Charles Campion is The Smart Shopper: Halloween Special

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Feast on a skull
Researchers say 2010 is the year Halloween will overtake St Valentine's Day in the spending stakes. In the Middle Ages when ghosts walked on "All Hallows Eve", marking the occasion made some sense but the imported American custom of trick or treat seems tacky in comparison. Nevertheless Fortnum & Mason is approaching Halloween with a certain flair — you can purchase a life-size skull made from white chocolate (an edible centrepiece for the dinner table?) for just £40. F&M's marzipan vampires (£5) appeal but best of all must be the sweets called Exploding Toads (£2.50) ... very Harry Potter.
Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, W1 (020 7734 8040, fortnumandmason.com)

Cheers to a pumpkin
At the White Horse on Parsons Green they are also taking Halloween seriously and tonight at 7.30pm they will be tapping a giant pumpkin that has previously been hollowed out and filled with Rooster's Spiced Pumpkin beer before being painstakingly sealed up with wax. (With the beer in it the monster topped out at over 700lb).
The White Horse, 1-3 Parsons Green, SW6 (020 7736 2115, whitehorsesw6.com)

Zombies for lunch
The cake counter at Harrods is also entering into the spirit of the occasion and Lily Vanilli will be signing copies of her new graphic horror novel with recipes, A Zombie Ate my Cupcake! tomorrow in Harrods gifts department between 1pm and 2pm. Vanilli's Ghastly Ghouls —vanilla sponge with marshmallow frosting; Mummies — chocolate cupcakes iced with vanilla buttercream, and Undead Gingerbread — cocoa "soil" and gingerbread gravestones on a chocolate sponge. Lily Vanilli cakes from £2.50 each.
Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1 (020 7730 1234, harrods.com)