| When done right, good Halloween party decorations | | | | props. Hanging bed sheets won't cut it. What you want, |
| and props can give your adult guests genuine chills | | | | at least for your most visible ghosts, are specters that |
| they'll remember long after the party. One of the most | | | | look like they used to be human. It's the twisted faces, |
| effective ways to give your decor more psychological | | | | pale skin and hollow eyes that really creep people out. |
| impact is to choose a theme. A coherent theme helps | | | | If you have some room in your Halloween decorations |
| set the mood better than a collection of random | | | | budget, look into a ghost illusion prop. These project |
| decorations. | | | | semi-transparent, 3-D figures that look disturbingly |
| Straight Out of a Horror Movie | | | | realistic. Ghost illusion DVDs will get you a similar effect |
| If you're a movie buff, this theme will be easy to | | | | cheaper. |
| create. Say your favorite scary movie is Psycho. Set | | | | A Night with the Devil |
| up your entry way to look like the lobby of the Bates | | | | This is another theme that's more about chills than |
| motel, complete with guest book. In the living room, | | | | gore. To get the most out of this theme, set up a devil |
| dress up a corpse or skeleton prop as the late Mrs. | | | | prop that's as life-like as you can find. Place him where |
| Bates. And don't forget to put the remains of poor | | | | your guests will be spending most of their time, |
| Marion Crane in the shower. With the horror movie set | | | | whether that's in the living room or outside around a |
| theme, details really help. Using the Psycho theme as | | | | bonfire. To compliment your devil, pick up some ghouls |
| an example, you might hang a lenticular changing | | | | and demons. Decent motion- or sound-activated |
| portrait in your living room and label it "Mother." | | | | animated demons can be found for less than $30. |
| Haunting Ghosts | | | | Hang up a few winged demons and leave standing |
| Even those who claim they "don't believe in ghosts" still | | | | ones lurking in dark corners. Placing one outside on a |
| get a little spooked by seemingly paranormal activity | | | | window ledge looking in also creates a nice creepy |
| when the mood is right. To really rock the ghost | | | | effect. |
| theme, don't skimp on your ghost decorations and | | | | |