A halloween glow

Shoparound"Halloween has gone nuts in the last four or five years," says Claire O'Connell, Dunnes Stores' Halloween buyer.

While a lot of what's on sale has a novelty factor, aimed at the trick or treat generation, pester power is giving way to a more adult-orientated market.

Some of the many choices this spooky season are Chinese lanterns: beautiful bulbous orange decorations that have staying power. Available from florists nationwide, this is a chic way to get into the spirit of things.

American-based floral fashion website, www.ftd.com, has enlisted the imaginative eye of designer Todd Oldham, to devise a series of creepy carnation creations. These include a ghost fabricated from over 60 pale white blooms, a pumpkin fashioned from orange blossoms and a friendly spider in dark cranberry coloured flowers. The ideas are simple to execute and should give DIYers much floral food for thought.

"A lot of people are throwing themed parties and we've catered for their tastes with a selection of melamine bowls and plates for nibbles as well as masks and wigs for anyone wanting to add a fancy dress element," says O'Connell.

At Marks and Spencer the advice is illuminating. "Group a selection of orange and black candles or vases around the fireplace for a Gothic atmosphere," says Sally Bendelow, head of home design at Marks and Spencer. "Another sophisticated alternative for adults is our black and white Damask tableware, which can add a monochromatic sense of the macabre, especially if you team it with black beaded placemats."

Front doors can be dressed with Tesco's wicker wreath featuring a felt ghost and witch, price €4.99. Marks and Spencer's pumpkin piñata (€15) is filled with scary skeletons and petrified pumpkin confectionary.