20 Scary Halloween Party Recipes to Surprise Guests

[ad#co-3]

1. Halloween Appetizers: Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers

Halloween has so much inspiration for creative ideas, especially within the food recipes.  The Halloween Jack-O-Lantern stuffed bell peppers recipe is no different, this simple classic puts a ghoulish-spin on some fresh veggies that will entice the kids to take monstrous bites and become haunted with the great aftertastes.

Southern Living has some delicious and creative Halloween appetizers to try!

2. Halloween Party Recipes for Dessert – Finger Cookies

Now if this gruesome treat doesn’t make you scream, then I’m not sure what will.  The creepy Finger Cookies recipe gives the illusion of severed fingers yet however are just crazily, decorated delicious sugar cookies begging to be taken a bite from and enjoyed.

3. Halloween Tombstone Cookies

How about taking one of the most notorious elements from the day of the dead and putting a tasteful twist on it?  Tombstones in the graveyard are a great foundation for the Halloween Tombstone cookies recipe.  The despicable dessert works well as a great party decor and an amazing dessert.

4. Healthy Halloween Snacks: Halloween Monster Mouths Recipe

Now not all Halloween dessert treats have to be sugar-filled frenzies some of them can be just as disturbingly healthy as ever like the Halloween Monster Mouths recipe.  The treats are made from apple slices, peanut butter, jelly and mini marshmallows or yogurt covered raisins.

For more healthy Halloween snacks take a look at Everyday Healths list of recipes.

5. Halloween Party Recipes Ideas: Bat-Tizers

Start off your Halloween parties with some scary Bat Appetizers (Bat-Tizers).  These simple and quick treats will be the hit for the crowds.  All it takes is cheese cubes, black and blue plain tortilla chips, grapes and toothpicks.

15 Halloween Party Recipes Ideas from our Blogger Friends – Desserts!

1. This Silly Girl’s Life – Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pumpkins

2. The Little Epicurean – Chocolate Pumpkin Cake

3. Shaken Together Life – Halloween Cyclops Cupcakes (With Edible Eyeball Toppers)

4. Eat. Drink. Love. – Halloween Cocoa Krispie Treats

5. Organized 31 – Deviled Egg Eyeballs

6. Inside Bru Crew Life – Pudding Filled Dirt Cupcakes

7. Sugar Hero – Spiderweb Cupcakes and Chocolate Spiders

8. Dishin and Dishes – Ghost and Mummy Pizzas

9. Amanda’s Cookin – Kitty Litter Cake-Gross Halloween Party Food

10. Our Best Bites – Super-Easy Yeti Cupcakes

11. This Silly Girl’s Life – Bag of Bones Snack Mix

12. The Little Epicurean – Halloween Donuts

13. Shaken Together Life – Scary Berry Halloween Parfaits

14. Mama Likes to Cook – Frog Egg Lemonade

15. Organized 31 – Halloween Jack O’Lantern Dinner Pockets

Halloween is the holiday where the ghouls and goblins can run a muck, and so can the recipe creativity too.  Have the foods match the holiday.  Scary Halloween treats are sure to keep the excitement and liveliness in any area.  Also, Stagetecture readers do you have any gruesome recipes for the Halloween holiday you would like to share?

Try these Halloween green punch ideas with your Halloween treats!

Nostalgic Party Theme Ideas for Grandparents Day

[ad#co-1]

 

Retro theme

A retro party theme such as the roaring 20’s or the swinging 60’s can bring back good old memories of your grandparents. Pick an era that has a specific meaning for your grandparents and use it to transform the party area. For instance, if they graduated or got married in the 1960’s, request your guests to dress in the 60’s style clothing. For decorations, use disco balls and psychedelic lighting to recreate the era. Your grandparents will surely love this idea as it will take them back to the days when they were young.

Kids will have fun singing this Grandma and Grandpa song this Grandparents Day!

Family tree

Your grandparents are the root of your family tree, so why not host a party using this theme. Illustrate this concept by creating a giant tree on the wall using poster board or display board. Highlight your grandparents name on the tree. Have each child and grandchild list their favorite qualities of them on a piece of construction paper and stick it to the family tree.  You can also place potted plants around the party space and hang various pictures of your grandparents.

Grandparents Day activities and ideas:

If you’re trying to think of what to give here are some resources to consider:

Grandparents Day Activities on Activity Village

Grandparents.com has some creative ideas to make the most of the Grandparent holiday.

Holiday party theme

If your grandparents are old enough or too weak to travel, make their day by arranging a holiday party for them. For instance, if they are fond of a beach vacation, ask your guests to dress up in tropical clothes such as shorts and colorful Hawaiian shirts. Decorate the party area with colors like sea green, washed out blue, and shades of yellow. To match the ambiance, play soft music and serve tropical food and cocktails.

