Halloween has it's own special set of traditions that are pretty much set in stone -- kids go trick-or-treating, and adults have costume parties. And sure, here at Celebration Style we have lots of ideas to make these two events unique and fun. But this year we'd like to introduce you to one of our favorite new traditions for Halloween, something out-of-the-ordinary that you can start just as soon as the calendar page turns to October -- the "You've Been Boo'd" neighborhood ghost.

"You've Been Boo'd" is a new way of reverse trick-or-treating that can get your whole neighborhood into the spirit of things even before the 31st rolls around. Here's how it works: you get to play "ghost" and anonymously leave a goodie bag at your neighbor's door, complete with a tissue ghost to place on their front door. They, in turn, should create a goodie bag and a ghost for another neighbor, and so on, until your entire neighborhood has been "Boo'd" and everyone has a ghost on their door. It's that simple, but read on for a few tips:

• Pick one (or even two) neighbors that you know will jump right into the spirit of things with you and keep the ball rolling.

• If you can do it without being found out, personalize the goodie bag -- include the family's favorite candies or small trinkets related to their family interests.

• Create a page of instructions on one sheet of paper that can be easily photocopied. Explain to your neighbors that they've just been "Boo'd" and include info about how to put together a tissue ghost (just wrap a facial tissue around another balled up tissue and tie) and a bag of goodies to "Boo" another neighbor. Make your instructions witty and "ghostly" if you can, imparting your ghostly good wishes for the entire neighborhood to be "Boo'd".

That's it. We'll be looking out for those ghosts wherever we go!

There's something about crisp autumn air that just makes everyone want to throw on a sweater and jump in a pile of leaves. It's a natural time to want to be outside, before the snow sets in around the country. Here in Arizona we're not worried about impending snowfall in October, but we do start to come out-of-doors more than ever as the temperature drops and our summer hibernation ends.

And here at Celebration Style we know there's no better time to host a family football game than now. So dust off your ol' pigskin and settle in for a romping good time for all ages:

• Find a great location and send your invites early -- it takes more than a couple of people on hand to put together a football game.

• Request food donations from each family. Be specific, as in "bring 12 mini bags of assorted chips" or "bring 2 different six-packs of soda". Set up a snack bar and charge 25¢ for each item. (You may even want to assign a dad to grill hot dogs.) Donate the proceeds to a fund for next year's snack bar, or give the money to charity.

• Schedule a game for your smallest participants first, and let the parents assist. Assign older children to a cheering section or to the snack bar. Then designate a parent or two to keep an eye on the young ones (now it's their turn to cheer) while the rest of you settle in for a great game.

Keep a first aid kit on hand for minor scrapes, and feel free to award a prize for the best touchdown-dance, if you are so inclined. (Just don't forget the video camera!)

School is in full swing by now, and getting to know a brand new group of friends and parents each year can be daunting (and with the holidays on the horizon, our busy lives are only going to get busier). So if you're struggling to find time to meet the parents of all of your 7-year-old's new friends so that you can rest easy the next time she's invited for a play date, the Party Play Date is for you.

Pick a day and time when you have a good chance of everyone being available, and invite both mom (or dad) and child to a simple get-together. Provide a selection of snacks and an outdoor play space for the kids, and settle in for a good chat with some new friends. Here's a few of our best hints:

• Choose a time when people don't usually have anything else scheduled, such as the after-dinner hour or a Saturday breakfast date.

• Meet outdoors at a park or in your own backyard to minimize clean-up.

• Provide a simple assortment of snacks and beverages that you can tote along in a rolling cooler.

• Bring paper and pens to create a contact list of names and phone numbers for future play dates.

• If you're not a natural-born "chatty" parent, compile a list of simple questions such as, "Do you work outside the home?" Work your way down the list and give everyone a chance to answer.

Then just let the kids play -- they are already the best of friends, anyway -- while you get to know the other parents. You might just find that the Party Play Date is something you'll want to do every month.