Star Wars Darth Maul

Star Wars Darth Maul

Star Wars Darth Maul - The Most Popular Halloween Costume for
Ever since Star Wars first emerged, it had followers – every year, Star Wars fans throughout the world dress up as their favorite character.
This year, I believe the Star Wars Darth Maul costume will be a big hit. Anaakin was a padawanjedi and an apprentice of Obi-Wan Kenobi who was destined to become the evil Darth Vader. Who doesn’t know who Anakin Skywalker is? He is one of the most gifted jedi knights out there.
The fabric consists of cotton and polyester. With this package, you will receive the inner tunic, outer tunic, tabard, belt, pants and the robe. So, everything you need in order to look like Darth Maul is in this package.
If you really want to dress up as Darth Maul, this costume is for you.

Skeleton Salt and Pepper Holder

Skeleton Salt and Pepper Holder   

Scary Skeleton Glass Salt and Pepper Shaker Set with Decorative Spice Rack Display Stand Holder Figurine for Spooky Halloween Party 
Decorations and Skulls & Skeletons Kitchen Decor Table Centerpiece Sculptures As Medieval or Gothic Gifts

No bones about it...this spooky skeleton salt and pepper shaker set is certain to be an instant conversation starter at you next Halloween party. Delightfully scary, this intricately crafted and cleverly designed decorative sculpture will add a spine-tingling shiver to your dining room or kitchen décor! Makes a great gift idea for collectors of skulls and skeletons that have a flair for decorating in a Gothic or medieval style. Three piece set includes one bony skeleton spice holder figurine as the display stand and two glass salt & pepper shakers.

Fantastic Vampire Jewellery for Your Girlfriend

Fantastic Vampire Jewellery for Your Girlfriend - If you have a girlfriend who has a taste for vampires, then you may want to look into buying her special jewelry that suits her. Of course, I understand men may have trouble when it comes to picking out the perfect jewelry and for that reason I am going to point you towards three pieces of jewelry any girl who loves vampires is going to like …

Black Velvet Chokerwith Red Rose Cameo Surrounded by Thorns

Black Velvet Choker with Red Rose Cameo Surrounded 

When I thought about vampire-type jewelry for girls, I immediately remembered this black velvet choker. Personally, I think it would make a great gift for any girl that loves vampires and doesn’t have a taste for the super fine, expensive jewelry. Perhaps it would go great with her costume during Halloween?

Here’s some specifications on the choker:

·         The pendant is cast in high grade pewter

·         It’s adjustable between 12 to 16 inches

·         It has been hand crafted in the USA

·         The pendant size is 1 ½ inches high by 1 ¼ inches wide.

Either way you go, this choker right here is a must have, especially for those girls who are into punk, goth and/or steampunk jewelry.

Daisy Jewel Gothic RedHeart Vintage and Silvertone Cross Necklace with Matching Vampire Fang BloodDrop Earrings

Daisy Jewel Gothic Red Heart Vintage and Silvertone Cross Necklace 

If you’re looking for a good gift to get your girlfriend and she loves vampires, you definitely cannot pass this necklace up. It also comes with matching earrings to complete it and in my opinion, it is astonishing.

Here’s some information about the set:

·         Skin-safe silver alloy dangle earrings (they’re a little under 2 inches long)

·         The pendant hands from a 22” round link chain that has a lobster clasp.

·         The same design from and back

·         A nice vintage Patina finish

·         The cross is beautiful and measures 2” x 2”

At the time of writing this article, looking at the reviews on Amazon, individuals gave this set a total of 4.7 out of 5 possible stars, so it is obvious that the buyers enjoy this product.

Point blank, if you are a boy who is looking for a nice affordable present for his vampire loving girlfriend, you honestly cannot go wrong with this one right here.

Gothic Bat Wings andVampire Coffin Necklace

DaisyJewel Gothic Red Heart Vintage and Silvertone Cross Necklace 

Does your girlfriend have a unique taste for all things vampire? Then she would probably adore this Gothic bat wings and vampire coffin necklace.

Here’s some information on the necklace:

·         It comes with a 24 inch chain

·         It is very detailed and has a solid base

·         It is 3” long and 2 1/2 inches wide

Yes, this necklace is labeled as “adult costume jewelry,” but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t make a great gift for your girlfriend. If your girlfriend plans on dressing up this Halloween, you may want to look into buying this for her as it may complete her costume.

So there you have it, three fantastic vampire jewelry ideas for your girlfriend. Honestly, it may not be a special occasion, such as an anniversary or Birthday, but that doesn’t mean you cannot go out and buy your girlfriend a gift. You see, it will be even more of a surprise if it isn’t a special occasion and yes, these necklaces have an affordable price tag on them – the gift you buy for your girlfriend doesn’t always have to be expensive. 

Fantastic Vampire Jewelery for Your Boyfriend

Fantastic Vampire Jewelery for Your Boyfriend - If you have a boyfriend who has a fascination with vampires, regardless of what day it is, he may be interested in vampire jewelry.  It goes without saying, there is a little bit of something out there for everyone and honestly, for vampire lovers, the resources aren’t limited – it seems fantastic vampire jewelry is popping up everywhere, but of course, some are better than others. Today, I am going to tell you about two items your boyfriend may be interested in. Mind you, these items aren’t expensive, so if you’re out looking for a nice gift, without having to pay a lot of money, pay attention to what I’m about to show you …

The Ring of DraculaCollectors Edition Prop Replica

The Ring of Dracula Collectors Edition Prop Replica

What better gift for a vampire enthusiast than the ring of Dracula? Sure, it’s a prop replica, but at the same time, it looks very cool. I don’t know about you, but I like to focus on the looks of items (I think that is much more important). This is an officially licensed replica, bearing the Count’s crest on it. The ring first appeared in “The House of Frankenstein’” back in 1944 and since then, the ring itself has gained a large amount of fans.

