Make a Scene with a Theme

One sure-fire way to capture the Halloween spirit is to host a themed costume party. For example, why not host a Greek or Roman mythology party -- think of it as a toga party for adults. As your guests show up dressed as Zeus, Minerva, Mercury and Aphrodite, turn on some music, pour some drinks and serve snacks truly worthy of the gods. Ripe grapes, rich cheeses, artichoke/spinach dip with black bread, and single-serving salads or sandwiches fit flawlessly. As for a suitable wine, try Corvo’s Rosso and Bianco. These celebrated 100 percent Sicilian wines accentuate any hors d’oeuvres and won’t break your budget at $9.99 for a 750 mL bottle. Also, they blend in with the mythology theme, as Sicily was the center of the wine world during that time period. Other great theme ideas include historical figures (Billy the Kid, Napoleon, Cleopatra), superheroes (Spider-Man, Wonder Woman), famous couples (Romeo and Juliet, Bill and Hillary) and movie villains (Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wicked Witch of the West).

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Once you’ve decided on a theme, set the tone by turning your “crib” into a “crypt.” Start by making cardboard tombstones for your front yard. Spray-paint the tombstones with gray textured paint and anchor them to the ground with tent stakes and duct tape. As for the epitaphs, feel free to be as spooky . . . or humorous . . . as mortally possible. To set the mood inside, set up blacklights and cotton spider webs (both readily available at most party stores), and if you want to go all-out with the eerie ambiance, a small smoke machine or cooler of dry ice will complete any haunted house. A phantasmic way to set the mood for your gathering is to place candles throughout your abode. Luna di Luna makes a Pinot Bianco/Sauvignon and a Sangiovese/Merlot that are ideal wines for entertaining, and whose goblin-green and poltergeist-purple bottles (respectively) are perfect for Halloween candleholders. Simply pour the delicious wines into carafes for easy serving, and then top the bottles with orange and black candles. As the candles burn, and wax drips down, these bottles will make for shockingly suitable place settings and centerpieces . . . just make sure you put a plate or foil at the bottom to catch the drippings. Soundtrack your spine-chilling masterpiece with a Halloween mix tape or CD with spooky sounds (cackling, thunder, cat screams, etc.) thrown in between songs.

Creature Feature

If hosting a party seems a bit too sinister for you, why not invite a handful of your favorite fiends over for a night of scary movies. Once again, it’s a good idea to run with a theme. If vampires send the chills down your spine, try “Dracula,” “Shadow of the Vampire” and “Blade.” Should marauding monsters be more your gig, rent “Frankenstein,” “Hellraiser” and “An American Werewolf in London.” But, if psychotic maniacs are what make you jump out of your skin, there’s nothing better than the Hannibal Lector trilogy (“The Silence of the Lambs,” “Hannibal” and “Red Dragon”). While we’re on the topic of the good Dr. Lector, why not serve your guests a nice glass of Piccini (a fine Chianti) . . . of course, the fava beans are optional. Piccini Chianti is a deep red colored wine with a ripe, spicy flavor. And, with its orange and black label, it’s a sure-fire fit for Halloween festivities.

As you can see, it only takes a few simple steps to put together a monstrously marvelous Halloween party. With that said, there are only two other things to keep in mind. One: make sure your guests have either a designated driver or plans to get home safely at the end of the evening if they’ve been drinking alcoholic beverages. And, two: have plenty of candy on hand for the wee ghosts and goblins that come knocking.

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