Boo! It’s almost Halloween, but don’t be scared if you’re still not ready to haunt. We’re here to help with these spooktacular Halloween hints:

Creative Costumes

It looks like some of the most popular costumes in 2012 will be inspired by the movies.  Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games, the superheroes from The Avengers and Princess Merida from Disney’s Brave are sure to make the A-list.  In addition, you will see plenty of zombies, vampires and yes, Obama and Romney look-alikes, too!

However, if you’re on a budget, start with your own closet!  For example, take a matching color shirt and pants and pair them with fun accessories: black with cat ears and a tail, red with a pitchfork and devilish add-ons, or white with a halo and wings. You can easily find the extras at a craft or costume store.

The duct tape craze is another great help for Halloween costumes, with the sticky stuff now coming in every color and pattern imaginable. Use it to make something simple like a road sign on your shirt, or go crazy and tape your way to the ultimate duct tape costume.

Devilish Decor

It’s easy to set the stage for a frightful night with homemade decorations.  Make your own gravestones out of cereal boxes, monster luminaries out of plastic milk jugs or boo-tiful ghosts out of tomato cages.  Keep some black poster board on hand to cut out those bats, cats and witches hats.  And don’t forget to download some creepy music on Halloween night to add the finishing touch to your ghoulish ambience.

Thrilling Treats:

If you want to be the favorite haunted house on the street for trick-or-treaters, be sure to stock up on the super-sized candy bars and remember, only one per little monster.  The most popular candy in 2011 was still Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Snickers and M&M’s.  If a party is on your calendar, surprise the ghosts and goblins with some Halloween concoctions so easy, even a zombie could make them — things like Monster Claws and Eyeball Tacos.  Now that’s some scary stuff!