Send one link three weeks before. It collects the RSVP with the number of kids (the figure that matters for candy and cups), fills the volunteer slots — decorating, the cider table, the costume parade judge, cleanup — and runs the snack list so the folding table is not six bowls of chips. Everyone replies from the link with their name and mobile number; nobody installs anything.
A headcount with kids counted separately, because candy, cups and the costume parade line all scale with children rather than adults. A short list of jobs with a name against each. And a food list where each item has a number so it closes when covered.
Post the jobs as slots — “decorating, Saturday 3pm, need 4”, “cider table, 6–7pm, need 2” — and let people put their own name in. A slot with a number and a time fills; a “who can help?” message in the thread gets three thumbs-up and no names.
If you run this every year, put it on the community rather than a one-off invitation: the announcement goes out with a push, the event carries the RSVP and the volunteer slots, and the photo album afterwards is where next year’s turnout comes from.
Free · RSVP, volunteers and potluck from one link · no app for neighbors
One link, sent three weeks ahead, that takes the RSVP with kids counted, fills the volunteer slots and runs the snack list. Then one reminder the week of.
No. They open the link, reply with their name, pick a slot or a dish. The organizer uses the app or the web.
Plan three to four pieces per child who RSVPs, plus a third again for walk-ups if the street is open. The kids count from the RSVP is the number to use.