Boooooo-nanza

Notice how Halloween has become the "new Christmas" for holiday decor?  What's not to love?  It is fun, no gifts like Christmas or massive cooking like Thanksgiving so it's all treats and no tricks for us.   It's all a bit silly but sometimes, silly is needed.   One of my most favorite dinner parties was a Halloween carving themed night held in a handsome Georgetown brownstone. The lights were turned out for dessert and we all ate the rustic apple tarte by the light of the glowing pumpkins that we had all carved.  Charming, it was... So, here's some of my favorite picks for the spooky holiday.  

Every celebration starts with a great invitation and this one, definitely sets the tone. Each box has a test tube with the invitation inside.  Even better, they're on sale now ($22 for set of 12).  Grandin Road

 Or these hilarious invitations from Martha Stewart at HSN,  $24 for 12.  

Williams-Sonoma nailed it this season with their collection from Perfect Endings. I met the owner, Sam, when working at O Magazine and can't say enough how talented this fellow is nor how kind.  Glad to see his fabulous things are now available beyond his Napa Valley shop.   $89 at Williams-Sonoma

More treats from WS....  How cute is this NO BAKE Haunted House... 

And these shortbread cookies will give your guests something to talk about...

Sure you can make this from a real (oversized) pumpkin but isn't it nice to have a great fake at the ready??  And it'd also work for Thanksgiving entertaining too. $89 at HSN

For every witch's brew, you need a cauldron... on sale for a mere $5, don't let this fly off. Grandin Road

Oriental Trading has a dozen festive bottle wraps for $2.99.  Great fun for all ages!

This is my kind of seasonal decor.  It's easy to put up on a wall and gives a big bang for its buck. Can't you see this above a mantle or in a foyer greeting guests?  Grandin Road 

Another deco no brainer from Grandin Road is a gloomy candelabra...

Finally, grab this Trick or Treat bag to benefit UNICEF's program for kids, exclusive to HSN. 

Here's what they say: 

"With every purchase of a FEED Trick-or-Treat bag, a donation* is made to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF—enough to provide one year's worth of micronutrient powder to a child in the developing world. This helps ensure he or she receives vitamins and minerals needed to survive and thrive."  

Well, that's no joke!  

Live large, 

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