Though the true origin of Halloween dates back to long ago, many modern customs for this holiday were inspired by Victorian Halloween ideas. The Victorians had an obsession with what was proper, and with what was forbidden, and the holiday allowed them to let loose. To bring back the Victorian era, you can go with an informal party reminiscent of a barn dance, or a formal party with a sit-down dinner.
Must-Haves for a Victorian Halloween
Nothing delighted the Victorians more than trying to predict and control the future, so you may want to hire a fortune teller or create a fortune-telling game. From money to marriage, the fun was all about divination. In fact, many Victorian Halloween parties were held specifically for young singles to flirt with potential spouses and play with the powers of the unknown.
Another way to set the tone is through invitations, whether your party is formal or informal. Use beautiful paper invitations; don't even think about cheating and e-mailing the guests. Victorian Halloween cards were lavishly decorated and could be dark, but never gory. There may be a picture of a skeleton, but he'll probably be dancing, not covered in blood and ripped flesh.
An Informal Victorian Halloween
For an informal Victorian Halloween, hold a party that mimics a barn dance. Use jack-o-lanterns, hay bales, dried grains and lanterns to decorate. Make sure to take basic safety precautions when pairing dry hay and grains with live candles, though.
Serve apple cider, baked apples, fruitcakes and pies as refreshments. Games should include treasure hunts, ghost stories, bobbing for apples and snap the apple, where an apple is tied and hung from a string while players try to bite into the fruit.
A Formal Victorian Halloween
A formal Victorian Halloween party must include all the indulgence of any fancy dinner party. Break out the silver, china and tablecloths. Prepare plenty of roasted meats, fancy breads, pies and salads. Also, make sure to have plenty of wine, ciders and elaborate sweet cakes.
Most of the entertainment for a formal Victorian Halloween celebration will revolve around fortune telling. Crystal balls, tarot cards, Ouija boards or any assortment of fortune telling games should take up a chunk of the night. The remainder of the time should be spent feasting and telling ghost stories.
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