For a couple of decades, the ring was a possession of the late Forrest J. Ackerman who was a publisher, writer and fan extraordinaire.

This replica right here was created from the original prop ring that was in Forrest Ackerman’s collection. To add to its looks, it has an antiqued metal finish and it is inset with a nice reproduction stone.

Point blank, don’t you think the rink will look great when your boyfriend wears it? If he has a taste for all things vampire, this is definitely something you need to put on your list.

Sterling Silver Vlad Dracula's Order of the DragonPendant

Sterling Silver Vlad Dracula's Order of the Dragon Pendant

Another unique piece of jewellery that your boyfriend may love would be this sterling silver Vlad Dracula’s Order of the Dragon pendant. Each one of these pendants have been handcrafted. The Order of the Dragon symbol dates back in history – it is a symbol that Vlad the Impaler, or as you may know him, Dracula, used in order to signify his position in the Order. Many believe, while he was alive, he wore the symbol as a medallion.
The pendant is 1.3 mm thick, 34.3 mm wide and 40.3 mm long. It weight around 11.8 grams and comes with a nice 24” long rope chain.Let me tell you a bit about the history of the Order of the Dragon. Sigismund, the King of Hungary, founded the Order of the Dragon back in 1408. He did so for the purpose of fighting against the Christian enemies and defending the cross. Dracula’s name came from the Order of the Dragon, Dracula, which means “Son of the Dragon.” In 1431, when he was inducted into the Order at the age of five, Vlad II received the surname of Dracul, which means dragon.
As you see, the Order of the Dragon symbol that is on this pendant is rich in history. Any individual who has a taste for vampires will know about the Order of the Dragon and would probably love to have this pendant.
So there you have it, 2 good pieces of jewellery that you could get your boyfriend. Yes, these items are affordable, but remember, price doesn’t matter – it’s the thought that counts. 

Fantastic Vampire Jewelery for Your Boyfriend – 2 Items He Will Love

Foot Halloween Inflatable Haunted House Castle with Skeleton

Foot Halloween Inflatable Haunted House Castle 

FootHalloween Inflatable Haunted House Castle with Skeleton, Ghost & Skulls.   Learn more on Amazon

Before you know it, Halloween will be here. Are you ready for what’s around the corner? Each year, I enjoy going out and buying something new to add to my collection – are you the same way? Whether you are just starting your collection or adding something new to it, Due to the fact that it did so good last year, I would like to introduce you to something from my collection – it’s an 8.5 foot inflatable haunted house castle with skeleton, ghost and skulls.

Who is This Inflatable Haunted House for?

Any individual who is looking to add a spooky setting to their yard would enjoy this inflatable haunted house. You can use it for yourself and your family, but trick-or-treaters could also benefit from it. I have some family photos from last year, taken in front of this inflatable haunted house, and I must say, those pictures turned out really good. So, if you’re looking for a good family photo Halloween prop, this would do the trick.

Perfect for Nighttime Display

Many inflatable products don’t have the lighted design like I need, but this one right here does. The lighted design is outstanding and lights it up perfectly during the night.

Easy to Set Up

I don’t know about you, but the fact that it is easy to set up really caught my attention.  I mean, come on, who wants to spend all day trying to set something up? That’s no fun! This is created from lightweight materials and has a self-inflating design, making it easy for anyone in your family to set it up and once Halloween is over, take it down and store.

Easy to Store

Once this display has been deflated, since it has a compact design, it is easy to store. In fact, you can store it almost anywhere you want.

Use Inside or Outside

This inflatable haunted house is made with weatherproof material, so you can easily use it outside in your yard. However, if you are the type who likes to have inflatable stuff inside your home, that won’t be a problem, as long as you have room for it.

Take a Look at the Specifications:

·         9 Feet High

·         7 Feet Wide

·         7 Feet Long

·         Includes Lights

·         Is Not Animated

·         Does Not Play Music

What Others are Saying About this Inflatable Haunted Houses …

At the time of writing this review, there was a total of 15 reviews posted on Amazon.  Out of a possible 5 stars, it has a total of 4.8 stars. Seeing words such as “awesome”  and “perfect,” it is obvious that other individuals like it just as much as me. One reviewer stated that “it’s not too big or too small” and I agree with that statement.

Of course, where there’s pros, there seems to always be a con. One con I noticed about this would be the fact that the blower is noisy. However, for me, that’s not that big of a flaw, because with inflatable devices, there is going to be noise.

In conclusion, last year, I used this inflatable haunted house as an entry way to a graveyard theme I did and I must say, it was a big hit. In my personal opinion, my décor was one of the best on my block and I owe it all to this inflatable haunted house. Would I recommend this product to my friends? Of course I would, or I wouldn’t be recommending it to you right now. 

Foot Halloween Inflatable Haunted House Castle with Skeleton

DELUXE HALLOWEEN BAG OF SKELETON BONES FULL 28 PIECE SET

DELUXE HALLOWEEN BAG OF SKELETON BONES - FULL 28 PIECE SET - PERFECT FOR A HALLOWEEN GRAVEYARD or HAUNTED HOUSE

Product Description

A collection of spooky skeleton bones to spread across your haunted house graveyard! Perfect decor item that'll surely add that extra spooky feeling to your party! Foam Bag Of Bones. Assorted styles in a mesh bag. Pieces are 6" - 12" Accessories shown in picture are not included.

Details

• Spooky assortment of bones!
• 28 Pieces total
• Bones measure 6" to 12" assorted.
• Perfect Halloween Graveyard Decor!
• **On Sale Today!** While supplies last.

