Party Supplies For Your Halloween Party

Party Supplies For Your Halloween Party
By Mike Selvon

Call eight to ten of your ghastliest boy and ghoul-friends for this year's Halloween get-together and it's sure to be a scream! Party supplies are likely to include elaborate decorations, partyware, favors, themed food and party supplies costumes. You can have just as much fun planning the celebration as you'll have at the event, if you start a month in advance.

The first task -- that can be rather daunting -- is knowing where to look for costumes and party supplies. Party City is a great wholesale party supply store that will have costumes from $15 - $60 for adults.

However, you'll want to shop as early as possible to avoid barren shelves and poor selection. Buycostumes has unique costumes for reasonable prices. If you want a really horrific mask and are willing to spend a little more, Thehorrordome is your site. You can find hundreds of costumes at Orientaltrading, including plus sizes and couples options!

For decoration party supplies, check Frightcatalog, Orientaltradingpost, Partycity and Thehorrordome for some fantastic options. Wall-coverings, tablecloths and a few cut-outs can quickly transform your house into the scariest place on the block. Animatronics add additional scares, while cobwebs and balloons are cheap, creepy additions.

As far as partyware celebration supplies go, Orientaltrading offers 25 plates in themed colors for just $2.95, skeleton hand champagne glasses (12 for $18), decorated table cloths ($3), a skull punch-bowl set for $24, and monster hand Jello molds.

A traditional and cheap main entree is goulash made of just noodles, sauce, peppers, onions and ground beef. (You can serve a small army for $10). Other options include: Pumpkin soup or pie, deviled potato salad, herb-marinated olives, nutty phyllo ghosts, candy apples and more (at Foodnetwork.com).

A larger list of Halloween recipe sites can be found at: Darklinks.com/dhauntfood.html, which includes vegetarian and cocktail options.

For music party supplies, you can purchase a Halloween compilation or download the typical "Monster Mash" or Ghostbuster theme tunes. For more upbeat atmosphere, try a "horrorbilly" or "psychobilly" band or two.

The Matadors, The Creepshow or The Horrorpops give you Halloween-themed music with an old rock n roll twist that's sure to get your celebration dancing. Or purchase an inclusive murder mystery kit with food, music and entertainment directions.

Lastly, it could be fun to give your friends some favors to take home with them as a memento. Orientaltrading has an especially good selection of celebration supplies and favors by the dozen -- like 12 light-up skeleton shot-glasses for $10.

You shouldn't see cobwebs when you open your wallet after buying party supplies, as long as you've made a budget and stuck to it. Decide which area you'll want to spend in and recruit some friends to help out. Remember, decor is key for a creepy Halloween bash that your friends will always remember!

Want to throw the best celebration ever? Visit Mike Selvon portal to learn more about party supplies. Your feedback is much appreciated at our party supplies blog where a free gift awaits you.

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Halloween - Edible Bugs and Bones

Halloween - Edible Bugs and Bones
By Jill Borash

Chocolate Spiders
1 package (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups (half a bag) miniature marshmallows
thin black licorice whips
mini M&Ms

Melt chocolate in the microwave just until melted. I usually put it the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring well after every 30 seconds. The chocolate should not be too hot or else it will melt the marshmallows. Add the marshmallows to the chocolate and mix well, until the marshmallows are completely coated with the chocolate. Drop the mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Before the chocolate sets, add the licorice “legs” and the mini M&Ms for eyes. (About 2 inch pieces of licorice work well for the spider legs.) For an added flavor, add some peanuts to the marshmallows. Makes about 20 spiders.

Silly Bugs
1 package (16 ounces) oatmeal cookies (the 3-inch round cookies work best for this)
2 cups Fluff Frosting (recipe follows)
miniature chocolate sandwich cookies (like mini Oreos)
red gumdrops
cheese corn curls

Frost all of the cookies with Fluff Frosting. Put two of the sandwich cookies on each cookie for eyes, one red gumdrop for the mouth, and add the cheese corn curls as antennae on top of the cookie.

Fluff Frosting
1 container (16 ounces) white vanilla frosting
3/4 cup marshmallow crème

Combine the vanilla frosting and the marshmallow crème in a medium bowl and mix well.

Meringue Bone Cookies
5 egg whites (make sure that they are at room temperature)
pinch of cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups sugar
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 220 degrees. Cover two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Put a round number 10 tip (about 3/8 of an inch in diameter) on a piping bag. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and the salt. In a medium bowl, put the egg whites and cream of tartar together. Beat together until soft peaks begin to form. Slowly add the sugar and salt mixture to the egg white mixture, beating well and constantly. Continue to beat the mixture until stiff peaks form and it is shiny and smooth in appearance. Add in the vanilla extract and stir just until mixed. Put the mixture into the piping bag and pipe 3 inch long logs. On each end of the log, pipe two balls on each side of the log. Smooth down peaks that form with a wet finger. Bake for 30 minutes and then off the oven heat. Do not open the oven door and leave the cookies in the oven overnight.

