Halloween.biz

The One Source for Everything Halloween

Topics

Halloween Festivals around the United States

by Leave a Comment

If Halloween is really your kind of holiday than Halloween festivals around the country should be just the thing to get you in the spirit of the holiday. For some people, a costume party or taking the kids trick or treating just isn’t enough. In that case, you’ll be glad to know, there are some places that even celebrate Halloween all month long.

Halloween Festival of Salem, Massachusetts 

It may come as no surprise that the town where the Salem Witch Trials were held has become the party spot to celebrate Halloween all month long. There are different types of planned events throughout the month, some involving the city and some independent groups. It doesn’t matter when you show up; you will find a way to celebrate the holiday.

There’s a week-long Festival of the Dead, a Witches’ Halloween Ball, a Vampire’s Masquerade Ball and a psychic fair, just to name a few of the many options. Of course, Halloween night itself is the most grand of all costumed galas. The entire area closes down the streets to traffic and costumed visitors and residents take over. There are plenty of clubs, bars, street food vendors and random craziness that make this an unbeatable Halloween celebration.

Anoka, Minnesota 

When you think Halloween you certainly think Anoka, MN, right? Though the name may not ring a bell, shockingly, this place is considered the Halloween Capital of the World. This week long event started off as a one day parade and celebration back in the 1920s. The festivities grew until one day became one week. There are plenty of things to do throughout the week, including simply taking in the decorating that practically everyone in town pitches in to do. The usual Halloween events take place, including awarding the best decorated house, and there are now three parades instead of just one.

New York Village

One of the most well known and best loved Halloween parade takes place here. Going on its 39th year, the parade has become quite a spectacle and includes public participation. Costumed New Yorkers and visitors come to mingle with the puppets and performers, such as musicians, dancers and artists. This self-proclaimed Nation’s Most Wildly Creative Halloween parade is a must-see, and must join in, for holiday fans.

Independence, Kansas

Spell Halloween backwards and you have the Neewollah celebration of Independence, KS. This town has been celebrating a backwards version of the holiday since 1919. There is a carnival, parades, a chili cook off and plenty of other Halloween and seasonally appropriate events to attend during this traditional holiday homage. The great pumpkin contest is a real crowd attracting event and most of the activities are fun for the whole family.

Pierce College, Woodland Hills, California 

This festival is now a six week-long event, beating out even Salem, which goes for four weeks. The festival includes a pumpkin patch, corn maze and haunted house and trail. It is the perfect combination of family fun, country autumn fair and spooky Halloween attraction. Kids will love the farm animals and hay ride if they aren’t at the age to enjoy the Factory of Nightmares Haunted House just yet. Parts of the festival, such as the corn maze and haunted house and trail even go until midnight on weekends.

Irvington, Indianapolis 

The Historic Irvington Halloween Festival is a traditional part of the holiday that has been happening for more than 60 years. Designed to bring some attention and tourists to the town, this festival is now just shy of a full month of celebrations. The variety of events included are eclectic, to say the least. From a roller derby to ghost story telling or a five mile run followed in the evening by Halloween-themed movies, there is sure to be something for everyone who attends. The Historic Irvington Halloween Festival also includes music, a pageant, theater, haunted puppet shows and ghost tours.

Finding Halloween Festivities

If you can travel, there is a world of opportunities to available to go all out celebrating Halloween. From single day events to six week festivals, there are all kinds of spooky or family friendly events to enjoy Halloween, or just autumn in general. All you have to do is search around a little and you will be sure to find something that suits your Halloween needs.

Even within your own town, or neighboring areas, there is sure to be something happening to pay homage to the holiday. More and more, towns are starting or elaborating on the events planned to honor Halloween.

Halloween House Decorations

by Leave a Comment

Many people keep certain holiday decorations from year to year, then add new ones.  There’s the Christmas tree, ornaments for that, and perhaps a few well decorated and artificial pumpkins, Jack O’ Lanterns, and large black spiders for Halloween.  Families often have a pumpkin carving fest and kids get a real kick out of creating those transitory pumpkins which are great for a week, then soften into a green and malodorous puddle when they start to decay.  There’s room for permanent and temporary decorations for all seasons and holidays.

