Halloween is just around the corner and I don't want you to be caught without any treats, so here are a few tricks to get you party-ready in no time! I made this Halloween party setup in about 10 minutes and you can too! Over the years, I have accumulated a sizable collection of Halloween decor, but I like to add in a couple new things each year to freshen up my presentation.

This year I'm hosting my usual Halloween party with 150+ guests (so this won't quite be enough food!) and I like to keep things very simple when hosting that many people, so I'm opting for a clean black and white motif throughout my Halloween decor. My favorite addition to this year's setup are these mice placecards from Target (9 mice for $5!). I might use them as menu cards if i have friends bring treats to share for my Halloween party, but for now they will serve as decor and an easy way to spice up my white serving dishes.

When setting up for a party, especially for a specific food display, I follow a few easy steps to make sure I have everything I need for my event.

1. Start with a blank slate! I always begin by clearing off the space I'm working with. If you're creating a food display with the wall as the backdrop, take any art off the wall before you proceed so you can see exactly how your finished product will look.
2. Use serving dishes to divide the space. I use these Great White dishes from Pottery Barn for almost every event I host at my house; if you're looking for classic dishes and serving pieces, these are by far my favorite. Once you come up with an arrangement that you like, it is much easier to determine how much food you will need to complete your display, as well as if you need to add any additional decor or accessories. Don't forget to leave room for your plates and napkins, if you plan to use them.
3. Accessorize. Don't feel like you need to fill every inch of space, but it's nice to include a few themed touches to complete your display. Here, I decided to use the ghosts above the buffet, a trick or treat bunting banner below, and the mice placecards on the surface. It's ok to try a few different combinations to find what works. I have been hosting a Halloween party at my house for 6 years, and I've never used the ghosts above my food display before- it's nice to change it up!
4. Add your treats! Now that you have your dishes set and accessories in place, you can determine what kind of treats you want to serve. I like to have one big item on my cake plate, along with smaller one-bite treats that are convenient for guests to grab n' go. Don't forget to include a bowl of candy! Especially if you're hosting an event on the same night that trick or treaters will be out, you don't want to answer the door empty handed.

Now you know my tricks and you can serve the cutest treats possible at your upcoming Halloween party! Remember, keep things simple- you only need a few accessories to make a clear theme for your display. Happy Halloween! 

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