Jill Seader loves to share her baking recipes at YourBakingStory.com. She has a passion for baking and stories that she shares through recipes and recipe scrapbooking supplies. Come share your story or create one of your own!

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Spooky Halloween Recipe Punch Ideas

Spooky Halloween Recipe Punch Ideas
By Patricia Jensen

.HALLOWEEN "GHOUL-ADE"

1 envelope Kool-Aid grape flavor unsweetened mix
1 envelope Kool-Aid orange flavor
unsweetened mix
2 cups sugar
3 quarts cold water
1 quart chilled ginger ale

Mix both envelopes Kool Aid together with sugar, in large pitcher. Add water and mix. Just before serving, add ginger ale.

Add a Nice "Touch" - Float a Frozen Hand in your Halloween Punch!

Fill an unpowdered surgical glove with water.
Tip: Do not overfill as water will expand as it freezes.

Add a little food coloring for a more authentic look.

Securely twist tie the end and hang from a shelf in the freezer.

Once frozen, cut off the glove and place hand in punch bowl.

BUBBLING BAT BREW

Two 12 oz. cans frozen grape juice
One 2 liter bottle of ginger ale
One half-gallon lime sherbet

Make grape juice according to directions on can. Add to punchbowl. Add the ginger ale and stir thoroughly. Add sherbet just before serving.

Make Your Bat Brew Really "Cook" ...

Punch out or cut holes in lid of a sealed plastic container.
Drop in a piece of dry ice.
Before serving drop the container into the punch bowl.
Verrry Spooky!

Important Note: Always handle dry ice with gloves.-

SPIDER CIDER

1/2 gallon cider
1 apple
12 tsps. powdered orange breakfast drink
nutmeg
cinnamon
clear plastic cups

Prepare cups by drawing a spider or gluing a spider sticker on the outside bottom of each plastic cup. Next, chop up apple into small pieces.

Heat cider on the stove till very warm and pour into 8 drinking cups. Stir 1 1/2 tsps orange drink powder into each cup, along with a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon.

Sprinkle 6 or 7 apple pieces into each cup, stir and serve. Wait for the shrieks when kids discover their spiders!

**COOL WAYS TO SERVE YOUR HALLOWEEN PUNCH**

*Serve juice or punch in beakers.

*Set out dips or punch in pumpkins you have carved out and cleaned, or black plastic cauldrons.

*Use licorice as straws, just cut off both ends and sip through the center.

*Moisten the edges of party glasses with egg white and dip in sugar for a sweet finish!

Patricia B. Jensen is a mother of three and kids party enthusiast. She is the webmaster and owner of Kids-Party-Paradise.com - a complete resource for kids party ideas including invitations, cakes, decorations, games, costumes, favors, and food.

For all the latest party news, read her Kids Party Blog

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Take a Look at These Scary Halloween Books

Take a Look at These Scary Halloween Books
By Morgan Hamilton

My friends and I have tried may various ways to “fete” Halloween. Twenty years ago, we would joyfully don our Halloween costumes. Wearing the Halloween costumes was such a wonderful experience. We would of course consume our favorite Halloween foods and drinks, but what we were most eager to do is to take out the books that we used to call Halloween books. We took turns reading to the others just to scare them or at least give them the willies.

Our favorite collection of Halloween books is undoubtedly represented by Edgar Allen Poe’s books. These Halloween books will certainly have the same effect now, as they did before evn though it's years later.

I loved to read my favorite short stories - “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “The Masque of the Red Death”. The first one was about a haunted house while the second was about a Halloween party in a house where one imagines and one is trapped, with other people.

If you do not prefer to read Halloween books but you want something scarier and terrifying like the occult genre, a metaphysical, Para psychological, real people haunted by real ghosts and others like these, it is better to take true scary stories. I will recommend you the following:

Amityville Horror written by Jay Anson – this book is really quite creepy. The book is based on true events. It has a photo of the real house on its cover. The windows and the doors make the house look alive. They are placed in a way that gives the illusion of a face. The book tells the story of a man who killed his family and of the new family who moved in and became possessed by the ghosts of the former house inhabitants. This is the first Halloween book that I remember when hear the words “Halloween books”.

The Shining written by Steven King – most of Steven King books are good enough to be Halloween books but this one is so realistic that it makes you terrified. This Halloween book tells the story of a writer who is staying in a locked hotel with no electricity in New England full of ghosts, while outside there is a snowstorm.

The Mephisto Waltz by Fred Mustard Steward – this one is a very good Halloween book. This Halloween book tells the story of a woman who is trying to get out but the guard dogs, Doberman Pinschers, are tracking her in a terrifying manner, whenever she tries to get out.

