halloween-masks-33

Challenge those trick or treaters by transforming your home into a Halloween haunted house!

Almost everyone enjoys some aspect of Halloween. Some adults don’t get into costume parties and the general revelry. However, such individuals may still be kids at heart and prefer providing a truly scary environment for trick or treaters. Almost every neighborhood has someone whose Halloween pleasure comes in the form of creating a Halloween haunted house that scares the wits out of the successful trick or treater.

When my daughter was little, one neighborhood couple went all out every year to do just that. Their house even creeped me out. My brave little girl made it as far as the door. When the door opened, there was a Frankenstein like old man, very tall, dressed in tatters, covered in spiderwebs and holding a big basket of treats. He slowly and stiffly made his way towards her, proffering his basket. That was it for her. The candy wasn’t worth it, but she did get her entertainment’s worth! This was a genuine Halloween haunted house. I always wondered if his basket was still full at the end of the evening.

If this Halloween tradition appeals to you, here are a few tips on transforming your home into a Halloween haunted house.

Spiderwebs are essential and can be purchased in bulk amounts at party stores and craft shops. There’s something creepy about spiderwebs, especially when they’re placed on shrubs or posts in a narrow walkway leading to the front door. This way, children may end up with spiderwebs clutching at your clothing as the hapless kids pass by.

Several Jack O’Lanterns provide just enough light for kids to safely navigate the path and help to set the mood. Strings of red or blue Christmas lights provide more dim, creepy lighting. You can set the lights to alternate on and off, with longer periods of off than on.

The best Halloween haunted houses feature plenty of Jack O’Lanterns, carved in a variety of scary faces. You can line them up on the porch, just for fright’s sake. It’s also a good idea to turn all of the house lights off and place a pumpkin in the windows facing the street. Is anyone home? Of course, you tempt the trick or treaters with a couple of blue floodlights over the front door.

Spiderwebs should be plastered all over the entry way. Some are sure to find their way onto the kids, producing shrieks from the bravest. A scary sound tape is another must, filled with ghost-like sounds, the hoot of an owl and gusts of wind coming out of nowhere.

Sound and movement activated props will give all the kids the creeps. What do you think the kids will do, when they’re whispering and giggling and the empty rocking chair starts rocking? How about a cardboard skeleton dropping down as they step on the porch?

At this point, you open the door and sweetly offer your goodies. These kids have earned them!

Make your own unique Halloween masks, easy as 1-2-3!

‘Tis the season to dress up and be whomever, or whatever you want. Go out and scare a few people and collect some goodies along the way. Some Halloween costumes require a mask for best effect. However, this can be a problem with younger kids. The latex style masks are typically sized for adults with respect to where eye holes are placed, relative to mouth openings. They can also get pretty warm and sweaty inside. You want to be sure your kids have clear vision when they’re traipsing around the neighborhood. Here’s a terrific, homemade alternative to latex Halloween masks, that keeps kids safe and comfortable, while also being great attention-getters. Kids love them!

All you need is some Play-Dough(TM), some Vaseline(R), a couple of brushes and some acrylic paint. Put a thin coating of Vaseline(R) on your child’s face (avoiding the eye areas), to prevent the Play-Dough(TM) from sticking to your child’s face.

Flatten a wad of the clay so that it’s slightly larger than your child’s face. Have him close his eyes and stay put in a chair, while holding the clay in place at his hair line. Gently mold the clay over the contours of his face, from the forehead down to the bridge of the nose. From there, continue down the nose and across the cheeks, carefully and gently molding the clay, all the way down to his chin. Remove your prototype Halloween mask and have the child hold the mask, cupped in his hands for 5-10 minutes. He’ll be having a great time, utterly amazed and absorbed in this Play-Dough(TM) imitation of his own face!

Lay down some newspaper and carefully place the mask, inside portion facing the newspaper. Trim the mask edges. Use a pencil to poke two holes in the sides. When the mask is finished, you can run ribbon through the holes to tie the mask in place.

