All Things Halloween!

[sublime311]

http://images.snapfish.com/3444765523232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3DX ROQDF%3E23239727%3A7559ot1lsi
http://images.snapfish.com/3444765523232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2323%3D%3A63%3D753%3D3 232%3A6366277%3Anu0mrj


Halloween is a favorite holiday for us so we really go all out with decorations and parties. I thought it would be great to have a thread here where we can all share Halloween ideas. Though unlimited, some topics are:

1. Recipes
2. Costumes
3. Decorations
4. Collections
5. Links
6. Party ideas (including games)
7. Links for related shopping and ideas
8. Crafts and hobby projects
9. Traditions, poems, arts, songs, etc..
10. And more!

P/S I really wasn't sure to put this thread, so I asked if a "holidays" forum could be created, until then, in Chit Chat is where it will be!

[sublime311]

Found here. (http://www.religioustolerance.org/hallo_cu.htm)

Traditions originating in Celtic times:

The Celts coalesced as a society circa 800 BCE. They were located in what is now the United Kingdom, much of Western Europe and an isolated enclave in what is now Turkey. They held a major celebration near the end of our month of October, which they called called "Samhain", a festival to recognize the end of summer. The story that "Samhain" was a Celtic God of the Dead is a myth. However, it has been repeated so often by conservative Christian and secular sources that it has taken on a life of its own.

The Celts believed that the veil between this world and the next was thinnest at this time of year. Friends and relatives who had died would often return, with their souls inhabiting an animal - often a black cat. Black cats have remained a symbol of Halloween down to the present time.

In celebration of the recently completed harvest, Celts would give offerings of food to the Gods. They often went from door to door to collect food to donate to their deities. Also, young Celts would ask the townspeople for kindling and wood, and take it to top of the hill for the Samhain bonfire. These are two of the possible origins of present day "trick or treating."

Samhain was a fire festival. Sacred bonfires were lit on the tops of hills in honor of the Gods. The townspeople would take an ember from the bonfire to their home and re-light the fire in their family hearth. The ember would usually be carried in a holder - often a turnip or gourd. They felt nervous about walking home in the dark; they were afraid of evil spirits. So they dressed up in costumes and carved scary faces in their ember holders. They hoped that the spirits would be frightened and not bother them. Children continue to dress up today in various costumes. Pumpkins are now the objects of choice to carve faces into.

Wiccans and some other Neopagans base their religious faith on the religion of the Celts. They continue to celebrate Samhain today.

Traditions developed since Celtic times:

There are many folk traditions associated with Halloween. It is possible that some had their origins in Celtic times.

~~Jack-o'-lantern: The term "Jack-o'-lantern" came from an Irish folk tale of the 18th century. Jack was an Irishman. He had tricked the Devil into climbing an apple tree. He then cut a cross symbol in the tree trunk, thus trapping the Devil in the branches. At his death, he was unable to again access to Heaven because of his meanness. The Devil, having a long memory, would not allow him into Hell. So he was forced to walk the earth endlessly. The devil took pity on him and gave him a piece of coal to light his path. Jack put it inside a hollowed-out turnip that he had been eating.

~~Apples were considered have long been associated with female deities, and with immortality, resurrection, and knowledge. One reason is that if an apple is cut through its equator, it will reveal a five-pointed star outlined at the center of each hemisphere. This was a pentagram -- a Goddess symbol among the Roma (Gypsies), Celts, Egyptians, etc. There are many Halloween folk traditions associated with apples:

~~~~~Unmarried people would attempt to take a bite out of an apple bobbing in a pail of water, or suspended on a string. The first person to do so was believed to be the next to marry.

