How to Throw a Halloween Party: In true Martin-&-Sylvia-style!
“So every year, Momma and Daddy (and the other mommas and daddies) helped the fairies make a Fairy Ball where everyone could celebrate this magical time together.” — from Martin & Sylvia's Halloween: “Part One — The Thinning of the Veils”
As the air chills and the leaves start to fall, children and grown-ups alike begin to sense the magic of the approaching season. The nights begin earlier, the apples taste fresher, and the spiders start weaving intricate webs in undisturbed corners. It might even feel a little spooky, but for Sparklers, we know that it’s a friendly time where we can look for magic and for “the thinning of the veils,” as Martin & Sylvia’s momma describes it.
Watching for the work of fairies in this season can bear lots of fruit, especially if you practice with friends. And there is no better way than to throw a true, Martin-and-Sylvia-style Fairy Ball! It doesn’t need to take a lot of time or money, just a little forethought and some partnership with your fellow parents as you help the fairies bring their magic into the light. Want a few tips on how it’s done? Read on!
Fairy Invitations. Although an email invitation can be so much more efficient, sending a real, handwritten invitation will invoke the right vibe for this event. Choose a date and time with your parent community and pen invitations for the kiddos. If you want to take a page out of Martin & Sylvia’s story, create a little homespun treasure hunt to create a fun way for kids to find the invitation. (Pro-tip: electronic communication can absolutely be used on the down-low between parents and households to work out those pesky fairy details!)
A Fairy Challenge. When fairies host a party, what kind of gift does one bring? In Martin & Sylvia’s story, the children were invited by the fairies to bring a couple of special items that would allow them to gain admission to the party: a found feather, a found crystal, and a homemade jack-o-lantern. If your fairies whisper instructions like these to you, go ahead and add these instructions to your invitation. Maybe your own fairies might be requesting a few caramel apples? Or a child’s drawing? Or an original song or dance? Listen to the fairies in your neighborhood for inspiration!
Fairy Party Costumes.
We don’t need to give much instruction for Halloween costumes (although you might like to check out our own fun costume suggestions). But if your fairies suggest it, you might invite friends to include a unifying element to your costumes — perhaps everyone might wear a hat? Or wield a wand? Or include a star somewhere on that costume? The fairies will let you know!
Fairy Snacks.
Martin & Sylvia have a great fondness for fairy cookies — they feature prominently in Part One of their Halloween story and can even be made into wands! We’re also partial to making popcorn balls or an apple tart or any of the other delicious Halloween goodies we’ve written about. A big pot of soup and fresh bread can be a hit at this time of year, or create a potluck event with other parents (and don’t forget to check about food allergies). And if you’re really motivated, you can even test out this reliable recipe for the scrumptious salted caramels Sylvia makes by Sally's Baking Recipes.
Fairy Games.
When the guests arrive, the fun begins! Start with a line-up of favorite party games like Pin the Wings on the Fairy (Martin and Sylvia’s riff on Pin the Tail on the Donkey). You can create a fairy path with luminaries leading toward a special place for some music and circle dances — the Hokey Pokey is a surprisingly fun old favorite — and perhaps a treasure hunt of small gifts hidden in the area (think: autumn-style easter-egg hunt). Don’t forget to reserve time for a Costume Parade so that each child can demonstrate the different elements of their costume. And if inclement weather keeps you inside, grab a few supplies in advance and spread out to create some Halloween Flashlights. Let the fairies in your own area give you some new ideas — perhaps you might include a magician’s performance or a reading of a favorite Halloween picture book. However you plan it, the fairies will bring their own magic to your party!
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About the Author
Ann Boyd
Ann is a writer, editor, homeschooling mother, voracious reader, full-fat baker, and musician. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two daughters and chronicles the journey at Boyds’ Nest News.
