6 Things Every HP Fan Should Do For Halloween

In just a few short weeks, it will be time for the spookiest, most magical night of the year — and what could be better than celebrating with a Harry Potter themed Halloween? October 31 is the night when Potterheads can feel closest to Hogwarts: not only are the streets filled with witches, wizards, and magical creatures — but it's also a very significant date throughout the books. Yes, it's the tragic night when Harry Potter's parents were killed, but that's not all that happened on this dark and spooky night. Halloween was also the night that our favorite wizarding trio fought a troll; it's the night the Chamber of Secrets was opened; it's when Sirius Black burst into the castle and terrified the Fat Lady; and it's the date Harry found himself an unexpected Triwizard contestant.

Hopefully, nothing quite that dramatic will happen this Halloween — but that doesn't mean we can't make our own magical fun to do the date justice. Whether you're planning to throw a Halloween party, host a spooky sleepover, or stay at home with scary movies and games, I have a few suggestions for things every Harry Potter fan should do this Halloween. Wands at the ready: you've got some preparation to do.

1. Drink Butterbeer

There's only one drink that's appropriate for Potterheads to be drinking this Halloween — and obviously, that's Butterbeer. In the books, it's suggested that Butterbeer is slightly warm and alcoholic, and Popsugar have a great alcoholic Butterbeer recipe that mixes pumpkin ale with butterscotch and can be served hot.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks have a slightly different interpretation: their Butterbeer is chilled, non-alcoholic, and oh-so-very sweet.

If you want a healthier option, this pumpkin juice recipe looks just as delicious — and it even has the foamy head!

2. Throw A Deathday Party

In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry, Ron, and Hermione attend Nearly Headless Nick's 500th deathday party. It's a bit of a grim affair, but after a few goblets of Butterbeer, I suspect everyone will liven up a bit. If you don't know any real-life ghosts to put on the guest list, this tutorial for ghost decorations will show you how to make a few using balloons and cheesecloth. You can even use that method to make terrifying Dementors!

3. Carve The Biggest Pumpkin You Can Find

Hagrid used magic to grow his pumpkins to ginormous proportions, but with a keen eye, I bet you can find an abnormally large one on your supermarket shelves.

4. Host Your Own Tournament

In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter found himself an unwitting competitor in the Triwizard Tournament when his name flew out of the goblet on Halloween. This year, why not host your own tournament at home? Challenges could include a game of Quidditch, pin the scar on Harry Potter, or even a book trivia contest to prove who's the biggest Potterhead of them all...

5. Open The Chamber Of Secrets

If you really want to creep out your guests, decorate a mirror in your house with this scary message written in blood...or lipstick.

6. Have A Feast

You know that's what they'd be doing at Hogwarts. You can get creative and make your own Harry Potter themed snacks, like these adorable pretzel and cheese broomsticks, and these exciting Hogwarts letter cookies — or you can just order a massive takeaway, and pretend that house-elves brought it straight to your door. Bonus: if you order Chinese, you can use the chopsticks to make homemade wands!

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