Have a Festive Halloween

There is no better way to get Hallowe'en off to a good start than with a nice Witch's Brew...along with some delicious Halloween snacks.

Do the Prep ahead of time. Make some finger sandwiches (using lunchmeats, cheese and mayonnaise or mustard); thread the green or black olives (or both) on a toothpick, then stick them onto the top of each finger sandwich. Prepare the cookies ahead of time and place them on a festive tray. Peel and slice the oranges, set aside...they will later be added to the punch.You should spring in to action by setting the mood for a thrilling and chilling Halloween, and there is no better place to start than some festive decorations; hang some (orange and black) streamers, Skeletons, Witches, Dracula, and, naturally, a Mummy or two...this is the time of year for "Spooks and Goblins" so you may want to hang a ghosts as well. Before it is time to begin the Hallowe'en celebration, pour the fruit punch and soda into the punch bowl and add orange slices. Then move on to the next step. You'll need to take an ice pick or knife to chisel a fairly good size chunk of the dried ice; then add it to the fruit punch. It will steam, just like a Witch's brew, and it will delight your family and guests. Have all the goodies, such as the snacks, paper plates and napkins, on the dining room table or a coffee table in your living room. Dim lighting will work best for this type of celebration. You may want to use candles if the lighting in your house is too bright and they can be kept safely out of reach. Keep things on the spooky and eerie side, hey, it's Hallowe'en.

You may want to serve chips and a dip, as well. If so, Kraft Dips is a very good choice, such as the creamy ranch.In order to make perfect finger sandwiches, use a sharp knife and cut each sandwich in half lengthwise, then the same widthwise...you can't go wrong.The small Rye breads are a good alternate plan to making finger sandwiches, for they are just the right size. Salami on rye works well, along with some mustard.For the kiddies, you may want to have on hand their all-time favorite sandwich: peanut butter and jelly or jam. For a healthier choice, reduced fat peanut butter is recommended and sugar-free raspberry preserves works great in place of the jelly or jam. Other party favorites that you may want to have on hand include: pretzels, Chex party mix, peanuts or mixed nuts. Festive homemade cupcakes or store-bought ones will work well also. Keep all candles in a safe place, and check them at least once an hour. If a fan or A/C vent is blowing directly on them, you will want to give them a half-turn every hour to keep the wax burning evenly. Never touch dry ice without protecting your hands and learning how to handle it beforehand! It can cause very serious injuries when handled carelessly. Don't assume it to be harmless because it looks fun to have around.