Dressing Doggy Up For Halloween

Dressing Doggy Up For Halloween

Dressing Doggy Up For Halloween - If you have never owned a pet, the idea of dressing up a dog in a Halloween costume definitely sounds a little silly.

After all, it's not like Fido is going to go around asking for candy, right? To some, it may seem like a childish obsession to need to dress the family pet up like you would a person, to others just another way that the big companies of corporate America have decided to try and squeeze a few extra bucks out of patrons this Halloween season.
For others, however, there is a certain charm to family pets being dressed up in celebration of the holiday.

Icebreakers and attention getters

As any kid can tell you, dogs are a great way to get to know people. Especially ones dressed in costumes. With the exception of the few people who might be afraid of dogs, many love to come up and say hello and offer a pat to a dog that they see on the street.

Of course, every kid out trick or treating has one goal – get as much candy as you can. Having a dog in a costume is a great way to do that. The houses that you visit will love the cuteness factor of the whole get up. Plus, it is sure to inspire some conversation, and the friendlier you are to people the more likely you are to receive candy in return. Get a dog costume that matches your own for extra cute points.

Protection and safety

A loyal family pet is going to look out for its family. So even though it is a good idea for mom and dad to come along while trick or treating, a dog is an extra bit of protection for your child should he or she get lost. Even a small dog will bark at something that is amiss, and larger dogs have the whole intimidation factor. Many children are also more careful about crossing streets when they are with a family pet.

Choosing a costume

There are a wide variety of costumes for dogs. Consider one that coordinates with your child's costume. As with costumes for any member of your family, you will want to be sure that it fits properly. Avoid any with long hems that could cause your dog to trip while walking. You will also want to make sure that wearing the costume will not interfere with attaching a leash. A few dry runs of walking around the neighborhood with costume on may be required to get your dog accustomed to wearing it.

If your child is going to be the one walking the dog, make sure that they are able to control it. You do not want your beloved family pet running off into the night. Also consider your dog's personality – very aggressive or very fearful dogs are not going to enjoy going out with all of the ruckus going on. And of course, be the responsible pet owner and always clean up after your pet.

Choosing a doggy Halloween costume can add even more fun to the holiday by allowing your family pet to join in.        
Dressing Doggy Up For Halloween

Halloween Is The Time For Scary Costumes

Halloween Is The Time For Scary Costumes

Halloween Is The Time For Scary Costumes - It isn't Halloween unless you see people dressed in scary costumes. Sure, some parents won't let their children go out dressed as the reaper or any popular horror movie villain. But, there are plenty who do. Scary costumes are a fun way to get into the spirit of Halloween.

Halloween is usually associated with all things horrifying and scary. Some dress to confront their own fears. Others want to scare people. No matter the reasons, it is mostly done in a spirit of good fun.

If you do decide to dress in scary costumes you have a choice as to how elaborate you want to be. Do you want to simply don a mask and go from door to door or do you want to make your look as realistic as possible, complete with theater makeup and authentic clothes?

Here are some tips that will help you find or put together perfect scary costumes.

Decide on a Theme

Before you get started, you need to do some preplanning and make some decisions. Do you want to model your costume after a familiar character or do you want to create something on your own? You also have a lot of choices. Scary costumes come in all different forms such as ghosts, monsters, and villains from popular horror movies.

Find Your Costume

If you do decide to go with a familiar character you can either purchase the costume, borrow it, rent it, or put it together yourself using theater makeup and a little creativity. Check local costume shops, department stores, and ask around. If you are on a budget you may consider making the scary costumes yourself with items found around the house.

Make Your Costume

You have two main choices when it comes to making your own scary costumes. First, you can model the costume after a popular character. Second, you can create your own character based on your own imagination. If you do decide to model the character after something, make sure you get it is accurately as possible.

The Character

You'll also want to give some thought to creating the character. Think about the mannerisms, what they'll eat, they way they talk. Pretend you are that character for an evening. But only you can decide how far you want it to go. For example, if you are at a party, it might get tiring pretending to be the character the whole time.
It isn't Halloween unless you see people dressed in scary costumes. Sure, some parents won't let their children go out dressed as the reaper or any popular horror movie villain. But, there are plenty who do. Scary costumes are a fun way to get into the spirit of Halloween.

Halloween is usually associated with all things horrifying and scary. Some dress to confront their own fears. Others want to scare people. No matter the reasons, it is mostly done in a spirit of good fun.

If you do decide to dress in scary costumes you have a choice as to how elaborate you want to be. Do you want to simply don a mask and go from door to door or do you want to make your look as realistic as possible, complete with theater makeup and authentic clothes?

Here are some tips that will help you find or put together perfect scary costumes.

Decide on a Theme

Before you get started, you need to do some preplanning and make some decisions. Do you want to model your costume after a familiar character or do you want to create something on your own? You also have a lot of choices. Scary costumes come in all different forms such as ghosts, monsters, and villains from popular horror movies.

Find Your Costume

If you do decide to go with a familiar character you can either purchase the costume, borrow it, rent it, or put it together yourself using theater makeup and a little creativity. Check local costume shops, department stores, and ask around. If you are on a budget you may consider making the scary costumes yourself with items found around the house.

Make Your Costume

You have two main choices when it comes to making your own scary costumes. First, you can model the costume after a popular character. Second, you can create your own character based on your own imagination. If you do decide to model the character after something, make sure you get it is accurately as possible.

The Character

You'll also want to give some thought to creating the character. Think about the mannerisms, what they'll eat, they way they talk. Pretend you are that character for an evening. But only you can decide how far you want it to go. For example, if you are at a party, it might get tiring pretending to be the character the whole time.
It isn't Halloween unless you see people dressed in scary costumes. Sure, some parents won't let their children go out dressed as the reaper or any popular horror movie villain. But, there are plenty who do. Scary costumes are a fun way to get into the spirit of Halloween.