I do not approve these Halloween books to be read to children. There are just my favorite Halloween books for adults. Halloween books like The Happy Pumpkins will not make me tremble of fear for sure!

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning holiday. Learn more at Scary Halloween Books

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Costumes for Halloween that Toddlers Want the Most

Costumes for Halloween that Toddlers Want the Most
By Reidar Aas

Costumes for Halloween toddlers are going to love are found online. If you are looking for the latest types of cartoons or if you are searching for a somewhat scary type of costume that is going to fit your toddler you will find a wide selection online. The costumes for Halloween toddlers wear are smaller versions of something that you might consider wearing. If you want to match your costume to your child’s or toddlers costumer you can do that as well, and be the talk of all those that you will visit over Halloween.

Costumes for Halloween toddlers wear can be just as expensive as the costume that you purchase for yourself. You want to purchase a costume that is a little bigger, so they could wear it more than once, or you could have another child wear it in a different Halloween year. Often times, cousins will share Halloween costumes because they do remain popular for a few years.

The costume Halloween toddler’s wear will be those types that make them feel good about the holiday. It is going to be important that you remember, some years it is going to be very cold, and in some areas, it will even snow! If you are searching for a Halloween costume for your toddler, think about the type of costume that can be worn over top of a coat, or one that is going to keep the toddler very warm, even in those cold months of October, as it can be in some areas of the country.

A Halloween costume is one that is going to be worn all day long. You will want your toddlers Halloween costume to last all day long. Avoid purchasing the type of costume that is made of thin plastic that is going to rip easily. Purchasing a toddlers Halloween costume that is sturdy and that can be worn two days in a row is a costume that is well worth your money. Often times, you might consider heading out for a few hours for a parade and then trick or treating, and then you want to head out to Halloween parties the next night, so you will want your toddlers Halloween costume to be worn more than just one day.

Costume Halloween toddler sizes are available form 2x and up through 6x and then the children’s sizes begin. If you are looking for toddler size Halloween costumes you can find them online, where the selection is truly one that is bigger and better than in any local store you are going to find. For the small baby, those who are just six months and up through 4x you will find a good number of Halloween costumes that you choose from for that first Halloween night out on the town for your child.

Written by Reidar Aas, webmaster and author of http://www.costume-halloween-toddler.com/
This article may be reproduced as long as a Live link back to http://www.costume-halloween-toddler.com/ is present.

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Be A Halloween Superstar - Make Your Own Halloween Costume

Be A Halloween Superstar - Make Your Own Halloween Costume
By Pauline Travers

At last it's that time of year when for one night, at least, we can all pretend to be something or somebody else. We can simply put on a halloween costume, add a few accessories and get into the part. But for even more fun why no take complete control over who you want to be and make your own halloween costume. With a little bit of extra effort you can easily be the star of any halloween party or trick-or-treating expedition.

If you're going to make your own halloween costume you'd better get started. The sooner you get going the better. Leaving yourself plenty of time means you can relax and have fun collecting the bits and pieces you need to make your own halloween costume.

So, where do you start?

Well, before you can make your own halloween costume you need to decide who or what you want to be. You could be a famous hero or an icon - think about your favorite TV programs and movies. Who do you admire from history? Which musicians appeal to you?

Or you could go for the more traditional halloween costumes - ghosts, witches, pumpkins, ghouls and monsters.

Once you've decided on who or what you want to be it's time to search for items that can be used to create your own halloween costume.

The easiest place to start is at home. Look around from room to room and see what things you can find that might fit in with the halloween character you've chosen. There are the obvious items like wedding and bridesmaids dresses, prom gowns or formal suits that make outfits such as halloween fairies or angels. But don't be too fussy at first, just grab anything that catches your eye - unwanted clothing, shoes, gloves, pieces of fabric, garbage bags, boxes, ties, socks, old towels, sheets etc. etc. The possibilities are endless.

By spending a little extra time you should be able to come up with something a little more exciting than the hobgoblin outfits that all your neighbors will be wearing.

Maybe you could dig through the closets of your older relatives looking for clothing that has gone out of style. An old double-breasted pin stripe wold be a great basis from which to make your own 30s gangster halloween costume.

Vintage clothing can be used for 60s hippies, 50s beatniks or 40s film stars. And if you don't have and relatives with cluttered closets who can help you make your own halloween costume you can always try your local thrift shop or second-hand store.

There's probably a Goodwill outlet near you where you can pick your way through the rails and check out all the clothing for more halloween costume ideas. Maybe some old shoes or a purse will inspire. Perhaps an odd piece of fabric or a belt will get your creative juices flowing.

Don't worry if you can't find exactly what you're looking for. If you're feeling a bit stuck just start with anything that appeals to you and you'll get more ideas as you go along. Remember, a halloween costume only needs to represent the character you want to portray. It doesn't have to be an exact match. You're not looking for perfection when you're making your own halloween costume.