~~~~~Peeling an apple in front of a candle-lit mirror was believed to produce the image of one's future spouse.

~~~~~Attempting to produce a long unbroken apple peel was said to estimate the number of years you had to live. The longer the peel, the longer your life expectancy.

~~In All Souls' Day, European Christians had a tradition of going from home to home, asking for soul cakes, or currant buns. In return, they would pray for the souls of the homeowner's relatives.

Origins of Christian holy days:

~~All Saints' Day was created by Pope Boniface IV in the 7th century CE. There were so many saints by this time that there were not enough days in the year to accommodate them. So, All Saints' Day was to recognize the saints who were without their own day, and to celebrate saints that the Church had failed to recognize. It originally was held on May 13, but was moved by Pope Gregory in 835 CE to November 1. This may have been done in order to distract Christians from celebrating Samhain.

~~Halloween was originally called All Hallows' Eve which means the evening before All Saints' Day. "Hallow" is an Old English word for "saint". This was shortened to Hallowe'en and finally to Halloween. Satanists have adopted Hallowe'en as one of their three main seasonal days of celebration. The others are Walpurgus Nacht on MAY-1 and the Satanist's birthday.

~~All Souls' Day was created for NOV-2 to honor faithful Christians who had died but were not saints. The three days from OCT-31 to NOV-2 was given the name Hallow Tide.

Halloween in North America

Halloween has become a major folk holiday in the US and Canada. "Trick or Treaters" go from door to door and collect candies, apples and other goodies. Hallmark Cards reports that 65% of Americans will decorate their homes and offices for Halloween. This percentage is exceeded only by Christmas.

Some interesting facts about the celebration of Halloween:

~~Halloween is the holiday when the most candy is sold; it is second only to Christmas in total sales. North Americans spend $21 million on Halloween candies yearly.

~~Halloween is the third-largest party occasion next to Christmas and New Year's Eve.

~~Halloween is the Number 1 season for selling humorous greeting cards. In North America, some 25 million cards are sold annually. 12

~~Rumors circulated some years ago that some evil people were distributing adulterated food to children: poison mixed with candy; razor blades and pins in apples. Although these rumors have generally been shown to be hoaxes, the fear persists. Many adults now only give out pre-packaged food; many parents check their children's collection and discard anything that could possibly have been adulterated.

~~For many decades, the United Nations Children's' Fund (UNICEF) has distributed boxes to children so that they can collect money at Halloween time. During the 1950's, a few US public schools banned the UNICEF boxes, over suspicions that it might be a Communist plot.

~~The town of Hancock, MD has refused for more than 20 years to declare a specific date for Halloween. Their rationale is that if they set a particular date and a child gets hurt during the trick-or-treating, then the town might be liable for damages.

~~The school board of Hillsborough NJ bans all religious celebrations in its schools. So, they have replaced Halloween with a "Fall Festival". St. Valentine's day has become "Special Person Day."

~~In many jurisdictions, Halloween is held on OCT-30 when OCT-31 falls on a Sunday. This is to avoid direct conflict between Halloween celebrations and church services.

[Clubqueen]

Oooh, I LOVE Hallowe'en! I'm looking forward to it this year since DH and I will finally have our own home by then that we will be able to decorate!

I have a recipe to share, it's yummy!

Light Boo Cups:

http://www.kraftfoods.com/images/recipe_images/Low_Fat_Boo_Cups.jpg

Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 15 min
Makes: 15 servings, 1/2 cup each

Ingredients:
3-1/4 cups cold fat free milk

2 pkg. (4-serving size each) Jell-O Chocolate Flavor Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Reduced Calorie Pudding & Pie Filling

1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip Free Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

1 pkg. (6-1/2 oz.) Reduced Fat Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, crushed, divided

30 miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
POUR milk into large bowl. Add pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes or until well blended. Gently stir in 1/2 of the whipped topping and 1/2 of the crushed cookies.
SPOON 1 Tbsp. of the remaining crushed cookies into each of 15 individual cups. Spoon pudding mixture evenly into cups; top with remaining crushed cookies.
DROP remaining whipped topping by spoonfuls onto desserts to create "ghosts." Decorate with chocolate chips to create "eyes." Refrigerate until ready to serve. Store leftover desserts in refrigerator.

TIP:
Instead of dropping spoonfuls of whipped topping, fill sealable plastic bag with remaining whipped topping; seal bag. Using scissors, diagonally snip off one corner from bottom of bag. Squeeze out topping to create "ghosts."

[mrsdrummer]

wow that's pretty interesting. I hope you don't mind but I'm gonna print that off and give it to my husband, it's his favorite holiday.

[sublime311]

Some ideas found here. (http://www.101halloweenideas.com/halloween_intro.html) :

1. Serve your Halloween punch or spiced apple cider from a large hollowed-out pumpkin.

2. Hollow out mini pumpkins and use as votive candle holders. They are inexpensive and look really great, you can even carve faces in them!

3. Serve fresh veggies using a hollowed out pumpkin as a bowl. Cut of the top and clean out, leaving the top in a jagged edge design! Use mini pumpkins to hold dips!

4. Use clear food handlers plastic gloves to freeze ice hands to throw in the punch bowl. It will keep it cold and look great!

