No costume yet? No worries!

For October, our blogging has focused on helping you have an awesome Halloween. With Halloween tomorrow, we want to make sure that you're totally ready to round out this year's festivities. That means, last minute costume ideas, just in case you didn't have the foresight to plan ahead.

Our friends at Patch, compiled the following ideas if your kids are left without suitable Trick-or-Treat attire.

• A Little Bearded Garden Gnome - Your kids may already have the clothes. You'll just need to make a simple hat and beard.
• Bag of Jelly Beans - You'll need a clear trash bag and set of strong lungs to make this sweet costume
• Quarterback - This punny costume is quick and easy to make.
• Spaghetti and Meatballs - Use a red and white tablecloth and a pot to make this saucy costume.
• Lego - This costume is easy to build using a cardboard box, paper bowls and spray paint.
• Baby Octopus - A great way to use those mismatched socks left in the dryer.

If you're ready to get in on the action, some of our favorite (read: quick and easy) last minute costume ideas for adults include: 

• Wrapping yourself in wrapping paper with a tag: "From: God, To: Women". What are you? God's gift to women.
• Attaching suger-cubes (or candy) all over yourself. What are you? Sugar-Daddy or Sugar-Momma.
• Donning an old Ivy League college sweatshirt found at the Goodwill, and when asked, "What are you," you respond, "Smarter than you."
• Wrapping yourself in aluminum foil to become a baked potato!

And last, but certainly not least, male or female, we're pretty sure that a leprechaun would make the best Halloween costume of all! 

Happy Haunting!

How to Throw a KILLER Halloween Party

Around here, we like Halloween, and we like parties. It's only natural that we would love a good Halloween party. Therefore, we've compiled a top ten list of must-haves to make your Halloween party just downright SPOOK-tacular!

1. Costumes - Costumes should be a non-negotiable requirement for guest attire. What fun is a Halloween party if no one dresses up? 
2. Decor - You have to at least go with some of the faux-spider webs! Themes are also good. We've been loving all the fun owl options. 
3. Food - Your guests aren't going to want to stick around if you're not feeding them. Try to incorporate salty and sweet options, and remember, if you're hosting your party over a prime meal time, you should probably be serving a more substantial snack or even some entree worthy items. 
4. Drinks - Don't assume your guests will know to BYOB unless you've specifically outlined that requirement on the invitations. If you're going to be hosting, you should probably also be serving some community refreshments. Think along the lines of fun punches that can be housed in big bowls. Bonus points for Dry Ice usage! If you need help thinking up some fun, fall cocktails, check out last week's post: Favorite Fall Drink Recipes. 
5. Entertainment - While food and drink will suffice as the entertainment for a short while, it you want your guests to stay the course, plan ahead for other fun ways to occupy their time. Games, a scary movie, a scavenger hunt, etc. will all help to pass the time and help keep the party rolling. 
6. Mood Lighting - Black lights. Corny for everyday use, perfect for a Halloween!
7. Music - We're so not beneath using one of those Halloween mix CD's with the spooky sound effects for great background music.
8. Bonfire - If weather and local regulations permit, a bonfire is a great addition to your All Hallows Eve event! Not only does it look positively medieval, but the addition of toasted marshmallows and s'mores to your buffet seals the deal.  
9. Candy - Even grown-ups miss the candy-laden bounty of trick-or-treating! Why not send your guests home with a grab bag of their very own candy swag! 
10. Safety First - A good host(ess) always figures in the safety of his/her guests. Don't ever let your pals drink and drive! 

Hope your Halloween party is a massive success! Feel free to share your own tips in the comments section below! 

Autumn Imbibements

While the weather we've been having certainly doesn't feel very fall-esque, we're ready to confirm the change of seasons with some decidedly fall beverages. Filled with richer flavors and bolder, spicier notes, these autumn refreshments will give you a reason to get that raking done and help calm your nerves during Vikings games.

Spiked Apple Pie Punch
Ingredients
• 1 gallon apple juice
• 1 gallon apple cider
• 3 cups white sugar
• 8 cinnamon sticks
• 1 bottle 190 proof grain alcohol (750 ml)
Directions
1. In a large pot, combine juice, cidar, sugar and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let cool completely.
2. When cool, stir in grain alcohol.
3. Transfer to large serving dish and let guests ladle into cups. Garnish with additional cinnamon sticks or apple slices, if desired.

Pear Brandy Sidecar

Ingredients
• 1 shot (1.5 oz.) pear brandy
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup
• 1 oz. pear nectar
• Ice
Directions
1. Pour the brandy, lemon juice, pear nectar, and syrup into a cocktail shaker with ice. Cover, and shake until the outside of the shaker has frosted.
2. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Serves one.

Cranberry Martini

Ingredients
• 1 shot (1.5 oz.) vodka
• 1/2 oz. orange liqueur
• 1/2 oz. dry vermouth
• 2 shots (3 oz.) cranberry juice
• 1 cups ice
• Cranberries (optional)
Directions
1. Combine vodka, orange liqueur, vermouth, cranberry juice and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously to chill.
2. Pour into martini glasses and serve. Garnish with a few cranberries, if desired. Serves two.

Other great options for fall drinks include hot mulled wine, a fall spiced sangria with cranberries and oranges, a Bailey's Caramel Appletini, or anything with ginger (Ginger Ale, Canton Ginger Liqueur, etc.). 

Happy Fall! 

Holiday Parties - Going, going...

It sure doesn't feel like it weather-wise, but now's the time to plan your holiday party at Cork's. With a full banquet room and plenty of private and semi-private dining options to choose from, Cork's is a one-stop shop for your holiday party. To sweeten the deal even more, our catering department is running specials for those that plan ahead!

Book your holiday party now and receive one of the following add-ons:

• Free Domestic Keg, 
• Free House Wine Pour with Dinner, or 
• Free Centerpieces (some exclusions apply) 

(Note: The event food and beverage value must reach at least $3000, and the event must occur between November 1, 2011 and February 28, 2012). 

Book any event to take place before January 1, 2012 and receive a dinner catered to you in your home by Executive Chef Peter Christenson!

(Note: The event food and beverage value must reach at least $6000. Not applicable to events booked before Sept 21, 2011). 

For more information and to book your holiday party, contact our Sales Manager Cate Griffin at 651-379-5061 or cate.griffin@hilton.com today!