How to Host a Halloween Party: RIP Dip, and Spooky Eats

LOS ALAMITOS, CA — For Orange County resident Stacia Godown, hosting Halloween parties is all about the food. When you plan a Halloween party, remember that your table scapes are more than just a place to put your tidbits. The food actually becomes part of your holiday decorating.

Godown recently held a Halloween Themed Bunco party for her friends and here are some of the ideas she served up her guests.

Haunting Up the Table

Varying heights are key when piling holiday food for your party guests. Use Dollar store candlesticks as bases for your party platters, raising the sweets while keeping the fruits, veggies and snackables at lower levels.

Battery powered flickery candles add light and that extra "spooky" factor when you turn the lights down and the Monster Mash up!

Theme with a Halloween Color Palette

Will your decor be purples, blacks and oranges? Bright green, orange and yellow? or are you going with a vintage orange, black and white? Whatever your color palette for your decorations, if you want to keep your food and decor like a pro, keep your trays, plates, cups and food all in the same tones of color.

For Godown, she went with the greens and oranges, using foods that complimented the fun platters and cups she created.

Finger Foods to Delight and Fright

From the croissant witch hats to a cheddary salsa veggie dip, everything you serve can extend your Halloween theme.

Individually trayed, the theme carries over with everything served. Making personal "pumpkin faced" cups with "stem" spoons is an easy way to make sure everyone gets their portion, and dresses the table.

Browse Pinterest Halloween boards and see what strikes your fancy, to inspire your party fare.

Simple Yet Scary Good

Godown's tactic of meal planning for her events guarantees something for everyone, well balanced or sticky sweet. Protein, vegetables and fruits are balanced with the sweet and fun desserts that kids delight over.

Carve whole peppers, oranges with "pumpkin" faces to ensure everyone eats their fruit and veggies.

Mummy wrapped hot dogs are an easy yet delicious main course for Halloween parties with the ladies of the Bunco league, or the littles.

Try quick wrapping hot dogs with croissant in a "mummy" formation, and baking until nice and brown makes the perfect pre-trick-or-treat meal.

Creating a station where kids can come and take treats that inspire fun and festivity is a natural part of party planning these days and Pinterest is full of Halloween ideas to add to your Halloween decor, and invoke that festive fun with your party guests, no matter how old they are.

Want Some Candy?

Candy themed desserts are the perfect end to your Halloween Party. Make your spider cookies with peanut butter cup centers.

What will you serve at your Halloween Party? Let us know!

Images, courtesy of Stacia Godown