You’ll need to let the mask sit for at least 15 minutes to give this look-alike Halloween mask a chance to firm up a bit. When the mask has dried enough to handle easily, you can mark and cut out the eye holes over the newspaper. Smooth out the eye openings for a natural, form-fitting appearance.

Now your child’s ready to paint his unique Halloween mask. Be sure to supervise and help younger kids while they paint. Whether your child’s costume is a Star Wars character or a Princess, paint and decorate the Halloween mask accordingly. If the costume is some ghoulish monster, consider gluing hanging fake eyeballs, adding bloody or festering sores with paint, cobwebs, or rubber bugs. A Princess might have rosy cheeks and a bit of painted makeup. Princesses love glitter, too. Attach glitter with a glue stick.

Painting and decorating these Halloween masks produces a one-of-a-kind accessory that kids will play with long after Halloween.

Popularity: 2% [?]

halloween-costume-parties-24

Throwing Halloween Costume Parties

There are a lot of great parties that you can throw throughout the year, but none can be as loose or as fun as the one that you may want to have on Halloween. Though there are many types of parties you could have on this day, Halloween costume parties are the most common. Some people like to dress up and go out to public parties, but having one at home with close friends and/or family is a lot of fun and the preference for some. There are a few things that you can do to make sure your party is a lot of fun for everyone.

When having Halloween costume parties, you can go any direction you want, but the themed parties are often the most fun. You can ask your guests to just dress up however they please, but you can also give them some direction. Guests often love it when there is a theme, but make sure it is broad enough so that there are many different costume options from which to choose. Go with whatever you wish, or you can go with some of the most common Halloween costume parties themes.

For one, you can choose a movie that has a wide range of characters for your Halloween costume parties. You can choose Gone With the Wind, but there is a limited cast in that movie. You may end up with six Rhetts and seventeen women in hoop skirts. That theme works better for smaller parties. You could go with a theme like famous couples if you have a lot of couple friends, or you can go with a simple theme for your Halloween costume parties like scary, funny, or racy. You know your friends best, so that theme may be easier to pick out then you first thought.

You also want to remember that people could be wearing some very awkward things to your Halloween costume parties. When choosing the food and drink, keep that in mind. You dont want to serve things that are very messy. Imaginative finger foods are always a great idea. They are easy to eat and will make minimal mess. Also, it is nice to make arrangements for children when having Halloween costume parties for adults. If you can do this, your friends are going to feel much freer to come and have a good time knowing their children are close by.

Popularity: unranked [?]

halloween-costumes-04

Throwing Halloween Costume Parties

There are a lot of great parties that you can throw throughout the year, but none can be as loose or as fun as the one that you may want to have on Halloween. Though there are many types of parties you could have on this day, Halloween costume parties are the most common. Some people like to dress up and go out to public parties, but having one at home with close friends and/or family is a lot of fun and the preference for some. There are a few things that you can do to make sure your party is a lot of fun for everyone.

When having Halloween costume parties, you can go any direction you want, but the themed parties are often the most fun. You can ask your guests to just dress up however they please, but you can also give them some direction. Guests often love it when there is a theme, but make sure it is broad enough so that there are many different costume options from which to choose. Go with whatever you wish, or you can go with some of the most common Halloween costume parties themes.

For one, you can choose a movie that has a wide range of characters for your Halloween costume parties. You can choose Gone With the Wind, but there is a limited cast in that movie. You may end up with six Rhetts and seventeen women in hoop skirts. That theme works better for smaller parties. You could go with a theme like famous couples if you have a lot of couple friends, or you can go with a simple theme for your Halloween costume parties like scary, funny, or racy. You know your friends best, so that theme may be easier to pick out then you first thought.

You also want to remember that people could be wearing some very awkward things to your Halloween costume parties. When choosing the food and drink, keep that in mind. You dont want to serve things that are very messy. Imaginative finger foods are always a great idea. They are easy to eat and will make minimal mess. Also, it is nice to make arrangements for children when having Halloween costume parties for adults. If you can do this, your friends are going to feel much freer to come and have a good time knowing their children are close by.Halloween Costume Wigs

It doesnt matter if you are putting together your own costume, or if you have bought one from the store, you can always find that Halloween costume wigs are a great addition. In fact, some complete costumes that you can buy are not as complete as you may want them to be. You can get wigs that compliment what you have, or you can get some that will give your costume a whole new feel. You can also save these wigs for other times, and even to be worn the next year. You are going to find a very fun selection if you look around.

