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Safe Halloween Ideas - It's on the Weekend This Year!
By Karen ComerHalloween ideas should be a little bit scary, depending on the age of your kids, but your children should be safe.
I think that taking small children out in the cold and dark, simply to beg candy from strangers is not a very good idea. Remember the poisoned candy a few years ago? All that sugar isn't good for them anyway, and especially by the pound.
The scariest things out there are genuine weirdos, sexual predators, drunk and inattentive drivers, colds and 'flu - not to mention the chilly weather and possible rain!
So, instead of dragging your kids around the neighborhood, why don't you have their friends come over for a Halloween Party? It's a lot safer, and you can at least monitor what the little darlings are eating.
You can dye drinks with red food coloring and make cupcakes iced with black icing, decorated with the children's names written on an icing tombstone. Feed them something good (albeit disguised). At least you'll know what's in it!
Decorate the party room appropriately, and if you want to have some enormously horrible fun, host a Halloween Mystery Party!
Halloween is not far away, it will soon be September and people will start scrambling for Halloween Ideas the closer it gets.
NOW is the time to go around the thrift stores to find dresses and clothing that can be adapted into great costumes!
My local thrift store sells prom and evening dresses for less than $10. Their wedding dresses are around $20. Who cares if they are a little tattered? They make terrific Halloween costumes. With some scissors and fake blood or fabric dye, you can create a unique costume.
Look for wigs too, these can also be dyed so they will look - absolutely terrifying! Boys can wear them too (but only once a year hopefully!)
Remember, the closer we get to Halloween, the less choice there will be.
I think that taking small children out in the cold and dark, simply to beg candy from strangers is not a very good idea. Remember the poisoned candy a few years ago? All that sugar isn't good for them anyway, and especially by the pound.
The scariest things out there are genuine weirdos, sexual predators, drunk and inattentive drivers, colds and 'flu - not to mention the chilly weather and possible rain!
So, instead of dragging your kids around the neighborhood, why don't you have their friends come over for a Halloween Party? It's a lot safer, and you can at least monitor what the little darlings are eating.
You can dye drinks with red food coloring and make cupcakes iced with black icing, decorated with the children's names written on an icing tombstone. Feed them something good (albeit disguised). At least you'll know what's in it!
Decorate the party room appropriately, and if you want to have some enormously horrible fun, host a Halloween Mystery Party!
Halloween is not far away, it will soon be September and people will start scrambling for Halloween Ideas the closer it gets.
NOW is the time to go around the thrift stores to find dresses and clothing that can be adapted into great costumes!
My local thrift store sells prom and evening dresses for less than $10. Their wedding dresses are around $20. Who cares if they are a little tattered? They make terrific Halloween costumes. With some scissors and fake blood or fabric dye, you can create a unique costume.
Look for wigs too, these can also be dyed so they will look - absolutely terrifying! Boys can wear them too (but only once a year hopefully!)
Remember, the closer we get to Halloween, the less choice there will be.
Karen Comer
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Comer
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Comer
Tips on Choosing a Safe Halloween Mask For Children and Adults
By Daryl Plaza
A Halloween mask is one of the most exciting things you can have in terms of your costume. They will take your outfit to the next level and give you the ability to look just like the character you are looking to mimic. There is no messy face paint to bother with, and the costume can quickly be removed. For most people this can be a brilliant solution, especially when they have small children.
But choosing a safe Halloween mask for the holiday proves to be essential. Since the individual wearing it will be out after dark they must be able to see and breathe easily. When you follow these simple steps you can end up with a safe solution.
Eye placement is important for the mask. Many people find that when they try on different sizes they eyes can be too high or low on their face. It is important that your eyes can see directly out of the eye holes and be free from an obstructed view. If you aren't able to see to your sides safely, then the mask you are looking at isn't a good match.
In some cases, you can simply enlarge the eye sockets to allow you more room to see. Keep that in mind before you determine a mask won't work. As a rule of thumb if it fits on your nose and your eyes can see through the center of the holes, the minor expansion technique will work.
Breathing is another important part to consider during Halloween mask safety. Some masks are heavy and don't have a good amount of breathing room as they cover too much of the mouth area. When you are considering one of these masks, look at the opening in the mouth.
There should be enough room that you can breathe through the mouth piece and insert at a minimum 1 finger into your mouth. If it isn't that big, you can consider trimming the opening, or going for the next size up.
Since you will be wearing it for several hours, think about how your breathing would be in the long term rather than the minute or so you are wearing it in the store. If you find it uncomfortable or unbearable during this time, it won't change as you wear it for longer periods.
Remember that most people who design the costumes have a specific sized person in mind. They look at the average sized child for costumes targeted at an age group. Because of this, the best idea might be going to a costume shop. Here you can often find costumes that are designed for all shapes and sizes and the selection that they will offer will be greater than some of the other items that are in the general big box stores that do the generic run to fit the average need.
When you do find a mask you like, be sure you can clearly see out of the eyes and breathe through the openings. If it should come down over the ears, you will need to make sure you can hear as well. Never choose a mask for you or your child that prevents you from using any of your senses and makes you feel uncomfortable, that way you can enjoy this exciting night in comfort with a safe approach.
Eye placement is important for the mask. Many people find that when they try on different sizes they eyes can be too high or low on their face. It is important that your eyes can see directly out of the eye holes and be free from an obstructed view. If you aren't able to see to your sides safely, then the mask you are looking at isn't a good match.
In some cases, you can simply enlarge the eye sockets to allow you more room to see. Keep that in mind before you determine a mask won't work. As a rule of thumb if it fits on your nose and your eyes can see through the center of the holes, the minor expansion technique will work.
Breathing is another important part to consider during Halloween mask safety. Some masks are heavy and don't have a good amount of breathing room as they cover too much of the mouth area. When you are considering one of these masks, look at the opening in the mouth.
There should be enough room that you can breathe through the mouth piece and insert at a minimum 1 finger into your mouth. If it isn't that big, you can consider trimming the opening, or going for the next size up.
Since you will be wearing it for several hours, think about how your breathing would be in the long term rather than the minute or so you are wearing it in the store. If you find it uncomfortable or unbearable during this time, it won't change as you wear it for longer periods.
Remember that most people who design the costumes have a specific sized person in mind. They look at the average sized child for costumes targeted at an age group. Because of this, the best idea might be going to a costume shop. Here you can often find costumes that are designed for all shapes and sizes and the selection that they will offer will be greater than some of the other items that are in the general big box stores that do the generic run to fit the average need.
When you do find a mask you like, be sure you can clearly see out of the eyes and breathe through the openings. If it should come down over the ears, you will need to make sure you can hear as well. Never choose a mask for you or your child that prevents you from using any of your senses and makes you feel uncomfortable, that way you can enjoy this exciting night in comfort with a safe approach.
Spookynite.com can help you with all your Halloween Masks, Halloween decorations and all the things that you will need to create a great Halloween night of spooky tales.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daryl_Plaza
Tips For A Safe Halloween
By Sans AnjayHalloween is a wonderful festival and a custom across the nation and a time when people go wild with their sense of creativity and have fun not caring about who would say what about them. The experience starts with the tricking and treating and parents as well as kids and others of all age groups and walks of life join in the fun. But even with all the fun that is happening, it is important to know that the evening for the kids and especially the minors need to be safe.
Safety rules and decorum is important and excitement of the kids should be controlled, since they could go overboard and heaven forbid, lead to emergencies of the medical kinds. So here we are to help you with some tips on how to keep your kids and little angels safe while Halloween is being enjoyed by one and all across the nation. Don't forget that perfect timing and an excellent attitude which is determined to have all the fun at the party would be the mentality of the kiddies around. So here is what you can do to keep everything in check and not lose your mind over them at any given point of time.
Start by educating your kids on the rules of trick and treat. They should not be too greedy or even accept stuff from strangers who don't seem familiar in the neighborhood. Nor should they get into cars or onto bikes of anyone they find suspicious and promising a ride somewhere fun. Escort the young one around and never ever leave them alone, no matter what.
Be by your kids when they use their creativity and imagination for their costumes this Halloween. No one wants a costume dotted with bloodstains or children crying because of sharp needle points and razor edges of scissors. Motivate them on all steps and allow them space to use their imagination and creativity and praise them on a job well done at the end of it.
Once the walk for trick and treat is over and done with, get back home and check with the kids baskets for treats that are not safe. Sad yet true, there have been cases where people have thrown in stuff not meant for kids, and a little imagination would tell us what those items are which we wouldn't mention here. Also throw away stuff in the bag which does not come in its original wrapping.
A day before Halloween it would be nice if you could sit and talk to the little ones and educate them well with what we have discussed, so that they are well educated and informed on how to behave and who to mix with when and if in case you are not around to supervise. You sure want them to have fun and not be too worried, so don't spook them with freaky ideas or else they may actually not want to shake hands with an old lost uncle who comes to your doorstep after many years with a bag of treats.
Start by educating your kids on the rules of trick and treat. They should not be too greedy or even accept stuff from strangers who don't seem familiar in the neighborhood. Nor should they get into cars or onto bikes of anyone they find suspicious and promising a ride somewhere fun. Escort the young one around and never ever leave them alone, no matter what.
Be by your kids when they use their creativity and imagination for their costumes this Halloween. No one wants a costume dotted with bloodstains or children crying because of sharp needle points and razor edges of scissors. Motivate them on all steps and allow them space to use their imagination and creativity and praise them on a job well done at the end of it.
Once the walk for trick and treat is over and done with, get back home and check with the kids baskets for treats that are not safe. Sad yet true, there have been cases where people have thrown in stuff not meant for kids, and a little imagination would tell us what those items are which we wouldn't mention here. Also throw away stuff in the bag which does not come in its original wrapping.
A day before Halloween it would be nice if you could sit and talk to the little ones and educate them well with what we have discussed, so that they are well educated and informed on how to behave and who to mix with when and if in case you are not around to supervise. You sure want them to have fun and not be too worried, so don't spook them with freaky ideas or else they may actually not want to shake hands with an old lost uncle who comes to your doorstep after many years with a bag of treats.
Are you looking for some fun, exciting Halloween costume ideas? If so, check out these Avatar Halloween Costumes and these Lady Gaga Halloween Costumes ideas.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sans_Anjay
Some Helpful Tips for a Safe Halloween for Your Dog
Everyone loves to have fun for Halloween and sometimes we want to include our pets in our festivities, however we should be careful due to the fact our pets may possibly be "spooked" by all the noises, unusual costumes as well as visitors arriving to the front door. Halloween night has the greatest incidence regarding lost dogs, injuries from car accidents, injuries to children from dog bites and accidental pet poisonings than any other holiday. You are responsible with regard to controlling your puppy and protecting him or her from escape or biting the tiny ghouls and goblins that come knocking at your door.
Some dogs just get too excited by the frequent visitors ringing the door bell. Practice ringing the door bell with some neighbor kids so the dog can get used to the door bell. If your dog gets too excited and tries to bolt out the door, plan ahead and have a safe spot prepared in the back bedroom to house your pet until the festivities are through. Double check to make sure your dog sports his id tag or is micro-chipped in case he should bolt out the door and get lost.
Costumes could be frightening for animals, too, both on the pet or on people. Be mindful that your dog might be frightened and may make an effort to bite the stranger in the costume. Some dogs might not recognize someone with a mask or large hat, even if the dog is around that person on a regular basis, and this may confuse your dog or set off territorial instincts which can result in accidental dog bites. My personal dog Jake, didn't like the "Beast' that swallowed my son and tried his really best to yank the costume off him. We had to take our son and his costume in a bag to his pals house to change and go trick or treating. We also tried to put a costume on Jake, and he did not tolerate that well either. Some dogs love it and some puppies loathe it.
If you want to dress up your own dog for Halloween, make sure your dog is comfy at all times. Do not use any costumes that use rubber bands or can constrict circulation or breathing. Be careful for any toxic paints or dyes. You might need to dress him up several days earlier to get him used to the idea as opposed to waiting for Halloween when all the excitement is at its highest. Do not leave your pet unattended with the outfit on. He may possibly attempt to chew it off and can choke on it which may result in an obstruction inside his intestinal tract. In case your puppy is uncomfortable in any way, get a quick picture, then let him "Trick or Treat" in his "birthday suit".
When your youngster returns with their goody bag, be sure to put the treats far out of reach of your dog. Chocolate, raisins, xylitol (sugar substitute in sugarfree candy) and macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. Dogs are known to seek out the candy on tables and counters and eat all of the candy; wrappers, sticks and all. Also, watch your own treat dish. An unguarded bowl with treats is tempting to your dog. Nothing ruins a Halloween festivity than a trip to the animal emergency clinic with a sick pet.
Halloween can be enjoyable for you and your dog with a little preparation and safeguarding your dog against escape, injury to himself or others and accidental poisoning.
Some dogs just get too excited by the frequent visitors ringing the door bell. Practice ringing the door bell with some neighbor kids so the dog can get used to the door bell. If your dog gets too excited and tries to bolt out the door, plan ahead and have a safe spot prepared in the back bedroom to house your pet until the festivities are through. Double check to make sure your dog sports his id tag or is micro-chipped in case he should bolt out the door and get lost.
Costumes could be frightening for animals, too, both on the pet or on people. Be mindful that your dog might be frightened and may make an effort to bite the stranger in the costume. Some dogs might not recognize someone with a mask or large hat, even if the dog is around that person on a regular basis, and this may confuse your dog or set off territorial instincts which can result in accidental dog bites. My personal dog Jake, didn't like the "Beast' that swallowed my son and tried his really best to yank the costume off him. We had to take our son and his costume in a bag to his pals house to change and go trick or treating. We also tried to put a costume on Jake, and he did not tolerate that well either. Some dogs love it and some puppies loathe it.
If you want to dress up your own dog for Halloween, make sure your dog is comfy at all times. Do not use any costumes that use rubber bands or can constrict circulation or breathing. Be careful for any toxic paints or dyes. You might need to dress him up several days earlier to get him used to the idea as opposed to waiting for Halloween when all the excitement is at its highest. Do not leave your pet unattended with the outfit on. He may possibly attempt to chew it off and can choke on it which may result in an obstruction inside his intestinal tract. In case your puppy is uncomfortable in any way, get a quick picture, then let him "Trick or Treat" in his "birthday suit".
When your youngster returns with their goody bag, be sure to put the treats far out of reach of your dog. Chocolate, raisins, xylitol (sugar substitute in sugarfree candy) and macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. Dogs are known to seek out the candy on tables and counters and eat all of the candy; wrappers, sticks and all. Also, watch your own treat dish. An unguarded bowl with treats is tempting to your dog. Nothing ruins a Halloween festivity than a trip to the animal emergency clinic with a sick pet.
Halloween can be enjoyable for you and your dog with a little preparation and safeguarding your dog against escape, injury to himself or others and accidental poisoning.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debra_Garrison
Fun And Safe Halloween Parties For Kids
By Hoby BrennanPlanning
Make sure and involve the young people in the planning of the party. They may have as much fun with party planning, as with the actual celebration. You will spend more time with the kids, this way. All children appreciate time with their parents.
Supervision
This is an important aspect of any kid's party. How many guests do you plan to invite? What are their ages? The younger the children, the more supervisors you will need. With very young children, older kids can help to supervise. It will not interfere with their evening. Young children will not be up too late.
Ask other parents for help it you need it. You might consider a party before the actual holiday. Young children will not mind. The parents and older kids will be more likely to have free time to assist.
Favors
You can buy or make party favors. They do not have to be elaborate. You can ask the kids to assist. Treat bags are a perfect item. You may use small baggies and twist ties. You might consider tying the bags with orange and black ribbons. Simple miniature candies will work well. You may also use things like candy corn and candy pumpkins.
Party fun
Do you want to know what the kids really want to do? Ask them. Sit down and talk to the party host. Make a list of things that they want to do. If some are not possible or feasible, suggest other options. Use your imagination and ask the entire family for advice. Just because kids are young, does not mean that they cannot have good ideas.
Pumpkin hunt
This is a take off on the age old Easter egg hunt. A supervisor can hide pumpkins before the party. The kids can receive prizes for finding them. You may use candy pumpkins. You may someone cut small pumpkins from orange construction paper.
Summary
There are things that you can do to have safe and enjoyable Halloween parties. Involve the kids as much as possible. This will give you more time together. Spend time carefully planning the party. Make sure there are plenty of supervisors. Halloween party favors are easy. Treat bags will work well. Ask the kids what they want to do for activities. They may have some excellent suggestions. Work with the kids and utilize your imaginations. It will not take a lot of money. Everyone can have a good time.
Make sure and involve the young people in the planning of the party. They may have as much fun with party planning, as with the actual celebration. You will spend more time with the kids, this way. All children appreciate time with their parents.
Supervision
This is an important aspect of any kid's party. How many guests do you plan to invite? What are their ages? The younger the children, the more supervisors you will need. With very young children, older kids can help to supervise. It will not interfere with their evening. Young children will not be up too late.
Ask other parents for help it you need it. You might consider a party before the actual holiday. Young children will not mind. The parents and older kids will be more likely to have free time to assist.
Favors
You can buy or make party favors. They do not have to be elaborate. You can ask the kids to assist. Treat bags are a perfect item. You may use small baggies and twist ties. You might consider tying the bags with orange and black ribbons. Simple miniature candies will work well. You may also use things like candy corn and candy pumpkins.
Party fun
Do you want to know what the kids really want to do? Ask them. Sit down and talk to the party host. Make a list of things that they want to do. If some are not possible or feasible, suggest other options. Use your imagination and ask the entire family for advice. Just because kids are young, does not mean that they cannot have good ideas.
Pumpkin hunt
This is a take off on the age old Easter egg hunt. A supervisor can hide pumpkins before the party. The kids can receive prizes for finding them. You may use candy pumpkins. You may someone cut small pumpkins from orange construction paper.
Summary
There are things that you can do to have safe and enjoyable Halloween parties. Involve the kids as much as possible. This will give you more time together. Spend time carefully planning the party. Make sure there are plenty of supervisors. Halloween party favors are easy. Treat bags will work well. Ask the kids what they want to do for activities. They may have some excellent suggestions. Work with the kids and utilize your imaginations. It will not take a lot of money. Everyone can have a good time.
Hoby B. is an advocate for helping consumers find deals online and make informed purchasing decisions like finding the best information on great products like how to Purchase Halloween Costumes and great info on a Nightwing Mask as well.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hoby_Brennan
Safe Halloween Costume ideas
Maybe you have always wanted to be Spider Man, or a Pokemon, or maybe still, you have always wanted to sling Wonder Woman's lasso. Whatever crazy alter ego you may have lined up for this Halloween make sure of one thing: It's a safe Halloween costume idea.A few pointers when thinking about your costume and coming up with safe Halloween costume ideas are these. First, make sure that the costume does not drag on the ground. It would be easy to trip or have someone step on a cape or gown causing an accident. Secondly, make sure that if a mask is worn that the eyeholes are large enough to allow for clear vision. Third, when thinking about safe Halloween costume ideas keep in mind what requirements are needed to stay safe: clear vision, being able to walk easily without tripping on garments, and making sure that there is adequate ventilation in order to breathe within the costume. These are just a few safe Halloween costume ideas.
Okay, so now you have your safe Halloween costume idea. Great! Now comes the time to consider what you should do with that idea. Here are a few things you may want to keep in mind while constructing or going out to buy, a safe Halloween costume.
1. Make sure you can be seen. One safe Halloween costume idea is to put reflective tape on the costume. For example: if your daughter wants to go as a pretty princess, make a tiara that reflects light our use a sash with stars cut out of reflective tape.
2. Choose a costume that is flame retardant. Many people have pumpkins with candles stuffed inside.
3. If using face paint make sure it is nontoxic and hypoallergenic.
4. If you just have to have that super long sword or axe, make sure it is made of a flexible material. Another safe Halloween costume idea is to make these items out of foam and wrap them in tape. This will make them stiff yet they will bend if you should fall on it.
So have fun this Halloween season. Just remember that when designing your costumes that you use some of the safe Halloween costume ideas. It will help ensure that you and your family stay safe and have a wonderful time.
Okay, so now you have your safe Halloween costume idea. Great! Now comes the time to consider what you should do with that idea. Here are a few things you may want to keep in mind while constructing or going out to buy, a safe Halloween costume.
1. Make sure you can be seen. One safe Halloween costume idea is to put reflective tape on the costume. For example: if your daughter wants to go as a pretty princess, make a tiara that reflects light our use a sash with stars cut out of reflective tape.
2. Choose a costume that is flame retardant. Many people have pumpkins with candles stuffed inside.
3. If using face paint make sure it is nontoxic and hypoallergenic.
4. If you just have to have that super long sword or axe, make sure it is made of a flexible material. Another safe Halloween costume idea is to make these items out of foam and wrap them in tape. This will make them stiff yet they will bend if you should fall on it.
So have fun this Halloween season. Just remember that when designing your costumes that you use some of the safe Halloween costume ideas. It will help ensure that you and your family stay safe and have a wonderful time.
Many families are choosing to hold a Halloween party for their kids instead of having a night of Trick or Treating. A fun Halloween party with their friends can mean an evening of games and entertainment instead of one with endless candy and a stomach ache. Planning a (gently) Scary and safe Halloween party is a Trick that every parent can do on Halloween night, it just takes a little planning and preparation.
1. Make it Age Appropriate. What could be a good "boo" to a ten year old could be absolutely terrifying to a six year old. Keep not only your child's age, but the age of the guests in mind when planning the party. Just shutting out the lights for many under ten year olds can be spooky enough, and then when you add some sound effects - that's scary!
2. Keep the Fear Factor Low. Even if your child can watch horror movies the entire way through, chances are that some of his or her friends are a bit more nervous about scary and spooky things. Make the scary side of Halloween more goofy and silly than truly scary and you'll have the kids laughing their way through the party. If a child gets truly frightened, take them aside or into part of the house where the party is not happening and then make the decision if their parents need to be called to come get them.
3. Give Party Games a Twist. If you feel bogged down planning this party, think of what you would do if you were planning your son or daughter's birthday party. You would have food, and play games and entertain children. It is exactly the same type of party - just a little spookier. Give the traditional party games a twist and the kids will have a lot of fun. Play musical chairs to spooky music. Have a scavenger hunt through the house and make the house look spooky like a haunted house, most kids would find that spooky and scary.
4. Have a Costume Contest. One fun idea is to throw a costume contest for the kids. You can have the kids judge each other by applause, the kid who gets the most applause wins. Give them a small Halloween themed prize.
5. Tell Ghost Stories. What would a scary Halloween party be without ghost stories? Tell a ghost story and then encourage the children to make up ghost stories. Hold a flashlight under their chin in a darkened room and then tell the story. The silliest or scariest ghost story wins.
6. Decorate with the Scare Factor. You can easily decorate the party area with the "scare factor" in mind. Start by dimming the lights in parts of the room or your home. Cut out figures in black construction paper and tape them in the windows to create shadows. You can also create a ghost from a sheet and hang them from the ceiling. Get fake spider webs and hang them everywhere. Get electric or battery operated candles and place them at the windows. The most essential element for this atmosphere is the spooky music.
7. Play it Safe. Every party should be safe. Keep an eye out for those mischief makers who are interested in causing trouble, either by scaring the frightened kids or by going through the neighborhood to do some type of prank (Halloween or the evening before is the classic time for pranks). Look out for the use of alcohol and drugs, watch for the classic signs of disoriented kids and exaggerated behavior and reddened eyes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_Costas 2. Keep the Fear Factor Low. Even if your child can watch horror movies the entire way through, chances are that some of his or her friends are a bit more nervous about scary and spooky things. Make the scary side of Halloween more goofy and silly than truly scary and you'll have the kids laughing their way through the party. If a child gets truly frightened, take them aside or into part of the house where the party is not happening and then make the decision if their parents need to be called to come get them.
3. Give Party Games a Twist. If you feel bogged down planning this party, think of what you would do if you were planning your son or daughter's birthday party. You would have food, and play games and entertain children. It is exactly the same type of party - just a little spookier. Give the traditional party games a twist and the kids will have a lot of fun. Play musical chairs to spooky music. Have a scavenger hunt through the house and make the house look spooky like a haunted house, most kids would find that spooky and scary.
4. Have a Costume Contest. One fun idea is to throw a costume contest for the kids. You can have the kids judge each other by applause, the kid who gets the most applause wins. Give them a small Halloween themed prize.
5. Tell Ghost Stories. What would a scary Halloween party be without ghost stories? Tell a ghost story and then encourage the children to make up ghost stories. Hold a flashlight under their chin in a darkened room and then tell the story. The silliest or scariest ghost story wins.
6. Decorate with the Scare Factor. You can easily decorate the party area with the "scare factor" in mind. Start by dimming the lights in parts of the room or your home. Cut out figures in black construction paper and tape them in the windows to create shadows. You can also create a ghost from a sheet and hang them from the ceiling. Get fake spider webs and hang them everywhere. Get electric or battery operated candles and place them at the windows. The most essential element for this atmosphere is the spooky music.
7. Play it Safe. Every party should be safe. Keep an eye out for those mischief makers who are interested in causing trouble, either by scaring the frightened kids or by going through the neighborhood to do some type of prank (Halloween or the evening before is the classic time for pranks). Look out for the use of alcohol and drugs, watch for the classic signs of disoriented kids and exaggerated behavior and reddened eyes.
Great Tips For Having a Safe Halloween This Year
By Stephanie BrodjyckThe majority of us are taught or teach ourselves to accentuate the positives and eliminate the negatives in life. Just imagine! When we eliminate ALL negatives, then there will only be positives left! Anyway, sometimes it's best to focus our attention on what not to do, on what to avoid, in order to reduce or avoid the negatives.
If you really want to have a safe Halloween there are 5 things that you really will probably need to avoid. We are going to deal with what things to avoid, why should you avoid it and make suggestions about what you should do as an alternative.
With that preamble then, listed here are the 5 things you will need to avoid:
1. Wear dangerous costumes. The reason you ought not do this is the costume should be fire proof and have eye holes large enough to see out of. A better alternative would be to be a professional costume from an online vendor rather than try to make your own.
2. Putting candles too close. The reason why you will want to do this is because you wouldn't want anything to catch alight. Alternatively, it could be better if you simply made sure the candles or jack o lanterns were far enough away from traffic or anything that might catch fire..
3. Not knowing where you or your children are going. It's clear this will probably be the most obvious rule to keep but it's easy to get caught up in the excitement. And what you need to do instead is make plans before Halloween begins so you know where your children will be at all times.
4. Overstep the boundaries of trick or treating. The reasoning this is a bad idea is you need to draw a line between tricks and vandalism. Practical jokes for a bit of fun are ok but not damaging property. Instead you really should make sure any tricks are light hearted and you know the people will not be offended.
5. Leaving sharp instruments out. In the short-run this is sometimes a temptation to do this but in the long-run it's better to pack everything away, especially if you are carving pumpkins. Alternatively, try to try to remember that kids love to pick things up so any sharp objects need to be out of reach.
Be certain to avoid all 5 of the things mentioned and your chances to have a safe Halloween are going to be greatly improved. Follow the alternatives mentioned, or just about any positive action you would like. But at all cost avoid these mistakes.
Looking for Halloween costumes? Find the best costumes our web site product.
10 Steps For Planning A Halloween Party - Creative And Creepy Halloween Ideas For Revelers Of All Ag
By Daryl Plaza
The sky is darkening. You feel a chill and ghostly horrors in the air as the moon shines brightly on this cloudless night. It is the last night of October, October 31st. It is officially Halloween night and you have decided to have a hauntingly exciting Halloween party. How ghoulishly delightful! But where do you start in planning your Halloween holiday celebration. Here are 10 steps to help you in planning a great Halloween Party that will have all those ghosts, wicked witches and grim goblins screaming with delight.
Step 1: Halloween Party Kickoff: Think about who the party is for - for you or your children? An adult Halloween party will be quite different from a children's Halloween party when it comes to planning the Halloween theme of the party, Halloween decorations, Halloween recipes and beverages. Adults and older children usually love to be frightened, but that is not the same for smaller children. So when planning your event keep the ages of your guests in mind. Once you have that figured out, now it is time to pick the date, time and place of your Halloween party. And don't forget the guest list.
Step 2: Halloween invitations: This is where you can have fun and set the mood of your unforgettable night of horror chills and thrills by sending out unique and spookily inviting Halloween party invitations. You can purchase them or make some yourself with some construction paper and some glitter markers, or how about buying some inexpensive Halloween paper eye masks and writing the words on the back. Include all the important information such as date, time, place and a request for RSVP to your Halloween party.
Step 3: Halloween party food and recipes: now the party would not be a party without a lot of great Halloween munchies. Plan a menu and write out your shopping list. Try to do as much in advance as possible, and try to pick Halloween recipes that can be made ahead and stored or frozen. And again, think of the ages of your guests - there are a lot of fun Halloween foods for both kids and adults. Here might be the place to use up some of those Halloween pumpkin guts.
Step 4:Haunted Halloween Pumpkins: plan to buy your pumpkins early to get the best selection. By selecting a variety of shapes and sizes of pumpkins, you will be able to make a variety of interesting jack-o-lanterns ghosts. And don't forget about those miniature pumpkins, they can make great party favors or Halloween decorations also. And the day before the party, carve your pumpkins and double check you have enough candles or use small flashlights to show off their ghostly grins.
Step 5: Halloween Costumes: there is always something exciting about putting on a Halloween costume and taking on another identity. So prepare yourself and your families Halloween party costumes in advance so that you don't have to run around in a panic trying to put something together at the last minute. It is easy to find a lot of great Halloween costume ideas that will not cost a lot of money or time.
Step 6: Halloween Party Games or Activities: Halloween games and craft activities are especially popular for younger Halloween party guests, but this does not mean that adults would not enjoy the fun of Halloween games and showing off their ghostly talents. So think about what Halloween activities your guests would be interested in and gather all the materials you need in advance. Also be sure to have some extra Halloween activities incase a game that you are expecting to take 45 minutes only lasts for 20. And do not forget the Halloween prizes, these can be easily and inexpensively assembled by a quick trip to your local novelty or dollar store or ordered online to be delivered straight to your door.
Step 7: Halloween music and sounds: there is no time then the present to start thinking about what kind of Halloween music you want at your Halloween party celebration. Are you looking for some fun party songs for dancing music, or hauntingly spooky background ghost music for a dinner party, or a collection of sing-a-longs for the kids. Also, you might want to incorporate some Halloween special effects outside with spooky horror sounds as your guests walk up to the front door. There are a lot of special music tapes or CD's available to purchase, or if your try making one on your own - it could be almost as much fun as the Halloween party itself.
Step 8:Halloween Party Favors: party favors add an extra treat of fun to any Halloween party and are a wonderful addition as a Halloween treat for each guest or something they can take home. They do not need to be elaborate Party Favors or costly and can range from a small plastic toy to a homemade individual bundle of snack mix wrapped in Halloween decoration style.
Step 9: Halloween Decorations: decorations for your front yard and house for Halloween can be a lot of fun and again does not need to be costly. You can get a lot of great eerie Halloween effects by experimenting with some horror lighting placed around your indoor and outdoor Halloween decorations. And adding in some Halloween music or ghost sounds can make some of your Halloween decorations come to life.
Step 10: Party Guests Arrival: today is the day - Halloween party Night, and your guests are about to arrive. Have a quick look around to see if all is in order and that your house is a safe setting. Keep a porch light on so everyone sees any steps or other obstacles, and make sure all your guests have a way back home after the Halloween festivities come to an end.
Final note: Remember that your Halloween party does not need to be elaborate, the main component of a great Halloween party are a few willing participants that want to have fun, a few simple Halloween decorations and props, toss in some spooky music and ghost sounds, and definitely the Halloween food - and you will have a smashingly and howling Halloween Party. So when the party starts, enjoy yourself! It will be a spookily great time.
Step 1: Halloween Party Kickoff: Think about who the party is for - for you or your children? An adult Halloween party will be quite different from a children's Halloween party when it comes to planning the Halloween theme of the party, Halloween decorations, Halloween recipes and beverages. Adults and older children usually love to be frightened, but that is not the same for smaller children. So when planning your event keep the ages of your guests in mind. Once you have that figured out, now it is time to pick the date, time and place of your Halloween party. And don't forget the guest list.
Step 2: Halloween invitations: This is where you can have fun and set the mood of your unforgettable night of horror chills and thrills by sending out unique and spookily inviting Halloween party invitations. You can purchase them or make some yourself with some construction paper and some glitter markers, or how about buying some inexpensive Halloween paper eye masks and writing the words on the back. Include all the important information such as date, time, place and a request for RSVP to your Halloween party.
Step 3: Halloween party food and recipes: now the party would not be a party without a lot of great Halloween munchies. Plan a menu and write out your shopping list. Try to do as much in advance as possible, and try to pick Halloween recipes that can be made ahead and stored or frozen. And again, think of the ages of your guests - there are a lot of fun Halloween foods for both kids and adults. Here might be the place to use up some of those Halloween pumpkin guts.
Step 4:Haunted Halloween Pumpkins: plan to buy your pumpkins early to get the best selection. By selecting a variety of shapes and sizes of pumpkins, you will be able to make a variety of interesting jack-o-lanterns ghosts. And don't forget about those miniature pumpkins, they can make great party favors or Halloween decorations also. And the day before the party, carve your pumpkins and double check you have enough candles or use small flashlights to show off their ghostly grins.
Step 5: Halloween Costumes: there is always something exciting about putting on a Halloween costume and taking on another identity. So prepare yourself and your families Halloween party costumes in advance so that you don't have to run around in a panic trying to put something together at the last minute. It is easy to find a lot of great Halloween costume ideas that will not cost a lot of money or time.
Step 6: Halloween Party Games or Activities: Halloween games and craft activities are especially popular for younger Halloween party guests, but this does not mean that adults would not enjoy the fun of Halloween games and showing off their ghostly talents. So think about what Halloween activities your guests would be interested in and gather all the materials you need in advance. Also be sure to have some extra Halloween activities incase a game that you are expecting to take 45 minutes only lasts for 20. And do not forget the Halloween prizes, these can be easily and inexpensively assembled by a quick trip to your local novelty or dollar store or ordered online to be delivered straight to your door.
Step 7: Halloween music and sounds: there is no time then the present to start thinking about what kind of Halloween music you want at your Halloween party celebration. Are you looking for some fun party songs for dancing music, or hauntingly spooky background ghost music for a dinner party, or a collection of sing-a-longs for the kids. Also, you might want to incorporate some Halloween special effects outside with spooky horror sounds as your guests walk up to the front door. There are a lot of special music tapes or CD's available to purchase, or if your try making one on your own - it could be almost as much fun as the Halloween party itself.
Step 8:Halloween Party Favors: party favors add an extra treat of fun to any Halloween party and are a wonderful addition as a Halloween treat for each guest or something they can take home. They do not need to be elaborate Party Favors or costly and can range from a small plastic toy to a homemade individual bundle of snack mix wrapped in Halloween decoration style.
Step 9: Halloween Decorations: decorations for your front yard and house for Halloween can be a lot of fun and again does not need to be costly. You can get a lot of great eerie Halloween effects by experimenting with some horror lighting placed around your indoor and outdoor Halloween decorations. And adding in some Halloween music or ghost sounds can make some of your Halloween decorations come to life.
Step 10: Party Guests Arrival: today is the day - Halloween party Night, and your guests are about to arrive. Have a quick look around to see if all is in order and that your house is a safe setting. Keep a porch light on so everyone sees any steps or other obstacles, and make sure all your guests have a way back home after the Halloween festivities come to an end.
Final note: Remember that your Halloween party does not need to be elaborate, the main component of a great Halloween party are a few willing participants that want to have fun, a few simple Halloween decorations and props, toss in some spooky music and ghost sounds, and definitely the Halloween food - and you will have a smashingly and howling Halloween Party. So when the party starts, enjoy yourself! It will be a spookily great time.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daryl_Plaza
Safe Halloween Contacts - Things you Should Know About Costume Lenses Safety
By Tanya TurnerAre you thinking about adding Halloween contact lenses to your costume, but not sure if they are safe? Recently there have been several FDA warnings about dangers of costume lenses. But the lenses themselves are not to blame; some people just don't follow doctor's instructions on wearing contacts and caring for them. Here are 7 simple rules you should follow to enjoy your special effect contacts the safe way.
1. Get doctor's prescription for your Halloween lenses
Some people think that if they don't need vision correction, they can just select the lenses they like and order online. Unfortunately, it is not this simple. All contact lenses, including cosmetic ones are considered medical devices and should be properly fitted by an eye care professional. It might sound like a hassle, but trust me, low quality contacts or lenses that don't fit properly will feel awful in your eyes. They may look pretty, but you won't enjoy the party much, not to mention that sometimes wearing contacts that don't fit can cause eye problems.
The doctor will suggest you high quality contacts that will suit your eyes. Wild Eyes and Crazy Lenses are most commonly prescribed. After getting your prescription, get online and order your lenses from a reputable online contact lens retailer. They have an amazing range of styles and colors - Cat eye, Alien, Hypnotica, Blackout and Whiteout, Red Vampire, Wolf, Bloodshot and Zombie eyes are only a few to mention. Ordering contacts online will save you a lot, comparable to the price doctors charge for contact lenses. Costume shop or a flee market, however, is not a safe place to buy special effect contacts.
2. Don't share your costume contacts with anybody
Shearing contacts is probably the main source for eye problems contact lens wearers experience. If your friend has contacts that are perfect for your costume it is very tempting simply to borrow them, instead of buying your own. However, contact lenses are not a dress or jewelry, and never should be shared. First, lenses that fit someone else probably wouldn't fit you, and, second, another person can have an eye infection. And don't give your contacts to anybody to try on, explain that it can hurt their eyes as well as yours.
3. Never wear your lenses for longer than 8 hours
Halloween contacts are thicker than ordinary contact lenses because of the layer of paint. And the thicker the lens is, the less oxygen it lets through. Human eye needs oxygen to function properly - this is the reason any contact lenses should not be left in your eyes for too long. The safe bet with quality costume contact lenses is 6 - 8 hours.
Also, you should never sleep in your contacts - if you do, your eyes will feel terribly dry and sore in the morning. So, no matter how tired you are after the party, take your contacts out.
4. Take proper care of your contacts
The easiest way to care for costume contact lenses is with multipurpose solution, which is available from any chemist shop. You can use it for cleaning and storing your lenses. After taking your contacts out, rinse them with solution (never use tap water) and place them in the case. If you don't wear your contacts often, change the solution once in a while and store your lenses in the fridge.
You should never wear contacts for longer than their expected lifespan. Disposable costume contacts like monthly Crazy Lenses are only good for a month. Most special effect lenses last up to a year after opening, with proper care. Unopened box is good for 5-6 years.
5. Close your eyes when using perfume or hair spray
This rule applies to all contact lenses - sprays can irritate your eyes. Face make up should be applied after your contacts are already in. Be careful of the eye area, so cosmetic doesn't get into your eyes
6. If your eyes feel irritated take the lenses out immediately
There can be two possible causes - the lens is damaged, or something got stuck under it. When getting ready for a party take your lens case and a small bottle of solution with you just in case. If the lens hurts your eye, take it out and inspect it. If it is torn, you will have to throw it away, there is no repair and a damaged lens can seriously harm your eye. If the lens looks alright, just rinse it and put it back in. It should feel fine after rinsing.
7. Wear your Halloween contact lenses before the party
Quality special effect contacts are comfortable to wear. However, if you are not accustomed to wearing contact lenses, it is a good idea to try your new costume lenses before the party, just like you would try new shoes. Several days in advance put them in first for a couple hours, then longer and longer. This way your eyes will get used to the lenses and you will feel no discomfort during the party.
As you see, with certain care wearing Halloween contacts can be very pleasant and problem free. Same safety rules apply to all color contact lenses. Enjoy your new look!
1. Get doctor's prescription for your Halloween lenses
Some people think that if they don't need vision correction, they can just select the lenses they like and order online. Unfortunately, it is not this simple. All contact lenses, including cosmetic ones are considered medical devices and should be properly fitted by an eye care professional. It might sound like a hassle, but trust me, low quality contacts or lenses that don't fit properly will feel awful in your eyes. They may look pretty, but you won't enjoy the party much, not to mention that sometimes wearing contacts that don't fit can cause eye problems.
The doctor will suggest you high quality contacts that will suit your eyes. Wild Eyes and Crazy Lenses are most commonly prescribed. After getting your prescription, get online and order your lenses from a reputable online contact lens retailer. They have an amazing range of styles and colors - Cat eye, Alien, Hypnotica, Blackout and Whiteout, Red Vampire, Wolf, Bloodshot and Zombie eyes are only a few to mention. Ordering contacts online will save you a lot, comparable to the price doctors charge for contact lenses. Costume shop or a flee market, however, is not a safe place to buy special effect contacts.
2. Don't share your costume contacts with anybody
Shearing contacts is probably the main source for eye problems contact lens wearers experience. If your friend has contacts that are perfect for your costume it is very tempting simply to borrow them, instead of buying your own. However, contact lenses are not a dress or jewelry, and never should be shared. First, lenses that fit someone else probably wouldn't fit you, and, second, another person can have an eye infection. And don't give your contacts to anybody to try on, explain that it can hurt their eyes as well as yours.
3. Never wear your lenses for longer than 8 hours
Halloween contacts are thicker than ordinary contact lenses because of the layer of paint. And the thicker the lens is, the less oxygen it lets through. Human eye needs oxygen to function properly - this is the reason any contact lenses should not be left in your eyes for too long. The safe bet with quality costume contact lenses is 6 - 8 hours.
Also, you should never sleep in your contacts - if you do, your eyes will feel terribly dry and sore in the morning. So, no matter how tired you are after the party, take your contacts out.
4. Take proper care of your contacts
The easiest way to care for costume contact lenses is with multipurpose solution, which is available from any chemist shop. You can use it for cleaning and storing your lenses. After taking your contacts out, rinse them with solution (never use tap water) and place them in the case. If you don't wear your contacts often, change the solution once in a while and store your lenses in the fridge.
You should never wear contacts for longer than their expected lifespan. Disposable costume contacts like monthly Crazy Lenses are only good for a month. Most special effect lenses last up to a year after opening, with proper care. Unopened box is good for 5-6 years.
5. Close your eyes when using perfume or hair spray
This rule applies to all contact lenses - sprays can irritate your eyes. Face make up should be applied after your contacts are already in. Be careful of the eye area, so cosmetic doesn't get into your eyes
6. If your eyes feel irritated take the lenses out immediately
There can be two possible causes - the lens is damaged, or something got stuck under it. When getting ready for a party take your lens case and a small bottle of solution with you just in case. If the lens hurts your eye, take it out and inspect it. If it is torn, you will have to throw it away, there is no repair and a damaged lens can seriously harm your eye. If the lens looks alright, just rinse it and put it back in. It should feel fine after rinsing.
7. Wear your Halloween contact lenses before the party
Quality special effect contacts are comfortable to wear. However, if you are not accustomed to wearing contact lenses, it is a good idea to try your new costume lenses before the party, just like you would try new shoes. Several days in advance put them in first for a couple hours, then longer and longer. This way your eyes will get used to the lenses and you will feel no discomfort during the party.
As you see, with certain care wearing Halloween contacts can be very pleasant and problem free. Same safety rules apply to all color contact lenses. Enjoy your new look!
