by Lisa Fillers

Created on: September 25, 2008   Last Updated: February 02, 2012

Halloween parties have become quite popular as parents have grown more concerned for their children's safety out on the streets going door to door trick-or-treating. Adults love Halloween costume parties as well. No matter whether you are hosting a party for children or adults, the food served and the setting in which the festivities is held are essential to a successful party.

A children's Halloween party usually begins early in the evening and the host or hostess needs to plan on feeding the children more than desserts. Your child will think you are the coolest Mom or Dad ever if the party room has been decorated in a creepy fashion, eerie music is playing, and the food elicits responses like "Wow!" and "Cool!" from the guests.

Most children arrive at Halloween parties hungry, expecting to be served great food and desserts. Almost all children love hotdogs and it is very simple to make coffins, complete with the body. Place the hot dogs on a platter, buns open, with a face carefully drawn on the weiner using a mustard squeeze bottle. Serve the coffins with chips and provide a mustard squeeze bottle for guests to add additional mustard if they desire.

The drink for the evening should be red fruit punch served in a punch bowl in which a floating hand of ice resides. Prepare the hand by using a clean, powder free, rubber glove. Pour water into the glove and tie it off. Carefully place the glove in the freezer so that it is not resting against the wire shelving or frozen foods that would distort the shape. Placing it flat on a boxed item works best. Leave the hand in the freezer until time for guests to arrive. Cut the glove away with a pair of kitchen shears or sharp knife and place in the punch bowl. If the party is for adults, alcohol may be added to the punch.

Rice Krispies Treats are enjoyed by children and adults and make great tombstones, and the recipe is quick to prepare. After the treats have cooled, carefully cut into rectangles with a rounded top. Decorate by piping R.I.P. onto the tombstone in orange icing.

Pumpkins can be created by making a smaller version of a popcorn ball by tinting the ingredients orange with food coloring. The pumpkin's stem is made by inserting a 1 1/2 inch piece of green licorice into the top of the popcorn ball as your form the balls, leaving about one inch of the licorice showing.

For children, create spiders by spreading peanut butter on round snack crackers. Top the cracker with another cracker. The spiders legs are made

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