A CEMETERY CELEBRATION

The center of Diane Blum's cul-de-sac in San Jose, California, is the perfect spot to set up an elaborate faux graveyard for the neighborhood's annual Halloween party. Families erect plastic, Styrofoam, and wood headstones and label each with an epitaph or a clever name, such as Noah Moore. The cemetery, which gets more hair-raising each year, now features a fog machine, strobe lights, flying bats, and haunting music. "Neighbors from other streets know to come to our cemetery for some fun, screams, and great eats," says Diane.

SPOOKY SUPPERS

Twelve years ago when her son, Landon, was born on Halloween, Wendy Blake of Concord, North Carolina, knew that it would always be an extraspecial day in her household. To celebrate in style, she and her husband host an annual neighborhood potluck. They set up the food in the garage, which they transform into a creepy setting complete with a motion-activated skeleton that asks, "What are you supposed to be?" when kids walk by. Each family brings a slow-cooker dish, be it chili or soup or dip, as well as Halloween candy -- so it's one-stop trick-or-treating.

A potluck is also the order of the night before Halloween in Lisa Sudtelgte's hometown of Cypress, Texas. After the food comes a round of games: broomstick relay races and tossing a ring over a witch's hat.

TRUNK-OR-TREAT

Kelly Beaulieu and her neighbors in Monson, Massachusetts, came up with a unique vehicle for doling out candy on their secluded road. They line up their cars along the street and "spook them up" by draping on cobwebs or filling an open hatchback with hay bales and glimmering jack-o'-lanterns. Most important, each of the automobiles is stocked with goodies for the neighborhood "trunk-or-treaters" who go car to car.

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