Fright night treats

The countdown is on to spooking and assorted revelry. The signs of that festive day are all around us as all those ghouls, witches and wizards look forward to Oct. 31.
With Halloween falling on weekend this year, it’s the ideal opportunity for a “spooktacular” celebration with family and friends. Get your ghoul on and host a tricky treat of bash that’s sure to be a thrill.
Halloween is the perfect time to throw on a costume and act like a kid. Of course, you want everyone there to partake in the spooky fun, too, so here are a few tips to make sure your party is remembered long after the witches put away their cauldrons.
Set a festive mood: Creepy Halloween decor, such as spider webs and jack-o-lanterns, can be placed around the house and yard to help get guests into the spirit. Halloween-themed music, such as “Monster Mash” and movies, such as “Dracula” and “Frankenstein,” can help offset any down time, as can sharing scary stories.
Transform your house into Frankenstein’s lab with a few party tricks and Halloween treats. Set the scene with a mad scientist-themed sweets table and carry it home with a crazy good menu featuring frightfully yummy appetizers, mocktails and, of course, treats.
Play some ghoulish games: Bobbing for apples is a Halloween tradition you can’t leave out. Halloween bingo or a pin the tail on the donkey-type game, such as pin the nose on the skull, can also add to the fun. Or try a treasure hunt for a ghost ship’s loot by scattering clues around the house that lead to ghastly goodies.
Vampires, ghosts and zombies, oh my: Add a costume contest to the mix and hand out prizes to some of the best. Try breaking the contest into a few categories or by age, and awarding prizes, such as most creative, judge’s choice and crowd favorite.

Tricks for your treats
Chili Mac Cup Concoction: Use a regular muffin pan to bake mac and cheese cups — a fun twist on the kids’ favorite. The macaroni cups are the perfect chili topper for a hearty fall favorite.