Say hello to Halloween

Whether you’re doing Halloween in a big way or are just letting it pass you by, there are many things you can do to decorate, celebrate and enjoy the moment. Whether you decide to go all out, or you just want a small taster, read on for some original decorating ideas and sweet treats.

THEME YOUR TABLE

If you’re having a party, make your table stand out and invest in some cute décor. The shops are full of Halloween party decorations but if you want it to look more chic than cheap, then go for anything made in metal or porcelain and avoid paper and plastic at all costs. Pieces like this Day of The Dead Skull Tealight Holder, Metal Cauldron, and Light Up Owl, all from Poundland, look more expensive than their £1 price tag. Also have a look around your home for everyday items that you can easily transform and use. Metal birdcages, and glass cake and cheese stands are ideal for housing Halloween treats.

PARTYWARE WITH A DIFFERENCE

If paper tableware isn’t your thing then there are plenty of novelty mugs, glasses, and serving solutions on the high street to give your party the wow factor. Serve up some petrifying punch with this large Pumpkin Drinks Dispenser from Wilko. This 6 litre glass pumpkin is ideal for serving drinks from, and completely on tap. There is also a 7.5 litre Glass Skull, which also fills through the lid at the top. Both cost £15 and have matching pumpkin and skull glasses at £1.50 each. These fake-blood-spattered designed tumblers are sure to add to the fright factor and why not shape your ice cubes into skulls with a silicone mould?

Images: Wilko

PLAY WITH PUMPKINS

Why not create a gilded wreath for the front door, snap up faux mini pumpkins (they’re lighter than the real deal) and spray with metallic spray paint? Once they’re dry, attach pumpkins to a wreath using hot glue and you have a stack of pumpkins worthy of any front door.

You can also create something very similar for your fireplace, and if you want to give your decorations an extra twist, spray paint pumpkins in your favourite colours to match your room, or hollow out, place a water-filled vase inside and add some autumnal flowers.

BAKED BITES

Halloween food always proves popular, particularly when it is fun, colourful, and preferably not too calorific or too expensive. Whether you just want to indulge in a Halloween taster or you’re catering a full-on Halloween party, why not add the finishing touches to any cake or biscuits with Asda’s Horrid Halloween Sprinkles? A mix of orange coloured sugar pearls, black bat shaped decorations, and green and purple glimmer sugar, these sprinkles are free from artificial flavours, cost £2.00 for 75g and make a great topping for anything. An alternative is Asda’s Pumpkin & Bat Sprinkles, with no artificial colours, flavours or hydrogenated fats they cost just £1 for 50g.

Images: Asda, Greggs, Poundworld

ON THE GO

If you’re out and about with the kids, treat them to a Halloween baked goodie, or maybe you just want a sweetener for yourself? Greggs has a new Toffee Apple Ring Doughnut to feast upon. A Bonfire Night inspired ring doughnut topped with toffee apple flavour icing, with white chocolate flavour decoration and apple flavour fudge pieces. At 243 calories and at a cost of 75 pence, it won’t break the bank or your waistline. The odd sweet or two will always be favoured as well.