Skip the Halloween hangover and opt for a weirdly wonderful fiesta instead. This year, Dia de los Muertos falls on November 1, so you have plenty of time to get your patos (ducks) in a row thanks to Apres Fete party planning experts Annie Campbell and Amy Blessing.

Head downtown for all your party needs. Stock up on Mexican souvenirs and decorations at Olvera Street before strolling over to Grand Central Market for groceries.

Devise a seating chart following these simple rules: Separate couples, go boy-girl, and put at least one chatty guest on each end of the table. Plastic skeletons can hold handwritten place cards.

Napkins like these ripped muslin numbers printed with Spanish prayers are surprisingly easy to make. Go to Blessing’s blog for a detailed how-to.

Low, tight arrangements of marigolds and red carnations bring brilliant pops of color to the table. For blossoms on the cheap, head downtown to the Flower District.

To create a moody vibe, scatter black tea lights throughout the room and use a high-gloss spray paint to coat the plastic and Styrofoam skulls you picked up on Olvera Street. Throw white lace over white muslin for a tablecloth that pays homage to the popular Day of the Dead skeleton bride.

Make a few pitchers of tart blood orange margaritas and leave out a recipe card for guests to follow your lead.

Forget chips and salsa and go full bore with a mountain of ooey, gooey, melty nachos.

Serve the meal family style. It’s interactive, and you won’t have to worry about fancy plating.

Using pumpkin mole from Grand Central Market as a base, build a stew of poblano peppers, chicken, and butternut squash. You can make it a day or two in advance, then reheat for the party. Serve with corn tortillas, fresh cilantro, and queso fresco.

Spice up rice and beans with sauteed onions, garlic, cumin, cilantro, and chili powder.

Smart & Final’s frozen churros taste like they are made from scratch (go ahead, pretend they were). Just follow the baking instructions on the box and drizzle with homemade dulce de leche sauce.

Pass around hand-painted mini bottles of Kah Tequila. Print small blood orange margarita recipe cards and attach to the tequila as a boozy parting gift.