Tricks and Treats

Walking Phantoms

A solitary specter walks across a courtyard, disappearing into thin air as she moves. Witness to her ghostly stroll might rub their eyes in disbelief. Was she really there at all? The proof is in the photo. 

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Bat Jar

A spooky black bat has taken over this jar of white beans.

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Keeping His Head

A forlorn soul gazes at the shell of his former self. He'll search for his lost noggin later and keep the jack-o'-lantern for appearance's sake. This photo consists of two shots, one made partially transparent and then layered onto the other. The pumpkin is the foam kind, easy to carve and long lasting. You could also place a photograph of a pumpkin on the shoulders of your subject.

Tricks and Treats

Mirror, Mirror

A partygoer admires his reflection -- just the sort of turn of events one expects on Halloween. The looking glass itself does the work. To create the fun-house illusion, we mounted mirrored film (from an art-supply store) to a sheet of curved posterboard and then slipped it into a frame.

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Disembodied Limb

Moths flutter around a lantern that illuminates the way for masquerading revelers on a dark night. Panic strikes when they realize the hand carrying the lantern is lacking a body. We wired vellum moths to a paper lantern, then hung it from a craggy branch, which was held by a hand reaching through a curtain blurred digitally for an ethereal effect.

Tricks and Treats

Punch Bowl Prop

Fill this vessel with dry ice for a smoldering display, or skip the mysterious mist and use it to serve punch.

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Spidery Porches

Hungry treat-seekers will have to face this swarm of spiders before they reach the doorbell for sweets.

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Coffin Table

Party guests, beware. What looks like a coffee table may actually be the coffin of a sinister soul.

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Ribbon Snakes

Candy seekers will think twice before they reach into a bowl guarded by this creepy ribbon serpent.

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Scary Hand Bowl

As unsuspecting trick-or-treaters ransack the bowl for candy, they'll be greeted by a suitably scary surprise -- a frighteningly lifelike limb grasping for them.

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Bewitching Tree Decoration

Scare up fun at a Halloween party with a centerpiece that displays favor bags and seasonal ornaments. Branches hold evil-eyed black cats and jolly jack-o'-lanterns fashioned from paper, as well as candy-filled bags for guests to bring back to their lairs. For the tree, spray paint a branch black; wedge into a flower bucket filled with rocks. Cover with Spanish moss, and stretch craft-store cobwebs between branches.

Bewitching Tree Decoration How-To

Tricks and Treats

Creepy Candy Containers

It's Halloween, and patches are full of pumpkins just waiting to provide spine-tingling thrills on the big fright night. Carving them into jack-o'-lanterns is always fun, but transform a few into candy holders with looks that could chill, and they can play a crucial role as keepers of the goodies.

Creepy Candy Containers How-To

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Pumpkin Treat Bags

Your guests won't know which one to pick -- every pumpkin in this patch hides delicious contents.

Pumpkin Treat Bags How-To

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Creepcake Cupcakes

These desserts have a dark side, which we've coaxed out with common candies. Licorice, marshmallows, gumdrops, and more can mutate into sharp fangs, bulbous eyes, and other freaky features.

Creepcake Cupcakes How-To

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Spider Toothpicks

These obliging arachnids help guests get a handle on snacks. With scissors, cut the bugs off plastic spider rings (available at party stores), then puncture their centers with a needle tool (from crafts stores). Insert the toothpick into the hole from bottom; color tip with a black marker. Set out with nibbles, such as mini mozzarella balls.

Tricks and Treats

Shocking Silhouettes

As day turns to night, call on candles to cast an eerie glow throughout your home. When fierce silhouettes are propped above them, spectacular shadows dance across the walls.

Shocking Silhouettes How-To

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Spiderweb Eggs

It may look like a swarm of spiders got into the henhouse, but these eggs are another Halloween hoax. Webs are "spun" with the help of blueberries, which are added to the water as the eggs cook. Peel shells before you set out the eggs, or leave some behind, if you like. Serve with gray sea salt for an extra-grim presentation.

Spiderweb Eggs Recipe

Tricks and Treats

Medusa Ice Face and Hands Punch

Although this festive punch won't produce quite the same effect as the real Medusa, it's sure to leave your Halloween guests frozen in their tracks as they gaze into the bowl to find the serpent creature staring back at them.

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Glittered Halloween Tree

This bewitching Halloween tree bears sweet treats, as well as a few spooky surprises.

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Eyeball Highball

With medium-size radishes and olives, you can create creepy ice cubes that appear to contain eyeballs -- ideal for a macabre martini on the rocks or in a ghastly glass of flavored seltzer for your young ghouls-in-training.

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Spooky Candy Jar Labels

They say the devil is in the details, and when decorating for halloween, this sentiment is all the more appropriate. These decorations are both elegant and eerie -- perfect for amusing guests over the holiday. First, choose licorice, candy sticks, and the like in black to match a party's dark theme. Group them together in glass jars and label them with our "warning labels", such as "Rotten Sweets: Dissatisfaction Guaranteed," on self-adhesive paper and affix them to the jars of sweets. Print out the Candy Jar Labels on self-adhesive computer paper. Affix to candy jars.

Tricks and Treats

Levitating Halloween Table and Treats

Trick or treat? This witch appears to have both at her disposal. Ghouls in her good graces can help themselves from an urn of candies. But get a little cheeky and the treats won't be the only thing to go flying.

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