Halloween is usually associated with all things horrifying and scary. Some dress to confront their own fears. Others want to scare people. No matter the reasons, it is mostly done in a spirit of good fun.

If you do decide to dress in scary costumes you have a choice as to how elaborate you want to be. Do you want to simply don a mask and go from door to door or do you want to make your look as realistic as possible, complete with theater makeup and authentic clothes?

Here are some tips that will help you find or put together perfect scary costumes.

Decide on a Theme

Before you get started, you need to do some preplanning and make some decisions. Do you want to model your costume after a familiar character or do you want to create something on your own? You also have a lot of choices. Scary costumes come in all different forms such as ghosts, monsters, and villains from popular horror movies.

Find Your Costume

If you do decide to go with a familiar character you can either purchase the costume, borrow it, rent it, or put it together yourself using theater makeup and a little creativity. Check local costume shops, department stores, and ask around. If you are on a budget you may consider making the scary costumes yourself with items found around the house.

Make Your Costume

You have two main choices when it comes to making your own scary costumes. First, you can model the costume after a popular character. Second, you can create your own character based on your own imagination. If you do decide to model the character after something, make sure you get it is accurately as possible.

The Character

You'll also want to give some thought to creating the character. Think about the mannerisms, what they'll eat, they way they talk. Pretend you are that character for an evening. But only you can decide how far you want it to go. For example, if you are at a party, it might get tiring pretending to be the character the whole time.
Halloween Is The Time For Scary Costumes

Halloween Pregnancy Ideas

Halloween Pregnancy Ideas

Halloween Pregnancy Ideas - The minute you begin your pregnancy everything is changing, your body, your clothes sizes, even your looks. But that doesn't mean you have to skip out on your favorite holidays, like Halloween.  Being pregnant doesn’t mean you can’t dress up.

Whether you are buying your costume or making them yourself, you can have fun. There are many costumes you can buy for couples or just for yourself. The Pregnancy couple may want to go as a baker and an oven, or an egg and bacon bit. Both outfits are really cute and creative, you can even make them at home if you chose too.

If you want to get really creative you can make your own costumes, here are a few costumes that you can make just using your belly and normal clothes are:

The eyeball-  This is something my husband created, all you need is a little facial paint and black clothes.  This is something even a person that can't draw can have a little bit of fun with.   Wear all black clothes on Halloween and paint your belly white, make the center of the eye whatever color you desire and don't forget the red veins. Make it scary or cute, whatever fits your desire.  Have a bit of fun and show off that tummy by keeping the shirt up or wear a shirt that shows your tummy.  My husband got a kick out of this one and was so excited that he got to do the artwork.

If you want to dress up completely but not stand out, try going as a human pumpkin. Wear a tiny green cap or make one out of felt and all orange, if you can cut a slit in your shirt for your belly to stick out. Now, paint it orange and decorate your pumpkin.

A pea is another simple costume you can make and stay warm. Go find some green jeans or sweats and a green sweatshirt. Keep the shirt up or cut a hole in it to make your little pod stick out and paint it all green.

If you aren't feeling up to having a full body costume, you could always just paint the belly and proudly show it off. After all, how often will you be pregnant?  Think of anything that is round:  basketball, volleyball, soccer ball, a bowling ball, etc

Don't forget witches were mothers too, so if you've always dressed as a witch for Halloween you don't have to stop the tradition. This year go as a pregnant witch or maybe a witch holding a pumpkin. Use that belly!

A Bun in the oven- Get a medium or small box, cut it out so that you can wear it over your shoulders. Make room for your head to slide through. Decorate it with paints like an oven. Cut open the front of the box so that it will open and close. On the outside of the box write, “Bun in the Oven.” Paint your belly a light beige for all to see the little baby bun.
Halloween Pregnancy Ideas

Choosing a Sexy Halloween Disguise

Choosing a Sexy Halloween Disguise

Choosing a Sexy Halloween Disguise - Many couples are choosing to dismiss the spooky Halloween costume for a sexy one. Since Halloween is one of the few nights a year where you can put on a costume and act to be someone else, a sexy

Halloween costume can be a sure way to liven up your Halloween celebration. In addition, thanks to some ingenious online Halloween costume retailers, sexy

Halloween costume are not limited to just women's styles. Here are some concepts of way that you can let your naughty side out this Halloween.

Naughty Pirates

Long known as the “bad boys” of the sea, pirate Halloween costumes can be sexy for both men and women. Both sexes can utilize high black boots, eye patches, sashes, and hats for accessories. For women, a short skirt and crop shirt can help finalize the look, and for men, tight black pants and unbuttoned shirts to show off their chests will work. Remember your own personal touches of gold jewelry and other accessories.

Fallen Angels

This sexy Halloween costume is largely geared for women. The idea here is that more is actually less. Combine the traditional halo and wings with a full-length, form fitting gown and sexy shoes.

Sexy Superhero

What is a sexier than a superhero coming to your rescue? Many superhero costumes will automatically be better fitted to show off your superhero physique. For men, this includes fitted pants and top, and for women, a fitted top and short skirt. Pair it off with a cape and you are ready to save the world (or at least your party)!

Not-So-Innocent Schoolgirl

The schoolgirl outfit is a traditional sexy Halloween costume for women. The idea is to give off the naughty girl vibe while still appearing “innocent". Most of these costumes include a tight shirt that features your cleavage, plaid mini skirt, and knee high white socks. Add some pigtails to your hair and grab a book and your disguise is perfect.

