Between expensive costumes, gobs of candy for trick-or-treaters and all the requisite spooky decorations, the real fright this Halloween could come when you check your wallet Nov. 1.

But with a little resourcefulness and some shopping smarts, you can host a fine Halloween shindig without sending your budget to the graveyard.

Start by spreading the party-planning joy. Autumn is a great time for potluck events. Set out a limited spread of food and perhaps a few seasonal drinks (such as mulled cider and Oktoberfest beer). Then encourage guests to bring their favorite creepy snacks, or suggest a theme and ask them to play along (such as orange foods).

Dishes that can be prepared ahead in large pots or slow cookers are well-suited to this kind of gathering. A big batch of chili is an inexpensive way to feed a lot of people.

Canned pumpkin, which often is on sale this time of year, can be used to make a sweet and tangy dip that goes well with salty pretzel rods. Beat an 8-ounce package of cream cheese with half a cup of maple syrup or honey until smooth. Then beat in a 15-ounce can of pumpkin, half a cup of plain yogurt and 2 teaspoons of pumpkin-pie spice. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

The self-serve olive bar at many grocers is an excellent place to stock up on a wide variety of appetizer items, such as marinated mushrooms, pickled and marinated peppers, bocconcini (miniature mozzarella balls) and all kinds of olives. The advantage is that you can buy just the amount needed, usually at one price.

Pumpkins can do double duty as both decorations and part of your spread. Buy a medium-sized pumpkin and some bamboo skewers. Cut the top off the pumpkin and remove the seeds (don't throw them away). Skewer items from the olive bar and stick them all over the pumpkin in a decorative manner.

Rinse the pulp from the reserved seeds, then follow today's recipe to make a flavorful party snack. Keep a close eye on the seeds, as they can overcook quickly.