Don't forget to look for your halloween accessories aswell - toy gun for a gangster, beads for hippy, wigs, contact lenses, hair dye, make up etc.

Once you have a number of choices start trying things on and and see how you can use the items to make your own unique halloween costume. Better still, get a friend to help so you can swap ideas. Then once, you're ready for the big night, there's only one thing left to do - get someone to take a photo so you back with pride on the year you decided to make your own halloween costume.

Pauline Travers is a mother of 3 and avid fan of Fancy Dress both for herself and her children. For unique Halloween ideas visit the great halloween costume website at http://besthalloweencostumes.info/. Here you will find many resources and ideas whether you want to buy, hire or
make your own halloween costume.

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Kids Halloween Movies

Kids Halloween Movies
By Jillian Gallo

Why not start the Halloween holidays off with some great kids Halloween movies? Some of the kids most popular characters have a holiday DVD out, characters like Dora The Explorer, Fairly Odd Parents, Little Bear, Max and Ruby, Spongebob Squarepants, Backyardigans, Wow Wow Wubbzy and Yo Gabba Gabba.

Dora The Explorer: Dora's Halloween DVD

Dora's Halloween DVD is filled with tricks and treats. Dora and Boots have a spooky Halloween adventure that's filled with fun. A magical hunt for a missing magic wand, a pumpkin patch, and Dora's Halloween Hunt Game will be sure to bring laughter to your entire family. Dora the Explorer is such a wonderful children's cartoon character, you know you can expect to have lots of fun when Dora is around.

Fairly Odd Parents: Scary God Parents DVD

The Fairly Odd Parents are another popular kids cartoon show. The Scary GodParents DVD includes this double-length episode plus 3 others and 2 more bonus episodes. In this Halloween version you will see Timmy in a toilet paper mummy costume! Timmy is unhappy with his costume and wishes everyone's costume was "real and scary". Watch what happens then. Meet the Pumpkinator.

Plus watch Shiny Teeth Evil dentist Dr. Bender actually steal Chip Skylark's teeth before his upcoming music video shoot! In Timmy's 2D House of Horror watch as Timmys worst nightmare occurs. Vicky's house is wrecked and her family moves in with the Turners. Which Witch is Which is another funny episode, Timmy travels back in time and is accused of being a witch.

Little Bear: Halloween Stories DVD

The Little Bear™ Halloween Stories DVD will allow you to enjoy the holidays with your child's favorite Nick Jr. friends.

Max & Ruby: Max & Ruby's Halloween DVD

Max and Ruby's Halloween DVD has 12 episodes. Ruby wants Max to be a Little Prince but Max wants to be a Vampire. Ruby is dressed as Cinderella and she thinks Max will scare Grandma when they go to visit her. And there are 11 more holiday adventures with everyone's favorite characters, Max and Ruby.

Nickelodeon: Nicktoons Halloween DVD

Another favorite Halloween DVD is Nicktoons Halloween. Filled with SpongeBob SquarePants in "Scaredy Pants", Rugrats in "Curse of the Werewuff", Nickelodeon Rocket Power in "It Came From Planet Merv" and "Netherworld Nights", Hey Arnold! in "Arnold's Halloween" and The Fairly OddParents in "Scary Godparents". That should get everyone in the Halloween spirit!

SpongeBob SquarePants: Halloween DVD

SpongeBob SquarePants' Halloween DVD is filled with adventures from Bikini Bottom and all SpongeBob's friends. The episodes include Scardey Pants, Imitation Krabs, Frankendoodle, Teenage Gary, Squidward, the Unfriendly Ghost and The Secret Box with Patrick. If you've got a SpongeBob SquarePants fan in your house, this is the Kids Halloween DVD for you.

The Backyardigans: It's Great to Be a Ghost! DVD

Your Backyardigans fan will love It's Great to Be a Ghost! Watch while Pablo, Tyrone and Uniqua haunt an old house...but Tasha doesn't know. Other episodes with the Backyardigans are Monster Detective Sixties, The Key to the Nile Broadway and Pirate Treasure. More kids Halloween movies and fun for your family.

Wow Wow Wubbzy: Wubbzy Goes Boo DVD

Wow Wow Wubbzy and his Halloween escapades. Wubbzy and his friends are all ready for Halloween! Wubbzy, Widget and Walden try to clean up a mess with magic wand, then try to collect the very last leaf of the autumn, pick the perfect pumpkin and make the scariest Halloween costume of all. There's singing, dancing, trick-or-treating and kickity-kick ball too. What else would you expect with Wow Wow Wubbzy?

Yo Gabba Gabba: Halloween DVD

Yo Gabba Gabba's Halloween DVD is so exciting. Watch the characters dress up in outrageous costumes and then gather huge stashes of candy. Watch the gang as the songs Fall Song, Halloween Party and Trick or Treat Song teach these loveable characters about what happens on Halloween. Then the song Too Much Candy teaches about eating candy in moderation. There are three more Wow Wow Wubbzy episodes for your family to watch and enjoy.