Craft stores have numerous basic pumpkin shapes made from either Paper Mache or Syrofoam  Where these types shine is in a lovely mantel or window display which you can make yourself.  After Halloween or Thanksgiving is over, pop the display into a plastic bag and seal it up, then store in a dry place.  Dried gourds can also be used but they are nature’s own and eventually will deteriorate. For the mantel or window display, measure your space and cut a length of board to fit.  Cover it neatly and totally with brown felt (fabric store) and fasten to board in back and at ends, kind of like a long, skinny package.

Choose either a few differently sized pumpkins and fall “greenery” and small picks with scarecrows on them etc., or a few Jack O’ Lanterns and black cats and a haunted house pick or two.  One can be for Thanksgiving or you can do a combo.  If there is an outlet near to where you are displaying the pumpkin diorama, then string some mini orange or purple lights along it and plug in.  This is great for a front window.  Don’t forget to turn the lights off at night or if you are out.

Haunted houses are popular at Halloween so you can create one in your own home, or even  perhaps just the entryway.  This will use several components which can be packed away or discarded each year when Halloween is over with.  That stretchy spider web material is great for corners and very realistic.  Guests may even think it’s real!  In a dark upper corner you can place a large black spider and one of those that is animated and has glowing red eyes is super freaky and kids get a real kick out of them.  Other rubber or plastic spiders can be placed around various locations, but make sure that pets don’t get hold of them as they can swallow them, and may get sick.

A favorite each year is a candy or treat bowl, so purchase a large black cauldron (plastic is fine or else it will weigh a ton), and if you can get s small electric glowing fire simulator and place it under the cauldron, so much the better.  When Halloween comes you can place some dry ice hidden in your display so it seems to be bubbling over.  Be careful about the dry ice as it can freeze the skin so keep it sway from treats.  You can set up your cauldron and put treats in front of it as this would be the safest method.

Always think safety of children, adults and pets first on Halloween, whenever you make a decoration or wear a costume.  It’s a fun time and kids love to dress up.  There are realistic skeletons on the Web and also in some pop-up Halloween stores.  They are usually molded from plastic and some can be inexpensive but the most realistic ones are expensive. They will last  a long time so think if you’d like to invest in one.  You can hang one from a chandelier if you have a very high ceiling, like the one in Disney’s Haunted Mansion.

An incredibly inventive scene and one which will be talked about in the neighborhood, is if you have a cubicle in your house or a very small room, you can create a Halloween scene in it – graveyards are popular, then stretch a scrim (muslin) cloth across the front which will screen off the room.  When lit, people will see the scene suddenly and have a great time laughing about how it made them jump out of their skins!  This is exactly how it’s done in the theatre and you can make these scenes fairly easily.  An old fashioned parlor with a skeleton sitting in a rocking chair, a dusty tiffany lamp, and spooky music playing is a good scene to start with.  If you can get the rocker to rock back and forth, then so much the better.

Halloween Games for Children

by Leave a Comment

No holiday party would be complete without Halloween games for kids. Aside from helping to set the mood for the party, it gives kids something to do to stay active and burn off the increased levels of sugar intake they get this time of year. Remember, keep the activities fun but safe and appropriate for the age groups attending the Halloween function. Enlist the help of other parents for chaperoning and encourage all the children to participate and it’s sure to be an enjoyable and memorable Halloween party for kids.

Classic Halloween Games for Kids

A standard and traditional Halloween party activity is bobbing for apples. This game can be played using a large metal basin tub or a plastic kiddie pool, but should be done outdoors if possible. Also, it should be played with plenty of supervision since it involves children and water. The players, without using their hands, dunk their heads into the water and try to retrieve apples using only their mouths. Usually, a small group plays against each other in rounds and whoever snags an apple first, or the person who gets the most, is the winner.

Parents who do not feel comfortable with this game, or do not feel like cleaning up water from all over their living room, can offer “Hanging Apple” instead. This alternative to bobbing for apples utilizes apples that have been hung up on a tree limb or sturdy rafter by string. Again, without using their hands, children try to snag the apple using only their mouths.

Pin the nose on the witch is a substitute for the kids’ classic party game pin the tail on the donkey. This can also be done using any form of symbolic Halloween related creature. You can use a decoration from a party store and cut off the part to be pinned. Another option is to trace the part to be pinned and make your own version of it. Maybe even have kids make their own before starting the game. You can have a pin the nose on the jack-o’-lantern, or feet on Frankenstein – just keep it Halloween related.

On Their Feet

One of the great things about party games is that children tend to get plenty of exercise without even knowing it. Some, of course, may offer a little more action than others. This is a great way to tire children out before winding down for the evening. Some of it will depend greatly on how much space you have available.

