Halloween News

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and sparked by witnessing the changeover of a store window from Halloween to Christmas decorations, Burton set off to spin a Seussian tale of his own, but with a macabre twist that could only come from his mind. The Nightmare Before Christmas is the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King and leader of Halloween Town who has grown bored with leading the same holiday year after year. There is but one hole in the plot and that is the obligatory love story subplot between Jack and Sally, which happens too quickly and without just cause, as Sally almost immediately begins daydreaming about Jack, but it’s a minor flaw in an otherwise solid story. Despite his making a hash of the holiday and conspiring to kidnap Santa, Jack never wants to squash Christmas, he only wants to experience the wonderment of it and break out of the doldrums of his own life. In this “making-of”, much information can be garnered about the painstaking process and effort over the course of 3 years that went into making Nightmare the marvel that it is. Halloween Town — Still galleries of character design sketches and concept art plus some brief animation tests with audio commentaries by the director for the characters and scenery that populate Halloween Town in the film. More Halloween News

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Dressing up in costumes is popular with everyone, regardless of age. Young children might want to dress as an animal or ghost for a trick or treat outing. Adults and teens also enjoy costume parties. If you are going to a party in a group, it is a lot of fun to dress up as members of a well-known band. Depending on how many men and women there are in your group and the total number, there are various bands to go for. One great idea is to wear ABBA costumes. You might think it is difficult to get ABBA costumes and go to a fancy dress party as this well-known Swedish band, but it is easier than you might think.

If there are just two girls in your group, you might want to go as Anni-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad and Agnetha Falkskog. Bjorn Ulvaues and Benny Andersson, the male half of the band, would suit two guys going to a costume party. If you are going to the party alone, you might want to find a solo singer but choose wisely - an Elvis costume covered in sparkles and sequins won’t be the easiest costume to create!

If you aren’t worried about money and you have plenty of time, you could hire a seamstress to sew your ABBA costumes for you. However, this can be very expensive and nothing like as much fun as making your own ABBA costumes!

However, if time is not an issue, you will find that making your own ABBA costumes is a very rewarding and fun activity. To make your ABBA costumes, you have to know how to make, follow, and sew patterns into clothing. This will represent the type of clothing that ABBA wore. It is also a good idea to find a specific material that matches the bands. You should also measure each person who is going to be dressing up in an ABBA costume so that the costume does not turn out to be too big or too small. ABBA costumes can be quickly thrown together from items that are found in your local stores. You don’t have to buy new items that you will never use again. Buying new things is the worst way to make an ABBA costume. It is best to be unique.

Thrift shopping at stores such as Goodwill will keep your costs down. Many different things can be found there. Old styles of clothing are often found that can be used for costumes. Many times ABBA costumes can easily be put together from just finding the clothes, buying, washing, and wearing them together. It is a great thing when this happens.This is not always the case. The great part about thrift shopping is that the clothes are cheap. There is no guilt in actually making adjustments to them or actually cutting them to make them look like completely new items.

The plain clothes that are worn are very easy to imitate. Sometimes things such as vests and headbands need to be made. The harder costumes are the shiny ones. However, often times there are 70s clothing or disco costume items at thrift shops. It is important to look in different areas rather than just the normal clothing to find what can be made into new clothes. It is also important to look at children’s and baby clothes because these things can often be cut and made into new items such as headbands and wrist bands. The colors found there are often the ones that are needed. If not, these things can be dyed or drawn on to make what is needed.

You will need to think about a dye or wig for your hair. ABBA costumes use natural hair colors so a wig might be easier, especially if your hair has been lightened or is porous, meaning a rinse-out dye might not rinse out immediately!