Whether you use any of these themes for Grandparent’s Day party or come up with own celebration idea, remember to use the official flower of the holiday for decorations- “Forget Me Not”.

For more holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Image via: Pinterest

Beach Themed Party Ideas

Prepare the Setting

It’s important to choose the right place for the party. Ideally – obviously – is to be able to choose a place by the sea. But a pool can be also fun, even a beautiful garden can be perfect. Having the party inside is also an option, but be sure to choose a well-lit, airy and sunny room so to have a warm, beach-like atmosphere. Decorate the party venue according to the theme you chose by keeping a specific color palette in mind. If you are having a natural environment as a setting, the decoration can be more discreet. In a more artificial environment, you should try to give the natural feel of a beach by opening windows and shades, adding natural elements like sand, pebbles and shells.

Image via: Kara’s Party Ideas

Choose a Specific Beach Theme

To arrange a memorable beach themed party, you can always choose a more narrowed down beach theme, like for example animals and natural items you would find on a beach (craps, sea stars, shells, or beach pebbles are all great). Another way to go is to choose activities on a beach, like swimming, playing beach volleyball, digging with buckets and shovels, surfing, or just sun-bathing and work with those as an inspiration. Lastly, think about foods and drinks you would have on a sunny day on a beach, like watermelons, ice-cream, water ice, cocktails and so on, and try to incorporate those into you’re party’s decor and menu.

Image via: Kara’s Party Ideas

Beach Themed Party Foods and Drinks

As important the setting and decoration is, the foods and drinks you offer are equally important. Choose refreshing beverages and light, airy foods that remind the breeze of the beach. Chilled drinks and fruits are great, and so are ice creams, if you can keep them chilled until serving time. Try to give your foods and drinks a beach-reminding look. For example, make sea star cookies or oyster cookies: Take a round cookie, add some light colored jam or blue or pink frosting and one candy pearl near the edge; now arrange a second round cookie above the first one, letting one side open where the candy pearl peaks out. Jell-O is also a favorite beach party goody, and it easy to transport, too!

To keep your beverages cool, prepare a large bucket filled with beach-themed ice cubes – even stars are great – to give it an unexpected twist.

Image via: Catch My Party

All you need now is some sunny weather, great people to share the joy and an excuse to throw a Beach Themed Party!

Cupcakes are such a great and fun food. Especially when beautifully frosted or decorated, they can be a centerpiece on any sweet table. But they should be displayed in a worthy way and what better way is there, than a wonderful cupcake stand. But they can be expensive, and finding one that matches our taste or overall décor can be tricky. Here is an entraining idea and way to easily make your own inexpensive and personalized  DIY cupcake stand.

How to Make a Spring Cupcake Stand for Display

Image via: Spunky Junky

DIY: How to Make a Cupcake Stand

Materials:

3 plates (one small, one medium, one large size). You can use any flat plates put of plastic, ceramic, glass, metal, wood etc. and any shape. Even mirrors work for this.

2 candleholders. Choose sturdy candleholders with wide bases. They can be made out of plastic, wood, ceramic, glass, etc.

E6000 Glue

Spray paint (optional)

Decorative item (optional)

Image via: Life Sweet Life

Instructions:

To implement this simple entertainment idea, just follow these steps:

If you want to change the colors of your plates, decorative items and/or candleholders, spray paint the plates and candleholders per instructions. Let the paint dry completely.

Find the center of the largest plate and, using the glue, glue one candleholder on the plate.

Next, glue the medium sized plate onto the candleholder.

Now, glue the second candleholder onto the center of the medium plate.

Finish your cupcake stand by gluing the small plate onto the second candleholder. Let the glue dry overnight by placing something heavy on the plate, like a book for example. Glue on the decorative item you chose. Ready!!!

Image via: Pinterest

You can decorate the stands in any way, like using ribbons or fabric. If you paint them, make sure to have something between the food and the surface, like a doily for instance, since the spray paint isn’t food safe. Also, consider making some individual mini cupcake stands using mini or small candleholders and plates. They would be a blast as name card holders or favors (or both) at parties for sure!

