With the popularity of Halloween parties growing with every year, here are a few tips that might assist with the planning and executing of a successful party.

Tip number one- play a recording of spooky sounds or spooky music near the party entrance; it sets the mood as soon as the guests arrive.

Tip number two- create an atmosphere with colored light bulbs or black lights.

Tip number three- pick a theme for the party and coordinate decorations. If the theme is ghosts, make paper ghosts to hang around the house. If the theme is pumpkins, carve pumpkins and place them nearby. You can have a spooky theme for older guests with accompanying decorations. At www.halloween-party-fun.com you can find all of the decorations you'll need.

Tip number four- create party games or crafts for a kids' Halloween party. Make sure that the games are age appropriate. Kids will enjoy making crafts and placing them around the room as decorations.

Tip number five- have a best costume contest. Several categories can be chosen for the contest such as scariest costume, sexiest or funniest. At a child's party, find a reason for everyone to win a prize.

Tip number six- make all foods and snacks related to a Halloween theme. Search the web, magazines or ask friends in search for the cutest recipes.

Tip number seven- make memorable decorations. Pick up a how to book on making your own Halloween decorations.

Tip number eight- put together a scary story with props for teens or pre-teens. Make up a story about a car accident where they had to go around the side of the road looking for body parts. Pass around in the dark a bag of wet spaghetti for a brain, two peeled grapes for eyeballs and water frozen in a latex glove for a hand.

Tip number nine- invite kids to go trick-or-treating together first then back to your house for the party.

Tip number ten- have a safe holiday. Don't allow children to go trick-or-treating by themselves and check all candy before it is eaten.