By Nanette Wiser
It’s the most boo-tiful time of the year! Get in the spirit with these Halloween decorating, entertaining and costume ideas for adults and their pets.
COSTUMES Pop culture and politics drive adult costumes, so look to Barbie, Ken, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte, The Little Mermaid, everything Disney or Marvel, Wednesday Addams, and the Ted Lasso coaches. Pick a family theme (Jurassic Park with your baby dinosaur or Avatar). Couples can trick-or-treat as Star Wars Leia and Luke. Classic costumes (witch, pirate, vampire, bumblebees, tulle skirts, animals), funny and punny styles will have you howling at costume contests around town. Shop early at local thrift and vintage shops (The Attic, ARTPool, Anona Thrift, Goodwill) and let your inner child loose. You and your pup can go as hot dog and mustard; BarkLife, PetCo and PetSmart have adorable ideas.
PARTIES Whip up a witches brew as a signature cocktail, create a spooky playlist (They Did The Monster Mash), stream movies (Hocus Pocus, Beetlejuice) and decorate inside and out with LED spider lights, gothic black and orange or dark purple, glitter pumpkins and spiderweb drink umbrellas from the Dollar Tree and Oriental Trading Co. Play Halloween charades, fright night bingo and pumpkin bowling. Serve pumpkin soup chowder or carve orange and yellow peppers into Jack-O’Lanterns, stuff them with sausage, rice and onions then bake and serve. For dessert, set up a candy buffet with treats in glass jars, seasonal cupcakes and this quirky fruit fun. Happy hauntings!
SOUR PATCH GRAPES Glittery goodness and easy peasy to make. Ingredients 1 1/2 lb. green grapes, ½ lemon, 1 package cherry Jell-O, 1 package orange Jell-O, 1 package lemon Jell-O, 1 package lime Jell-O Directions Empty each Jell-O packet into its own gallon-size resealable plastic bag. Remove grapes from stems and rinse in a colander and shake till the grapes are damp, not wet. Squeeze lemon juice over grapes and toss with your hands to coat the grapes. Place a handful of grapes in each bag of Jell-O mix, seal, then shake to coat. Remove from bags and serve.