The hardest part of an ABBA costume is probably getting the correct platform shoes. Many months before the costumes are going to be worn, checking for the right style shoes needs to happen whenever out running errands or having fun. The most important thing to remember when creating ABBA costumes is to make the process fun! Now go out and disco tonight to “Waterloo”, “Super Trooper” or “The Winner Takes It All

Now you’ll blindfold each of the kids one at a time, spin them around a few times and send each of them to pick an apple from the tree. If you’re working with younger kids, you might want to divide the group into pairs and pass out only one roll of toilet paper to each set. The idea is to wrap one of the team members like a mummy using all of the toilet paper. Halloween Invitations Cards to younger kids who won’t be self-conscious about getting dirty and making fools of themselves in front of their friends if you want to play this game. More Halloween News

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If you’re going to have a great Halloween, you’ll want to have a theme in mind. Are you thinking of something glamorous? Scary? Sexy? You might even be planning to go to more than one party, and want a different type of costume for each one.

If there’s a party at your office, a sexy, glamorous outfit may not be the best fit. At the same time, you might want to be a little less subdued at your best friend’s bash.

Once you’ve decided on what kind of theme(s) you want, a good costume shop will be your best bet for pulling it together.

Are you going to buy a costume or rent one? You probably won’t want to wear the same costume year after year, so you might be leaning towards a rental but you can buy costumes at reasonable prices these days - especially on the internet - so even if you only wear it this year it might still pay off.

Impressive costumes really always come down to the small details. If you’re hoping that people won’t recognize you when you arrive at the party, the details are critical.

A spooky monster mask might create a decent illusion, but spending the time and effort to use real theatrical makeup will make the illusion at lot more effective. With a little extra effort, nobody will be able to recognize you.

When you’re out looking (or online surfing) for the perfect costume, spend the time to find a costume shop that has everything you need. Don’t settle for a shop that doesn’t really have what you’re looking for, or doesn’t have it all.

You’ll want to choose a shop that not only offers the costume itself, but all the makeup and other accessories you want to complete your disguise. Going the extra distance will make for a more complete costume, and you’ll be a lot happier with the results.

Stroll up and down the aisles of Halloween costumes and you’ll spot a wide variety of masks. Along with pumpkins and candy, Halloween masks play a big part in the holiday, but some folks don’t like to wear them. Before chosing your next costume, think of the pros and cons of wearing a mask.

A mask hides who you are better than anything else. It’s up to you how important that is. Masks can cover your face and head. Or they can hide only one part of your face. But when you wear any mask it’s more tricky to tell who you are. Painting your face is another way to disguise yourself but not as well as a mask.

Masks are simple to use. Face painting takes some skill and the paint might need touching up during the evening. With a mask you simply put it on and off you go. And even if you don’t have a fancy costume, you can put on a mask and a black outfit and you’re ready. Masks can be the cheapest costume you buy.

Of course there are some dangers to wearing a mask. Not wearing a mask properly can lead to problems. Check that you can breathe clearly through both your mouth and nose, and that you it doesn’t cover your eyes. Try on the mask and make sure it’s right for you. And of course, take it off when driving to be on the safe side.

Another disadvantage of masks is that they can be rather hot. If you’ll be outside and you live in a colder environment, the heat of the mask may not be an issue to you, but if you’ll be attending a party where you expect to be crowded into an area with lots of other people, wearing a hot mask can be uncomfortable. Make sure that you don’t overheat, removing your mask from time to time when you need to get some fresh air, and always drink plenty of water. In this respect, face painting or not covering your face at all can be a huge advantage.

Finally, masks can cost a lot. Elaborate masks can be expensive even if it is the only part of your costume. Don’t forget you can create great Halloween costumes from your closet without spending a penny. But if you do want to wear a mask, make sure you set aside some money for it in your Halloween budget.

Mask aren’t for everyone. You may find a great mask but if you’re concerned about safety or comfort wear it only for brief amounts of time. Remember, spooky masks make great decorations too. Halloween masks are fun but remember to be safe.

Halloween is a fun time for most, but not necessarily so for animals. There are several things to consider for this holiday to keep your pets safe and healthy. I’m sure you’ve heard all the horror stories about the latest batch of Satanists or witches who find that Halloween is the perfect time to do a little sacrificial action. Unfortunately, this is all too true and every year some unsuspecting black cat is a victim of this kind of activity. Let’s look at some guidelines to help keep Fluffy out of harm’s way!

