The chills and thrills of October 31 bring family and friends together to share the Halloween spirit with creative costumes and whimsical touches. Make your gathering easy by keeping the decorations and food simple. Explore the fall foliage, and let it set the tone along with bales of hay and cornstalks. Get everyone in the mood with a few games, and let the child in you shine through while you're bobbing for apples and sharing ghost tales. We offer some great party tips as well as delicious recipes.

Halloween Party Recipes:
1. Goblin Dip With Bone Crackers
2. Cheesy Witches' Brooms
3. Candy Apples
4. Witches' Brew Chicken Soup
5. Shrunken Heads
6. Trash Mix

• Choose a party theme. Plan your menu and make a checklist. Getting organized is the key to successful entertaining.
  
  
• Etch or print handmade invitations on construction or handmade papers.
  
  
• Light the inside of carved pumpkins and gourds with candles or use cordless battery-powered candles.
  
  
• Embellish the driveway, sidewalk, windowsills, door knocker, lamppost, and front porch with odd-size pumpkins, vines, and green and white gourds.
  
  
• Attach natural swags or vines to the chair backs with twine.
  
  
• Round up flashlights and lanterns for folks to use in the dark. Tape a spooky stencil over the bulb of a flashlight to create mysterious shadows.
  
  
• Arrange one or two large displays to greet guests as they arrive. Include fall produce, gourds, nuts, mums, and dried leaves around the base of the arrangement. Cast-iron kettles make creative pots for plants.
  
  
• Transform a garage, loft, or recreation room into a barn setting.
  
  
• Enjoy your company. When you relax your guests will have a good time too.
  
  

"Ghosts and Goblins Come Knocking" is from the October 2001 issue of Southern Living.