by Rob Kay

Created on: September 30, 2008   Last Updated: September 10, 2009

Halloween night has the potential of being one of the most enjoyable nights of the year. However, for the host of the party, the night can be a hectic, stress-filled occasion. What costume to wear? What food to serve? Perhaps you're even concerned that you don't have enough black and orange streamers. Thankfully, those worries can subside and your only focus will be having a great time and not worrying about the morning-after clean up.

The biggest party mistake you can make as a host is to be too lenient on the costume enforcement. It might sound silly but nothing boosts moral more than the mandatory costume rule. Sure, everyone complains about it when they first get the invitation. That's not important, this year they're going to have to go out and get a costume. Sometime during their trip to the costume store, true originality will emerge. When they get to the party, you might even get some thank yous for the extra nudge. The first hour of your "best Halloween party ever" will and should be spent by your guests watching the other guests' entrances to feel out how their costumes compare. This just gets everyone in the mood and provides for an easy transition to the real party.

Who said party? The party itself should be over the top. Once everyone has arrived, the lights should be out. The focus should be on dancing to some good dance music probably oldies, (the new music just doesn't cut it) and some Halloween songs everyone knows (no one doesn't like "Monster Mash" or "Purple People Eater"). Mix in some Crash Test Dummies for slower songs and the guests will be talking about the night for years to come. It's important to remember Halloween is one of the best nights of the year to dance. People are dressed up uniquely, everyone is in the spirit of having a good time and a little dancing takes away some of the worries about their children.

Halloween beverages won't do you wrong either and "Bloody Marys" and maybe some late October martinis. On the food side, pumpkin seeds flavored to your liking always go over well as well as something creative on the desert side maybe a homemade mud pie or something along those lines that fits in with the occasion. The important thing is not to get all hot and bothered worrying about if your party is going to cut the mustard. The only thing hot should be the guests from stomping all over your ballroom floor. Well, hopefully not literally stomping!

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