These are all very popular kids cartoon characters and your young children will enjoy watching them with you on your Kids Halloween Movies night. You might just be starting a wonderful Halloween tradition in your family!

Ms. Party Ideas is Jillian Gallo and she writes about fun party stuff! Kids Halloween movies are a fun way to celebrate Halloween with the entire family. Read more at http://www.partyideasparade.com/kids-halloween-movies-1.html and find the perfect kid Halloween movie for your family. Get some great Halloween costume ideas at http://www.partyideasparade.com/halloween-costumes.html Get some fun party and costume ideas and find an easy Halloween snack recipe to eat while your watching these kids movies! Be sure to take a look at all our kids birthday party supplies and ideas too.

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How to Choose the Best Baby Costume For Halloween

How to Choose the Best Baby Costume For Halloween
By Sophie Giles

Trying to decide how to choose the best baby costume for Halloween? Want to make certain your little one is as comfortable as she is adorable? Then you've come to the right place! In this article we want to talk to you about choosing the best baby Halloween costumes for your little dear, as well point out a few examples of great baby Halloween costumes created by Tom Arma - the king of comfort and cute when it comes to infant Halloween costumes

Choose Comfort First

Probably the biggest mistake parents make when choosing a baby costume for Halloween is grabbing the first adorable costume they find with little regard to how comfortable their child is going to be. The absolute first thing you must remember when choosing a baby costume for Halloween is that your infant is not yet old enough to understand why he or she is being paraded about in such uncomfortable clothes, and if you've chosen the wrong sort of costume for her - you'll spend more time trying to comfort a crying baby than you will getting those great pictures of her first trick or treating experience.

Try to choose baby costumes for Halloween which are made to feel like pajamas instead of being binding for your child. Even if he or she sleeps through the entire experience, at least you'll have the peace of mind knowing that she's comfortable as well as cute. Also, a lot of parents forget that Halloween is typically a pretty cold night, so be sure to choose a Halloween costume for your baby that will keep her snug and warm.

Costume Safety

Another thing that's easy to forget when choosing the right baby Halloween costume is that many costumes have extremely small pieces attached to them, or masks and other such accessories, which aren't safe for babies. It's important that you remember to choose a costume which is (preferably) one piece, and doesn't have any parts that baby can pull off and swallow accidentally.

It's also important to remember that masks, makeup, and other props don't have any business being on a baby's Halloween costume. These are for older children and adults only, as they pose a serious safety threat to infants and toddlers. No matter how cute a costume may look when it's hanging in the store, it's more important that your child is safe when she puts it on.

Tom Arma Halloween Costumes

Now that you know how to choose the best baby Halloween costumes, you're probably wondering where to find the best costumes for your little one. One of the most amazing designers of baby Halloween costumes is Tom Arma. His animal baby costumes are as comfortable and safe as they are adorable; and they are priced affordable enough for almost any budget. In addition to providing your baby with a great experience for her first Halloween, Tom Arma's baby Halloween costumes are excellent for photography, as well.

As you can see, ensuring that your baby has a fun and safe Halloween is really quite simple. All you need to do is remember that comfort and safety are the most important parts of choosing a baby Halloween costume, and your little one will be sure to have a great first trick or treating experience!

Find Tom Arma costumes and more at http://www.cutestcostumes.com

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What's Hot For Halloween?

What's Hot For Halloween?
By Roy Thomsitt

If you are taking your Halloween party seriously this year, and want it to be the best in the neighbourhood, then it is worth getting up to date with what may be big on the coming Halloween scene. There are several aspects to holding a Halloween party, and to put on the best “show”, knowing what might be the most contemporary themes, the latest in horror props and scene setters, scary gadgets and costumes, will give you a big advantage over those who have not checked out the Halloween scene for a few years.

Many of the old Halloween favourites will still be there this year, and long may it be so. Ghouls, vampires, pumpkins, witches and skeletons and other vintage Halloween stars, will no doubt be there again in their thousands, but even they may be looking better, and in some cases more realistic and scary, than ever.

If you do not feel up to date with throwing a Halloween party, here are a few ideas that may help you plan a screaming success of a party:

Halloween Costumes

If you and your family are holding a Halloween party, you definitely need to be dressed for the hosts' role, so choosing convincing costumes is an important start. Many Halloween costumes are available in child,even baby and infant, sizes, so if you have children there is no need for them to be left out when it comes to costumes.

Halloween costumes need not be scary. In fact, there's a good chance that some of the most popular costumes will be based on Hollywood movies. A hot favourite is likely to be pirates, thanks to the release of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest; and especially Captain Jack Sparrow. Other Disney movie characters will also be popular for Halloween costumes, such as Jack Skellington of Nightmare Before Christmas, and for children Sulley Monster from Monsters Inc.

