Halloween is one of our all-time favorite holidays at Eddy Street Vintage Market and we take decorating very seriously! There are some basic elements we include that make it a SPOOK-TACULAR event each year. Here is our guide for you:

1. Set the Tone of the Party

Pandora radio has a "Halloween Party" station that is sure to make all of the ghosts and goblins tap a toe! Make sure to start the radio station before the party. Hint: If you hear a song you like, click the thumbs up button and Pandora will begin to cater their music selections towards songs you have liked.

2. Tastes Soo Good it's Scary

There are a ton of great Halloween themed snacks out there that range in difficulty. Witches' Brooms are super easy and make all the witches go "Awwww". It's simple, take a Reese's peanut butter cup and flip it upside down and then put a pretzel stick in the center of the peanut butter cup and HOCUS POCUS you have a cute little witch's broom. Then you have Dracula Dentures, Monster Eyeballs and a Popcorn mix that you can't stay away from. For all of our favorite recipes click the link to our Halloween Pinterest Page.

https://www.pinterest.com/EddyStVintage/eddy-street-halloween-2015/

3. Gather Your Friends and Set the Scene

It's tradition to watch Hocus Pocus during the Halloween season. I remember watching it when I was little with my Grandma Betty and thinking it was such a scary movie. Needless to say, I don't think it's nearly as frightful anymore instead it's festive. Some of the other great Halloween movies for all ages include: The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Corpse Bride, Harry Potter, and Young Frankenstein. Plus, what's more fun than getting together and watching a movie. ANNNNNND.... You could make the delicious popcorn mentioned above.

4. Set a Killer Table

For Halloween, imperfect is perfect! Grab a candleabra and add some crooked candles...Get the cobwebs and spiders out to0! Need a festive runner? Grab some spooky fabric and run it along the center of the table.

5. Always Add an Element of Surprise

It's a Halloween party after all so it's important to keep people on their toes and make it a little spooky! Add motion activated decor so that when your guests enter the room it automatically goes off without you having to lift a finger. Shopping tip: Target, CVS and Walgreens had a lot of great animated decor this year.

Hope your Halloween party is spellbinding! Subscribe to our blog for more tips and tricks for entertaining and home decorating.

4th of July is one of my favorite holidays! Each year I do a little something different. Here are my top 5 tips for how to throw an unforgettable 4th of July party this weekend!

1. You don't have to get fancy but your BBQ Party can still be "put together": It's a bbq and the last thing you want to do is make your guests feel like they should be wearing a tuxedo. Simultaneously, you don't have to go all paper and plastic either. Have some mason jars lying around? Place utensils in a napkin, tie with jute or raffia and place in the mason jar and you not only have style you also have function. If you want to take it one step further, use gift tags to personalize each jar.

2. Use festive scrapbook paper as placemats, the best part is you can dispose of it afterwards.

3. Short on tables and chairs? No problem! Place blankets or quilts on the lawn, borrow toss pillows from indoors and create a picnic park!

4. Have something fun to do during the party: Bring back some early Americana games. How about sack races, frisbee, bubble wands, or even croquet? Games will keep the energy level of the party fun and guests will be talking about it until next year's party.

5. Don't forget the dessert! Firecracker popcorn is festive and sure to please. Not to mention it's easy on the hostess to make. Here's our secret recipe (only share it with your best friends!)

Firecracker Popcorn:

What you will need:

INGREDIENTS:

3 bags Pop Secret Homestyle microwave popcorn

1 cup white candy melts

1 cup red candy melts

1 cup blue candy melts

3 packages Strawberry Pop Rocks (Michaels Craft store has these)

Blue Sprinkles

DIRECTIONS:

• Prepare popcorn according to package directions. Spread onto a cookie sheet and allow to cool. Remove all un-popped kernels.

• Meanwhile, melt the candy melts, one color at a time and drizzle onto the popcorn.

• Sprinkle Strawberry Pop Rocks on the popcorn.

• Add sprinkles and allow to harden completely.

• Serve in festive popcorn boxes and enjoy!

From our family to yours we hope you have a fun and safe holiday weekend! If you try any of our tips, be sure to share the results with us! Happy Independence Day Friends!