This concoction makes for both a gruesome centre piece and a delicious sweet treat, perfect for the vampires to guzzle. Combine cherry or cranberry juice with cinnamon sticks, cloves and ginger and simmer, ensuring the heart-warming spices are thoroughly infused before leaving to cool. Serve in a large jug surrounded by candles and decorations for a shrine-like, atmosphere. Once the children have gone to bed, try adding vodka or gin to kickstart the moonlight celebrations. 

Pay homage to a classic occult scene, witches gathered around a cauldron stirring up a poisonous plot, only this time with some soup. Sweat onions until soft, pour in petit pois, add stock and simmer for 10-15 minutes until softened, then blend in a food processor. Once blended, add back to a pan with butter and seasoning. Serve in dark-metal or copper bowls to emulate the witches’ cauldron and add grilled bacon bits to finish. 

Whip up a delicious bowl of mystery creepy crawlies for a main course. It may look like something from a haunted swamp, but it will taste divine. Simply roast pumpkin in the oven at 200C for 10 to 15 minutes until tender and mix in with your chosen risotto recipe. For the spooky additions, fry flour-dusted shallots in oil until golden brown and layer on top with dollops of pesto to finish the haunted look. 

Of course, we can’t forget the sweet treats, finish the party with a dazzlingly gruesome velvet cake. Try this recipe for perfect results on the cake, but it doesn’t end there. Prepare dark red icing and pour over the top and around the serving plate to create a blood spatter effect. Then add decorations like edible vampire teeth or candy eye-balls before sticking the knife into the middle to sit there for extra-effect.