Apart from Disney movies, the return of Superman is sure to feed into the costume market for Halloween, and Harry Potter will no doubt be widely featured. Spiderman looks like being a common costume choice too.

Away from the movies, masks and costume generally seem to get more convincing by the year. the old frighteners such as Dracula and other vampires, zombies, ghouls will be given fresh facelifts for the new Halloween. Not every party goer wants to be a monster, though, and sexy costumes will undoubtedly be in demand again, even such vintage costumes as sexy nurses, chambermaids, belly dancers and sexy cops.

Halloween Props and Scene Setters

It is worth having a good look around at what's available in the way of modern props to help you set the party scene at your home. You can consider setting up your garden, too, to become part of the atmospheric creation.

Some useful props for the garden after dark, especially the front garden and around the drive to greet your guests, are tombstones. Having a garden cemetery can really give you the scope to set the right mood even before the guests come inside the house. Adding to that atmosphere could be a fog maker, pumping artificial fog around the tombstones and any other garden props. A few decapitated heads (artificial of course) with horrific expressions, and other frighteners, could be lit by setting up a low intermittent light near each one, to take visitors by surprise in the swirling fog. Air blown large scale monsters are another possibility for outside or inside the house.

Inside the house, there is a wide choice of scene setters around these days, which you can fix to the walls. These scenic backdrops can help to set up a haunting feel to the house. Your lighting needs to be carefully arranged to have maximum effect, while maintaining safety for family and guests.

Body parts (again, artificial!) such as severed hands, feet, legs and heads, can be used, with strategic placement, to provide the odd surprise around the house. You could even a full skeleton lying in the bath, with just a glimpse through the curtains in a candlelit bathroom. All these Halloween props are easy to find nowadays, so it is just up to your imagination and budget as to how you make use of them. With thousands of props available, the options are immense.

This halloween article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner author of the halloween-mayhem.com website, where you can find ideas for Halloween costumes and Halloween props

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The Inspiration Behind Halloween Costumes and the Holiday

The Inspiration Behind Halloween Costumes and the Holiday
By Dominic Sentinelli

Halloween is also referred to as; Hallowe'en, A jack-o'-lantern, All Hallows Eve and All Saints' Eve or Samhain.

The holiday is celebrated in several countries most commonly in; Ireland where it originated, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and in some parts of Australia. Many Latin American countries also celebrate this holiday where it is known as Noche de las Brujas (Night of the Witches). It should be noted that the holiday is celebrated mostly irrespective of religion and is mostly of a cultural nature. Irish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America in the nineteenth century. Other western countries embraced the holiday in the late twentieth century

Halloween is always on the 31st of October each year and is celebrated with some of the following activities; ghost tours, trick-or-treating, visiting "haunted houses" and fireworks (in Ireland), costume parties, bobbing for apples, carving jack-o'-lanterns, bonfires, reading scary stories and watching horror movies.

The basis of this holiday was derived from the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain. This festival was the basis for the modern holiday we know as Halloween and is based on the Old Irish samain. The Gaelic culture began the celebration of Halloween to mark the end of the harvest season known as the festival of Samhain which is regarded as the "Celtic New Year". The ancient pagans used this festival to take stock of supplies and to slaughter livestock for the winter stores. Many Ancient Gaels believed that on Halloween, then referred to only as October 31st, that the boundary between those alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead became dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals, in order to prevent these problems, would frequently include bonfires, where the bones of slaughtered livestock would be thrown. At the festivals costumes and masks were worn in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them.

Some Symbols of his holiday:

The most prominent symbol in America for this holiday is the called a jack-o'-lantern, a carved pumpkins lit by a candle inside. These lanterns, originating in Europe, were first carved from a rutabaga or turnip. The Celts, believing that the head was the most powerful part of the body containing the spirit and the knowledge, used the "head" of the vegetable to frighten off any superstitions. The name jack-o'-lantern can be traced back to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a greedy, gambling, hard-drinking old farmer who tricked the devil by carving a cross into the tree trunk which caused the devil to go to the tree and this later trapped him. In revenge for being trapped, the devil placed a curse on Jack, condemning him to forever wander the earth at night with the only light he had: a candle inside of a hollowed turnip. In North America the carving of pumpkins is associated with Halloween, where pumpkins were and still are readily available and much larger, making them easier to carve than turnips. Many American families that celebrate Halloween carve a pumpkin into a frightening or comical face and place it on their home's doorstep after dark

Particularly in America, symbolism is inspired by classic horror films, which contain fictional figures like Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and The Mummy. Elements of the autumn season, such as pumpkins and scarecrows, are also prevalent. Homes are often decorated with these types of symbols around Halloween.

