10 Tips for Your Spookiest Halloween Spread Ever

Set a Spooky Place Setting

Assigned seats never looked so creepy. Take a note from Camille Styles and go with a black-on-black theme for your Halloween table. Stack a black dinner plate, black salad plate, charcoal linen napkin, a handwritten place card and a single red rose at each place. And don’t forget a dessert plate for a slice of scary-good Halloween cake.

Feature a Book Theme

If you can’t get enough of the wizarding world, embrace your love for the characters by featuring them in your Halloween spread. This Harry Potter party from Mother of Everything displays spooky potions, floating LED taper candles and even a wand for each guest. Don’t forget to come up with clever names for your spooky Halloween treats!

Create Elegant Centerpieces

Looking for a more sophisticated Halloween? Glitter Inc. has you covered with these DIY marbled pumpkins. The only ingredients you need are warm water and nail polish. Once dry, set your pumpkins around the house for a chic decoration. Then pour yourself a classy (or silly) Halloween drink and admire your gorgeous work.

Embrace a New Holiday

You could skip the Halloween party and move right on to November 1st for Day of the Dead. Decorate your table with brightly-colored skulls and tissue paper like Catch My Party. It’s the perfect opportunity to serve these Day of the Dead cookies, too.

Add Some Sparkle

Has Halloween has always seemed a bit dreary to you? Brighten up the holiday with blinged-out pumpkins from Chaos Served Daily. Head to your nearest craft store for a faux white pumpkin and black jewel flourish stickers, then let your creativity flow. This is a beautiful way to add some Halloween fun to your porch or dinner spread.

Here are more pumpkin decorating tips we learned from the pros.

Embrace Your Mason Jar Love

You know you’re dying to break out your favorite mason jars! They literally work for any occasion, so spookify them with this fun craft from MomDot. Create mini spider web scenes with plastic spiders, spider webs, black nail polish and tea lights. (These decorations would make the perfect centerpiece for a graveyard Halloween party.)

Use Spooky Serving Dishes

Up the spook factor of any party by serving your food in creepy dishes and bowls like Hostess with the Mostess did for this creepy but elegant Halloween party. Serve colorful candy in old test tubes and appetizers in witches’ cauldrons.

Throw a Sophisticated Bash

For an adults-only Halloween gathering, use this black and white theme from Wants & Wishes. It’s simple, elegant and won’t leave you with hundreds of bright orange Halloween decorations to store for the next 11 months. Set out a potluck spread for guests (here are some ideas) and relax.

Scatter Tarot Cards Around Your Spread

Celebrations at Home does it right with this “witches’ night in” party. Throw a Halloween-themed girls’ night with witches’ hats, tarot cards and even an Ouija board. Your friends will love each small touch, but probably not as much as they’ll devour any of these cute Halloween cupcakes.

We’ve got more easy ideas for a witches’ night in here.

Don’t Forget the Mantel

While you’re busy creating a perfect spooky table, don’t neglect the rest of your house. Have fun creating a spooky mantel with dripping candlesticks, a lantern (we love this one) and homemade Halloween book covers like Little House on the Corner.