by Jodie Spears

Spooky Soiree. Ghoulish Get-together. Frighteningly Fun Fete.

Whatever you call it, Halloween is an ideal time for a party!

Here are some fun and easy ideas to help you scare up a good time with family and friends.

Want to impress your guests? Here are a few ideas to add some eerie elegance.

Create a pumpkin ice bucket for your pumpkin beers, hard ciders and seltzers.

Here’s how: Cut the top 1/3 off of a very large pumpkin, clean out the seeds, fill it up with ice and place in a few beverages for a show-stopping display at your event!

Hosting a cocktail party? Add some frightening flair to your punch bowl or cocktail glasses by using Halloween ice molds like skulls, pumpkins, eye balls and more. EEEK!

Check out our creepy cocktail recipes here.

Create a terrifying table scape with plastic spiders, mini-pumpkin place-card holders, skulls and skeleton hands, etc. – be as creatively creepy as you want.

You can even wrap your wine bottles to look like mummies!

You can host a murder mystery party, a costume party or host a séance.

Here are a few other ideas to help your party stand out.

Host a wine tasting that focuses on dark and rich red wines that Vampires might enjoy.

Leviathan Red Blend

As the Vampire lords over his domain he is an ever-present and ominous force. As the flavors of black plum and licorice wash across your taste buds, this wine will remain present in your memory with its strong, fine tannins. Just as they begin to relent, you find a more subtle note of fig and marjoram that is again washed away as you finish. You cannot forget the presence of what you have partaken of and you crave more.

Juggernaut Red Blend

The power of these otherworldly creatures is unmatched by humans. This characteristic is shared by the Juggernaut. The smooth richness of this wine's body belies its power as you are overtaken by the ripe black currant flavor wrapped in vanilla and a strong oaky overtone. You know you shouldn't but just one more taste to feel that power again.

Faust Cabernet

The lusciousness of black currant and blackberry excites your tongue. The faint hints of tobacco and graphite that linger after each sip remind you of the earth you will forever wander. Strong tannins cut through the rich, ripe fruit and remind you of the sharpness of what once was. The Faustian pact is complete and the prey becomes the hunter.

Wine + Chocolate

Chocolate has always been a big part of Halloween. Why not upgrade your candies and pair them with wine for an adult Halloween celebration? Click here to read our complete guide to hosting a Wine & Chocolate Pairing Party.

Candy + Boo!ze

You can do the same thing with beer! Check out our pairings here.

If you want to take your popcorn game to the next level, check out our recipes below. Keep the drinks light and fun so as to not overpower the popcorn flavors. Think pilsners or lagers for beer and rosé or white wines.

If you're unsure about a pairing or want a specific flavor combination, feel free to ask our specialists to get you set up with the right one.

Ranch

Melt 4 tbsp. butter with a 1 oz. packet of ranch seasoning mix; toss with 16 cups hot popcorn and 2 tbsp. chopped chives. Season with salt.

Bacon-Chive

Cook 6 slices bacon until crisp; drain on paper towels, reserving the drippings; chop bacon. Drizzle 2 tbsp. each of reserved bacon drippings and melted butter over 16 cups hot popcorn. Toss with the bacon, ½ cup chopped chives and ½ teaspoon cayenne. Season with salt.

Margarita

Melt 6 tbsp. of butter with 2 tbsp. each lime juice and tequila, 2 tsp each sugar and kosher salt, and 1½ tsp. grated lime zest in a skillet over medium heat; drizzle over 12 cups hot popcorn and toss with 4 cups lightly crushed lime-flavored tortilla chips.

Sriracha-Lime

Whisk 5 tbsp. melted butter with ¼ cup Sriracha, 1 ½ tsp. grated lime zest and 1 tbsp. lime juice; drizzle over 16 cups hot popcorn and toss. Season with salt.

Image by Crystal Head Vodka

Stop by Colonial and one of our Celebration Specialists can help you find some wicked wines, scary suds and spooky spirits to round out your beverage options.

And remember to haunt responsibly.