entertaining

october 2003

Although Halloween used to be considered a children's holiday, we know plenty of adults who are too old for trick-or-treat, but still enjoy getting dressed in a costume and having a chance to get silly with friends on October 31. So we've planned a Halloween costume party that's easy to execute-once you've set out the food and drinks, you'll be free to circulate with your friends.

Our friends are happiest at do-it-yourself parties. These parties get the conversation and participation going quickly and are a great work-saver for the party-giver. As host or hostess, you'll need to stock up on ghoulish accessories (witches, bats, skulls, and ghosts) from a party store to decorate the rooms. White bed sheets soaked in starch make great ghosts to hang in your trees. Line the front steps with giant carved jack-o-lanterns, lighted with votive candles or small flashlights. To add more spirit to the party, invite a palm reader to tell fortunes and rent some classic horror films for background viewing on the TV. Present each guest with a small hollowed-out pumpkin and provide a room with adequate tables covered with newspapers for carving. Tools needed for carving are utility knives, X-acto knives, serrated blade knives, wood chisels, and melon ballers (to leave behind a layer of translucent flesh). Guests can also paint the pumpkins with colored markers. Offer prizes for the best and the worst decorated pumpkins (have a committee of 'impartial' judges). Clear one large area of furniture and clutter; have a selection of CD's or tapes ready for those who wish to dance. Hot Spiced Witch's Brew simmering on the stove makes a perfect hot beverage without the worry of too much sugar. Offer cans of diet soda and small bottles of water in a large wash tub or cooler filled with ice. This is a varied menu that's not difficult to prepare. It's sure to satisfy everyone's taste and appetite, yet can be worked into a diabetes meal plan. No passing trays of tiny canapés for me-that's too work intensive. I'd rather set a buffet table and hire a teenage helper to keep the buffet replenished as needed and occasionally pass trays of food. Hire a second helper to bus the used glasses and plates, keeping the dishwasher loaded and running so the cleanup afterwards is minimum. Come For Drinks and Wear a Costume   Hot Spiced Witch's Brew Halloween Gorp Raw Veggies with Ghoul's Breath Dip Crab Claws with Cocktail Sauce Steamed Dumplings with Shiitake Mushrooms Hot Mustard Dipping Sauce Fresh Fruit Wrapped in Smoked Turkey Basket of Strawberries (for the recipes, click on The Recipes or click on the individual recipe above) FTG and BSP