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| CHECKERS E-NEWS Fall 2005 - Home Fall Holiday Section
Although traditional costume parties are always fun and easy to plan, remember that you don't need expensive decorations, basically anything scary looking or Halloween themed. You can also get out of serving a sit-down dinner for all your friends and instead set out fun, Halloween themed finger foods. For example, check out our Caramel Apple recipe, it's sure to fit any adult or child's sweet tooth! Remember that food coloring alone can make just about any basic food themed to your specific event. It's also always fun to have contests and games prepared for your guests. These can either be couple related if your party consists of couples only or they can be adjusted for individuals. For example, award the couple or individual wearing the scariest or even funniest looking costume, or have contests not strictly limited to costumes but a dance contest or karaoke. For a more in-depth party, consider a murder mystery dinner. Planning a murder mystery dinner allows you the flexibility of creating characters, scenes and even scripts if you choose to do so. Just remember when planning a murder mystery you need to allow time for sending out invitations because you will also have to account for dinner being served rather then serving finger foods like you would at a costume party. A murder mystery dinner usually consists of about 6 to 8 couples and you have the option of a scripted mystery where some characters know who actually "did it" and everyone reads from their scripts, or, as the host you can run the show by being the only one who actually knows who's guilty and assign your guests specific character roles, but the freedom to choose their own fate. Either way is lots of fun and keeps everyone on their toes the entire night! Murder mystery dinners can be held either at your home where you can recreate a murderous effect or you can consider renting out a local haunted mansion for the night to scare your friends even more! When decorating for Halloween remember that simple if scary can be plenty. Plus decorations for Halloween are easy to create and usually the least expensive of any holiday. Cheesecloth, for example is great for creating elaborate spider webs all over the your house and backyard, then just add black, plastic spiders for a skin crawling effect. Hanging bat, ghost or witch shapes from the ceiling or windows can also create a ghoulish effect. Don't forget to carve or paint a pumpkin for a traditional Halloween decoration. And if you want to add an even eerier effect to the night, make sure to have a scary Halloween soundtrack playing in the background, dim the lights and make use of dry-ice placed randomly around the house, underneath tables and chairs, or even near open windows. There isn't much time left until Halloween, so hopefully these tips will give you a head start on your Halloween party planning needs! Oh yes, be sure to visit your neighborhood "Just-For-Halloween" store sooner than later if you want to grab up the best costumes, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Caramel Apple Recipe
Directions (For added effect: Sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles, miniature marshmallows, or other yummy candied treats.) Refrigerate for at least 1 to 2 hours. Serves 8 - 10
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Halloween isn't just a kid's holiday, it's a time for adults
to dress-up and have some fun too! This year get all your
friends and family together for the ultimate Halloween
gathering. Don't let the idea of party planning frighten
you though, let us help. Here are some not-so-scary tips
for planning the ultimate monster bash! The great thing
about party planning for Halloween is that the possibilities
are endless. The traditional costume party is ideal for
some, but if you're willing to invest a little time into
your party planning consider hosting a murder mystery
dinner right in your very own living room, or transform
your house into a ghost filled haunted house if your friends
dare to enter! 
Ingredients