It seems weird to be writing about a book about Halloween party themes in the year of COVID-19. With social distancing on everyone’s mind, most of us aren’t looking forward to partying this Halloween. But alas, author Roxanne Rhoads could never have predicted as she was writing her 176 page DIY Halloween party guide “Pumpkins and Party Themes” that it would be released amidst a pandemic.
“Pumpkins and Party Themes,” which is scheduled to be released on August 25, 2020 features 50 DIY pumpkin designs across ten unique party themes. The pumpkin projects have a variety of decorating ideas that include carving, painting, and mixed media, all with easy-to-follow steps on each creation. Author Roxanne Rhoads also includes quick ideas on how to bring each party theme to life through décor, costumes, and activities. These fun party themes range from gothic elegance to Edgar Allan Poe, nightmare under the sea, let’s get literary, and more!
Often with DIY books, the projects can feel above your skillset, but everything in Rhoads’ new book feels doable, and I am not the crafty type. It helps that Rhoads opens the book not only giving a quick history of the jack-o’-lantern, but also discussing the differences between working with real and faux pumpkins and the tools of the trade for each.
The book also features beautiful full-color images to illustrate the tools needed, steps to follow, and final products, making it perfect for first time DIY-ers and experienced crafters alike, which is something about the book I particularly appreciated.
As you dive into the actual party themes, Rhoads has made sure to cover every possible detail you might need to consider for your party. Each chapter kicks off with a list of decor ideas, a color palette to follow, activity suggestions, as well as costume ideas. And while each party theme has five pumpkin designs, even Rhoads points out that some ideas can work across themes allowing you to mix and match designs where you see fit.
For the pumpkins, Rhoads has included all of the stencils and patterns you’ll need to recreate her designs, so you won’t be forced to try and recreate any of the projects just from a picture.
I particularly liked that Rhoads diversified the themes in this book, ensuring there was a little something for everyone. While I loved the gothic elegance and blood bash themes, I know my wife would be more interested in the simply bewitching, and the “Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland” inspired down the rabbit hole themes.
While many of us may not be throwing Halloween parties this year, I still think there is plenty you could take away from this book, even if it’s just to decorate for an at-home or virtual Halloween celebration. Even if you didn’t execute a full party theme, you could always create fun themed jack-o’-lanterns this Halloween using the ideas in the book.
“Pumpkins and Party Themes: 50 DIY Designs to Bring Your Halloween Extravaganza to Life” is available for pre-order now from the following booksellers:
Author Roxanne Rhoads will be hosting a virtual release party on Facebook on August 25 from 3-6 PM EDT. The event will include an Author Q&A, an Author Chat, Games, Prizes and more. You can RSVP for the event on Facebook here.
* I was provided a free digital copy of “Pumpkins and Party Themes” by the publisher for this review.
About the Author:
Roxanne Rhoads is an author, book publicist, mixed media crafter, and lover of all things spooky.
Her books include the Amazon Bestseller “Haunted Flint” and “Pumpkins and Party Themes : 50 DIY Designs to Bring Your Halloween Extravaganza to Life.”
She is the owner of Bewitching Book Tours, a virtual book tour and social media marketing company. She operates a Halloween blog- A Bewitching Guide to Halloween and sells handcrafted jewelry, art, and home decor through her Etsy store The Bewitching Cauldron.
When not reading or writing, Roxanne loves to craft, plan Halloween adventures, and search for unique vintage finds.
Thank you for the great review.