Halloween is on a Wednesday this year which is kind of a bummer. The sun usually sets this time of year at about 6:30PM so why not gather up your friends & family after the kids get out of school for a Pre-Trick-Or-Treat Party!
Here are some necessities:
One festively decorated front yard. Find Halloween yard decorations here.
This drink was always a hit at the Halloween parties I attended as a kid:
Witches Brew
Ingredients:
4 cups cranberry juice cocktail
1 cup candied ginger root, chopped
3 medium oranges
12 ounces apple juice, frozen concentrate, thawed
6 ounces limeade, frozen concentrate, thawed
2 cups seedless grapes
4 cups water
64 ounces ginger ale, (1/2 gal)
1 pound dry ice, up to 2 pounds
Directions:
- In a 1 to 2 quart pan, bring 1 cup of cranberry juice and candied ginger to a boil over high heat. Boil, uncovered, about 2 minutes, set aside.
- With a vegetable peeler, pare peel (colored part only) from oranges; cut peel into thin 2-inch-long worms; or use an Oriental shredder to make long shreds. Add orange peel to cranberry mixture. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or as long as overnight.
- Juice oranges; put juice in a 6 to 8 quart pan or heavy bowl. Stir in cranberry-ginger mixture, the 3 cups cranberry juice, apple concentrate, limeade, grapes and water. If made ahead, cover and chill up to 2 hours. Add ginger ale and about a 1 pound piece of dry ice (DO NOT put small pieces in punch or cups); ice should smolder at least 30 minutes. Ladle into cups. Add any remaining ice when bubbling ceases.
A SERIOUS CAUTION: never touch dry ice; use tongs to handle. Makes 5 quarts; allow about 1-1/2 cups for a serving.
Source: Flora’s Drink Hideout
Target.com has a Boiling Cauldron with Stand that is perfect for this drink.
Lastly, I found a Halloween dish recipe that actually looks edible. All of them are edible, but some of the recipes look too gross for me and their names are kind of too much for kids (I’m sure you know what I mean).
This recipe found on CooksRecipes.com looks cute & delicious:
Halloween Mummy Dogs
Ingredients:
2 tubes refrigerator pizza dough rolls
1 cup grated part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Freshly grated Parmesan (part-skim) cheese
Non-stick spray
4 tablespoons pizza sauce or pasta sauce
8 hot dogs
Optional pizza toppings: onions, green peppers, olives, etc.
1 tablespoon Italian herb seasoning mix (or your own mix of oregano, thyme, parsley, etc.)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
2. Open package of pizza dough, gather ingredients, grate cheese, and dice vegetables.
3. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick spray.
4. Place pizza dough on sheet and cut into 8 squares; press dough thin with fingers.
5. Add pizza sauce to each square.
6. Add hot dogs and other pizza toppings and pizza herbs to taste.
7. “Mummify” the hot dogs by wrapping them completely in the dough and pinching the ends.
8. Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until crust begins to brown.
9. Serve with warm pizza sauce for dip
Makes 6 servings.
For books with Halloween recipe & party ideas click here.
The Budget Bambino gives reasons why your children should Trick or Treat for UNICEF. Every penny helps. 
This week on Smarter Babies & Kids Blog we covered:
