Eventually in your life as a parent, you will be called upon to throw a party, as you may imagine this can spell economic disaster for the household budget.

Before you begin writing out the invitations, begin with a budgeting stragedy that will allow for maximum fun with minimal spending. With the use of creativity and imagination, you will find million dollar smiles, without spending the next two paychecks.

After you have worked up a reasonable spending plan, begin to compile a list of ghouls and goblins who will be invited to your Howling Halloween Ball. Have your children help make the invitations.

Now it is time to devise the menu, with the use of English muffins, tomato sauce, cheese and some pepperoni, each guest can create their own personalized pizza. Chips are a must have and can be purchased relatively cheap. Popcorn is also relatively cheap, and can be used to make necklaces. Whenever possible buy generic brands, as they are far less expensive than name brands.

As for a beverage, mix some green food coloring with lemonade in a punch bowl and you will have a “toxic tonic”. Keep your tonic cool with the use of frozen gremlin hands, simply fill latex glove with water and freeze, the throw into the punch bowl on the day of the party.

Now for some fun, plan a Halloween parade in your back yard. Encourage the kids to sing and dance, this will definitely increase the silliness factor.

Once the parade has concluded, every one can then make a goody bag. Paper lunch bags are perfect. Go to the dollar store and purchase some glue sticks, crayons a least two packs per five children. Use pumpkin seeds, popcorn, elbow macaroni or anything else you could think of to use for embellishment purposes.

Once the bags are all finished, allow the kids to trick or treat around the house. Cookies in the kitchen, candy in the living room a bowl of party favors in the dining room.

Cheap is the key element here, so the party favors can be as simple as homemade bookmarks with a Halloween theme. These are just examples of the types of things that can be planned for a party without putting your budget in economic jeopardy.