Throw a Monster Bash That’s a Surefire Smash

(October 2011) –We know that Halloween is a blast for the little ones but what adult doesn’t love a good costume party? This year, take some time to get into the spirit and have a frightful celebration that everyone will talk about for years to come.

Here are a few great ideas from our Halloween fanatics at American Greetings to help inspire your own ghostly get-together.

• Handmade, hand-delivered invitations: D eliver small pumpkins or gourds with your party written on an attached card. You can decorate the pumpkin with everything from glitter and sequins to hand-drawn or carved designs.

• “Zone” your color schemes: Everyone wants their theme to be carried out, but hosting a party doesn’t mean you have to run out and buy all matching decorations. Stick with a color scheme per room by grouping similar items together for each space in your home that you’ll be utilizing for the event—i.e. Fall leaves and autumn colors in the living room, all black and white/clear glassware in the dining room, and a “witch’s kitchen” with purples and greens.

• BOO-tiful table setting: Create unique and memorable Halloween centerpieces by placing different size pumpkins around the center of the table. Compliment them with beautiful autumn colored flowers or leaves and glass containers of pretty candy, like candy corn and black licorice pieces.

• Show A Scary Film: Keep a frightful flick playing in the background as visual entertainment while guests are mingling. Some great Halloween classics movies include “The Thing”, “Alien”, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers “, “ Halloween” and “Texas Chain Saw Massacre.”

• Monster Music Mix: Besides the traditional Halloween songs (like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and “Monster Mash” by )and scary sounds, don’t forget to include some of these easily overlooked hits on your iPod playlist:

• “This is Halloween," from “The Nightmare Before Christmas”

• "Dead Man's Party," by Oingo Boingo

• "Howl," by Florence and the Machine

• "Time Warp," from “Rocky Horror Picture Show”

• "Heads Will Roll," (A-Trak Remix) by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

• "Walk Like an Egyptian," by The Bangles

• "Somebody's Watching Me," by Rockwell

• “Bad Moon Rising," by Creedence Clearwater Revival

• "Monster" by Lady Gaga