The Monster Mash has been a classic Halloween tune, as well as a graveyard smash, since around 1962. Using this song, have kids play a different version of freeze tag called “Monster Mash Freeze.” Kids dance while the song is played, but when the music is stopped at random intervals, participants must “freeze” in place or be out. The last one standing is the champ.

Pumpkin bowling is another one of the Halloween games for children that keep them on their feet. You can use a standard plastic bowling set and a mini pumpkin as the ball and have kids compete to knock the most pins down. You can even make it part of a small obstacle course so children run from one holiday themed game to the next.

As a separate game, or as part of the obstacle course, you can also include the eyeball and spoon race. Like the old egg and spoon race but with a Halloween twist, use an egg or ping pong ball painted to look like an eyeball and have kids race to the finish line without dropping the eye. For extra fun have each child decorate their own ping pong ball prior to the race. You can also create a version of this game utilizing a balloon and a paper plate. Again, an option is to have children decorate their balloon first to look like an eyeball. The child who makes it to the finish line first without dropping the balloon from the paper plate is the winner.

A Final Word

The idea is, when in doubt, put a Halloween theme or twist to a classic game and you have a holiday activity. Whatever activities you choose, just keep the kids involved as much as possible. This could mean helping to set up the games or decorating their own object to participate in the activities. Try to give everyone a chance to have a turn and, hopefully, be a winner. Halloween games for children should be fun but safe and add to making it a party to remember.

Halloween Drinks for Children – Punch Bowl Classics and More

by Leave a Comment

When throwing a holiday party for the little ones, Halloween drinks for children are a must. While it may be easier to find some great cocktail recipes for adults, some of those concoctions can also be made without the alcohol for a kid-friendly version. The simplest thing to do is make a punch bowl the centerpiece of the foods table and be ready to refill it as it gets low.

Gross and Ghastly Halloween Drinks for Children

“Rotten Apple Cider” is a popular favorite around Halloween, and just needs a little prep the day before the party. Depending on how much punch you want to make, most recipes call for using five cupcake tins or trays in the prep. Each of these gets filled with cider and 2 drops of red and one drop of green food coloring, and then stir. Hang 2 worms within each cup, with some of the gummy worm dangling over the side, and freeze. These wormy “cups” can either be added to plain apple cider in a punch bowl, or in individual glasses.

Another holiday punch classic is the “Squirmy, Wormy Punch.” This one calls for a day before prep step, too. So, just keep that in mind for your Halloween party planning. Freeze some gummy worm ice cubes the day before. Then, blend up a swampy looking concoction using Lemon-Lime Kool Aid, orange juice concentrate, ginger ale, sugar and water in your punch bowl. Add the cubes and top with a few scoops of orange sherbet, and you will have a mucky, yucky looking but great tasting beverage.

Also, the “Bloody Buggy Punch” is a fun Halloween beverage for a group. This punch tends to be a favorite of parents too, as it uses fruits. This one requires starting by mashing full strawberries in a bowl using a fork. Then mix the strawberries, ginger ale and lemonade in a pitcher. Put a handful or two of blueberries and raisins in the bottom of the glasses and pour the mixture over top of the fruits acting as “bugs.” It tastes good, is healthy and still looks terrible, which is the perfect combination for any Halloween beverage.

Seasonal Treats versus Halloween Sweets

Want Halloween drinks for kids with more of a season theme than a Halloween twist? For something tasty suiting for this time of year, but without the yuck factor, try pumpkin smoothies. It’s like the classic, seasonal pumpkin pie without the baking. It uses canned pumpkin, vanilla yogurt, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, a bit of honey and some ice cubes. All the ingredients get blended and poured into glasses with an optional dab of whipped cream or yogurt on top.

The other option, instead of a smoothie, would be a milkshake. Use a frozen banana, peeled and divided into smaller sections, and add to orange juice concentrate, pumpkin puree and a scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt and water for a blended treat.

Extra Special Tips for Your Halloween Drinks for Kids

Extra details can add that much gorier pizzazz to your holiday punch. Peeled grapes are great for floating eyeballs, and as you may have noticed from the above recipes, gummy worms can be added to almost any drink idea for some gross out appeal. You can also make glasses look like they have bloody rims. Mix red food color with corn syrup or honey and then glaze the glass rims with enough mixture to enable it to drip down the glass. The clean up can be a little more involved, but is worth the added effect.

