The Menu
Whip up easy, crowd-pleasing Sloppy Joes and homemade coleslaw. And for dessert? Something pumpkin, of course.
Gameplan
The night before:
- Pick up assorted pumpkins for carving. Avoid broken stems or bruises, as they can cause faster spoilage.
- Choose pumpkins that are at least 9-10 inches high so there is adequate room for a votive candle to burn safely.
- Shop for carving and painting supplies: permanent markets, water-based markers, tempera paints, small paintbrushes, plastic carving tools, stickers, sponges and glass votives with candles.
- Purchase some good-quality hamburger buns and raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds.
Bake dessert, either the pumpkin cake or cheesecake bars. Cover and refrigerate.
- Cook sloppy joes in a Dutch oven or saucepan; cover and store pan in refrigerator.
- Make a sloppy joe station near the stove. Set out a fall-colored placemat and stack dinner plates, napkins and utensils on top.
- Mix up dressing for slaw. Cover and chill.
- Print out pumpkin-carving templates from internet Halloween sites or draw your own on white paper so guests have some ideas about what to carve.
Need some ideas? Try our Pumpkin-Carving Templates:
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30 minutes before the party:
- Stack pumpkins under a tree to create a mini patch where guests pick their own.
- Set up a carving table outside. Cover it with several layers of newspaper taped into place with masking tape.
- Lay out markers, stickers, paints, cutting tools and any large spoons, ladles or ice cream scoops you can find on table.
- Fill a few glasses or empty yogurt cups with water and set out for painters. Set out sponges so kids can wipe off mistakes.
- Place coleslaw mix in serving bowl and toss with prepared dressing. Cover and chill.
- Place pot with premade sloppy joe filling on the stove to reheat. Cover and keep warm--or transfer filling to a crock pot set on the low setting.