In summation, Halloween costumes are inspired by the origin and history of Halloween itself and are traditionally those of monsters such as vampires, ghosts, skeletons, witches, and devils. costumes are also based on themes other than traditional horror, such as those of characters from television shows like Hannah Montana, movies and other pop culture icons. Some of the most popular costumes in recent years have been the; Hannah Montana Halloween costume, Batman Halloween costume, Indiana Jones Halloween costume, Disney Halloween costumes, Queen of hearts Halloween costume, Halloween princess costumes, sailor Halloween costume, Star Wars Halloween costumes, Snow White Halloween costume, Sponge Bob Halloween costume, Zelda Halloween costume and Miami Ink tattoo costume.

Author

Dominic Sentinelli

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Ghastly Ghost Costume

Ghost costumes are cheap and easy to make, but the standard ghost costume always bothered me because it was hard to see out of. You cut out eye holes and that's that -- but I could never see. So, when my pre-teen daughter wanted to be a ghost last year, I opted to put a spin on the standard costume so as not to obstruct her vision. Here's what I did, and the supplies:


Supplies:

• One can of black spray paint


• One can of silver hair spray


• Non-Toxic Face Paint (black and white)


• One Used up White Sheet


• Pair of Scissors


• Stapler

Instructions:

Take your white sheet and find the center. Use scissors and cut a hole for your head. Next, cut around the edges (seams) in a jagged random manner. Take the spray paint and mist is on all over the sheet in random longer strokes, making the random areas kind of grey -- and applying more to edges and neckline area to go more towards black for a dramatic effect. Paint the hair silver, apply white paint to the entire face, and black to eyes and lips. If you want to create "arms" you can put a couple staples in under the arms after it's on (not too close to your arms, keep it wide) so the costume moves with you. If you don't feel comfortable that way you can easily correct your mistakes with a staple remover. Of course, to be perfectly safe you can spray flame-retardant onto the sheet as well.

There are other ways to add spice to your ghost costume, just be creative and get the right accessories. When you are finished you will have more of a spirit-inspired ghost that appears to float through the night. A ghastly ghost indeed!

Costumes on the Cheap

It's hard to find cheap costumes and frankly I won't be spending as much money this year as I have in the past. So, I am deciding between buying at a Halloween discount store or just adding accessories to change up some costumes I already have for a fresh new look.



Really need to go cheap this year?



The Princess /turned Fairy - If your princess wants to be a fairy this year, take off any distinguishing buttons or the like, cut the bottom shorter in a jagged fashion, and add wings. There are so many many different types of fairies anymore, you just need some new accessories. You don't even have to hem the bottom. It probably won't fit next year anyway.


Ghastly Ghost - last year I took an old sheet for my pre-teen and turned it into a ghost costume ... but not regular ghost. One that appeared to really float into the night, and one that didn't obstruct vision. Very cheap and easy to create. All it takes is one can of silver hair spray, one can of black spray paint, non-toxic black and white face crayon paint, and a used up white sheet. If you have a white sheet that's seen better days... even better! See this year in your ghost costume by cutting a hole for your head this year instead of just eye holes, then cut the edges in a jagged random pattern. Paint your hair silver, your face white, and put a little black make-up on your lips and eyes. Darken up your sheet by misting it with the spray paint, and darkening the edges you've cut up and you're done. A "spirit" kind of ghost costume you can see out of.

Grow Your Body Parts - nothing's funnier than larger than life body parts. Put on some larger clothes and stuff your rear, gut and thighs as large as you please. You can take a pen and write whatever you like on your shirt if you want to spice it up with something creative. You won't have to worry about how much you eat in a costume like this either!



There are plenty of ways to save a buck when you need to. Just look in the right places and get creative.

Fun Kids Games for Halloween

With all the craziness on Halloween, it is always nice to know that there are still some super fun games for kids. Try these on for size:

1. Monster Freeze - a freeze dance game. Put on the Monster Mash song and watch the kids dance their pants off until the music stops. Then everyone freezes. Whoever moves is kicked out... last one dancing wins.
2. Bowling for Ghosts - get small pumpkins, 2 liter soda bottles, a small bag of gravel (for the bottom of the soda bottles) white spray paint, and a black permanent market. Spray the bottles white and draw scary ghost faces on them. Then, fill the bottoms with just enough gravel to add a little weight, then play a little bowling game by rolling the little pumpkins toward the ghost pins.
3. Musical Pumpkins - just like "hot potato" put on some creepy, fast-paced music and have them pass the pumpkin around until the music stops. Person holding the pumpkin is eliminated. Last one wine.
4. Halloween Picture Bingo - Create your own, or go online and find some free Halloween Bingo cards to print out. You can use candy corn or black/orange jelly beans for markers. Safe and fun game for all ages!
5. Skeleton Hunt - Take apart a fake skeleton (plastic or paper will do) and hide the body parts. Divide the kids into teams. Whichever team finds and assembles the body parts first wins.

