Whether you compete in a costume contest, play a spooky ghoul at a haunted house or party it up in your dorm, Halloween is all about character. Even if you’re throwing a Halloween party right in your dorm, you can create plenty of fun and atmosphere.

Dracula
The spine-tingling tale of Dracula, the Transylvanian vampire, is classic Halloween. Create a dark lair with black curtains and outline the door with cardboard to make the shape of a coffin. Slick back your hair, don a long black cape and serve your guests Bloody Marys garnished with plastic vampire teeth.

Baywatch
Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff starred in Baywatch for more than a decade. Take your Halloween from the cold East Coast to the L.A. beach scene with a high-cut, one-piece red swimsuit. Be sure to smear zinc on your nose, hang a whistle around your neck and whip your hair back and forth in slow motion. Throw some beach balls and shells around the dorm for effect. Following the beach theme, make up a big batch of Sex on the Beach, with vodka, peach schnapps and orange and pineapple juices.

Pirate
A pirate’s life for … our Halloween party? Oh yeah! Dressed as a pirate, you’ll have an excuse to don a beard and use words like “wench,” “grog,” “savvy” and “matey.” To complete the look, invest in a large black, floppy hat, stuffed parrot and eye patch from your local party or dollar store. Fill a treasure chest full of chocolate coins and create a dorm “flag” to mark your territory. Just be sure none of your guests ask, “Why is the rum gone?”

The French Maid
If you want to out dress your sorority sisters this Halloween, the classic French maid costume will do the trick. Before guests arrive, make sure your room is spic and span ~ not a pillow out of place nor a piece of laundry outside the hamper. In addition to the black-and-white uniform, grab some Swiffer equipment and display the cleaning materials around your room. The irony of this theme is the drink ~ dirty martinis, the more olive brine the better.

The Wicked Pissah
Guys who are too cool to dress up for Halloween, this one’s for you. An Urban Dictionary take on “wicked,” wear as much Red Sox apparel as you can find, but first verify with ESPN that the player name on the back of your chosen uniform is still on the Red Sox roster. Throw some Red Sox memorabilia up on the wall and serve Fenway franks. Head over to your local “packie” and grab the seasonal Sam Adams Harvest collection. Last but not least, leave all your “Rs” at home; tonight you’re the Bah-ston version of yourself.

Remember, only serve alcohol to guests who are 21-plus.

By Emily Gowdey-Backus