To make floating hands, freeze water in a disposable glove, the kind without the powdered lining, and simply cut it off before serving and add to the punch bowl. You can either add one or several floating hand cubes, or have one standing up and protruding from the center of the bowl. Normally ice cubes with fake bugs frozen inside would be a great detail, but when working with kids it is better to do away with any potential choking hazards.

Set the Mood

The perfect Halloween party should include snacks, music and games as well to create a holiday party feel. Have a Halloween costume contest, maybe tell some spooky ghost stories and, above all else, have fun and be safe. Keep games, foods, drinks, ghost tales and anything else appropriate to the ages of the children attending. There’s more to creating a holiday party than just the Halloween drinks for children, but it can all come together for perfection.

Halloween Crafts

by Leave a Comment

Making your own crafts for Halloween means making a whole lot of fun, and each finished craft project is a unique one that only you could have made.  House decorations are terrific ways to accommodate guests, whether at a party or tick or treaters.  They are usually super-easy to make and quite inexpensive.  We have some tips below and hopefully they will help you to realize a few crafts of your own.

  • Design a pumpkin or ghost-like face on empty one-gallon milk jugs then paint on the face.  After you’ve cut out a back hole, light the jugs with candles or bulbs.  Those battery operated candles are the best, and safest.
  • Get a few of those twig wreaths from the craft store and seasonal decorative items and flowers for them.  You can make a Fall one first for Halloween, then one for Winter, Spring and Summer.
  • Spiders!  These can be made from all sorts of found and purchased objects.  One of the easiest is to get 8 of those chenille stems, a couple of googly eyes, a small styrofoam ball, and a suction cup.  Paint the ball with appropriate paint, stick the stems in like legs, glue on the eyes and suction cup, and stick it on your windows.
  • Make a crowd of ghosts for the front lawn — Set up a few tomato cages and use twigs for arms.  Weave a strand of lights through the cage and test to see if they light up.  Cover with sheet or muslin and always use tiny lights for safety.
  • Eyes on the passersby.  Use ping pong balls and tea lights which are battery powered.  Paint the ping pong ball to look like an eyeball then cut a small hole in the bottom and stick it on to the tea light.  Line up in your front window on a ledge.
  • Purchase one or more of those white translucent paper globe lights.  Decorate with scrapbooking or construction paper and then plug it in.  This is one lit owl!
  • Paint acorns orange then draw faces on them with a permanent marker.  Arrange the tiny “pumpkins” how you like.  This is a good one for kids as the pumpkins like tiny hands to make them!
  • Pumpkins can be changed into baseball players.  Put a real hat on them, paint some eyes and part of a face, then blow up a small pink balloon, tie it off, then make a small hole and poke it into the pumpkin where the mouth would be.
  • Your own batmobile, or other mobile.  Start with a wire hanger then cut out bat shapes and hang them from the hangar with twine or fishing line.  Make a hangar go through another at right angles and you’ll have more hanging points.  Use pumpkins instead, or ghosts.
  • Paint small pumpkins black, put on fierce eyes, cut out wings from craft foam, and you’ll have some unique bat-pumpkins.  If you paint the eyes differently they will have different expressions.
  • An assortment of creepy creatures.  Use craft foam and cut out bats and spiders and black cats.  You can out these on a mirror or the inside of your windows.
  • Bats that are fuzzy.  Cut a little puff off of a feather boa, attach craft foam wings and eyes, and you’ll have a whole bunch of bat kitties.
  • Cut a band of paper and measure it to fit around a votive candle holder.  Cut eyes out of the paper in pairs and when a candle is lit, the eyes will dance.
  • If you are camping around Halloween, then make yourself a nice sign out of cardboard like :  The Smith’s Campsite.  Decorate with leaves and hang on the nearest to the campsite post.
  • Permanent pumpkins can be made by using clay pots, upside down, and decorate with yellow Jack O’Lantern faces and a piece of foam or branch for the stem.
  • If you have a pair of windows in your house, then decorate each half from the inside to look like a Jack O’Lantern from the outside.
  • Make a big spider for your window by using a half of a large styrofoam egg, then sticking bendable foam legs into the side.  Don’t forget there are 8!
  • Use battery powered tea lights in small brown paper bags and line your walkway with them.

