There are a variety of ways to celebrate Halloween. You can choose from a number of party ideas to entertain the children in your life, or host an elaborate masquerade party for the adults. These Halloween party ideas give everybody the chance to turn reality on its head for a day.

Host a children's party. Have the kids come in and play games like treasure hunts, cake walks, or Halloween bingo.

Celebrate with a masquerade ball. With a decent sound system and good food, you can turn the ordinary cocktail party into the event of the year. Serve a buffet-style meal and remove as much furniture as possible. Invite everyone you know, but warn them that they'd better come in costume.

Go casual and opt for a potluck with your friends and family. Set aside a room for younger kids to watch appropriate films while the adults gather in another room for more mature scary movies. Scary movies and good food are always a hit.

Check out your local community offerings for Halloween party ideas. Many towns have annual celebrations ranging from double features of scary movies or tours of homes that are reported to be haunted. Some even host overnight gatherings of amateur ghost hunters.

Carve pumpkins and set them on your front porch in time for the trick-or-treaters to come by. Pumpkin carving is a fun way to get messy with the kids and express your creativity. Best of all, they'll give your house a spooky air when costumed kids wander up to your door demanding candy.