Mysterious Egyptian

Bring the heat of the Nile to your Halloween party! These sexy couples Halloween costumes are perfect for both men and women. For women, transmit your inner Cleopatra with a revealing frock, high-heeled sandals, and rich makeup. For men, you can transmit your inner King Tut with lavish robes, fitted pants, and sandals. Some gold jewelry or a crown will aid to complete the style.

Love Slave
Being a slave for Halloween is definitely one of the naughtier costumes. Either sex can dress in somewhat exposed clothing and fake “chains.”

Inventive Sexy Halloween Costumes

Almost any Halloween costume can be redesigned to a sexy Halloween costume with a little work. Swap out full length dresses for mini-skirts, opt for low-cut necklines, or select fitted dresses or pants.

However, you should keep in mind that not all sexy Halloween costumes are proper for every occasion. If you are hosting a family party, for instance, you may choose for a costume that is appropriate for all ages and put aside your sexy Halloween costume for an adults only party. Several costumes can be converted either way by choosing a longer skirt or looser pants for daytime wear or picking out different accessories to complete your look.

With a little ingenuity and swagger, you can make your sexy Halloween costume work flawlessly for your strut!   Choosing a Sexy Halloween Disguise

Are Your Kids’ Halloween Costume Safe?

Are Your Kids’ Halloween Costume Safe?

Are Your Kids’ Halloween Costume Safe? - We want our kids to have fun during Halloween, but have you thought about the safety of their Halloween costumes?  Most of us want our children to wear cool costumes when trick-or-treating, but neglecting a kids’ Halloween costume's safety can turn that experience sour.

Are your kids' Halloween costumes too dangerous to wear?   Find out if those Halloween costumes are safe to wear, tips for buying safe kids’ Halloween costumes, and how your children can wear cool costumes without sacrificing safety.

Are Your Kids' Costumes Really Safe to Wear?

Are your kids' Halloween costumes really safe to wear?  The answer is yes and no.  In 2001, the Disney Store recalled 54,000 Princess Ariel costumes after one girl received burn injuries.  Keep in mind that kids’ Halloween costumes are required by law to use flame-retardant materials.

Another problem is ventilation in full-masked Halloween costumes.  Most costumes don't provide enough ventilation for kids to breathe, resulting in carbon dioxide poisoning.  If your child wants to wear a mask, nose holes aren't enough.  Carbon dioxide builds up over time, causing your anxious child to faint from the lack of oxygen.  You want your child to wear a well-ventilated mask to prevent any nasty side-effects.

Another lesser problem with kids’ Halloween costumes is visibility.  This isn't just about how well your kids can see; it's also about how well people see them.  A mask limits visibility.  If little Joey can't see where he's going, he'll trip and skin his knee.  If costumes aren't visible after dark, people -- more importantly, vehicles -- won't see the kids’ Halloween costumes, blindly running over happy trick-or-treaters.  Halloween costumes aren't all bad news, however.  Carefully selecting your kids' costumes and preparing it for night wear eliminates these catastrophes.

How to Select Safe Kids Costumes for Halloween

Before buying your kids' Halloween costumes, you'll want to make sure it's safe.  Here are some guidelines:

o All kids’ Halloween costumes are required by law to use flame-retardant materials.  You can't depend on companies adhering to this law, however.  Pick clothing that fits well and doesn't hang.  If your child wants to wear a cape, make sure the cape isn't long.  If your child wants to wear a dress, make sure it doesn't drag on the ground.  People love to decorate during Halloween, and some decorations include fire.  If a loose costume accidentally brushes against this, it won't be a happy Halloween!

o Masks should be well-ventilated.  Masks should have multiple ventilation areas with big holes, such as hockey masks.  Most masks have little ventilation, so skip these kids’ Halloween costumes if you can.  If your child insists on looking like their favorite masked character, use makeup instead.

o Make sure that the mask's eye holes are big enough.  Holes should be twice the size of your child’s eyes.  Make sure the mask lies flat on their face.
o If you can, stay away from dark clothing.  It decreases visibility.

o Don't pick anything that covers their face, such as a messy wig.

Once your kids' Halloween costumes are selected, you'll need to prepare it for night wear.

How to Make Your Kids' Halloween Attire Safe

There are two ways to prepare your kids for a safe Halloween outing:

o Use reflective tape.  This can be bought in most stores.  Place two strips on your kids' shoes and two strips on their Halloween costume.  These strips shine in the dark and alert drivers.

o Have your kids carry a flashlight.  If your kids don't like it, find a flashlight with a strap.  They can hang it from their wrists and keep it out of sight.

Of course some kids won't like your safe ideas.  Some kids want to wear full-face masks when trick-or-treating.  Some won't like wearing reflective tape.  So how do you make your kids happy without sacrificing safety?

Getting Your Kids to Celebrate Halloween Safely

Getting your kids to like your safe ideas is difficult.  Here are some suggestions:

o If your child insists on wearing a full-face mask, have your child wear it around the house for a while.  Chances are your child won't want to wear it any longer this Halloween.

o Does your child refuse to wear reflective tape on their Halloween costume?  Put it on their bag instead.

o If your kids insist on long clothing, have them wear it around the house.  They'll get tired of it and opt for another kids’ Halloween costume.

If your children still refuse to wear safe kids’ Halloween costumes, talk to them about why it's important to stay safe on Halloween.  Illustrations or stories are very effective with younger children.

Again, it's always important that your kids are safe this Halloween season, so start with their kids’ Halloween costumes.  Make sure their costumes fit snugly, are marked with reflective tape, and don't interfere with their visibility.  It's important to make the kids’ Halloween costumes safe so they have a happy, safe Halloween -- a great Halloween you and your kids will remember for years to come.
Are Your Kids’ Halloween Costume Safe?