You can get some rather cheap Halloween costume wigs, and if they work, there is no harm in saving some money when you shop. These wigs are often the least likely to look even remotely natural, but with Halloween, that is usually the whole point of getting the wig. Some of the most common and inexpensive Halloween costume wigs that you can buy are the multi colored perm that clowns are famous for, along with wild colors like purple, blue, red, and pink in a variety of lengths and styles.

You can go for the most expensive Halloween costume wigs if you want something that is a bit more authentic looking. These come in all types of wild colors, just like the others, but they can also come in more natural colors like blond or brunette. What you want depends on your costume. The more expensive Halloween costume wigs are the ones that are going to stay on your head the best, so keep that in mind when you shop. If you think that might be a problem, spend a little more to be sure you have the best chance of keeping it on.

You dont have to buy Halloween costume wigs to entirely change your hair if you dont want to do so. You can always go with spray on glitter and color that you can get in a can. You can go to the salon and get some tinted hair gel that washes out in just one shower. You may also want to see if you can find some hair extensions instead of Halloween costume wigs. You can dye these any color you wish, and then add them to your head. Remember when using wild colors that some do not come out as dark as they should when dying any type of hair.Halloween Costumes

Halloween costumes are somewhat of a passion of mine. You see, when I was growing up I had always thought that I would be a costume designer. I have actually worked in a few productions of local theater companies, and have done some pretty good costume designs. Nevertheless, the time that I really get to shine is around Halloween. My homemade Halloween costumes are well-known all around the area.

I actually recently published a book of quick easy costumes. It showed Halloween costumes that you could make out of duct tape, cloth, and things that you would find around the house. Some of them are quite impressive, while others were more modest. One of the most popular easy Halloween costume ideas to make is a robot suit. Basically, all you need is cardboard, tinfoil, and an imagination. Having a good design to work From will give you better results, but even trial and error will eventually give you a good costume.

Of course, the homemade Halloween costumes that I make are a lot more elaborate than these amateur designs. Usually, I start preparing my adult costume ideas weeks ahead of time. Last year, for example, I went as a wolf. I made a papier-mch wolf mask that was pretty elaborate and quite frightening. I actually had to take it off while I was walking to the party because I kept making little kids cry with it. The rest of the Halloween costume was comparatively simple. It was basically a furry suit with fake paws on it. It was a lot of fun to put together, although it got pretty hot by the end of the evening. I finally changed into street clothes and said that I was a werewolf.

Even if you aren’t very handy with crafts, you can still make a good Halloween costume. One of the most popular ways is to buy pieces of other Halloween costumes and cobble them together. Look for strange or outlandish clothing, funny hats, bizarre boots, and little toys that you can use as props over the year. Spend 10 dollars here, five dollars there, and before you know it you’ll have amassed quite a collection of props. You will be amazed by the number of Halloween costumes that will start to occur to you once you have some funny clothing to play with. Sometimes, inspiration can be had just by diving into your wardrobe and looking around.

Popularity: unranked [?]

halloween-haunted-houses-33

Challenge those trick or treaters by transforming your home into a Halloween haunted house!

Almost everyone enjoys some aspect of Halloween. Some adults don’t get into costume parties and the general revelry. However, such individuals may still be kids at heart and prefer providing a truly scary environment for trick or treaters. Almost every neighborhood has someone whose Halloween pleasure comes in the form of creating a Halloween haunted house that scares the wits out of the successful trick or treater.

When my daughter was little, one neighborhood couple went all out every year to do just that. Their house even creeped me out. My brave little girl made it as far as the door. When the door opened, there was a Frankenstein like old man, very tall, dressed in tatters, covered in spiderwebs and holding a big basket of treats. He slowly and stiffly made his way towards her, proffering his basket. That was it for her. The candy wasn’t worth it, but she did get her entertainment’s worth! This was a genuine Halloween haunted house. I always wondered if his basket was still full at the end of the evening.

