger than life scene. I recreated this place on my front porch for the trick or treating. Kids and adults alike found themselves wowed when they stepped up to the Harry Potter House.

Simple brown wrapped packages started my idea, a hand painted the sign, as well as the brick wall Harry had to run through.

I was determined to find fake/stuffed delivery owls. Focusing on budget I made balloon ones that worked well. A few simple floating candles brought together the look.

When you entered my home the world of Diagon Alley and Hogwarts came alive.

The small Honey Dukes area was a fun way to store my trick or treat candy.

Free a House Elf sign, with socks sign was displayed proudly at my front door. It always touched my heart how Harry was never a kid that felt his powers warranted him a master over anyone. I wanted to pay homage to his elf friend, Dobby. I placed a simple paint cardboard and hot glue tombstone at the bottom of my stairs.

The adventures of Harry Potter flowed throughout my dining room. Flying keys and stone wall stairs where a touch on recycling and fantasy. I used the plastic holders from six pack cans to make wings for the crazy creatures.

One setting I personally enjoyed was, Ollivanders. This is where Harry purchased his wand. I wanted my guest to have fun choosing a wand to take home. I used wooden skewers, tape, hot glue, and acrylic paint to shape and form unique designs to match any costume. A hand painted sign and other random decorations developed a dark feel for my wand station.

After much of the Harry Potter world was covered, I turned back to another epic scene, The Great Hall at Hogwarts. I displayed it around the food to create all-encompassing theme.

Floating candles, made with toilet paper rolls, hot glue, tea lights(fake), and fishing line, where the center of the design. Colors of the houses displayed using dollar store tablecloths. To finalize the look, I added more hand painted signs, painted bottles and dark drapery. 

The Leaky Cauldron, is a bar that Harry frequented. I took that idea into my own home bar. Harry Potter’s favorite drink is Butter Beer. A sweet, warm, butterscotch concoction (non-alcoholic). I have never had it myself, so I thought it would be fun to it try with others.

Butter Beer Recipe

Butter                4 Tablespoons

Brown Sugar     ¼ cup

Heavy Cream    ½ cup

Cream Soda      1.5 Liters

Werther’s Original Hard Candy 6 each

Stir together all ingredients in a crock pot until all dissolved together. Stir to keep candy from burning while cooking. Serve warm and stir to blend before pouring.

My adult drink twist was vodka-based muggle blood punch.

Muggle Blood Punch

Vodka                                                     ½ liter

Raspberry Syrup (homemade)               ¼ cup

Frozen Cranberry/Raspberry blend        1 container(small plastic tube)

Lemon/Lime Soda                                  1-2liter bottle

Stir all together. Serve in punch bowl with ice.

To connect myself to the theme I dressed as the psychic Professor Trelawney. I used my natural hair to recreate the look naturally. I was able to find all the garments at the thrift store for around 10 dollars.

I felt this was my most creative theme ever. The whole time I was working on this party I was able to keep it affordable. I loved being able to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Most decorations I got thrift or at the dollar store. I even used some recyclables to make most of the crafts. Do you host theme parties? Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box, monitor your budget, you might surprise yourself.

Printable Recipes
Butter Beer
Muggle Blood Punch