Halloween Around the World

by Leave a Comment

While there are obviously parts of the globe that do not recognize or celebrate it, Halloween around the world is a traditional holiday that is considered one of the oldest in history. It is still the most popular in North America, Canada and possibly Ireland. There are plenty of other countries and regions that honor the holiday, though some of the traditions of Halloween may vary from place to place.

America – The jack-o’ -lantern was introduced by Irish settlers who brought the tradition with them. Their own folklore told the tale of a man named Jack who tricked the Devil on more than one occasion, but made the Devil agree to never claim his soul. Upon the man’s death, when the Devil could not let him enter, and Heaven wouldn’t take him, the Devil sent Jack away. Given only a coal from Hell to light the way, Jack found and carved a turnip to use as a lantern to carry this in.

The jack-o’-lantern was thus born and Irish traditionalists used the lantern in their homes to ward off spirits at Halloween. Once arriving in American and seeing large pumpkins that would work better for carving, the jack-o’-lantern was no longer a turnip.

As for the tradition of trick-or-treating, that appears to have begun in the 1950’s, though possible earlier. Costumed children began dressing in costume and demanding of residents that they hand over sweets, or sometimes money, or face the wrath of some trickery.

Canada – It is believed that Halloween traditions were started as far back as the 1800’s when the Irish immigrants first started landing there. Their Halloween customs do not deviate from the same ways Americans celebrate Halloween. They also use carved pumpkins and children partake in trick-or-treating.

China – Their Halloween celebrations are a bit more spirit friendly, as they actually encourage the spirits of their dead loved ones to return on this night. Lanterns are ignited to help the deceased find their way, and food offerings are left by their pictures. It is considered an honor to have the chance to have these souls return.

England – A different form of trick-or-treat was played out here, and may possibly the start of what became trick-or-treat for others who celebrate Halloween around the world. Children would wander the streets singing songs and door knocking to request money from residents. More recently, the British children began to bring back the tradition of door knocking on Halloween, but expecting changing it up to resemble the American style of trick-or-treating.

Ireland – This is also a place where Halloween is still celebrated possibly as much as it is in American and Canada. It is also considered the possible birthplace of the holiday. Children have their trick-or-treat festivities but the celebration continues and adults participate by having bonfires and parties.

Mexico – Like China, the dead are honored and this celebration of the dead is actually a joyous, festive occasion. Halloween (Day of the Dead) is actually just the day the celebration begins and continues for 3 days, ending on November 2, which is All Souls Day. Shrines and alters go up in homes for families hoping their deceased loved ones will return for a visit. Candy and other offerings are left as gifts to welcome spirits, and incense and candles are burned on the final day to help spirits find their way back.

Korea – To honor the dead on Halloween, Koreans visit the graves of their loved ones bearing gifts.

Austria – Another place where the dead are welcomed guests. A table light is left burning, and bread is left as an offering for any spirits of loved ones whom may stop by.

Czechoslovakia – Here, also, dead loved ones are invited to stop by. Chairs for all household members living and dead are placed out so the family can reunite.

Germany – They do not welcome spirits, but they do hide sharp utensils such as knives, so they will not be hurt by ghosts.

There are other places and methods for celebrating Halloween around the world, but these are just a few examples of the differences and similarities of many areas. There is also of course France that refuses to acknowledge Halloween, claiming it is an American holiday. Globalization has caused some time honored traditions to shift and more closely resemble the American festivities of Halloween, especially concerning the creation and placement of jack-o’-lanterns and events like trick-or-treat. Who could blame kids for wanting their families to adopt this sort of tradition, though?

Halloween Crafts for the Holiday

by Leave a Comment

Halloween crafts can be projects that bring the entire family together. These are projects that can be used to decorate the home, so that your house is transformed into a spooky and festive place. It also gives you ideas for things you can do with groups of children at Halloween parties or school craft classes. Whatever your reason, Halloween is a great time to get crafting.

Halloween Crafts for the Yard

Aside from the classic and traditional carved pumpkin jack-o’-lantern, there are other things you can do to get creative and make the exterior of your house look festive. In fact, you can add to your jack-o’-lanterns with other styles of decor that have the same idea. Turn flower pots into painted pumpkins, either upside down or right side up.

You can also use empty milk or orange juice jugs for a new twist on an old classic. Using a black marker you can create ghost faces on white milk jugs or jack-o’-lantern looks on the orange juice ones. Using a blade to cut away part of the bottom, you can use Christmas or string-bulb lights to illuminate the inside. Put as many bulbs in as you like, then set more jugs side by side with the rest of the string lights running into these.

