Even though Halloween is more of a children’s holiday, it is one that I always get pretty excited about. In my mind, Halloween marks the beginning of my favorite time of the year; the holidays! Growing up in California meant that Halloween was typically the first weekend that turned cold. So, my family always seized the opportunity to break out some fall favorites. This year, I am going to be in North Carolina for my first Homecoming since graduating from Wake Forest and I couldn’t be more excited. Although it does mean that my Halloween plans will be a little different… So for those of you who will be home this weekend, here are my tips for throwing the ultimate Halloween Party!

What to Eat:

Ever since I was a little girl, we always had Halloween dinner with several families in the neighborhood before we headed out for hours of trick or treating. So, the moms tended to cook things that were easy to create in bulk and would please kids and adults alike. A big fall soup tends to do the trick. I found this recipe for Mini Turkey Meatball Soup and I cannot wait to try it!

Something Sweet:

Peanut Butter Candy Corn Pretzel Bark, now say that 5 times fast!! 

Ingredients

• 2 cups white chocolate melting candy (like Wilton's or Merckens or Ghirardeli)
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
•   Reese's Pieces, mini pretzel twists, and candy corn for topping

Instructions

1. Prepare a nonstick work surface using a silicone mat or parchment paper to be approximately 18 inches x 9 inches.
2. Melt the melting candy according to the directions on the package.
3. Spread it on the prepared work surface using an angled spatula or knife until it is about 1/16 inch.
4. Place the peanut butter in a small zip top bag, pushing it all the way down to one of the corners. Twist the top like a piping bag. Place in the microwave and heat for 15-20 seconds until PB is warm through.
5. Snip the corner and pipe the peanut butter in straight lines across the spread white candy. Drag a knife back and forth across the PB lines to create a beautiful marble.
6. Sprinkle the Reese's Pieces, mini pretzel twists, and candy corn over the top, slightly pressing into the melted candy if necessary.
7. Let candy cool for 10-30 minutes (depends on your room temp, your work surface temp, and the brand of melting candy) until candy is hardened. Cut or break into pieces before serving and/or packaging.

What to Wear:

Your Halloween costume, duh! Some of my favorite costumes have been the twins emoji, a sugar skull and Top Gun.

The Sugar Skull costume last year may have been my favorite. I was a little bit worried as to how I would actually paint this look on my face but it was much easier once I found a great youtube tutorial that took me step by step through the process. Chances are, if you are trying to create your own costume this year, there is a youtube video out there that will help you make it perfectly! 

How about a Drink:

Blood Orange Margaritas! By now you know how much I love my margaritas, so why not kick it up a notch for Halloween and add a little blood (orange)?

Ingredients: Makes 1 Cocktail

• 3 ounces fresh Blood Orange Juice
• ¾ ounces fresh Lime Juice
• 2 ounces Tequila
• 1 ounce Agave Nectar

Directions:

1.     Rub the rim of a glass with an edge of a blood orange slice. Swirl the rim through a small pile of sea salt to salt the rim.

2.     Combine all ingredients into an ice filled cocktail shaker and shake well for 15 seconds.

3.     Fill salt-rimmed glass with ice and strain the cocktail into the glass.

4.     Enjoy!

Decorate:

I found this adorable white pumpkin display a few days ago and I think it is such a great idea! Obviously there is nothing wrong with going for your classic orange pumpkins, but the mini white ones definitely add a more soothing twist to typical halloween decorations. Check out how to create this look here.

Hope that everyone has a very Happy Halloween and gets to enjoy lots of candy just like when we were kids! :) 

XOXO,

Rachael Claire