Image via: Modern Moments Designs

These fun cupcake stands are so simple and inexpensive to make, and yet they are perfect at any occasion.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here

DIY Craft: How to Make Your Own Gum Ball Machine 

[ad#co-1]

DIY Craft: How to Make Your Own Gumball Machine

Materials

1 terra cotta pot with the saucer base

1 wooden ball, which you can find in a craft store

1 wooden doll pin stand, which you can find in a craft store

Hot glue or glue gun

1 round bubble bowl of matching size

1 can of spray paint or craft paint and paint brushes

How to make a Gumball Machine:

1. Paint the pot and the base, the ball and the doll pin in the color of your choosing. Let it dry completely.
2. Place the pot upside down and apply some glue on to the bottom. Now attach the bowl so it looks like a gum ball machine. Let the glue dry.
3. Turn the saucer upside down and glue the ball onto the center top. Let it dry.
4. Glue the doll pin to the front of the pot, so it looks like a gum ball opening.
5. Place the saucer-lid on the top of the bowl and you are done!

(This gumball machine isn’t operational from a hole in the front. Instead, lift off the saucer-lid to access the food inside!)

The options to customize and personalize this cute diy craft dispenser are limitless. Use other items instead of the wooden bowl, like small plastic toys or decorative items or use another cute item as an opening. You could even don’t make a fake opening and just write a cute message on the pot. Ribbons are also great for decorating the gumball machines. They can be even part of a themed party. Just use themed knobs instead of the wooden balls and matching colors. How fun would it be to make gumball machines in black, red and white, using some Mickey Mouse heads instead of the wooden balls for a Mickey Mouse birthday party?

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture,  click here.

Summer is the season of parties. Whether you are preparing for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day or for any other special occasions this summer, it is important to give a makeover to your patio. It is not very difficult to convert it into an outdoor party destination.

Image via: Oxford Garden

Clean the Space

The first thing you have to do is to clean the patio and the furniture. Unless you did put all of your patio furniture in storage for the winter, rain and snow have certainly put their marks on your stuff. In addition, they are likely to be dirty too. Scrub down the patio floors, furniture including table, chairs, and lounge chairs, the patio walls, and the front door. You also have to clean the grill too as you may need to replace some of the parts, repair the charcoal briquets, or buy a new propane.

Bring a Cooler and Prepare for Pests

Summer is the time to enjoy outdoor parties but it is also the time for bugs and heat. You will definitely need a cooler to keep your beverages cold this summer. If you already have one, check if it needs any repairs. Every BBQ party has to have a cooler for keeping the beer cold. On the other hand, the pleasant, warm weather will bring some annoying bugs too. So, take your anti-bug preparations by keeping ready citronella candles, bug spray, and tiki torches with citronella oil. You can also hang a bug zapper in the corner of the patio.

Decide a Color Scheme

It is important to pick a color scheme for decorating any place. For creating a theme for your patio, select three main colors. After that, make a good balance of those colors by carrying them through the colors of the patio accessories like lanterns, balloons, pennants, napkins, plates, paper pom-poms, or place cards.

Image via: HGTV

Add Comfortable Furniture

You can create several small relaxing spots in your patio. For example, a durable vinyl sofa will create a cozy spot. You can also create a cozy corner by setting up a wrap-around bench with cushions and pillows. Add pillows or cushions to chairs, as comfortable furniture will invite guests to sit and chat. Additionally, set up a beverage station in the patio so that you do not have to serve every time when someone needs drinks.

Decorate your Patio 

It does not matter if you have a small outdoor space but you have to set the scene by decorating it properly. Make it pop with fresh flowers, table linens, cube-stringed lights, candles, colorful place mats, and paper lanterns. Make a centerpiece for the table with a wide-mouth small vase and some floating candles. Fill the vase with water, put the candles inside, light them, and place the vase in the center of the table. You will also have to light up the place well if the get-together continues into the evening.

Image via: HGTV

So, make use of these ideas to have a beautiful as well as functional patio and enjoy your summer and all the outdoor celebrations.

For more outdoor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

If you’re planning any kind of outdoor event at home or away, do what wedding professionals do: “dress the set. “  Specifically challenging can be gates and fences. Whether the barrier you’re facing is industrial chain link, cement blocks, charming wooden posts or white-painted pickets, we’ve got some fresh ideas pulled from the best weddings for putting your look together. Create the back drop of your dreams!

Starting with the tough stuff first, what are the newest DIY ways to dress a chain link fence? You may be having a backyard ceremony, reception or any kind of outdoor home-style blow-out. Perhaps you’ve chosen a fenced location that needs a little dressing up. There are two ways you can approach the subject: one way is to try and hide or disguise the chain link (or any other less-than-pleasing background) or you can embrace the look and thereby enhance it.

[ad#co-7]

It’s a well known fact that the eye stops on whatever is closest in sight, so hanging draperies in any kind of fabric is going to improve your view. Remember, your fabric additions don’t have to cover the entire breadth and width of a venue… just the parts you’ll be working in and around. Hanging drapes behind the wedding party dais, for instance, can create a delightful sense of intimacy in a large space, adding color and drama in the process.