If this Halloween tradition appeals to you, here are a few tips on transforming your home into a Halloween haunted house.

Spiderwebs are essential and can be purchased in bulk amounts at party stores and craft shops. There’s something creepy about spiderwebs, especially when they’re placed on shrubs or posts in a narrow walkway leading to the front door. This way, children may end up with spiderwebs clutching at your clothing as the hapless kids pass by.

Several Jack O’Lanterns provide just enough light for kids to safely navigate the path and help to set the mood. Strings of red or blue Christmas lights provide more dim, creepy lighting. You can set the lights to alternate on and off, with longer periods of off than on.

The best Halloween haunted houses feature plenty of Jack O’Lanterns, carved in a variety of scary faces. You can line them up on the porch, just for fright’s sake. It’s also a good idea to turn all of the house lights off and place a pumpkin in the windows facing the street. Is anyone home? Of course, you tempt the trick or treaters with a couple of blue floodlights over the front door.

Spiderwebs should be plastered all over the entry way. Some are sure to find their way onto the kids, producing shrieks from the bravest. A scary sound tape is another must, filled with ghost-like sounds, the hoot of an owl and gusts of wind coming out of nowhere.

Sound and movement activated props will give all the kids the creeps. What do you think the kids will do, when they’re whispering and giggling and the empty rocking chair starts rocking? How about a cardboard skeleton dropping down as they step on the porch?

At this point, you open the door and sweetly offer your goodies. These kids have earned them!

Popularity: 1% [?]

halloween-party-foods-24

Challenge those trick or treaters by transforming your home into a Halloween haunted house!

Almost everyone enjoys some aspect of Halloween. Some adults don’t get into costume parties and the general revelry. However, such individuals may still be kids at heart and prefer providing a truly scary environment for trick or treaters. Almost every neighborhood has someone whose Halloween pleasure comes in the form of creating a Halloween haunted house that scares the wits out of the successful trick or treater.

When my daughter was little, one neighborhood couple went all out every year to do just that. Their house even creeped me out. My brave little girl made it as far as the door. When the door opened, there was a Frankenstein like old man, very tall, dressed in tatters, covered in spiderwebs and holding a big basket of treats. He slowly and stiffly made his way towards her, proffering his basket. That was it for her. The candy wasn’t worth it, but she did get her entertainment’s worth! This was a genuine Halloween haunted house. I always wondered if his basket was still full at the end of the evening.

If this Halloween tradition appeals to you, here are a few tips on transforming your home into a Halloween haunted house.

Spiderwebs are essential and can be purchased in bulk amounts at party stores and craft shops. There’s something creepy about spiderwebs, especially when they’re placed on shrubs or posts in a narrow walkway leading to the front door. This way, children may end up with spiderwebs clutching at your clothing as the hapless kids pass by.

Several Jack O’Lanterns provide just enough light for kids to safely navigate the path and help to set the mood. Strings of red or blue Christmas lights provide more dim, creepy lighting. You can set the lights to alternate on and off, with longer periods of off than on.

The best Halloween haunted houses feature plenty of Jack O’Lanterns, carved in a variety of scary faces. You can line them up on the porch, just for fright’s sake. It’s also a good idea to turn all of the house lights off and place a pumpkin in the windows facing the street. Is anyone home? Of course, you tempt the trick or treaters with a couple of blue floodlights over the front door.

Spiderwebs should be plastered all over the entry way. Some are sure to find their way onto the kids, producing shrieks from the bravest. A scary sound tape is another must, filled with ghost-like sounds, the hoot of an owl and gusts of wind coming out of nowhere.

Sound and movement activated props will give all the kids the creeps. What do you think the kids will do, when they’re whispering and giggling and the empty rocking chair starts rocking? How about a cardboard skeleton dropping down as they step on the porch?

At this point, you open the door and sweetly offer your goodies. These kids have earned them!

