Halloween parties are always fun, but as any parent will tell you, preparing for them is often scarier than Halloween itself.
More often than not, you've only got a day or two to plan and prepare your meals, make your invites, and think of a décor theme.
But decorating for Halloween doesn't have to be a nightmare, nor does it have to cost a small fortune.
Next time you're hosting, these ideas can help you put together the perfect Halloween bash without breaking a sweat.
Halloween colors You can't go wrong with a black and orange theme! Choose one of them as your dominant color and use the other as an accent.
This makes it look more streamlined and helps you choose your lights, linens, and other décor pieces.
Don't be afraid to use less common colors as well, such as red, white, and yellow.
Creative plating Any everyday food can be given a Halloween twist with just a few adjustments.
For example, you can serve your soup in a homemade pumpkin bowl and make it double as a Halloween centerpiece.
If you're having kids over, get some ready-made cupcakes and decorate them with Halloween designs such as spider webs, ghosts, and monster faces.
Table settings Halloween table setting is all about the weird and otherworldly.
Make it a bit darker than your everyday setting; use a dark tablecloth, get some Halloween-themed flatware, and get printed napkins and placemats.
Use a unique centerpiece to set off your design.
Jack-o-lanterns, skulls, and black and orange candles all make excellent Halloween centerpieces.
Good music Your music, together with the lights and décor, will set the mood for your Halloween party.
Choose a genre that your guests will like, but don't stick to it.
Add a variety of tracks so you can put on the right music to suit the atmosphere.
Dramatic lighting Many Halloween setups rely heavily on lighting because it can be adjusted to different themes.
If you have a dimmer, simply tone it down to create a dim glow, or place some colored glass or paper around your lamps to make them cast a colored light.