Most of us remember the excitement of dressing up to go trick-or-treating; and with people ages 18-24 spending an estimated $86.59 each on the eerie evening, it's clear that while Halloween may be known as "The Day of the Dead," it is not a dead day. Though the adult version of the spooky holiday means drastically different costume options and ways to celebrate, Halloween can be a grown-up great time. Here are some ways to guarantee that you have as much ghoulish fun now as you did when you were a little girl.

Choosing a Costume

There's no doubt that choosing the perfect Halloween costume is just as important now as it was during the days when you went trick-or-treating. However, the options to choose from today are vastly different. As a child, it was easy to just dress as your favorite Disney princess. But now, every princess costume reveals much more skin than you remember. Tinkerbell has morphed into a sexy fairy with an up-to-there skirt and Snow White's dress comes complete with a push-up bra to enhance the goods stuffed into the plunging neckline.

Even those who plan on not wearing body-bearing costumes find that modesty on Halloween is easier said than done. Georgia Southern college student, Tiffany, initially planned to refrain from wearing anything too revealing this year, but was unable to find a costume that would still make her feel cute while being covered, and instead opted to go as a vampire vixen. "Nobody really wants to wear the cow costume with the udders showing when the woman next to you is flaunting her figure as Nurse Hottie," she says, "So, fishnets and vinyl with fake fangs and red lipstick is the way I ended up going."

While the costume options have changed, assuming your alter-ego on October 31st can be as simple as choosing an outfit that highlights your best assets. Got great legs? Maybe that thigh-high gingham dress and sparkly red heels that make up the Dorothy costume is perfect for you. If you're proud of your hourglass figure, go with the body hugging lady ninja gear. Just as in childhood, wearing what makes you feel your best will be the first step to insuring a great time during your Halloween festivities.

Capturing the Night's Festivities

As children, our parents doted over how adorable we looked in our Halloween costumes. The anticipation over trick-or-treating swirled about in us as we craved candy and a few good scares. Of course, before ever making it out the door to beg for sweets up and down the street, Mom just had to get a picture of her little angel in the witch costume, complete with fake warts and press-on finger nails.

Mom was on to something, too, because in snapping photos of me in my Halloween ensemble, she captured a moment in time. Now, when I see pictures of myself in various costumes, I am taken back to the goose bumps I got while walking up to the neighbor's porch with the spider web decorations and eerie music blaring from some speaker concealed by hedges.

Though Halloween has taken on a new meaning in adulthood, the antics of the night are (hopefully) going to be ones you'll want to remember later on. Bringing a camera along to whatever party you decide to check out ensures the freezing of those moments. You'll want to remember how smoking hot you looked at age 20-something in the Naughty Cop costume, and the proof will be in the pictures just in case anyone ever doubts you. And, between the alcohol and the excitement that adult Halloween parties are notorious for, you may not be able to have a clear grasp on the evening's events without photos.

Halloween Treats

As kids, Snickers bars and Airheads reigned supreme on Halloween night. But while name-brand candy was the ideal, we were often forced to settle for candy corn, Palmer's Peanut Butter Cups, and the dreaded Mary Janes (yes, the red and orange ones).

Naturally, as grown women we have to work a little harder on maintaining a great figure. With candy not really on the radar as a party favor or as a means to stay trim, there's no doubt that what's being served at grown-up Halloween parties has matured along with our bodies. Now, instead of candy apples we find candy apple shooters on the menu at the coolest spooky parties, and while booze is seldom chided for its health benefits, we are usually much more comfortable in an alcohol indulgence among friends than in a junk food fueled one.

There are many Halloween-themed cocktails and shooter recipes that can really bring life to all the party zombies out there. Here are some classic fright-fest beverages to try:

· The Vampire's Kiss

2 oz. of Vodka

½ oz. of dry gin

½ oz. dry vermouth

1 tbsp. of tequila

A pinch of salt

2 oz. tomato juice

Shake all ingredients with ice, and strain into a martini glass.

· Smashing Pumpkin

1/3 oz. of Kahlua

1/3 oz. of Bailey's Irish Cream

1/3 oz. of Goldschlager

Mix ingredients and strain into a shot glass.

· Salem Witch

½ oz. of vodka

½ oz. of raspberry schnapps

½ oz. of Midori melon liqueur

Splash of lime juice

Splash of Grenadine

Fill with 2/3 sour mix

Fill with soda water

Mix all alcohol in a Collins class with ice. Add splash of lime, and fill the rest of the way up with sour mix and soda water. Stir, and add a splash of grenadine.

Scary Risks

After running around various neighborhoods collecting as much candy loot as possible, I remember going home only to be delayed further in bridging the gap between having the candy in my pumpkin bag and having the candy in my stomach. My parents always insisted on going through all the goodies to make sure nothing had been unwrapped or tampered with.

Though Mom and Dad surely aren't going to be present to make sure that your Halloween is safe as an adult, there is always the risk that scary people can be lurking around at parties. With alcohol playing a role in 80% of all rapes, it's important to be attentive to your surroundings. Stick with friends you trust, never leave your glass sitting down unattended, and don't accept drinks from people you don't know. Staying in a subtly defensive mode will keep your spooky fun Halloween from being downright terrifying.