Four Ways To Make Halloween Fun For Your Family This Year

 Halloween can be a fun time of the year for all of the family. From dressing up to trick or treating, there are many ways that you can make this holiday exciting without it being too stressful or costly. Your family enjoys staying in for nice cozy activities, or they like to head out to drink and treat. 

Let's have a look at some of the easy ways you can make sure that Halloween is fun and packed full of memories this year: 

Have A Halloween Themed Movie Night 

A spooky movie night is a fantastic way to get into the spirit of Halloween together as a family. Get all your family together, make some popcorn, and choose a Halloween classic such as Hocus Pocus or Hotel Transylvania to create a cozy movie night with blankets and pillows. If you're feeling brave enough, you could even dim the lights to give your living room a bit of a spooky feel. Having some themed snacks such as Halloween cupcakes or toasted pumpkin seeds. If you have older children you can always watch a scarier film late in the evening too. 

Decorate Your Home 

Another great way to create a great atmosphere for Halloween is to transform your home into a mini haunted house. Get all of the family involved and decorate your front garden windows and living room with a few Halloween-themed items. You could even create some homemade decorations such as cutout bats, spooky lanterns, or paper ghosts. If you want to go the extra mile, you may even think about getting some outdoor inflatables to create a haunted garden display. Check out a Halloween store for all the latest trends and accessories.

Pumpkin Picking And Carving 

A great way to celebrate Halloween is to head out and go pumpkin picking at a local farm. Any farms now decorate and prepare their Farm for Halloween so that you can visit the pumpkin patch and experience a family-filled spooky day. Pumpkin carving is also a staple at Halloween, and it helps to bring the whole family together. Set up a carving station at home or set up a pumpkin painting station and decorate it with stickers.

DIY Halloween Costumes 

Rather than buying ready-made costumes from the shop, think about making your own. You can use all sorts from around your home. DIY costumes are great for children to get creative and for them to feel accomplished with piecing together their own outfit. 

For example, you could use an old bed sheet and turn it into a ghost. If you need some extra accessories, you might find a few things at a Halloween store for inspiration. 

Conclusion 

As you can see, there are many things that you can do to make Halloween fun for your family this year. Is there anything you would do? It would be great to hear about it in the comments below. 

Spooky Snacks and Sips for Halloween

Halloween night chills the air with anticipation, but it doesn't have to chill your taste buds! This year, conjure up a cauldron of culinary delights that are both wickedly fun and frightfully flavorful. From creepy crawly cocktails to spine-tingling snacks, let's transform your Halloween spread into a haunted haven for the senses.

Set the Stage:

Drape your table in cobweb-like cheesecloth, scatter plastic spiders amongst the treats, and dim the lights for an eerie ambiance. Flickering candles or orange string lights add an extra touch of spooky charm. Don't forget the spooky tunes! A playlist of monster mash-ups and Halloween classics will set the mood for a fang-tastic feast.

Be sure to click through the links to view the full recipes.

 Beetlejuice Buttercream Board by Fork to Spoon

This buttercream board is perfect for Halloween parties. Add cookies, pretzels, or whatever you would like to dip in buttercream to the border for a snack that packs a lot of variety into each bite.

Poison Apple Cocktails by Three Olives Branch

This apple cocktail is ghoulishly green but the fun doesn't stop there! It includes a test tube of cinnamon flavored ‘poison’ to add a dark kick. Who will be brave enough to add a poison shot to this drink on Halloween night?

Mexican Chocolate Skull Cakes by My Bueno Cookbook

These skull cakes are loaded with tasty Mexican chocolate for a snack to share that is spooky yet so sweet. Top them with blood red icing if you like or some berry jam!

Alien Brain Hemorrhage Shots by The Littlest Crumb

These shots are so much fun to assemble and slam with your friends. These are freaky, taste fantastic and are sure to make your guests feel just a little apprehensive about drinking them.

Death by Chocolate Cupcakes by Live to Sweet

These look like an average cupcake, so what is so scary about them? They are so good that you will be nothing short of horrified after the last cupcake has been enjoyed!

Bloody Bellinis by Garlic and Zest 

This recipe makes the best bellinis! Use a good champagne and fresh cherry juice to get a gorgeous, bloody effect that adds so much flavor to each sip.