* If you have a black cat, keep him or her very secure in the house for the entire holiday, and preferably the days leading up to it. Many pet stores and animal shelters refuse to sell or deliver black cats during the month of October, much to their credit. Just to be on the safe side, it’s not just black cats that have been victimized. A word to the wise…

* Dogs also should be cooped up. If not allowed to be inside, at least keep them far away from the action, as they can easily become excited and run after trick-or-treaters, causing many scenarios you’d rather not deal with. Keep them away from the front yard fences, as kids in strange costumes will actually get them very agitated and may try and provoke them further.

* If you decide that your dog or cat (or other animal) is to be part of the proceedings, then keep in mind that some animals like to get dressed up; some don’t. You’ll know the difference very quickly. Also, remember that pets have tails that they don’t always monitor so well. These can get involved with any lit candles you have out or come across, so beware.

* Be very aware of the kids treats that your pets will want to ingest. Chocolate is very toxic to dogs and cats, and the wrapping they come in won’t do them any good either. No matter how nicely they sit up and beg, don’t give in!

* Make sure your animal has a current ID. If you open the door and he darts out into the night, it’ll make it easier on someone who finds him to give you a call.

* If you have a party at your home, make sure the pets aren’t invited. Put them in a secure room or some other place. All these strange sights will only cause them confusion, and someone may end up getting bitten. Better safe than sorry.

* If you choose not to heed the above, and someone tries to give your pet some holiday cheer, kindly ask them to leave the party. Alcohol and animals don’t mix well; it can kill them, so it’s altogether a better decision to lose a friend for the night than an animal forever.

Halloween can be a night of great fun, but not for pets. Make sure you do what you can to safeguard your pets for another day!

Ballard’s, for example, looked at last year’s trend and discovered that people were browsing for Halloween merchandise as early as July - and when they didn’t find what they were looking for, they looked elsewhere, says a Ballards rep ( via Brandweek). This year, the company began planning in January, and launched its catalog of Halloween products earlier in August than it had in previous years. But as shoppers worry about the economy and pay more for gas and food, other categories - such as “add-ons” like wooden witches and plastic cauldrons - are expected to slow. The Audi A4 Challenge is a game that lets users “test drive” the new 2009 Audi A4 through a series of increasingly difficult courses. More Halloween News

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Each year at Halloween, children put on scary costumes and head out into the night in search of the best treats. Trekking from house to house trick or treating is a long held tradition. But before heading out, parent remind their children to stay safe - check your candy before you eat it and stay in a group. But being careful as a treat provider is just as important. Read on for some safety tips for providing treats this Halloween.

Stay safe. Women and older couples are the ones usually at home during trick or treating. And with the growing popularity of trick or treat with teenagers there’s a growing feeling of mischief. Some demand candy with menances - threatening to toilet paper homes if the best candy is not handed over. If you’re happy to give treats this Halloween, keep your home well lit and all door and windows are secure. Invite over some friends to help, so you’re not alone when handing out candy.

Parents will appreciate a careful choice of candy. Check that none are damaged and the pieces are individually wrapped. A healthier option like a granola bar or trail mix will be appreciated. To stop the spread of germs, hand out the candy rather than have each child pick from the bowl. And to stop squabbling and help the parents get round all the houses quicker, give each child the same kind of candy.

Keep track of the children that come trick or treating. Ask their names and where they live. If there’s a problem when they’re with you, you’ll know who to speak to. Children can wander far from home lured by the thought of free candy. If a parent comes searching for their lost child, you’ll be able to tell them if they’ve visited you, when, and which way they headed.

Having spooky fun at Halloween with trick or treating is a great tradition. But it’s not just all about the children. If you’re giving out treats on Halloween, take care of yourself and your home. By protecting yourself and your visitors you’ll make it a fun Halloween for everyone.

Is your house the typical spot for a Halloween party every year to loads of guests? Then the Halloween recipes you make are probably the same year after year. While there are many favorites that cannot be overlooked for a traditional Halloween party, it is a good idea to explore the ways in which the same old can be made into brand new Halloween recipes while keeping the terrifying tastes.

