Go, Go Party Ghosts!

Written on October 22, 2009 at 8:51 am, by East Coast Style (Sarah Goldschadt)

Yes, I’ll admit it. I can be a party-planning nerd. It seems that whenever I come up with a theme for a party, craft ideas immediately start exploding out of my brain. I try not to go too overboard and to keep decorations and food affordable, but my favorite part is making the DIY party crafts — aka, it’s OK to be a kid again. This year, instead of the usual orange-theme pumpkin party, I decided to go with a black-and-white-theme ghost party! So what are you waiting for? Here are a few simple projects.

Cupcake Toppers!

I’ve consumed more cupcakes the last few years than I ever did as a child. New Yorkers love their cupcakes, and with that said, no cupcake is complete without a fun little topper. So why not make your own? It’s easy. I promise.

You’ll need:

• Scissors
• Double-stick tape (or glue stick)
• Toothpicks

Download and print the cupcake toppers right here: Cupcake Toppers

Cut out and crease the middle. Place the double-stick tape on one side and place the toothpick in the center. Fold down. And viola! That’s it!

Cooooookies!

Sugar cookies are easy to make, and creating fun shapes and frosting is the best part. Did you know it’s also easy to make your own cookie cutter? Those cheap tin pans from dollar stores can do the trick.

Download the pattern here: Cutout Cookies

Cut 1-inch strips with a utility knife (make sure you have a self-healing mat or cardboard underneath). Staple strips together and arrange them over the pattern and secure with staples. Be careful not to cut yourself!

Use your favorite sugar cookie recipe and roll out your dough 1/4-inch think. Don’t worry if you don’t have a rolling pin; a wine bottle dusted with flour does the trick too. Gently push the cutter in the dough to create your shape. Bake the dough on parchment paper.

Once your cookies have cooled, ice those babies. Use food coloring to make the frosting black for the eyes. Then put the frosting in a Ziploc bag and cut off a small corner. Make dots on parchment paper and let dry.

Photomania!

Photos are great keepsakes. And this is a great excuse to make your friends dress up. Make your own “photo booth” with a fabric background (hello, IKEA sheets), helium balloons, and these fun, downloadable faces: Ghost Faces

To make the stick faces, cut out and attach them to bamboo skewers with tape.

Now put on that ghoulish grin and party on!

Ghost photos by Samatha Grass. All other photos by Sarah Goldschadt. All projects by Sarah Goldschadt.