Skull Pizzas by Kitchen at Hoskins

This recipe is a total scream! Slice this up for a spooky snack that is so easy to make and always gets a great reaction.

Incredible Hulk Cocktails by A Nerd Cooks

This drink is so much fun for Halloween, it is perfect for the Hulk to sip, but your friends will also love it! It is destined to be a smash at your party

Spooky Spider Dip by Two Healthy Kitchens

Use a favorite dip that always turns out thick, then dress it up with this idea. Pepper slices make the ultimate spider and this is one healthy snack no one can resist!

Elegant Yet Spooky Halloween Charcuterie by Sugar and Charm

This spread of snacks is perfect for a party. It is easy to assemble and with a few skeleton hands placed strategically, this is sure to send a shiver up your spine as you grab a nibble.

Smoking Halloween Punch by A Full Living

Add dry ice to this boozy punch for a fabulous smoking effect. This punch has rum, cranberry juice and apple cider to make a flavorful fall option that everyone will love.

Jack Skellington Dessert Board by A Country Girls Life

This dessert board has a great variety of treats to dip into Jack’s cute frosting face. Add an assortment of cookies, wafers and sweets that pair well with frosting.

Spiderweb Cocktails by Amanda’s Cooking

This spiderweb cocktail recipe is perfect for a Halloween party. It is not only tasty but it has the best web decoration on top of each drink.

Mummy Shortbread Cookies by Pass Me a Spoon

This mummy shortbread cookie is easy and perfect for a party. It is lightly sweet, so buttery and all dressed up in tasty frosting wrappings.

Purple People Eater Cocktails by Everyday Shortcuts

This vibrant purple cocktail is just the thing to make and serve your ghouls, goblins and guests on  Halloween night. Garnish with candy eyes for the complete effect.

Skull Charcuterie by Everyday Shortcuts

This idea makes the spookiest snack platter yet. Form a skull shape and add plenty of prosciutto for a meaty main offering that everyone will want to take a crack at.

Black Mojito by The Healthful Ideas

Give your next mojito night a freaky effect with this recipe. It has all of the flavor you crave with a creepy black look to it. Use activated charcoal for an easy way to spooky up your sips.

Remember, the key to a spooktacular Halloween spread is to have fun and unleash your creativity! With a little imagination, you can transform everyday ingredients into hauntingly delicious treats that will have your guests shrieking with delight (and maybe a little bit of fear). So gather your ingredients, put on your spookiest grin, and get ready to whip up a Halloween feast that will be remembered long after the last ghost has flown home.

Find more great Halloween ideas here:

Halloween Tree

Ghost Ornaments 

Pretzel Mummy Snacks

Strawberry Ghosts

Gorgeous Cranberry Cocktails: The Perfect Holiday Drink

Cranberries are a classic holiday ingredient, and for good reason. They're tart, sweet, and festive, and they make for delicious cocktails. Whether you're looking for a refreshing drink to enjoy by the fire or a boozy punch to serve at your holiday party, there's a cranberry cocktail out there for you. Here are a few of our favorite cranberry cocktail recipes:

Cranberry Gin Fizz by Cup of Zest

Chai Cranberry Bourbon Smash by Burrata and Bubbles

Cranberry Christmas Punch by Curry Trail

Smoked Orange and Cranberry Cocktails by Stef’s Eats and Sweets

Cranberry Orange Margaritas by Cooking with Curls

Cranberry Gin Cocktail by Baking Ginger

Christmas Morning Mimosas by Persnickety Plates

Poinsettia Mimosa by Limoncello Kitchen

Woo Woo Cocktail by Mom Foodie

Pineapple Cranberry Mezcal Margaritas by Gastronom

Apple Cranberry Mules by Made with Happy

Cranberry Hard Ginger Ale by Easy Party Cocktails

Cranberry Old Fashioned by Three Olives Branch

Cranberry Tequila Spritzers by Sustain My Cooking Habit

Cranberry Mojito Punch by Sugar + Soul

These are just a few of the many delicious cranberry cocktail recipes out there. So next time you're looking for a festive drink to enjoy, reach for some cranberries and get mixing!