Halloween Traditions Around The World

Halloween Traditions Around The World

Halloween Traditions Around The World -
Was Halloween originally a pagan or a Christian holiday?

Like the celebration of Christmas day, originally Halloween was a pagan festival rather than a Christian holiday. It was only around 10th century that the Roman Catholic Church established this holy day. This was initiated for purifying the spirits of the dead.


* What is the origin of trick-or-treating?

Trick-or-treating, a major Halloween tradition, is related to the "soul cake day" of Christian people, with a belief that the treat pacifies a mischievous spirit. Formerly, children who were trick-or-treating would vandalize houses that did not give them treats. They roamed around the neighborhood soliciting candy or other kinds of treats. This was became popular up to the 20th century.

It was in the year 1970 that the trick-or-treating tradition started to wane because of several rumors that some households were handing out harmful or poisonous treats to children. Today many parents accompany their children while trick-or-treating or organize private Halloween parties.


* Why is Halloween celebrated on October 31st?

Halloween is celebrated on October 31st because the Celtic people believed that it is the end of "season of the sun" and the start of "season of darkness and cold" due to winter. They believe that it is the time when evil spirits are most likely to roam the earth.


* Is Halloween celebrated on the same day around the world?

No. Halloween in some parts of the world may not even occur on October 31st. A number of countries celebrate Halloween on November 1 or 2. Other prefers to celebrate it at some other time, mostly during the fall or summer season.


* What countries celebrate Halloween?

Halloween is one of the oldest traditions and is celebrated around the globe. While many countries commemorate Halloween it is in North America and Canada where Halloween is most popular. Other countries that join in the celebration are Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Czechoslovakia, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Latin America, Spain, and Sweden.


* How did Halloween get started in the U.S.?

The first-ever recorded Halloween celebration in the United States occurred in Anoka, Minnesota, in 1921. That was the start of trick-or-treat, Halloween costume parties, and a series of activities depicting the essence of the celebration.


* Why do we carve pumpkins for Halloween?

Carving of pumpkins is descended from earliest Irish tradition. Originally a turnip was used instead of a pumpkin. According to some stories, it was believed to ward off evil spirits.

When the Irish people began to immigrate to America, they realized that carved pumpkins were more realistic than turnips, as well as easier to carve.
Halloween Traditions Around The World

Fun Halloween Party Games

Fun Halloween Party Games

Fun Halloween Party Games - So you want to have a Halloween party, but are unsure how to keep the kids entertained while they are there. After all, there is only so much pizza and candy that a kid can take! If you are tired of the traditional games, like costume contests and bobbing for apples, here are a couple of alternatives that can help keep everyone entertained.

Spooky Storytelling

On a creepy night like Halloween, telling spooky stories can help set the mood. Before the party, you will want to take a small deck of index cards and write story-starting phrases. You will want at least one per party goer, and more if you want the game to continue longer. Keep them appropriate to your party's age group, but you can include things like:

It was a dark and stormy night...
The door creaked open and we saw...
The witch cackled over her cauldron, stirring what looked like...
I peaked under the bed and saw...
There was a knocking at the window and...
I heard a horrible scream and I knew...

To play the game, sit everyone in a circle and dim the lights. Consider having a flashlight to pass to the person whose turn it is to tell the tale. Have everyone pick a card, and then someone starts the story. Set a timer for one or two minutes, and that person has to start the story with the phrase on their card. When the timer goes off, the flashlight gets passed to the next person, who then continues the tale with the phrase on their card. This continues at least until everyone has a turn, or longer if you have the time.

Mummy Memory

Get a large serving tray and fill it with small Halloween goodies. Toy spiders and bugs, stickers, pumpkins, and other Halloween party favors can be a good way to go (plus, you can recycle these items into the goodie bags to go home when you are done). Cover the tray with a cloth, and give everyone a piece of paper and a pencil. Remove the cloth, giving everyone a minute or two to study the tray, and then recover. Everyone should then try to write down everything that they remembered, with the person remembering the most winning a prize.

Terror Tag

You need a larger, empty room for this game. Before the game starts, secretly assign each person to be a ghost or a mortal. An easy way to do this is to give each person a slip of paper with their designation on it – but make sure they know it is to be a secret! You should always have a much higher ratio of mortals to ghosts, so most of the time one or two ghosts will be plenty. Then, turn down the lights so that it is dark in the room (or you could blindfold players). Have them go about the room, shaking hands with other players, and whispering to them if they are ghost or mortal. If you shake hands with a ghost, you must freeze in terror. This continues until there are only ghosts left.

Halloween party games can be fun to play and help pass the time. If you need more ideas, consider giving any of your regular party favors a Halloween twist and using them.
Halloween Party Games

Creating the Perfect Halloween Party

Creating the Perfect Halloween Party

Creating the Perfect Halloween Party - Halloween can be a day of fun for both young and old. It is also one holiday that is designed for parties. Spooky themes, fun costumes, and plenty of treats make it a good time for all ages.

It has been said that in the past Halloween was reserved mainly for children. There would be costume parties at school, and then an evening of trick-or-treating and other fun. However, more and more adults are starting to take part in the spirit of the holiday as well. After all, who doesn't enjoy getting dressed up in a fabulous costume and eating candy? Plus, this also makes Halloween a family holiday, since both parents and kids alike can dress up, decorate the house or yard, and participate in the holiday fun.

The history of Halloween parties

Halloween started out as a Celtic holiday known as “Samhain” which celebrated the end of summer. The Celts believed that on the night of Samhain, the souls of the dead would come back to visit the living. Along with them, dark spirits like goblins and witches would also come out. Fires would be lit to keep these dark spirits away, and the Celts would dress in masks and costumes as part of the festivities. Food and lanterns were often left out as gifts for the dead. Over time, these customs turned into the holiday festivities that we know today.

