Halloween for Newlyweds: Costumes, a Night In and a Small Party

Your first married Halloween does not need a big plan. You can pick a costume from things you already own, stay in for a cozy night, or host a few friends. Here are simple ideas for each, and one thing to settle before the next holiday arrives.

Couples costumes from your closet

The easiest couples costumes are pairs that work with plain clothes. Pick a pair, match your colors, and add one small prop each.

• Salt and pepper: a black top and a white top.
• Ketchup and mustard: a red tee and a yellow tee.
• Peanut butter and jelly: brown and purple.
• Bee and flower: yellow stripes and a paper petal hat.
• Black cats: all black, with ears cut from card.
• Sailor and mermaid: striped shirt and a shimmery scarf.
• Detective: a coat and a magnifying glass.
• Farmer and scarecrow: flannel and a straw hat.
• Vampire and victim: a black cape and a red scarf.
• Painter and canvas: a smock with paint splatters.
• Cowboy and cowgirl: jeans, boots and hats.
• Zombie bride and groom: wear your real wedding outfits and add face paint.

A Halloween night in for two

A night in works well when you are tired or the budget is tight. Keep the plan small so it stays fun.

1. Pick a dinner you can make in one pan.
2. Set out a small treat plate or a snack board with cheese, crackers, fruit and something sweet.
3. Choose a movie by mood: start with something funny, then save the scariest for last.
4. Dim the lights, light candles and put your phones in another room.

Other easy at-home ideas: carve pumpkins side by side, bake something spooky, make caramel apples, play a board game by candlelight, or tell scary stories with a flashlight.

A small Halloween party plan

If you are hosting a few friends, work backward from the date. Two weeks out, send invitations and set the dress code. One week out, plan the menu and shop. Two days out, tidy and decorate. On the day, prep the food and set up a simple drink station.

• Food: one main dish and a few snacks is plenty.
• Games with no props: costume guessing, two truths and a lie, or a story circle where each person adds one word.
• Costume contest: use categories like funniest, scariest and best pair, vote on paper, and let the hosts sit it out.
• Space: clear a spot for coats and shoes, and plan the cleanup in advance.

After Halloween: Thanksgiving is next

Many couples find that the first holiday after the wedding raises a question neither of you has had to answer before: whose house? Thanksgiving is on November 26 this year, which leaves about four weeks after Halloween. That is enough time to decide, but not enough to wait.

1. Each of you writes down where you want to be, on your own.
2. Share the reasons behind your choice, not just the answer.
3. List what each family expects.
4. Offer a trade, such as this year with one family and next year with the other.
5. Agree between the two of you before anyone is told, then tell both families together.

For a longer walk-through, see our guide on whose house to choose for your first married Thanksgiving.