It's Fall, Y'all!

BOO! It’s almost that time again! Halloween. We could not have a DYI, Girls Night In events section without a Halloween Bash. But why go the traditional costume-party route. Have a pumpkin-themed Girls Night that won’t scare your girlfriends away!
Halloween with the girls is not the same as Halloween for couples, or Halloween with the kids. Women are looking for something different. Why? Well, for one thing, after a certain age, the traditional costume party loses its charm. (Did you see the scene in the Sex and the City Movie where Miranda complains about the costumes available for grown women? She says something to the effect of “Your only choices are French maid, kitten, or witch.” Been there, done that!)  And, there can be a lot of social pressure for single gals around Halloween. It’s nearly as bad as Valentine’s Day!  But, there’s still plenty of reason to party at this plentiful time of year. I’ve chosen the abundant pumpkin as my focus. Did you know that pumpkins are considered a symbol of women’s fertility? They are also very nutritious, and Cinderella did take a ride in one, you know. All good reasons to celebrate the many splendors of this fall fruit.

Setting and Setup
Depending on your personal style and your girl-group vibe, you may want to decorate in a Halloween-y way. Do you like spooky? Then go for it. (See ideas below) In this read you will be guided to celebrate the season. Autumn is a beautiful time of year to get together, and there is plenty of natural bounty you can use to create a festive atmosphere. Piles of leaves, pumpkins and gourds, baskets of apples, and bushels of asters and mums make for a gorgeous, abundant feeling in the air.
The scent of cinnamon in the air is inviting and evokes fall. Use scented candles or simmer a pot of cinnamon sticks in water on the stove. Or make a pot of Oprah’s favorite Mulled  Wine in the Crock Pot and let is work double duty!
For pumpkin carving or decorating, our main activity, you will need some floor space (if indoors) and some newspapers to cover the floor. You will also need carving knives and scoops, or craft supplies (see below).
Finally, you will need a selection of pumpkins in different sizes. It’s really best if you can find a low-cost source for these (pumpkin farm or supermarket) and provide them for your guests. But if you don’t want to spring for the pumpkins, have each guest bring their own –just be sure to tell them so on the invitation.
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