Here are some party ideas

Ghosts and goblins will appear at your door on Halloween night, expecting to be fed. There’s no reason to cower in the corner or resort to handing out predictable candy.

McCormick & Co. helps you cast a spell over your Halloween guests with these easy snack ideas:

Mix a package of chili seasoning, 8 ounces of cream cheese, 8 ounces of grated cheddar cheese, 3 tablespoons of salsa and 5 drops of yellow and 2 drops of red food coloring. Chill and shape into a pumpkin. Decorate with a gherkin pickle for the stem.

Combine 1/4 cup melted butter, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 30 drops of yellow food coloring and 4 drops of red food coloring and pour mixture over 2 bags of popped microwave popcorn. Toss and add 2 cups of candy corn.

Create spider cookies by adding 30 drops of yellow food coloring and 12 drops of red food coloring to sugar cookie dough. Shape dough into 1-inch round balls and attach 1/2-inch balls for the heads. Add pretzels for the legs and mini-chocolate chips and white icing for eyes.

Timeless treats offered

You can give the trick-or-treaters a taste of the past from Hometown Favorites.

The Virginia Beach, Va., company sells more than 600 old-fashioned, hard-to-find food items. Anyone remember BB Bats and Licorice Babies candies? How about Boo Berry cereal or Jiffy Pop popcorn? The company has “decade boxes” that feature the best of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s for $28.95, as well as gift baskets you can design yourself.

To order, visit www.hometownfavorites.com. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, the company will try to find it for you.