Here are some additional tips for making the perfect cranberry cocktail:

• Use fresh cranberries whenever possible. They'll add a brighter flavor and color to your drink.
• Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors. Cranberry juice pairs well with a variety of spirits, so have fun and try different combinations.
• Garnish your cocktails with fresh cranberries, citrus slices, or herbs for a festive touch.

With these tips in mind, you're sure to make delicious cranberry cocktails that everyone will love.

Find more favorite cocktail recipes here:

Sour Apple Margaritas

Haunting Halloween Cocktails

 

If you love sugar cookies, then this is the place for you! I gathered 15 of my favorite sugar cookie recipes to share with you. Make sure you click thru to the full recipe.

Almond Sugar Cookies by The Taylor House

These are the perfect cookies to make with your kids, they make great cut outs that the kids can decorate and sprinkle!

Perfect Sugar Cookies by Spend with Pennies

This Sugar Cookie recipe is the perfect year-round holiday cookie! A simple mixture of butter, sugar and flour (with a few additions), these sugar cookies bake up beautifully every time. 

Cut Out Cookies with Marbled Icing by Easy Cookie Recipes

 These Cutout ugar Cookies with Marbled Icing are basically edible art. Each delicious sugar cookie is dipped into homemade swirled icing to create a unique marbled effect.

Peppermint Sugar Cookies by Gimme Some Sugar

If you’re headed to a holiday party or just love baking during the holidays, try this homemade Christmas cookie recipe. If you’re looking for a quick solution for the holidays, this is the best Christmas sugar cookie recipes out there! Seriously, I’ve never seen one easier.

Gluten Free Sugar Cookies by Cooking on Caffeine

This recipe is like the holy grail of “safe” sugar cookie recipes. No eggs. No milk. No wheat. No nuts or peanuts. Easily made soy-free. Use a different flour blend if you have issues with legumes or potatoes. And no chilling the dough, because who has time for that? We just want cookies! 

Soft Lemon Cookies by On My Kids Plate

These sweet and easy soft lemon cookies are the perfect little cookie for a delicious treat. Full of fresh lemon zest, these are bright, yummy cookies you’ll want to make again and again!

Chai Sugar Cookies by Lovely Indeed

These chai spice sugar cookies are the perfect cookie to go with a cup of tea or coffee! The easy recipe makes soft, chewy cookies that will be a hit at any party or cookie swap.

Buttery Almond Sugar Cookies by On Ty’s Plate

Buttery Almond Sugar Cookies — buttery soft almond flavored sugar cookies rolled in almond flakes. It's the perfect cookie!

Crispy Sugar Cookies by Creative Lifestyles

Do you ever just want a little crunch in your cookie? I don’t mean the crunch you get from over cooking the cookie. I mean a little crunch inside the softest yummiest cookie you will ever try. This amazing krispy sugar cookie is so easy to make, but it is hands down one of my favorite cookies of all time.

Swirl Sugar Cookies by Bride on a Budget

This recipe is time consuming, but so worth it for the way these swirl sugar cookies turn out! These are perfect for special occasions!

Vegan Dairy Free Sugar Cookies by Delightful Adventures

Easy homemade cut-out vegan gluten-free sugar cookies you can make for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween…they’re perfect for ANY occasion! These cookies can be made soft or crispy, it’s up to you. Decorate simply with sanding sugar or buttercream frosting or get fancy with a simple vegan icing that hardens.

Spiced Sugar Cookies by Bean Around the Bowl

These Spiced Sugar Cookies are warm and cozy with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.

Perfect for the holidays and simple to make. These can be topped with additional sugar before baking to add a nice texture. They are not overly sweet to begin, so don’t worry about them being too sweet with added sugar.

Vegan Lofthouse Copycat Cookies by Strength and Sunshine

Sure, you could make classic cut-out sugar cookies for decorating, but no one can pass up one of the soft, cake-like, frosted gems that have been gracing grocery store shelves since 1994 from Lofthouse! Like a cake and a cookie all baked up into one delicious buttery, sweet, colorfully frosted treat! Can you still have this classic cookie even if you're gluten-free, vegan, or have food allergies? Sure you can! With this easy copycat homemade version of the classic soft-baked frosted cookie, you'll never have to miss out again!

