Herding Squirrels blog: Have it your way this Halloween

Happy autumn everybody! The air is crisp, the leaves are turning and who am I kidding it's going to be 100 degrees in California again today.

"Autumn" is what happens back East. In Fresno, it's known as, "Hot." Our other season, "Fog," is still a few months away. That said, the sudden appearances of Spirit stores and the Pumpkin Spice Latte inform me that my favorite holiday will soon be upon us: HALLOWEEN. Candles, cob webs and candy corns; skulls, silliness and sugar. How many other holidays offer such a plethora of amazing alliteration?

Our family has already begun preparations on our 10th annual Halloween party. Last year's theme was "biohazard," and was marked by a science lab, zombies and caution tape. This year, we're taking things one step beyond. Literally.

Our idea: The Greek Pantheon. The plan is that when visitors come to our house, they'll be crossing into the afterworld — depending on where they step, of course. Each family member has chosen a Greek god that fits his or her personality, and will dress as their version of that figure. Think about it: Zeus, the king; Dionysus, the wino; Aphrodite, the vamp; Ares, the war monger; and so on. And each god/goddess is responsible for coming up with an area of the house that will be representative of their persona. Naturally, the River Styx will be present; and I think our loft will make a perfect Mount Olympus.

Granted, on the face of it, this year's party is not your typical ooky-spooky theme — although hey, if you know your Greek mythology you know some freaky, FREAKY stuff can happen — who says Halloween must be scary? The fun can be in the theme, and the theme can be stretched to fit.

So for those who find that the grittiness of Halloween doesn't fit their style, consider some alternatives as the planning process begins. Halloween is, after all, a day where we all get to play dress up. Not comfortable with decaying flesh? Try a disco theme. Country pumpkins not your style? Host a luau. Why not? There's no rule that says you can't celebrate this holiday — or any holiday — the way you want to.

Be sure to check out these sites for great Halloween — and alternate Halloween — party ideas:

Oktoberfest theme: www.celebrations.com/article/Oktoberfest

Dead rock stars theme: www.celebrations.com/article/Dead-Rock-Stars-Halloween-Party

Luau theme: www.party411.com/theme28.html

Fiesta theme: www.party411.com/fiesta.html

Traci Arbios is a mom, stepmom, and working mom. She lives with and writes about her blended family of seven kids, five pets and one amazingly patient husband at www.herdingsquirrels.com.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.