Also, make use of what you have on hand and create a giant black spider to scare the neighbors. Using a giant black trash bag stuffed with leaves, you create the body. The head is the same process, only a smaller end result. Twist more bags in pairs lengthwise to create the legs, then use black electrical tape to fasten it all together. Get creative with eyes; you can cut them from plastic cups, paper plates, construction paper or paint them on. Don’t forget fangs and an hourglass for a really sinister arachnid.

Bats and Spiders

Speaking of giant spiders, not much else creeps people out for Halloween more than spiders and bats. So what better way to get creative with Halloween crafts than to incorporate these critters into the plan. One method you can use includes mini-pumpkins as the body of either one.

The basic idea is to paint the pumpkins black, and be creative with the faces. Wings, ears or spider legs can be created from thick construction paper, poster board or craft foam. You can also use pipe cleaners to create spider legs or add dimension to bat wings. Simply glue on or attach with black electrical tape.

The same principle can be applied to creating bats or spiders from black balloons. A larger one for the body, smaller for the head, and use paper for the features. Make eyes, ears, fangs, wings or legs and attach with glue or tape. Remember, the balloons don’t get filled very full. That way you avoid them popping or looking like overstuffed critters.

Recycle, Reuse and Get Scary

A great way to make decorations is by repurposing items meant to go to the trash bin and giving them a new use. The skeleton of plastic bottles is a neat way to do this. Keep in mind though, it does require cutting, and only adults can do most of this activity. Also, you can use clear or white, or paint clear bottles white, but you want to end up with a consistent end result.

Milk jugs become the head and chest cavity by bringing them together where the lid openings are. Your child can paint on a skeleton face while you do some cutting of the ribs. The pelvis is yet another jug, but just the bottom part cut and shaped a bit like hips. The bones are made from plastic bottles, with or without the centers cut out. It looks more realistic with them cut, but does not have to be. Attach the bones with wire so the skeleton has some realistic movement involved.

Use old white sheets stuffed with old newspapers to create ghosts around the home. If you have some old white pillowcases too, then you can vary the size of the ghosts. Either use the entire sheet, or divide into smaller sections for a family of ghosts. Decorate the faces with markers, partially fill with newspaper and cinch off with wire or rubber bands. Suspend them from rafters or doorways to spook your guests.

There are plenty of ways to get crafty for Halloween, decorate the home and create some family bonding moments. Have kids offer their own ideas or at least express their individuality by decorating pieces. Halloween crafts can be saved for the next year when a whole new bunch of ideas get added.

Halloween Costumes for Infants, Toddlers and Babies

by Leave a Comment

Some of the best “photo ops” for youngsters are in their Halloween costumes for infants, toddlers and babies. The best part, for some parents, is that at this age, parents still get to select the holiday costumes young children wear. This means selecting adorable costumes that, probably someday, the children wouldn’t select themselves. So, this is a good time to put some thought into the look you want for your children on Halloween.

Ideas for Halloween Costumes for Infants, Toddlers and Babies 

The thing is, really, that the costume ideas are similar to the choices available at any age. There may just be a different approach to the costume, such as the onesie, as opposed to a more complex costume. Also, costumes or accessories will have to be monitored closely for details that could be a choking hazard or otherwise dangerous for infants, toddlers and babies. Most store bought costumes for babies will be free from safety hazards, but it is always a good idea to double check. Also, anything that could potentially become loose and cause a problem, such as a button, should be given a few extra hand stitches, just to be safe.

So now, it is more about finding something that is cute and comfy for your youngster. Animal themes and bugs are popular choices for babies, infants and toddlers. These selections are cute and stick with the idea of having a holiday costume, without being too spooky for Halloween. For this, the sky is the limit. There are choices such as lions, ladybugs, frogs, penguins, tigers and elephants, just to name a few. You can also consider the less obvious choices, that aren’t animals, but are still cute and fun. A Tootsie Roll, for example, or a pine tree shaped air freshener.

Or, maybe you like going the traditional route and want a little ghostly baby or more traditional or Halloween themed costume. Is that case, one easy choice for babies to wear is the jack o’lantern costume. There are also outfits of the more macabre nature, like Dracula, with a headpiece to create the infamous widow’s peak at the forehead. Then check online, or at your local baby clothing store, for the fang pacifiers. These look like a pair of fangs when baby has the pacifier in his or her mouth.