Another technique, the opposite of hiding the fence, is to use it to your advantage. Chain link and other types of fencing are ideal for hanging all kinds of things including banners and photographs. There’s a real charm about including pictures as your background and it’s a hot DIY trend in the wedding and party planning arena… this works well for birthdays and anniversaries, too. Virtually any situation in which you’d like your guests of honor to actually be honored calls for a photographic display and fences or gates are a perfect place to do it. For a seamless look, try to pull in other elements of a similar nature, like big galvanized buckets that work really well as ice chests for drinks, and smaller ones for candy.

Did you know that paper lanterns are like balloons for grown-ups? You can use paper lanterns by grouping them in bunches (odd numbers make the best look) and attaching them to your fence railing. Paper lanterns are super great: affordable and even romantic when you want them to be. They come in lots of cool festive colors… and are a little classier than balloons. Unlike balloons, they won’t melt in the heat. It’s really sad when balloons are sagging before the party’s over! Not an issue with paper lanterns.

Maybe you don’t have a “problem” background that needs dressing up, instead you just want to bring some color and pizzazz to the setting. Try this tip: mason jars, simply but carefully wired to fence posts, filled with water and flowers and tied with pretty ribbons that blow in the breeze. For extra fun, add a few drops of food coloring to the water (do a test first so the color doesn’t color your flowers!).

The next time you’re planning an outdoor wedding or any outdoor event, think about the party perimeter and try some of these fun suggestions to “dress your set.” With very little trouble and expense, you’ll add an entirely new dimension to your event… and you’ll be glad you did!

Susanna Miles, from (kisswedding.com) and real wedding blog (kisswedding.com/blog) is a place for brides to go for simple wedding ideas that make planning a wedding on a budget a heck of a lot easier.  The Guide, the Workbook and now the eCourse however help brides de-stress by de-mystifying the wedding industry, simplifying planning, and uncovering alot of the myths surrounding inexpensive wedding ideas.

All of the elements of the K.i.s.s. brand are based on keeping it simple & special – the very things that kept me sane while planning my own wedding and thousands since

For more outdoor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Selecting gift items for the kids is easy especially when it comes to food as the options available to you are plenty. Why not try not something different this time that is going to make them really happy? Many dessert food items will rush in your mind, the moment the two things that is kids and foods are placed together. Starting from cookies to chocolates to ice creams, the list is almost endless. All you need to do is plan it accordingly and well ahead of time to make your children’s party really successful.

Image via

[ad#co-1]

Sweet treats that are homemade are always a hit!

Homemade cookies are definitely the best option for kids. Children love to indulge in cookies and no matter how much cookies they eat, they are hardly bored of it. Therefore, you can bake various flavored cookies for them and in different shapes. They are definitely going to appreciate your effort and love you even more. Moreover by including some dry fruits or fruit in the cookies and make it a health option as well.

In case you do not have enough funds to arrange the party right at this point of time and do not want to touch your savings as well, then you can always opt for instant online loans. On the internet you will come across many financial institutions that will provide you with loan instantly. The rate of interest is quite reasonable and the terms on which these loans are available are also extremely flexible. Therefore you have the option of paying back the whole amount at your convenience.

Image via

Chocolate treats

Chocolates have remained the favorite item of kids and also of varying age groups. Age is not a bar when it comes to chocolates. So you can even make some nice chocolates at your for the children’s party wrap them nicely and present it to them. Making a chocolate is really easy and to make it far more interesting you can actually give the chocolates different shapes by putting them into different molds. For the boys you can get the mold of cars that are available readily available in the market and for the girls dolls and fairies have always been their favorite, therefore making the choice really easy.

Cakes and pastries

Nice and yummy cakes and pastries cannot take the place of any food on earth. You can bake small cakes of different flavors and present the children their most favorite ones. Strawberry, pineapple and of course chocolate are the most favorite option of the kids. This leaves you with a plenty of choice as well. All you need to do is plan well ahead of time. This will provide you with ample amount of time to store all the things that you require for making these favorite items of the kids.

Image via

Fresh baked goods

Freshly baked muffins are also a great food gift item for the kids. The kids are definitely going to like it and the procedure for making it is also quite simple. Therefore, your smallest effort will be appreciated by your little guests. Muffins can be prepared in various flavors. This also leaves you with plenty of options to choose from.

Another food item that you can also try to make are candies. The children love to eat candy and if they see a lot of colorful candies as their parting gifts, they will be ecstatic with joy. The candies can be prepared well ahead of time and stored in the freezer.

