Halloween is much more than children trick-o-treating around candy filled neighborhoods. It is a great reason to throw an amazing party! The challenge is, to look beyond the average costume party and have the kind of bash that everyone will be talking about the next day. Here are some ideas that might just do the trick.

Themed Soiree – Go beyond the traditional costume party, and suggest a theme for all of your guests to dress accordingly. A few favorites are Massacre at the Oscars where you dress up as your favorite celebrity of past or present and add a deadly twist, or a T-Shirt party where everyone comes dressed in a funny shirt of their choice. The great thing about dressing to a theme, is it can be a great ice breaker for guests.

Food for thought – Sure everyone loves a sweet treat now and then, but amp up your party with themed foods.  Try skewered antipasto pumpkin, start with a medium to large pumpkin and of course some BBQ skewers.  Add various antipasto items like cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese balls, slices of prosciutto, or anything else you can think of then stick the skewers into the pumpkin. 

Don’t forget the drinks – What is an adult Halloween Party without cocktails? Use your creativity for themed drinks, and if all else fails, impress your guests with some Witches Brew… Here’s how:

Ingredients

1 (6-ounce) package lime gelatin

2 cups boiling water

3 cups chilled pineapple juice

1 (2 liter) bottle chilled lemon-lime soft drink or ginger ale

2 cups chilled vodka, optional

Special equipment:

1 large black plastic cauldron (available at party or craft stores)

1 punch bowl that fits inside the cauldron

1 plastic hand (available at party supply stores), sterilized in hot water

1 block dry ice (available at supermarkets, ice cream shops or ice companies)

Directions

Pour the gelatin mix into a large bowl. Slowly stir in the boiling water. Stir at least 2 minutes, until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Stir in the pineapple juice. Let cool to room temperature. Wearing heavy-duty gloves or using tongs, place the block of dry ice in the bottom of the cauldron. (Dry ice will burn skin, so handle it with gloves and tongs and keep it away from kids and pets!) Use an ice pick to break the block into smaller chunks, if necessary. Fill the cauldron with just enough water to cover the dry ice. It will begin to “steam.” Place the punch bowl inside the cauldron, on top of the dry ice. The cauldron will appear to be magically smoking. Entrap the sterilized rubber hand between the cauldron and the punch bowl, squeezing it tight so the hand appears to be reaching out of the mist for help. Hot-glue the hand to the cauldron, if necessary, to hold it in place. Carefully pour the drink mixture into the punch bowl. Slowly add the chilled vodka and lemon-lime soda or ginger ale. Stir gently to mix.

Whatever you do this Halloween, be creative, after all it is the one night of the year where you are supposed to be someone you’re not.