Kids parties

Themes for kids Halloween parties can generally be kept pretty simple. Most kids get excited over dressing up and eating sweets, and there is plenty of room for creativity. Consider having games like bobbing for apples, decorating treat bags, and costume contests for all of the little ones. Of course, food is usually a required part of the fun, and you can get very creative that way. Caramel apples and popcorn balls are fun fall treats, and you can often use a little imagination and food coloring to turn everyday treats into something festive.

Adult parties

While adult parties can still involve costumes and food, you may have to up the ante a little bit when it comes to expectations. Costume contests can still be a great way to encourage guests to get creative and come dressed up. For more mature themes, you can create a Day of the Dead celebration, and celebrate the holiday Mexican-style with authentic foods and treats. Or, you can do a costume ball and play music all night long and serve fine desserts.

Planning ahead

You do not want to leave your Halloween party plans for the month of October. If you start planning ahead of time, you can not only come up with a spectacular theme, but you can find everything you need. Watch for sales and stock up on party supplies like paper plates and cups. Look for fun new recipes to try so that you can wow your friends. And of course, don't forget to look for a costume – by shopping early you will be able to find the best selection and the best prices.
Creating the Perfect Halloween Party

Halloween Decorations: 10 Pumpkin Decorating Tips

Halloween Decorations: 10 Pumpkin Decorating Tips

Halloween Decorations: 10 Pumpkin Decorating Tips - One of the most popular images around Halloween time is the colorful orange Jack-o-Lantern face. There are endless possibilities when designing a Jack-o-Lantern. They can be scary, happy, sad, weird, angry, silly, human or animal like. People love looking at carved pumpkins, and they are often the centerpiece of outside Halloween decorations.

While carving a pumpkin is relatively simple, there are a few things to keep in mind while you are hunting for that perfect pumpkin for your display.

1) Look for carvable pumpkins that have a strong stem that is firmly attached. To check for ripeness, pick up the pumpkin and thump it a few times. You should hear a hollow sound, which lets you know this pumpkin will be easy to scoop out. The pumpkin’s surface should be smooth and free of blemishes and discolorations.

2) Be sure to always carry your pumpkin from the bottom. DO NOT carry it by the stem, because the stem may snap, which speeds up rotting.

3) Store your pumpkins in a cool, dry place. Heat and light speeds up rotting.

4) Before carving your pumpkin, wash it in a solution of 1 teaspoon of chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of water. This prevents mold.

5) Draw your pumpkin pattern on a piece of paper first, that way you can make easy revisions without damaging your prize pumpkin. If you can’t come up with your own design idea, you can always use ready made stencils or templates (these can be found online or inside a pumpkin carving kit). Cut the pattern out and secure it on the pumpkin surface with masking tape. Use a carving knife (or poking tool) to create pinpricks, or marks, to score the design for you to use as a guide.

6) To cut the actual design out of the pumpkin, use a small serrated saw for best results. Carve with a back and forth sawing motion. Go slow. NEVER use a straight-edge razor, because this can damage the pumpkin and cause possible injuries.

7) Consider buying a pumpkin carving kit to save time. Pumpkin carving kits contain all the tools you’ll need to create great looking Jack-o-Lantern faces.

8) If the thought of carving a real pumpkin sounds messy or like too much of a hassle, you can opt to buy an acrylic craft pumpkin. These look pretty real and are easy to carve too. Best thing about these acrylic pumpkins is that you can reuse them year after year!

9) Once you’ve carved your traditional pumpkin face, think about mixing things up a little with some other interesting designs like: black cats, witches, ghosts, moon and stars, popular movie characters, or drilling holes in your pumpkin that form an unexpected pattern.

10) While one pumpkin on the porch or front yard is great, imagine how it will look if you use several small to medium sized pumpkins. Displaying several pumpkins together creates more drama for neighbors and trick-or-treaters.

How To Send Halloween Party Invitations

How To Send Halloween Party Invitations 

How To Send Halloween Party Invitations - Almost everybody loves holiday parties. If you’re one of those many people, you’ll probably be interested in how to set up a Halloween party. Maybe you’ve started already, but if not, it could be the right time to get going. The sooner you start planning for the party, the faster you’ll be able to start inviting your guests.

If you’re wondering about how to send invitations to your guests, you should know that a whole host of options are available to you. It’s a matter of choosing one of them more than anything. Your invitations themselves reflect what kind of person you are, and what kind of party you’ll be throwing. You should take into account both the advantages and the disadvantages of the different invitation strategies.

Lots of people use official invitations for the parties they hold, Halloween parties included. These can be made at home using your computer or can be purchased at a party or department store. Using formal invitations is a good option if you want to keep a handle on your invite list and remember who they all are. Guests also prefer these kinds of invitations; it’s nice to get an invite by mail. The only real drawback to the formal kind of invitation is the cost involved. However, it’s not hard to find inexpensive types, or of course to create your own.

If you’re thinking of sending out personal invites, but are put off by the cost of doing so and aren’t keen on creating your own, quick notes are a good possibility. Just write down all the important information your guests need: time, place, and location. Formal invitations have their merits, but a brief personal message written by hand is also a nice way to invite people, and is inexpensive.

While the mailed invites are a good way to please your would-be guests, it’s possible that you won’t have the funds or time to send them out. However, you’re in luck, because it’s always possible to simply call all your invites and invite them personally to the party you’re throwing. It’s a great way to do things because it’s personal and warm, even more so than sending a letter. It does have one drawback, though, and that is the time it takes to phone up all your guests.