1. Eyeballs and Fingers. A bowl of peeled grapes and raw hotdogs as eyeballs and fingers is a Halloween tradition. But no one ever eats them. At the end of the night, you throw away these inedible leftovers. Body part snacks that everyone can eat is a much better idea. “Intestine stew” can be simply curly cue noodels. “Brain mush dip” is really guacamole and chips. Gross out your guests with yummy food this Halloween.

2. Dirt Desert. Pudding with broken Oreos and gummy worms is a winning Halloween desert. To remake this classic can be tricky. Instead of making a pudding try other types of deserts. A dirt pie with Oreo crusts and cheesecake filing or a dirt cake with chocolate frosting are both great ideas. Add as many gummy worms as you like. And serve the desert like dirt. Put it in little buckets or in a big bowl with a shovel for serving.

3. Apples and Pumpkin. Basically making anything out of apples and pumpkins in late October is a treat of the autumn season. Spicing these fruit up to something spooky and smoking is not as hard as you think. Steer away from pies and explore some more rustic varieties. Bake apples whole for side dishes and toast pumpkin seeds for appetizers. Having rich fruit as a part of Halloween recipes can be filling and sweet. For children parties do not forget activities around food like bobbing for apples and pumpkin picking. Dipping apples in caramel may be typical, but why not try other dips and set up a buffet of candied apples. As for those who do not like the taste of pumpkin, hollow one out and use it as a serving bowl.

The best Halloween recipes are those that are both good to eat, nice to look at, and fun to make. Take these things into consideration when brainstorming your same old Halloween recipes. Also, do not forget to ask guests for suggestions or create a potluck type list of what dishes your visitors would like to bring to share. Great for adults or children, there are some treats that are best served in the dark, spooky time of Halloween. By keeping your Halloween recipes hip and updated, you will be guaranteed to throw the best party of the whole year!

If you, like many parents, are concerned about the safety of your children on holidays like Halloween, know that there are many different ideas you can implement to provide a safe, viable, fun alternative to traditional Halloween trick or treating. All you need to do is use a little imagination and effort, and your Halloween celebration will be even more memorable than traipsing around the neighborhood trolling for candy. Let’s look at some creative ideas to come with an alternate Halloween activity.

* Host Your Own Halloween Party - While not entirely original, this one has the advantage of keeping you completely in control. You control the guest list, the treats, the games, you-name-it! Ideas for Halloween themed parties abound, and a great deal of fun can be had by making it a specific theme. Take care not to make it a too-expensive proposition for the parents to get their kids into the chosen theme, but for instance a Superhero party could be a lot of fun, with appropriate Superhero activities!

* Go To The Mall! - Many shopping malls make a big deal out of Halloween, for obvious reasons. You don’t have to make this a shopping excursion, but it can be a fun easy alternative to traditional trick or treating. It’s a fairly safe venue, and the treats will most likely be safe. Be sure to accompany your children and watch out for the traffic!

* Your Church - Many churches now sponsor kid-safe Halloween alternatives, many times eschewing Halloween altogether with a Harvest Festival. Games, rides, candy, costumes and fun are the hallmarks of these Halloween night activities at your place of worship.

* Alternative Celebration - If you’re a family that would rather not celebrate Halloween at all, either in its present form or with an alternative, then create your own traditions! Make this night a special night that your family chooses to do something special together on its own. This can be a great way to create memories and new family traditions.

* Floating Halloween Party - Another very cool idea I heard of was to organize a floating Halloween party. The idea behind this is to involve several families, each hosting a segment of the night’s activities. You might limit the number of houses to four or five, depending on the distance between them and number of children involved.

If you have many children, you might want to split them up into groups and have them take their turns at each home. You can have a scary haunted house, a Halloween craft house, maybe a contest at another, and of course lots of treats available at each home. This kind of activity creates loads of fun and a sense of community, and also keeps a tight lid on things!

Halloween doesn’t have to be a scary holiday for parents. With a little imagination and ingenuity you can create a safe, fun evening for both your kids and you as well!