Halloween isnt just for kids anymore. In fact it seems that more and more adults - young and old - and especially singles, are celebrating this holiday. Its a great opportunity to meet new friends and a possible date while disguised! So for a truly awesome, no not gruesome, Halloween get-together, follow the tips and tricks here.

Set the mood! Yes, you do need to decorate for the season. And like most other major holidays, a tree is in order, only this one is more twiggy, and black in appearance, and bedecked and festooned with spider webs, (yes, you can used the left over Christmas angel hair), ghostly goblins, pumpkin ornaments, and howling witches. There is a large assortment of Halloween ornaments readily available and you can always make your own. Just check in with Pier 1 Imports, Bed Bath and Beyond, Linens and Things, Seasonal Concepts, and even your local Hallmark Store. Beyond the Halloween Tree, youll want to consider adding some festive lights (ghosts and pumpkins are most popular) to an outside railing or surrounding the door, you can even run these up a stair rail inside and around windows. You arent going for elegant, this is Halloween.

Okay, so youve got the tree planned, the lights ready, now add a Halloween wreath to the door or better yet, a favorite skeleton that glows in the dark to really add some spook. Certainly strategically placed webs with large black spiders are effective, and it isnt complete without jack o lanterns lining the walkway and greeting visitors at the door. Make it interactive, and ask everyone to bring a carved pumpkin, you can supply the candles. It is a great ice breaker, and you can always come up with a prize for the scariest, most creative, most recognizeable, biggest and more.

Of course, you will need invitations, and in this high tech age, its a lot more fun and unusual to get an invite by snail mail with a follow up by email, rather than just another evite. Why not include a set of pumpkin seeds and roasting instructions. You can either provide the food, or do it pot luck style, but make it easy and ask for specific types of dishes.

Not interested in sponsoring a pumpkin carving contest? How about a mask decorating soiree and you provide the goodies and masks to decorate with (order in bulk from an online party source.) You could even include a cape decorating festivity, ordering a dozen or more from a local party supply store. You could ask guests to bring a Halloween ornament for the tree. Its important to make this interactive and a good way to mingle. Be sure to award favors and prizes liberally, so everyone goes home a winner.

2005 Melissa Galt