Plan a Spooktacular Halloween Party

If you've ever looked over at your partner, your kids, your workmates, your pets or your house and wanted to scream, now you have an excuse: It's Halloween! Go ahead, just for the seasonal sake of it--let out a blood curdling wail.

Now that you've got that out of your system, it's time to make some "spooktacular" plans. In my book, you are never too old for tricks and treats and you don't even have to leave your house to enjoy them. Your costumed friends will come to your house, because you're about to throw the best Halloween party in town!

First, decide if you want to include the kids or not. After all, Halloween is kind of a kid's holiday, but that doesn't mean people can't get babysitters…which reminds me of the movie "When a Stranger Calls." Man, what a classic. The babysitter gets this call and this creepy, gravelly voice asks, "Have you checked the children?" I still get chills. She calls the police after like, the tenth call (duh) and they call back and inform her…that the call is coming from inside the house!!! SCREAM!!! That was in the days before caller I.D.--when people used to talk on these huge bulky phones that were also avocado green. No frills. Now, that's scary.

Anyway, if the kids are included, you'll want to start the party early and call it "Phase One" and then turn "Phase Two" into the PG-rated version for the die-hards that can stay up past 8:30pm.

As with any party, you'll want the main players on stage at all times: Décor, Liquor for adults, Sugar for Kids (OK, adults dig frosted pumpkin cookies, too), Rockin' Music, Festive Finger Foods. As long as all these balls are up in the air, you have a party. Let one fall, you have a lull. Snore Alert!

Décor sets the tone and mood of a party, so don't go crazy because it can get very expensive, very fast- but don't skimp, either. I can't get enough of spider webs, faux tombstones, jack-o-lanterns and festive tableware for Halloween, but the thing is--I am not a crafty girl. Hand me a glue gun and I will glue my fingers together in less than three minutes. So, I tend to look for deals on cool decorations that are already made and ready to party. Try Shindigz where you can customize banners and tombstones--a great way to guarantee your kids will need therapy later, but still…it's a good time. Try Walmart and Target for all your tableware and fun accessories. Home Goods also carries seasonal platters, etc. to dress up your party.

Along with your décor tasks, try assembling small gift bags for your guests. Throw in some candy, fake vampire teeth, bubbles and anything else that amuses you. It creates a sense of play and will get people in the mood to party. Note: do not indulge in confetti of any kind. Yes, it's cute, but you will be sweeping it up until Christmas. That's not the kind of horror theme we're going for here.

Liquor tells people it's actually a party, versus a neighborhood watch meeting. I am fond of punches for large, themed parties, as they are festive, pack a "punch" (pun intended) and save time and money because you don't have to be at the bar mixing drinks and you can serve them in cute, smaller glasses. Try this Zombie Punch from Boozemonger.com:

2 Fifths Dark Rum
2 Fifths Light Rum
1 Fifth Bacardi 151
2 Pints Triple Sec
3 Qts Lemon Juice
1 Qt Grenadine.

Mix ingredients thoroughly. Chill with large cake of ice in punch bowl. Let stand for about one hour before serving. Makes 75-80 4oz. servings. Sweet and scary!

Make sure to serve protein-based foods with this concoction. Portion-controlling this punch might prove to be a big job, so just remember that friends don't let friends drive drunk, or their enemies for that matter. As with any party where you're serving alcohol, make sure taxis are available in your area and let a few companies know you're having a party and to cruise by for random pick-ups!

Music also sets the tone and pacing of your party, so plan ahead and set up a good mix of pop, rock and soul to dance and groove to. Or, if you are really brave, rent a karaoke machine. You will savor the pictures of your creepy costumed buddies singing karaoke long after the party has ended. That said, there's something about the addiction of karaoke, that once it starts, you might have trouble getting that last crooner off the microphone. Hopefully, you won't have to pull my "sudden power outage" trick.

It's also fun to have a few classic movies playing on the TV in the background with the sound muted. Try the old Frankenstein movies in black and white- not too gruesome and always good for a laugh.

Oh, excuse me. The phone is ringing.
"Hello?"
"Have you checked the children?"
"No, silly. I don't have kids. But listen, Stranger. I'm having this party--feel free to stop by."