The nightmare before Hallowe'en...

Weeks ago, when you mentioned hosting a Hallowe'en party to your friends and family, it probably seemed like a great way of getting everyone together for a bit of a spook fest.

The nightmare now though, is how unnerved you are by the fact the scariest day of the year is almost upon us. Hallowe'en seems to have crept up like the creepiest of ghouls. Frightening how fast the time goes, isn't it?

But don't let the prospect of hosting your Hallowe'en bash haunt you. The thought of hollowing out umpteen pumpkins is never appealing. Putting it off often means a last-minute mad dash to the supermarket – only to find they have sold out.

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So, apart from remembering to get your pumpkin in good time, don't let the trick-or-treaters get the better of you, either. Stock up on sweet treats while you're there.

Transforming your home into a haunted house fit for the scariest of sances doesn't need to cost the earth, or take up too much of your time.

There are some simple things you can do to turn your normally bright, airy, welcoming home into an altogether less hospitable place for your guests.

Switching off all your lights will make it much less inviting. Make it as dark as possible, and create a spooky atmospheric feel with candles.

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If it's still a bit too dark – after all, you don't want to traumatise your friends and family – you can use lamps and accessories to create a Gothic look.

Candelabras can help make a great haunted house look. Lanterns with tea lights are another way of making pools of light and dark, spooky corners.

Embellished mirrors, such as the Venezia, create a decadent feel, and can help reflect the spooky lighting back into the room.

Barker and Stonehouse has a range of embellished mirrors available in store or online at www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk

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If you can't move light-coloured furniture out of the room for the occasion, cover it. Old dust-sheets are perfect for making even the most lived-in home look abandoned and empty – ideal for ghostly goings-on.

YP MAG 30/10/10