Fall is a perfect time for partying, don’t you think? There’s a nip in the air, there’s a general feeling of festivity all around…which means you need to throw a party! It doesn’t necessarily have to be a Halloween party, although it can be. Lots of things happen in the fall season that could use some boost – birthdays, housewarming parties, baby showers, costume parties…the list goes on and on.

Here are some great decorating and party ideas for your fall-time celebration, whatever it is. But don’t forget that the best part of a party isn’t the décor or the food (although those elements make it fun!), it’s the people you share the time with.

Pumpkins are the ultimate fall-time décor. How about using a large one as your party’s drink dispenser? Hollow it out, then fit it with a glass bowl or punch bowl. Fill with ice and the beverages of your choice.

For a spontaneous fall-time party, you don’t have to be out of luck in the décor department! Grab a roll of black ribbon and some googly eyes. Tie these “bats” to some branches, and you’ll be ready to party in no time. (I think this décor idea is adorable.)

For a fall party with a simpler, subtler color palette, these gold sequined polka dot pumpkins are perfectly adorable. You could use these as décor in advance or decorate them during a kid’s party activity. Either way, they’re sure to add sparkle throughout the season.{found on sugarandcloth}.

If your fall party involves a tablescape of any sort a black and white tablecloth helps to neutralize the plethora of vivid autumn orange tones.

Whether it’s a full-fledged fall party you’re throwing or merely an after-school snack gathering, these edible “mouth” snacks make an awesome décor idea. For three minutes, anyway, until they’re eaten… (Lined up on a tray like that, though – don’t they look delightfully creepy?)

Fall is a lovely time to host a dinner party, what with it getting all cold outside and cozy inside. Celebrate the harvest season with a light, airy, yet perfectly seasonal grain stalk centerpiece. Play around with textures on the entire table, actually, to help your dinner guests remember this night for a long time.{found on site}.

A fall birthday party looks extra festive with yarn-wrapped cardboard “numbers” and coordinated candies on display in glass.{found on bendthelightblog}.

Give your silverware an extra boost, both vertically and aesthetically, by tossing some colorful candy into the bottom of a mason jar. This makes the silverware easy to access while looking festive as well. Top it all off with a tied piece of twine, jute, or string.{found on babymamajuice}.

I love a serving table with some oomph, and this one is perfect for a Halloween party. Black plastic bowls become spiders, cauldron make fabulously spooky serving bowls, and an errant black rat skitters across. Keeping a tight color scheme makes every detail pack a punch.

A subtle nod to the changing season, and a way to decorate for a more sophisticated autumn party, might be the simple inclusion of candle-lit lanterns, either inside or out. (Battery-operated votives are a fire-safety option as well.)

An organic option for a fall party punch bowl is simply a hollowed-out pumpkin. One of the benefits of using a pumpkin for serving is that it provides decoration and function throughout the length of your party!{found on site}.

An outdoor autumn party can look stunning and understated by opting for more neutral/natural party décor. Chopped wood stumps as candle holders and place mats provide a uniquely warm feel and pair perfectly with non-traditional green and white gourds.

Involve your kids in the party prep by DIYing some toilet paper bat décor. Often, decorations are at eye level or lower; these bring the festivity all the way to the ceiling and are a fun touch for a fall birthday or Halloween party.{found on practicallyfunctional}.

Mix and match objects found in nature with those same objects in other forms. I love the pinecone candle holders here, adjacent to a wooden bowl full of real pinecones. And teeny pinecone “stems” on yarn pumpkins are a heart-warming touch.{found on diyshowoff}.

Fall offers so many opportunities for a themed party – like a witch party. Get creative with it all! Hang witch’s hats from the ceiling, layer interesting tablecloths (cheesecloth and burlap are fall’s best fabric friends, I think), and put that chalkboard to good, decorative use for a be-witchingly fun time.

Simple mason jars filled with all things autumnal (e.g., pinecones, candy corns, acorns, even orange tea candles) are a quick and easy way to decorate for a fall party…and for the whole season.

A kid-friendly edible decoration for a kid party in the fall is a genius idea. These waffle cone “cornucopia” are fantastically autumn-esque, and they’re sure to bring a smile to the face of every kid there. Have fun perusing the aisles of your grocery store for a trail mix that works for your gathering.{found on site}.

Throwing a fall baby shower? Oversized tissue paper poms, either hanging from the ceiling or wall-mounted, are an easy and inexpensive way to decorate any size of space.

Pull out your white porcelain vases or bowls, add a few orange sprigs and picks, and you’ve got yourself a festive entry table to any autumn party. This is a great way to decorate for a housewarming party, because it uses what you’ve already got (and what’s already unpacked).

Transform the traditional birthday game, the one with a donkey and some tails, into a fall-focused version: pin the spider on the butcher-paper web. Sounds fun, right? And so easy to make.{found on babbledabbledo}.

Always remember that, no matter what the true purpose of your fall party, food can play a part of the décor! Caramel-covered apples, for example, are an eye-catching (and mouth-watering!) display in the most casual or elegant settings.