Halloween
Halloween bakery preorders without the DM pileup.
Halloween 2026 is Saturday, October 31. People want themed cookies and treat boxes for parties that weekend, and they want them decorated, not figured out Thursday night. Open preorders in mid-October, close with time to ice, and pick up on October 30 or 31.
BakeryFlow is a home bakery app for pre-orders: set your menu, share one link, get paid before you bake. Download the BakeryFlow app and start taking orders today.
What to put on the menu
Decoration time is the limit, not mixing time. A short menu of items you can finish in batches will sell out cleaner than ten designs.
- One decorated cookie design by the dozen, not a custom shape per order.
- A small treat box with 4 to 6 pieces, one size, so packing is the same every time.
- Cupcakes by the half-dozen if your cottage rules allow them and you can frost in one session.
- Skip one-off character cakes. Quote those separately, or do not offer them this week.
- Write allergen notes on the item. “May contain” after someone has ordered is too late.
When to open and close
Two weeks of ordering is enough for a weekend pickup. A longer window only helps if you are not also finishing Thanksgiving pies in the same month.
- Oct 10-12: lock designs, packaging, and prices.
- Oct 17: open preorders and post one link.
- Oct 26 or 27: close orders so icing can dry before pickup.
- Oct 29-30: bake day and decorating.
- Oct 30-31: pickup windows. Friday evening and Saturday morning cover most parties.
Why Instagram threads lose Halloween orders
A comment that says “I’ll take two, orange if you have it, pickup whenever” is not an order. You still do not know the quantity, the design, or the time. A storefront link records the item, cuts the remaining quantity as people buy, and gives you a list to bake. If you also answer DMs, you will sell the same dozen twice.
How BakeryFlow can help you
- Plan your Halloween menu.
- Set a quantity limit on each design so decorating time stays honest.
- Share one storefront link when you announce the menu.
- Manage payments, offer discounts and coupons, and collect reviews after pickup.
- Bake and ice from the order list, not from a screenshot of comments.
Ready to take holiday pre-orders?
Download BakeryFlow, set quantity limits and pickup windows, and collect paid orders before you bake.
Free for your first 2 months • Android & iOS
Frequently asked questions
When should I open Halloween preorders?⌄
Around October 17 for an October 30-31 pickup. Open earlier only if packaging is already in the house and you can still decorate close to pickup. Icing that sits for two weeks does not look like the photo.
What should I sell for Halloween?⌄
One cookie design by the dozen, a single treat-box size, or cupcakes by the half-dozen. Those repeat. Custom cakes do not.
Can I run Halloween every Saturday in October?⌄
Yes, if each Saturday is its own menu with its own quantity limits and its own close date. Do not leave last week’s leftovers on this week’s order form.