Halloween Hysteria!

We're getting all geared up for our second annual Halloween Party here in the Sippycups house. Last year we invited lots of our friends and neighbors over for a pre trick or treat pizza party. It was a huge success so we (I) decided we'd make it a yearly tradition. Last year was pretty basic. Pizza. Beer. Lemonade.

This year, I'm going to try to mix it up a bit. The kids were a little wild last year so I figured this year I'd set up some craft tables so they would have something to do (other than drive their semi drunk and not at all excited about trick or treating parents insane) while waiting for dark. I ordered some cool beading sets and other random craft kits from Oriental Trading.

BabyGirl was VERY excited to help me pick out these adorable invitations...



from Itty Bitty

They open up to display the invite inside the bat's wings. TOO CUTE.



I also thought it might be nice to offer something a little more enticing than pizza for the adults. Sooo, I'm going to try a mashed potato bar this year. If you've never had the opportunity to try a mashed potato bar you are seriously missing out!


First, you make your mashed potatoes. In bulk. Then you'll need to set them up in a chafing dish, such as this one from Sur La Table. Next, you'll need to set up your condiments. I use small square glass vases. You can provide whatever condiments you think people will like: green onions, bacon pieces, sour cream, butter, cheddar cheese, blue cheese, salsa, green peas, mushrooms, etc. Then you'll need regular sized martini glasses. I bought mine in bulk from Pier One. After that, it's pretty self explanatory! Your guests simply scoop some potatoes into their martini glasses and add the toppings. YUM!

And, as you all know, I do love my libations. We had a Halloween themed supper club one year and our friends brought this drink...the "Brain Tumor".


It looked completely disgusting. I personally didn't think it tasted great either. And the texture...blech! It was a fun way to start the party, though. We had them as an "appetizer shot". How cool would they look in this red rimmed shot glass?
Here's how you make them...

Brain Tumor
Ingredients
1 tsp. Irish Cream (Bailey's)
1 oz. Schnapps, peach
1/2 tsp. Grenadine

Mixing Instructions
Add peach schnapps to a shot glass. Slowly add Irish cream. Don't mix... the cream will clump together and settle to the bottom. It will look gross. Pour the grenadine over the cream lump for a completely disgusting looking, but really tasty Halloween party drink.

Nice, huh?

I love to decorate for Halloween as well. I think I've done it all! One of my favorites is the specimen jar.


Fill a few glass vessels more than halfway with colored water (mix 3 drops green or 1/2 drop red food coloring in water; add a few tablespoons milk for murkiness).

Peel off outer layers of a cabbage head for a brain specimen; use a fennel bulb with the fronds cut off for a heart. If a specimen is too large for the jar's opening, cut it in half and stick it back together with skewers once it's inside. With a glue stick, attach a printed or written label on the container.

I've made a little collage of other ideas that I love. The Martha Stewart Head Waiter Tray is another one of my favorites. It works great as a centerpiece!



Another neat touch you can easily add to your party also comes from Martha Stewart. DUH! Jazz up your wine bottles with Custom Made Wine Bottle Labels.

If you still don't have enough great ideas be sure to go to the Grandin Road website. TONS of awesome Halloween Decorations!

If you're not having your own party but you know you'll be attending a friend's, why not send the perfect hostess gift?

Right now you can save $10 on $49.95 or more at Martha Stewart for 1-800-Flowers.com! Use code MARTHA16at checkout. Exp. 9.30.08