Halloween party ideas that won’t break the bank

Halloween season is upon us once more, and what better way to celebrate than throwing a little shindig (preferably fancy dress) with your nearest and dearest.

One thing’s for certain: you certainly won’t be alone in the celebrations. A survey from consumer experts Mintel last year found that British people spend a whopping £33 million per year on Halloween goodies, costumes and party props. And while this total spending may pale in comparison to our American cousins across the pond, it’s still enough to send shivers down the spine of your wallet.

With this in mind, we’re here to pull together a few useful Halloween party ideas and details that could really flip the switch on any Halloween party. In fact, we’d say you don’t need to spend a whole lot of money at all, so long as you’re thinking creatively about how to give folks a frightful evening they won’t soon forget.

Let’s dive straight in, shall we?

The budget costume

While any old Tom, Dick or Harry can nip down to their local fancy dress shop and pick out a pre-packaged Zorro outfit complete with hat, sword, eye mask and all the trimmings… we’d say that’s taking the easy way out.

Perhaps a more challenging (and fun!) approach is to put the kettle on and write a shortlist of memorable people, icons or characters that you can recreate with items you already have. This could even help establish a particular theme for the party. For instance, if you like glam-rock and happen to have some blue eye-shadow hanging around then you’re already well on your way to an awesome Ziggy Stardust costume.

Just remember, the devil really is in the detail.

The food and drink selection

Ah yes, what fine Halloween bash would be complete without a comfortable provision of cool things to nibble and cold things to sip? For those looking to inspire a little spookiness among their guests, here’s another perfect opportunity to get creative.

If it’s a classier affair, a pumpkin cheesecake or ‘spider web’ cake always go down a treat – and they’re not too difficult to make. Or, if you wanted to go a little bit more gross with it, you could even get yourself a cheap mould and make a few helpings of ‘brain jelly’, perhaps even stirring in a few glugs of your preferred liqueur. The choice is yours.

Decorations

Of course, you might also be looking for ways to transform your house into a den of evil; for one night, at least. One of our favourite tricks to paint an old egg carton black and give each one a pair of stick on eyes. When hung upside-down from a lamp shade, you’ve got yourself a makeshift bat colony.

Lighting is also important here, and you can create an unusual ambience in a few ways. A well-cut jack-o’-lantern is an obvious purchase for most parties, though you can take this to the next level by dotting a few more around the rooms in which you are entertaining. Perhaps each one with a different facial expression. Or, if you have a neon theme going, replace your standard light bulb with a UV version for a chillingly strange effect.

Anyway, if you’re thinking about throwing a Halloween party of your own then we hope this list has inspired you to think a little bit more outside the coffin. Good luck and happy spooking.

Are zero-hours contracts in decline?

There’s been a lot of talk over the past few years regarding Britain’s so-called ‘gig economy’, particularly the growing number of zero-hours contracts in the job market. In a nutshell, these are contracts that do not guarantee a minimum number of hours per week. But while some say this structure of working affords people greater flexibility and control over their work-life balance, many people argue it can easily lead to a basic breach of employment rights.

Whichever way you look at it, recent findings from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that the number of people currently on zero-hours contracts has fallen by 2.2% compared to this time last year. This also means that the number of zero-hours contracts is now at its lowest point in the past three years, a sign that the trend may be beginning to slow down.

It tends to be larger established businesses and corporations that are among the main proponents of zero-hours contracts, particularly those in the admin support, delivery and food services industries.

Under investigation

Following calls from workers and union officials, Theresa May ordered a national inquiry into modern working practices, including the widespread usage of zero-hours contracts, earlier this year.

The subsequent report delivered by Matthew Taylor back in July found that zero-hours contracts had contributed greatly to record levels of employment in the UK. And although Taylor made the point that around 68% of those on these contracts did not want more hours, he also argued that employers and businesses were relying too heavily on short-hours contracts in their scheduling, as well as stating that all zero-hours workers should have the right to request a fixed number of working hours contract should they wish to.

Although any prospect of a national strategy to protect the rights of zero-hours workers remains in its infancy, the feeling is there that the Government is starting to better define the parameters for businesses and workers alike. And, judging by the recent drop in these contracts, it may very well be that the casual working boom has reached its peak.