More Basic or DIY Costumes for Infants, Toddlers and Babies

If you would like to keep it more simple, try using less to say more. A headband with little kitten ears, a black onesie and a pinned on tail create an adorable cat look. Or, look for a onesie or bodysuit that simply has a pattern or theme. Examples of this easy costume are a cow print bodysuit or one with a Superman emblem on the front. There are also hooded bodysuits, or standard ones, that come with prints on them to act as a costume. A skeleton, for example, or a bumble bee are just two of the many choices available for this approach.

Or, use a crafty approach and do it yourself. Hooded sweatshirts work great for this approach. A basic orange sweatshirt with some cleverly placed piece of black electrical tape create a jack-o’-lantern costume. Sew together some basic ears and attach them to a “hoodie” for any animal you would like, such as a mouse.

Incorporate Baby into Your Costume Idea

Another great approach to dressing your infant, toddler or baby for Halloween is to coordinate your outfit to work with the youngsters. A popular idea for this method is to have the adult as Dorothy and the baby as Toto from The Wizard of Oz. Or think about other ways to work the costumes as an intertwined theme. Winnie the Pooh and Piglet or dressing as a police officer with a little baby bandit are two other ideas.

To get inspired, think about movies or cartoons you like and imagine how some of the characters could work as costumes. If your toddler, or you, just love the Peanuts Gang, dress as Snoopy with a baby Woodstock. Browse online for other ideas, and surely the perfect Halloween collaboration for you and your baby will become obvious.

The Bottom Line 

The idea of dressing your baby, and possibly yourself, for Halloween is to keep it fun and hassle free. It can be easy to get caught up in stressing over the perfect costume or having costumes with “wardrobe malfunctions” and end up not enjoying the holiday. As soon as your infant is dressed, get your photos done, that way if the costume falls apart or becomes uncomfortable after a bit, you already have the pictures out of the way. Halloween Costumes for infants, toddlers and babies can be a great way to make the most of the holiday.

Halloween Makeup Ideas

by Leave a Comment

Halloween makeup ideas can be a crucial part of your costume. In fact, in some cases, it may be the most important part of your costume. The outfit is one thing, but makeup can help drive the point home about what your costume is supposed to be. A zombie isn’t really a zombie without makeup to create the full effect.

The Easy Route

Some store bought costumes actually include a small kit of makeup to help with your costume, for example, may include a tube of green face paint. A monster may have already made scars that can be fairly easily applied. If not, there are still ways to create or add to your look with little to no effort.

The simplest approach may be using white face paint and black eyeliner. These two items can help you create multiple looks. Ghosts, skeletons and mimes all utilize these two shades and also don’t require too much skill. That, or don’t overlook the simplicity of creating a simple cat face with whiskers. You can do the nose in black, but pink can add a little more depth to it.

As a Costume

Maybe you want your Halloween makeup ideas to act as your costume, not in addition to it. There are ways to do so, but some can require some intricate work. Shop online or offline for makeup kits that include stencils for this specific purpose. You could also consider using a professional makeup artist, or hitting up a friend who is one for a favor.

So, if you have time, patience and a wide variety of colors to work with, here are a few ideas that act as costumes instead of just makeup. One idea is a deck of cards. You can paint your face white and add either multiple suits, such as hearts or clubs, or a single one. Or, how about a zebra or tiger! While it doesn’t have to be perfect, it will be slightly more time consuming than some other options. Just think of things or animals that could be easily represented by face painting, like fish scales, and give it a go.

You also pick something that is highly recognizable by its face. Think comic books, super heroes or cartoon characters. Anyone would recognize a well painted Spider Man or Joker face. You can also just think back to your childhood when you would get your face painted at the fair. When in doubt, simply painting a swimming fish or mystical unicorn on your face can act as a costume. If nothing else, you can also go really simple and paint puzzle piece sections on your face. At least it is something.

More Elaborate Ideas 

You can get as complicated as you like when it comes to painting up your face for Halloween. It depends on your ability and the amount of time you have. As mentioned before, zombies just aren’t the undead without a full face of makeup. For those who have the skills, create deep cuts, gashes and scars to make a dramatic impact. Keep in mind, there are recipes to be found online to help create 3D effects for some Halloween makeup ideas. For example, corn syrup and red food color can be used to make sticky bloody marks or incisions on your face.

