Halloween Entertaining Isn't So Scary

[Leave the scariness to everyday life.](#) [Take Five]( Musings, ramblings, and candid commentary from an always-hungry New Yorker. [Joey Skladany]( [Managing Editor]( Boo! It’s mid-October and you’ve been tasked with hosting a group of your dearest (and laziest) friends for a Halloween get-together. It’s not like you planned to dress up as Martha Stewart or anything—the nerve of them! But what's done is done and I'm here to help you organize a Monster (S)mash that won't have guests thinking "why the hell am I not home in bed watching Hocus Pocus right now?" Read on for tips, tricks, treats, and good ol' fashioned advice from some of Chowhound's most influential ghoulfriends. [How to Host a Creepy, Yet Classy Halloween Party]( Halloween may be the one night of year where you're excused from adulthood. That being said, a second-rate haunted house-themed party is more tragic than the CGI in Final Destination. Avert disaster with these tasteful recommendations. [Read more]( [Kitchen Gadgets to Help You Prep for Your Halloween Party]( You’re going to need a lot more than a fog machine, plastic spiders, and a pumpkin carver to impress your guests. These clever tools are an absolute must for any spooky arsenal. [Read more]( [How to Make Your Own Halloween Candy]( Tootsie Rolls, Dum-Dums, and those awful strawberry-flavored grandma candies, begone! You now have full reign over your candy bowl selection and it’s ONLY the best. Why’s that? You’re making them yourself! Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think. [Read more]( [Drinkable Treats (a.k.a. Alcohol) for Halloween]( 2018 has been terrifying enough. Ditch all the tricks for the ultimate treat: booze. You deserve it. [Read more]( [How to Dress Up Your Apples for Halloween]( If that questionable nurse or [influencer costume]( doesn't sound so appealing, dress up your apples instead. They may just be too adorable to eat. [Read more]( [What I'm Making This Weekend: Peanut Butta Cups]( Because we all know Reese’s are the best things to come out of a pillowcase. [What I'm Sipping This Weekend: Glowing Severed-Hand Halloween Punch]( Because severed feet crosses the line. Let's Stay Connected! [View online]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Manage your Subscriptions]( | [Give Us Feedback]( CBS Interactive - [235 2nd St., San Francisco, CA 94105](#) ©2018 Chowhound.com | All Rights Reserved. [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms and Conditions](