Therefore, there are plenty of ideas but all you need to have is the vigor and enthusiasm to do something different this time. The delightful faces of the kids is going will be enough to wear off all the tiredness that you have gathered to arrange the party.

Jonny Pean is a professional event manager and a writer. He recommends every to take up  instant online loans  for arranging the kid’s part. Visit his site. 

For more food ideas on Stagetecture, click here

Every year we are all invited to holiday parties and the question of what to give the gracious host always pops up in our heads. Whether you are trying to be original, and not bring one more bottle of wine, or you’d like to give a gift that is pampering in thought, here are some ideas I found. If you have time to hand craft a batch of holiday treats, or even make hand-crafted bath salts, the gracious host will be most grateful!

Image via: Curbly

Look at these ideas I found for inspiration:

[ad#co-1]

Cedar Chip Sachets

Image via: Shelterness

Peppermint Foot Scrub

Image via: The Idea Room

Treats that are sure to please

Image via: Talk crafty To Me

 So before you rush off to that holiday party empty handed. Be creative and thoughtful and arrive with a thoughtful gift that they will enjoy!

For more holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

While Halloween is over, it doesn’t mean that pumpkins can’t be used creatively throughout your autumn decor. Whether you are hosting a party, planning wedding decoration ideas or want a warm color splash to your entertaining needs, pumpkins are the perfect solution!

Today, my Guest Blogger, Susanna Miles from Kiss Wedding, shares with us beautiful inspiration for pumpkin decor in some unusual ways that you may not of thought of.

Think pumpkins are just for decorating on Halloween? Honey, think again. This fall, pumpkins are all the rage! As unique fall home decor, these orange beauties can be quirky, fun, or elegant – it’s all in how you use them. And they’re affordable on any decorating budget. BONUS!

All Shapes and Sizes

Remember, pumpkins are not one size fits all. Miniature pumpkins are simply adorable and easy to fit just about anywhere. Having a dinner party? Use them in place of name cards for a talk-about-it-at-the-water-cooler-tomorrow twist. Or simply place them in small spaces that need a bit of style – bookshelves, kitchen counters, or even bathroom storage shelves are places where these little cuties can sit.

Traditional DIY

Don’t dismiss pumpkin carving as a tradition only reserved for Halloween. Custom carved pumpkins add a unique appeal to any decor. Have a front porch or entryway? Make it extra inviting with some custom carved pumpkins. Imagine your family name, party theme, or special symbol carved into pumpkins lighted with candles. This is a fantastic idea for fall wedding centerpieces or any at-home gathering!

A Modern Take on the Classic Pumpkin

If you want to throw tradition out the window, be our guest! Bring out your inner trendsetter and try an update on traditional flower arrangements. Stacked pumpkins, anyone? All at once unique and elegant, a stack of pumpkins could be just the thing your fall home decor is begging for.

Mix and Match

Creating your own personal style is all about picking and choosing from the things you like. Try an eclectic look by mixing a variety of decorations together. For centerpieces, keep your traditional vases in the cupboard and try something different. A hollowed-out pumpkin makes a great vase for seasonal flowers and is a great idea for cheap wedding decorations or any flower display at home. Use mini pumpkins as tea-light holders – simply cut a hole to fit the tea light, and you’re on your way to a seasonal style that’s both elegant and unique!

Dress it up

Worried about carved pumpkins going bad too soon? Give your pumpkins longer life by keeping them in tact. Turn up the volume on plain pumpkins by dressing them up! Instead of carving them, how about painting or writing on them? A string of beads and a wide ribbon help a pumpkin come to life. Simply drape the beads any way you like (we favor loops of varying sizes) and secure to the pumpkin top with a wide ribbon tied neatly in a bow. Whallah! Instant sophistication!

If you’re looking for some kid-friendly decor, why not use pumpkins as background for your child’s art? Let the kids go wild decorating plain pumpkins by using glitter, stickers, and paint or markers. You’ll have a special centerpiece that you and your child are proud to display!

Using pumpkins – no matter the shape and size – is a simple way to keep your fall home decor simple and special.

Susanna Miles, from (kisswedding.com) and real wedding blog (kisswedding.com/blog) is a place for brides to go for simple wedding ideas that make planning a wedding on a budget a heck of a lot easier.  The Guide, the Workbook and now the eCourse however help brides de-stress by de-mystifying the wedding industry, simplifying planning, and uncovering alot of the myths surrounding inexpensive wedding ideas.

All of the elements of the K.i.s.s. brand are based on keeping it simple & special – the very things that kept me sane while planning my own wedding and thousands since

For more fall decoration ideas on Stagetecture, click here.