Halloween...Trick or Treat?

In honor of Halloween, I thought I would spend some time finding some great ideas for Halloween parties. Planning a party can be so much fun - and expensive. A few DIY ideas would definitely help cut your expenses.

It is not for lack of ideas when searching online. There are websites that are dedicated to just Halloween.

Here are a few of my favorites this year...

1. One of my ultimate faves... "THE BLOODY BRAIN SHOOTER"

I have read so many variations of this... but as a bartender in my past life - the best recipe - tried and true - and looks like brains everytime is not what I've been finding on line.

Here it is:
1 1/4 Butterscotch Liqueur
Bailey's Irish Cream
Grenadine

Pour the Butterscotch Liqueur into a shot glass, gently float Bailey's Irish Cream on top of the Liqueur. Slowly add drops of grenadine into the Bailey's to create the Brain effect. Serve.

2. For a DIY decoration that is inexpensive - I love this... so cute!

Here is what you need: 1L Pop bottle; Starch; Cheese Cloth; Old Towel; Scrap piece of felt; Styrofoam ball (the white kind works better); scissors; Hair Dryer (optional); Wire (not pictured)

1. Cover your work area with the towel.
2. Place the styrofoam ball on the 1L pop bottle. If you're using anything other than the white styrofoam - wrap the ball in plastic as to not bleed or fuzz up the cheese cloth.
3.Use the wire to make arms.
4. Lay the cheese cloth over the ghost form.
5. Spray it down with starch. It is recommended to use a spray bottle so that you can control how much starch you use. The more starch used, the stiffer the ghost.
6. You can either let dry overnight - or you can use the hair dryer to dry it.
7. Once completely dry - pull it off the base - add eyes with used felt.

3. This is a great useful decoration...

This is as easy as it looks...

1. Hollow a pumpkin.

2. Add a bowl.

3. Add Ice.

4. Add bottles of beverages.

Done!





4. This next decoration - is so easy and inexpensive - but what an impact...the picture even has all the steps.

5. This is one way to add an inexpensive creepiness to your drinks:

6. Here is such a great detail - and again - this is cheap!

7. Here is a popular trend... it can be done both alcoholic and non-alcoholic...

For this project, you need: One 1.75L bottle of vodka; Five 8.5 ounce bottles; One 1pound bag of Skittles; Five empty plastic water bottles; A funnel; Bowls for seperating the Skittles into flavors; Measuring cup; Coffee filters or paper towels

If you're making a different sized batch, you'll need to know this formula:

60 skittles to 6 ounces of vodka - which yields 8 ounces of vodka.

1.  Separate Skittles into flavors.

2. Fill your water bottles with 6 ounces of vodka each.

3. Add skittles (60 of each flavor) - into separate bottles

4. Shake - Shake - Shake - the more you shake each one - the better. Then set them aside overnight.

5. Strain. Use your coffee filters or paper towel - and filter the vodka mix with a funnel inside the measuring cup. This may have to be repeated often - until the floaties are all gone.

6. Pour the liquid into the Halloween bottle. Repeat for each bottle.

7. Chill and Serve. You can even freeze them

You can also try this with Jolly Ranchers.

You can drink them straight, served in a martini glass or use them in a cocktail.

Mix them with ginger ale, 7-up or Spritee.

You can mix with Cola.

Serve them on the rocks.

You can even add fruit juices.

These are just a few of the fun - and for the most part inexpensive Halloween party decor and who can forget about food and beverage.

You can also check out my Pinterest board of Halloween - it has decorations, costumes, food and beverage ideas. http://www.pinterest.com/eeventsbykina/halloween-decorating-ideas/

And just a few really cute pictures that I just had to share with you (couldn't resist):