Calling All Ghouls and Ghosts

Throw a Halloween Party Adults and Kids Will Love

By Donna Smith

October brings with it the anticipation of pumpkins, leaves changing colors and the day adults and kids can dress up and have a blast. Halloween is a day loved not only by children, but also by adults. Why not celebrate in style this year? Throw a Halloween party that both kids and adults will enjoy.

OK, you say, but where should I begin? Let's start with the food – ghoulish food, of course! You don't have to create elaborately decorated foods to make a great impression. Whip up a batch of our Witch's Brew and float "bug" ice rings on top.

Take four small punch glasses or bowls and fill them with lemon-lime carbonated drink. Take small plaster flies, spiders or other insects of your choice and drop a few into the soda, then place them in the freezer. Right before serving the punch, remove the ice rings and run the bottom under hot water for about 30 seconds. Set them in the punch and watch the expressions of your guests' faces! You can also make "bug" ice by placing them in ice cube trays and freezing. Or try "worm" ice using colorful gummy worms!

Everyone will be eating their fair share of candy on Halloween, so why add to it with your party food? Try serving some healthy snacks instead of foods full of sugar.

Homemade popcorn balls or trail mix wrapped up in orange plastic wrap and tied in orange and black ribbons are wonderful snacks. Place them in a spooky bowl in the middle of the table as a simple centerpiece. Dip long pretzel rods in a small amount of white chocolate (only on the tip!), then spritz with orange and black sprinkles. These look wonderful displayed in a Halloween mug or tall glass, or you can wrap each pretzel rod up individually and tie with an orange or black ribbon. Set out bowls full of those little boxes of raisins, or cut up some fruit and serve it with our Creamy Caramel Dip.

Want to see more?

• Halloween Headquarters
• Eek! It's a Haunted Open House
• Frighteningly Frugal Fun: Great Halloween Ideas for Cheap
• Talk about it!