Make your own unique Halloween masks, easy as 1-2-3!

‘Tis the season to dress up and be whomever, or whatever you want. Go out and scare a few people and collect some goodies along the way. Some Halloween costumes require a mask for best effect. However, this can be a problem with younger kids. The latex style masks are typically sized for adults with respect to where eye holes are placed, relative to mouth openings. They can also get pretty warm and sweaty inside. You want to be sure your kids have clear vision when they’re traipsing around the neighborhood. Here’s a terrific, homemade alternative to latex Halloween masks, that keeps kids safe and comfortable, while also being great attention-getters. Kids love them!

All you need is some Play-Dough(TM), some Vaseline(R), a couple of brushes and some acrylic paint. Put a thin coating of Vaseline(R) on your child’s face (avoiding the eye areas), to prevent the Play-Dough(TM) from sticking to your child’s face.

Flatten a wad of the clay so that it’s slightly larger than your child’s face. Have him close his eyes and stay put in a chair, while holding the clay in place at his hair line. Gently mold the clay over the contours of his face, from the forehead down to the bridge of the nose. From there, continue down the nose and across the cheeks, carefully and gently molding the clay, all the way down to his chin. Remove your prototype Halloween mask and have the child hold the mask, cupped in his hands for 5-10 minutes. He’ll be having a great time, utterly amazed and absorbed in this Play-Dough(TM) imitation of his own face!

Lay down some newspaper and carefully place the mask, inside portion facing the newspaper. Trim the mask edges. Use a pencil to poke two holes in the sides. When the mask is finished, you can run ribbon through the holes to tie the mask in place.

You’ll need to let the mask sit for at least 15 minutes to give this look-alike Halloween mask a chance to firm up a bit. When the mask has dried enough to handle easily, you can mark and cut out the eye holes over the newspaper. Smooth out the eye openings for a natural, form-fitting appearance.

Now your child’s ready to paint his unique Halloween mask. Be sure to supervise and help younger kids while they paint. Whether your child’s costume is a Star Wars character or a Princess, paint and decorate the Halloween mask accordingly. If the costume is some ghoulish monster, consider gluing hanging fake eyeballs, adding bloody or festering sores with paint, cobwebs, or rubber bugs. A Princess might have rosy cheeks and a bit of painted makeup. Princesses love glitter, too. Attach glitter with a glue stick.

Painting and decorating these Halloween masks produces a one-of-a-kind accessory that kids will play with long after Halloween.
Halloween Party Food Ideas

You want your Halloween party to be something that your guests will never forget. You have chosen a costume theme, gotten the right decorations, and sent out the invitations that you choose from a great selection that you found online. Before you settle down and think that your planning is out of the way, you have to think about some Halloween party food ideas. What you can come up with depends on your imagination, but there are some simple things to give you inspiration to come up with your own.

First of all, you can find some great Halloween party food ideas by going to your local store. You want to go to one that has a large selection of bulk candies if you can. Some grocery stores have these, and others do not. You can also see if you can find a store that sells candy exclusively. These will have Halloween party food items already in stock. You can find candy items that look like almost anything. You can get eyeballs, fingers, toes, and at times, brains. These are going to give you plenty of ideas once you have them in your cart. You can then get whatever else you need while there.

You can also think about making some common foods into Halloween party food ideas. You can think of what you would serve as finger foods at normal parties, and then put a Halloween twist on them. You can do this with food coloring and nothing more if you wish. You could make deviled eggs and then dye the filler orange and black, or perhaps a bluish grey to simulate brains. These Halloween party food ideas are only going to look different without altering the taste one bit. This can work on almost any food you can imagine, with a few obvious exceptions.

If you find that you are low on imagination, as we all are at one point or another, you can find some great ideas for Halloween party food on the Internet. You can find some you can order, and if you have a hard time finding that gross candy, you can find it through many websites that specialize in holiday candies. Use your own imagination, and then see what others have come up with. Many will post pictures and recipes for their favorite Halloween party food items, and even a place where you can get the special things you need to make it.

Popularity: 1% [?]