Can Halloween be chic? 4 tastemakers on how to throw a spooky party without the kitsch

Gardner: I don’t care what costume the guests choose or how they wear it. I applaud the efforts, from Raggedy Ann to Ice Quintini.

What should be on the menu at a Halloween party?

De Givenchy: Devils on horses, pigs in blankets, caviar on potatoes, smoked salmon with rye bread. Guests will come and go throughout the night, so throw a luxurious buffet with silver candles.

Westler: Halloween is all about candy. I love cookies with dried edible flowers, chocolate covered apricots, pineapples and oranges, and a bowl of black M&Ms.

Newman: It’s funny to see the problem gourmet magazine from the 70s and recreate the recipes. These are not something you typically see today and they are very visually appealing (and adorable).

Gardner: Halloween involves trick-or-treating and usually kids, so plan a menu that’s light, tasty, and fall-friendly. I’m serving a cocktail buffet with chicken pot pie, big green salad, and fried vegetables. I then trade Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with the kids and top them with vanilla ice cream scoops for the adults.

What should be on the drinks menu at a Halloween party?

De Givenchy: Cosmopolitan, old-fashioned, vodka.

Westler: Champagne is my go-to for creating a festive mood.

Newman: I really love the punch bowl. A signature drink, pre-prepared and served in an eye-catching vessel, is just what you need.

Gardner: Halloween is the perfect time to serve cocktails in a big way. silver punch bowl with dry ice. I make big jugs of Earl Gray bourbon punch (it’s like a bourbon sour) which I pour over a floating ring of ice with orange slices, dollops of thyme and maybe some floating eyeballs. Then I convince a friend to jump out from behind the scenes wearing a clown mask.

What decor should I use? Can you miss the pumpkins and ghosts?

De Givenchy: Pumpkins for entrances, ghosts for children. Think giant branches of interesting flowers, willow, autumn leaves and thorns (dyed or not), ivy, hellebore, cyclamen, mosses and the occasional tiny orchid. Low lighting is very important – ideally only candles and lamps. Waiters in full livery, creepy makeup and a deadly soundtrack.