One last thing... don't forget to have your prizes ready! You can make goodie bags, give Halloween themed toys, or have them pick their favorite candies. Whichever you choose, these games virtually guarantee your children's party success.

Top 5 Halloween Party Game Ideas

Ok, summer is over - which means it is time to get a head start on Halloween again. If you do not start thinking about things now, you may be unable to find exactly what you are looking for. Even if it is just party ideas, it is never too early to start putting together the perfect Halloween party. The following are five games you may want to consider when throwing the ultimate freak-a-boo bash:

1. Bobbing for Apples -- a "must-have" standard for any party, so why not throw in a twist? You do not have to just use a standard washtub/bucket/black cauldron and apples. Try coloring the water, or throwing in some rubber snakes, spiders, or worms. You can probably find some other gross things to throw in the tub too, like fake eyeballs and severed fingers. Surround the cauldron (safely) with a little dry ice or an Ultrasonic Water Mist maker for a spooky effect.

2. Halloween Scavenger Hunt - works for all ages, kids and adults. You pick what you want them to find. Since all neighborhoods are different, you can customize their list for the area you are in... or just send them to the local mall and have them hit up the stores for their random objects.

3. Scavenger Art Contest -- Take the items collected from the scavenger hunt and have the teams create something "freaky" from the them. Provide extra tools, like scissors, glue, etc.... and see what happens. Best creation wins.

4. Guess What This Is! -- the nastiest touch & feel game you can play. I do not know if this game has a name other than that, but that is what I call it. This game happens to be my favorite for freak-out entertainment. Here is how it goes: In advance, you get a box, which on one side you pick really nasty smelling items and place them there, then match them with something slightly less harmless to touch on the other side. The key of this game is that you are telling the teams to identify the item they touch. The trick is, you are making them smell something other than what they are touching to mess with their minds. Feel free to get very creative here. It can be extremely enjoyable to watch, and makes for great conversation later.

5. Pin the Skin on the Skeleton -- Eeew! Just like pin the tail on the donkey, but not the same game. Instead of a donkey, get a paper skeleton and put it on the wall. Mark a spot on the skeleton for the players to "re-skin". You can use flesh colored material and a push-pin, or if you really want to freak people out, buy a chicken and use real chicken skin. Blindfold them and let them try and hit the mark. Closest wins.

Whatever you choose to do this Halloween, just remember it is all about having fun. Stay safe, have a great scare, and enjoy your opportunity to disguise yourself in a costume and become someone else for a change!

Great Party Game

The best game I have ever played at Halloween is one I call "Guess What This Is!" . It can be the most fun and seriously disgusting game you could ever come across -- and it is all what you want to make it. I do not know if it is referenced by any other names, I just know that it is my absolute favorite freak-out game that I got from my mother-in-law. It is a "touch and feel" guessing game, but with a twist. Here is how the game is played:

1. Put something horribly smelly in a box. Tell them they are going to be trying to identify the items they touch, but that they get to smell it first.

2. Pair the smelly object with something that makes sense -- in the same box. For instance, my mother-in-law (yes, she really did this to her kids) put doggie doodie in a box on one side, and a ripe peeled banana on the other side. Believe me, a banana was not exactly what they thought they touched, but it is a great match for the game.

3. Blindfold the player or team, and begin. Cut a small "smell hole" on one side of the box. Hold the box up at nose level and have them sniff. Then, turn the box around, have the same player reach in and touch it and try and guess what it is. It is completely gross and one of the funniest things to watch. Do it by teams or individually, depending on your number of people.

This game is an awesome opportunity for some great laughs and disgusting Halloween fun. Whoever guesses the most items right wins. Just be sure you remember to keep the paired items straight... make sure they do not accidently touch the smelly stuff!

All About Fog...

Last year I took my kids out trick-or-treating, and honestly, one of my kids would prefer tricks to treats -- so it wasn't any surprise that they were particularly mesmerized by one particular house. The coolest house we went to had it's courtyard all fogged in. I had to have it.
So, this year I decided to check out some things to make my party and Halloween night a little more spectacular.

I am buying, not renting, a fog machine. I really had no idea they were so reasonable. They come in a variety of sizes, and if you don't like the smoky atmosphere you can also find items called Ultrasonic Mist Makers. The mist makers are low voltage mist makers that use very little water and can be plugged in almost anywhere, indoors or out.

By far, the most awesome site I've found so far to get all kinds of effects and costume stuff is at SpiritHalloween -- if you need anything at all, I recommend visiting it and checking it out.

It's time again...

There are some seriously freaky things to experience on Halloween. That is why I am here... These are my FAVORITE places to get the weirdest and freakiest Halloween Stuff around… including the innocently freaky stuff for kids.
Whether you need a costume, props, decorations, lights or anything related to Halloween –I will be checking in and posting my findings so that we can all find what we need for a fun Halloween.
All the links will be posted at left.

Have Fun!