Another possibility these days is of course sending out e-mails to invite people to your Halloween party. This is especially easy if you happen to know all your guests’ e-mail addresses and can send out a group e-mail notifying all of them at once. Do this in the same way as you would with a more traditional invitation letter. Make sure you’ve told them when and where the party is taking place. You can also find online invitations that you can send at no cost. They’ll add a nice touch to party invitations you send by e-mail.

The method you use to invite guests isn’t the important thing. What’s important is that they get the invites and know everything they need to about your Halloween party. Do this in advance and you’ll have a great holiday bash.

Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas For Children

Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas For Children

Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas For Children -
You can find a large variety of Halloween costumes available at stores in your neighborhood. However, when you consider the cost and lack of originality, homemade costumes are a more fun and oftentimes more cost-effective option. Plus, if you involve your children in creating the homemade costumes, the results will be worth more than any store-bought costume in any store.

Here are some inexpensive, homemade Halloween costume ideas that will cost little money and show lots of imagination.

Scarecrow: An over-sized flannel shirt, some straw, and faded jeans with patches will make a great scarecrow. Stuff the jeans and shirt with plastic grocery bags and leave a little straw hanging out of the shirt and jeans. A little makeup will complete your scarecrow costume.

Ghost: Ghosts are an old stand-by that never goes out of style. Use an old white sheet with holes cut for the eyes and sew a simple treat bag out of a scrap of material or a worn out pillow case. You can dress your ghost up a bit by making lips out of red lipstick and a few false eyelashes. Or you could color a beard and moustache with markers. You may want to create a colorful ghost by using a sheet covered with polka dots or one that is brightly colored.

Clown: You can create a great clown with sweat clothes that are a bit to large decorated with fabric paint or markers. Sew on some pom poms, use an inexpensive wig with a large, colorful hat, and you could even stuff the clothing with tissue (although the tissue will be a problem if the need for a restroom break arises).

Hippy: You can become a hippy from the 1960s with a tie-dye shirt and faded jeans with holes in the knees. Combine this with a headband, a ponytail wig, and a jacket or vest covered in fringe and you will have the most authentic looking hippy costume of all time.

Nerd: Halloween is the time to dress like something completely out of character. You can dress your child as a typical nerd, complete with white shirt, pocket protectors, pants that are too short, horn-rimmed glasses, while socks and black dress shoes. Don't forget to tape one corner of the glasses for a true nerd appearance. Make sure you use plenty of hair gel to slick back the hair and a few overly large fake teeth will be a great addition.

Soda Can: Find an inexpensive plastic barrel and cut a hole in the bottom. Paint the entire barrel the colors and design of your favorite brand of soda in a can. With holes for arms and your head, a simple barrel can transform your child into a soda can.

Your child can be the hit of your block or at the neighborhood Halloween party if you use a little imagination and create special homemade costumes out of inexpensive, household items.

Like the commercials say "The memory of your child in a costume you made together"... priceless.

Halloween Cooking Ideas

Halloween Cooking Ideas

Halloween Cooking Ideas - Whether you are cooking for a feast of adults for Halloween or looking for some great kid approved recipes there are plenty of resources online for some excellent spooky recipes for All Hallows Eve. There are some basic rules that will help the meal preparation and presentation go a little more smoothly if you'll follow them. Hopefully that advice below will help you get through your spook fest and enjoy a great dinner too.

Most people who have a huge Halloween party will find that they will be interrupted throughout the evening with trick or treaters seeking the perfect treat. While we want to enjoy the ghosts, goblins, kings, and princesses gracing our stoop we also do not want to burn the food we are working hard to prepare. For this reason we need to select foods that require little attention during the preparation process rather than foods that are quite time consuming and attention demanding.

Crock pots are a blessing to have around on a night like Halloween. You can begin the food cooking well before the little goblins begin their appointed rounds and have the dishes you've prepared kept warm while you're waiting for guests to arrive or doling out treats at your front door, whatever the necessity of the moment may be. You can even cook normal favorites in the crock pot or cook them on the stove and use the crock pot to keep them warm.

Some excellent spooky crock pot ideas include spaghetti brains. Prepare the sauce and the noodles ahead of time separately. Mix the sauce in the noodles and keep them warming together in the crock pot. Meatball eyes are another crock pot favorite. Stuff the meatballs with one stuffed olive eyeball and place in spaghetti sauce. Bat wings (which are actually chicken wings) with your favorite sauce are also excellent in the crock pot. Sloppy Joes can also be prepared and stored in the crock pot then served open faced over buns with small triangle cheese slices for eye and a pickle for eyeballs and a large triangle of cheese for the mouth.

Another great Halloween cooking idea is to prepare as much as possible ahead of time. There are all kinds of frightening and ghastly goodies that can be made ahead of time and stored for the big day. Make your spooky offerings such as dips that can be made cold and used for veggies, which can also be chopped ahead of time, can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for the big day. Cookies can be baked and decorated and stored in advance. Devilled egg white mice can be made earlier in the day and stored in the fridge on waxed paper.

The Internet is full of great recipe ideas for delicious and devious Halloween desserts, snacks, and treats. There are far too many to try them all. However, if you have favorite foods that are easy to prepare and a good party food you might want to search the net for a manner of making the food more appropriate to a Halloween theme. You can make your own pizza a little spookier by decorating it in a manner that is spooky or painting pictures, such as a jack o lantern face with pizza sauce. There are plenty of things you can do to raise the fear factor even on family favorites if you use a little creativity and give it a fancy name (like spaghetti brains).

The most important thing about Halloween as a holiday is that it gives children of all ages the perfect excuse to use their imaginations and play pretend. The food you cook doesn't have to be too terribly spooky in order to be a perfect fit for the theme of the day. A few simple adjustments, a little dash of food color, and a lot of imagination can make any meal so much more Halloween worthy in the end.