Fall Entertaining 2009

Whether you are handing out or receiving the treats late this October, it's easy to get caught up in the magic of Halloween. And if the sight of jack-o'-lanterns and friendly ghosts make you grin, you are not alone.

Boo! If that didn't scare you, maybe a frightening movie will do the trick this Halloween. But take care -- you never know what's hiding under the couch, in the attic, or knocking on the front door. But you also don't know how watching that monster movie will affect your child.

In the quest for the most imaginative Halloween costume, the convenience of a ready-made one can be tempting. But the pride that comes with creating your own is impressive, and the price can't be beat. Charlene Sarmiento of Goodwill Industries International Inc. said Goodwill's highest retail sales of the year occur in October.

When most folks think of haunted houses, they conjure up images of spooky dilapidated homes with broken windows and cobwebs galore. Maybe they don't believe haunted places exist except in some very vivid imaginations. But all over the United States, there are places that are rumored to be haunted.

The jack-o'-lantern is an icon of fall festivals and fun. Set out on a stoop or windowsill, a carved pumpkin face with a glow inside is one of the most recognized symbols of Halloween. But how did "Jack" become the face of the holiday?

Legend says that cranberries have been a tradition for Thanksgiving dinner since the pilgrims served the tart and tasty fruit at the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Mass., along with wild turkey and succotash. In more recent times, the most popular way to serve up cranberries has been in a sauce, but there are many other ways to incorporate them into your Thanksgiving festivies.

Good food plays a part in any holiday, but it's especially important at Thanksgiving, when families gather together to commemorate the historic feast celebrated by the pilgrims and American Indians. That being the case, you'll want to create a festive table on which to share the bounty.

The most American of holidays, Thanksgiving, is about spending time with family and friends and giving thanks for the good life -- even during tough times. The main event is the feast, traditionally a roasted turkey with stuffing and gravy, mashed potatoes, vegetables, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie for dessert. It's the ultimate comfort food.

You've got the ingredients for the turkey stuffing, the green bean casserole and the pumpkin pie. But if you want to eliminate the whine -- the kind that comes from children who complain that they have "nothing to do" while you're busy in the kitchen -- add a Thanksgiving crafts project.

Pumpkin pie may be a tradition on Thanksgiving, but why not mix it up? Change things this year and serve a dessert that your friends and family will never forget. David Latt, a television producer and creator of the blog "Men Who Like to Cook" (menwholiketocook.blogspot.com), goes beyond the pie. Since one friend consistently brings the traditional dessert, it frees him up to dazzle with a few creations of his own. A few of Latt's specialties include bread pudding with roasted almonds and chocolate, chocolate chip banana cake with roasted walnuts and easy-to-make baked custard.

In addition to being a Thanksgiving treat, cranberries provide numerous health benefits.

Halloween originated as a Celtic ritual that dates back thousands of years. Today, it is a light-hearted holiday for all ages to enjoy. Here are some national stats for this spooky holiday.

Each region of the United States has its own special dishes for Thanksgiving dinner. Here's what people across the land are enjoying.