Tips

Decide if you should put the costume on before or after the makeup is applied. If your costume tends to make you heat up and slips on without going over your head, then you will want to wait until after you’ve finished your makeup. Otherwise, especially if the costume slips on overhead, it is generally a good idea to have the costume on. Just be certain to cover up the costume to prevent spilling any makeup on it.

Bring extra makeup with you. There is always a chance of a smudge occurring and having your kit with you enables you to make a quick fix. Of course, it is also a good idea to bring some tissues and facial wipes with you. You may find out an hour into the party your eye makeup is irritating you, and should have a quick easy way to remove some or all of the face paint. At the end of the event, you also may want to remove the makeup immediately to allow your skin to breathe.

The idea is to have fun with it, try not to take it too seriously or get frustrated. Allow yourself some time and, when possible, practice your technique before the holiday party. Halloween makeup ideas can really add some depth to whatever character you decide to portray for the holiday.

Halloween Around the World – Japan, Belgium, Austria and more

by Leave a Comment

Halloween is an old holiday and it’s evolved from those first Druid & Celtic roots, to what’s celebrated today.  In Canada and the US is where it’s most popular.  Up to 65% of Americans decorate for Halloween and Christmas is the only holiday which is more popular.   More candy is sold on Halloween than on any other holiday and every country which celebrates Halloween at all, does so in its own unique way.

Halloween in Austria

Just like at Christmas in North America with milk & cookies for Santa, Austrians have a tradition of leaving water, bread, and a lighted lamp on the table before going to bed on Halloween night.  From long ago, the tradition held that these types of items would welcome any dead souls back to the land of the living.  Austrians felt that Halloween was a night chock full of cosmic energy and this made the dead souls’ return for a night much easier.

Halloween in Canada

Irish and Scottish immigrants arrived in Canada during the 1800s.  Festivities included trick or treating and parties, homes decorated with corn stalks and pumpkins, plus the carving of Jack O’Lanterns.

Halloween in Belgium

Belgian’s believe that a black cat crossing someone’s path is unlucky.  If it goes on a ship or enters a home, then that’s also unlucky and Belgians light candles on Halloween to remember dead relatives.

Halloween in Czechoslovakia

Chairs are put by the fireside on Halloween and they are one per family member, plus one for each of their spirits.

Halloween in China

Halloween is known by Teng Chieh here.  Water and food are placed in front of dead relatives’ photographs.  Lanterns and bonfires are lit so that spirits can see the pathway back to earth.  Buddhists make little boats from paper and these are burned when it gets dark and this honors the dead, plus spirits of pretas are released and can ascend into heaven.  Pretas are people who died because they drowned or had an accident and their bodies weren’t able to be buried.  If pretas roam amongst the living, the Chinese feel that it’s dangerous.

Halloween in England

English children used to carve beetroots like Jack O’Lanterns.  They carried these “punkies”  from door to door and sang, then asked for money.  Turnip lanterns were placed on posts to protect the home form spirits roaming around on Halloween.  Sometimes, stones, nuts and vegetables were tossed into a bonfire to scare away spirits and fortune telling was often read into the remains of the bonfire in the morning.  The English people no longer celebrated Halloween when Martin Luther had his protestant reformation.  Costumes and trick or treating have crossed back over the pond into England and the children there go out on Halloween.  Most seniors in England don’t know what it’s all about.

Halloween in France

Until 1996, Halloween was thought of as an American holiday and the French do not celebrate it to honor the dearly departed.

Halloween in Hong Kong

Yue Lan is the name of the Halloween celebration in Hong Kong.  Spirits supposedly roam freely for 24 hours and people there burned photos of money and fruit.

Halloween in Germany

Residents of Germany put their knives away on Halloween because returning spirits could be harmed.

Halloween in Japan

In Japan, the Obon festival is similar to Halloween.  Food is prepared and red lanterns are hung all over.  When lit candles are placed into the lanterns they are set adrift on rivers.  Families light fires to show ancestors the path to their families and community dances are put on, and memorial stones are cleaned during the Obon Festival.  The Japanese festival happens during August or July.

Halloween in Ireland

This is supposed to be the birthplace of Halloween.  Bonfires are lit in the countryside and children dress in costumes then go trick or treating.  Parties are given in neighborhoods and games are played, one of which is bobbing for apples.  A type of fruitcake is eaten on Halloween and a treasure is buried inside for someone to find.