cover image Halloween Parties: How to Throw Spook-Tacular Soirees and Frighteningly Festive Entertainments

Halloween Parties: How to Throw Spook-Tacular Soirees and Frighteningly Festive Entertainments

Lori Hellander. Stewart, Tabori, & Chang, $14.95 (80pp) ISBN 978-1-58479-339-7

Photo stylist Hellander's book of Halloween-themed entertainment ideas shares recipes, decorating tips and invitation ideas for six different spooky parties. The Tricks & Treats party is pretty run of the mill, with its jack-o'-lantern goody bags, suggestions for pumpkin carving and recipes for Cupcakes with Candy Surprise Centers and Hot Red Wine with Cloves and Almonds. The rest of the parties--Witches' Brew; It's a Mod, Mod World!; Hocus Pocus; Haunted House; and That Old Devil Moon--basically offer variations on the theme, with vaguely original ideas for party favors, place settings and snacks. Many of the suggestions seem flimsy (e.g., covering a room's walls with wrapping paper to create a festive atmosphere) and don't specifically apply to Halloween (e.g., party favors like styrofoam balls wrapped in crepe paper with tiny charms and fortunes stored inside; or recipes such as Breadsticks with Prosciutto and Robiola). But first-time hosts who haven't a clue where to begin might glean something from this enthusiastic book. 96 photos.