Classic Sugar Cookies by Healthy Kitchen 101

This sugar cookies recipe makes fun treats for Christmas and any other occasion. Also, making and decorating cookies is a great activity to get everyone in the kitchen to spend time together.

Super Soft Sugar Cookies by Emily Fabulous

These Super Soft Sugar Cookies are easy to make and taste just like the Lofthouse sugar cookies in the grocery store. This recipe is perfect for making with kids and will work for Valentine’s Day or any occasion because you can choose whatever color and decoration you want to use!

Find more favorite recipes here

Cocktail Hour Favorites

Coffee Lovers Favorites

Lego Stamped Pumpkin Art

 Harper and I love to paint with, well, anything but a paint brush! Last week she came home from school and asked me if I wanted to make something with paint, and how could I resist the invitation? This lego pumpkin idea was just the thing. It pairs cute and creepy together just right.

This is such an easy activity, and it is fun for kids of all ages! Even Rolf, who is 12 now, was curious about this and told us it was a "cool idea" before dashing back to his busy preteen activities. 

Supplies:

Orange Paint

Black Paint

Green Paint

Legos

Paper Plate

Paper

Directions:

Pour a small amount of orange, black and green paint onto a paper plate.

Offer your child legos in assorted sizes and paper.

Encourage your child to dip a lego into the orange paint and make the shape of a pumpkin.

Now, fill that shape in with more lego stamps.

When you have filled in the shape of the pumpkin, dip a lego into the black paint and make a face.

Next, give your pumpkin a stem with the green paint.

Allow to dry and display.

These were a really fun, kid led Halloween craft. I know your kids will love making pumpkin art this way.

You can find all of my Halloween crafts here

Painting projects here:

Reader favorites include:

Pumpkin Window Clings

Ghost Play Dough Ornaments

Freaky Halloween Foods

 Halloween is such a fun time of year. We certainly love to go all out with decorations, epic costumes for the kids, and of course, the best treats! This year why not bring the festivities to the dinner table with these Freaky Halloween Foods? These ideas are sure to delight your family and maybe even creep them out a little.

I have so many fun Halloween ideas on site. While you are here, you might want to check out these homemade play dough ghost ornaments.

This collection of freaky foods has some really fun ideas in it! From puking pumpkin taco boards to scary spaghetti and pumpkin stuffed peppers. I am sure you are going to find something you want to make for your family! Be sure to click through the links below to check out the full recipe.

Puking Pumpkin Taco Board by Maple and Mango

Meatball Mummies by Spend with Pennies

Deviled Spider Eggs by Living Sweet Moments

Scary Spaghetti by By Andrea Jannsen

Jack O Lantern Stuffed Peppers by Hip Homeschool Moms

Black Bean Pasta by Vegan Dollhouse

Trick or Treat Cheese Ball by Centsless Meals

Spooky Gnocchi by Wild Vegan Flower

Pumpkin Stuffed Peppers by Sula and Spice

Spooky Spaghetti by Summer Yule

Pretzel Mummy Snacks are a great freaky Halloween food for later in the evening, maybe as a movie snack.

Creepy Halloween Cocktails

 Halloween is near, and that means it is time to start planning some parties, setting the scene with ghoulish decorations, and of course, mixing up some festive drinks! This collection has some completely creepy cocktails that you might want to make this year.

From blood bags that are ghastly, to an oozing green tonic that is sure to set your senses to spook. This round up has so many fun ideas. These are meant for grown ups, so please, if you want to make these and share them, do so responsibly!  Click through the links below for the full recipes.

My easy Pretzel Mummy Snack Idea pairs well with cocktail hour too!

Blood Bag Punch by Gastronom

Camp Crystal Lake Punch by Cheese Curd in Paradise

Halloween Green Sangria by Slow the cook Down

Halloween Sangria by The Forked Spoon

Shimmering Witches Brew by Tikido

Bloody Eyeball Cocktail by Ann’s Entitled Life

Ghostini by Tonya Staab

Halloween Sangria by Basil and Bubbly

Demon Juice Cocktails by Crayons and Cravings 

Halloween Tonic by Ottawa Mommy Club

I have so many fun Halloween ideas on site. If you are looking for more ways to get into the spirit, you might like 25 Deliciously Scary Snacks. Why Not Make a Halloween Tree and let your guests decorate it at the party?