Entertaining On Your Cedar Deck: How To Throw A Halloween Deck Party

Since Portland-area weather is relatively warm around Halloween, All Hallow's Eve is the perfect holiday for throwing a party on your decking materials. Portland residents can follow the tricks listed below to make any Halloween deck party a smash.

Clear off decking materials.

Portland is truly a tree city. In the autumn, Portland trees dump tons of leaves. This creates a beautiful show, but fallen leaves can turn your cedar decking into a slippery accident waiting to happen. Beyond protecting party guests from slipping, clearing your cedar decking is wise from a maintenance perspective. Over time, fallen leaves can create tannin stains while fostering mildew and mold growth.

Prepare a heat source.

An outdoor heat source will draw your Halloween guests to your decking materials. Portland residents are sensitive to the damp, so consider adding temporary or permanent shelter from the rain over your decking materials. (Portland is the perfect city for patio covers, since it's temperate enough to enjoy the outdoors nearly year-round.)

Trick out your decking materials.

Portland is a creative wonderland, so avoid buying all of your Halloween decorations. Miniature ghosts can easily be made at home, and they add a nostalgic charm when hung from the trees near cedar decking. First, find a large tablecloth or sheet. Next, cut the fabric into squares. If you want 8-inch-tall ghosts, you should measure out squares that measure 12 inches on each side. Crumple newspaper and roll it into balls to act as stuffing for the ghost heads. Wrap fishing line or string around the neck of each ghost, and leave extra line for hanging from branches. Last, use a marker to draw a goofy or ghoulish face on each ghost.

To make your party especially festive, consider adding a decoration theme on your cedar deck. Portland attracts many Goths, so perhaps you can create a Gothic glam Halloween party. (List of ingredients: purple and black napkins and plates, fancy candelabras and special cocktails.) Or, if kids will be in attendance, you could lead a neighborhood costume parade, ending on your decking materials. Portland kids and parents will surely enjoy getting some fresh air while checking out each other's crazy costumes!

Play a few games on your cedar decking outdoors.

Here are a couple of outdoor games your guests might enjoy:

Skeleton Assembly Showdown: Prepare by buying and disassembling two inexpensive plastic skeletons. Once everyone arrives, split players into two teams. Each group will attempt to correctly put together their skeleton first. Both teenagers and adults will be drawn into this competition.

X Marks the Grave: Pre-party, turn your property into a graveyard, complete with unusual headstones. (Get creative with the names on each stone; adult guests will enjoy reading punny names, such as Izzy Dead, Dr. Acula, and Ben N. Balmed.) To engage young party guests, assign a name to each child. The game is that the kid has to find that headstone, and then race back to you to fetch another name. The first child to locate five names wins!

Follow the tips above to throw a fantastic Halloween soiree on your decking materials, Portland residents.