5. Use apples for taper candle holders. Choose small, round apples that will sit stable on a flat surface and remove the stems. Cut a small round hole in the top of each apple - deep and wide enough to securely hold a taper candle. Make sure the apples are shaped so that they have a flatish botton, so they won't tip over.

6. An alternative to bobbing for apples is to hang them by their stems with thread from the ceiling (or trees) and let party goers try to bite them!

7. Hang long strands of white thread on your porch to simulate spider webs. Make them long enough so that little kids will be able to feel them, too. Spray them with water to add an extra creepy factor.

8. Tie small glow sticks to string attached to helium balloons and let them sail over your house for spooky lights in the sky. Make sure to tie off the strings to something solid so they do 't get away!

9. Use a plastic cauldron partially filled with hot water, then add some dry ice and a glow stick to create an eerie centerpiece for your table. Be careful handling the dry ice! It can burn skin very easily.

10. Use your garage for setting up a small walk-through haunt. You can turn it into anything you want, a mad scientist lab, a vampires tomb, a grave yard.

11. If you are using a lot of Jack-O-Lanterns for your party or haunt, you might want to try a battery powered light source or light sticks to light them instead of candles. This cuts down on the fire hazards, such as catching costumes or props on fire.

[LeslieR]

Oh, I love Halloween! Even more fun this year-we'll have a baby to dress up in a costume! :D

[sublime311]

YAY! Participators!

Hey Clubqueen! That recipe sounds REALLY fun and I LOVE that it's low fat and reduced sugar. Lord knows, we all get enough of both during this holiday!

Keep 'em coming! :D

http://images.snapfish.com/3444768%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323972836%3A99ot1lsi

Hiya mrsdrummer! Yes, please, by all means, print anything you'd like, that's what this thread is for! Enjoy!

http://images.snapfish.com/3444768%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323972836%3A99ot1lsi

Hi Leslie! Wow, that is SOO much fun! There are sooo many adorable baby costumes out there. I think one of the cutest baby costumes I ever saw was a little lady bug - she was being pulled in a wagon that was turned into a big green leaf! It was SOOOO cute! Oh, another cute one was a toddler dressed as Dumbo. Those ears were just TOO much! :D

I'd love to see you post some of your contenders for your baby's costume!

[Clubqueen]

Okay, more recipes!

Jack-o'-Lantern Mousse Dessert:

http://www.kraftfoods.com/images/recipe_images/Jacko_Lantern_Mousse_Dessert.jpg

Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 6 hr 15 min
Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients:
1-3/4 cups boiling water

1 pkg. (8-serving size) Jell-O Brand Orange Flavor Gelatin

1 cup cold water

1 cup sliced strawberries

1/2 cup cold milk

1 pkg. (4-serving size) Jell-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling

2 cups thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping

19 Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Directions:
Stir boiling water into dry gelatin in large bowl at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water. Pour 1-1/2 cups of the gelatin into 9-inch round cake pan sprayed with cooking spray. Refrigerate 30 minutes until slightly set. Arrange strawberries in gelatin to resemble a jack-o'-lantern face. Refrigerate 1-1/2 hours until set but not firm (gelatin sticks to finger when touched).

Add milk to remaining gelatin; stir until well blended. Add dry pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes or until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping; spoon over gelatin in pan. Arrange cookies in single layer over pudding mixture. (Pan will be full and cookies will form crust when unmolded.) Cover with plastic wrap.

Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm. Unmold onto serving plate just before serving.

TIP:
How To Unmold Dessert:
Run small metal spatula around edge of pan. Dip pan in warm water, just to rim, for about 10 seconds. Place serving plate on top of pan. Invert; holding pan and plate together, shake gently to loosen. Carefully remove pan.

[sublime311]

Mmmm, Clubqueen! I love how easy these recipes are!

[sublime311]

I am a plus size girl so finding store bought costumes has always been hard for me. Usually, I end up "making" my own, by finding pieces in resell trift stores. Anyway, I was just having a look at what was available online. Here are some reasonably priced costumes that I liked:

Raggedy Ann
http://images.snapfish.com/3444779923232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3DX ROQDF%3E232397294%3C%3A73ot1lsi

Bathing Beauty (1920's?)
http://images.snapfish.com/3444779923232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E232397295673%3Aot1lsi

Geisha
http://images.snapfish.com/3444779923232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3DX ROQDF%3E232397294%3C%3A75ot1lsi

This next one is from ebay - the seller had a TON of really pretty designs. You can find her "store" here. (http://stores.ebay.com/Royal-Coffers)

Renaissance Pirate
http://images.snapfish.com/3444779923232%7Ffp3%3Enu%3D3243%3E399%3E334%3EWSNR CG%3D3232%3A6386582%3Cnu0mrj

[MLA]

Yay! I'm so excited for Halloween this year. DH and I are moving to North Carolina and will have a house to decorate and will actually have trick-or-treaters! I can't wait -- We live in an apartment now, and we never get any kids. I need to get some decorating ideas for outside . . . so bring 'em on! :D

[TX Sweetheart]

Though I doubt we'll be dressing up this year (we live in an apartment and will likely have no kids come by), if we were, I know exactly what I'd be wearing:

http://www.greycatdesigns.bigstep.com/Images/huntress1.jpg
from greycatdesigns.com

I'm buying one for next years ren fest and it would be perfect as a Hallowe'en costume as well LOL

[mindy]

Subscribing I love Halloween and am always looking for new ideas :D

[sublime311]

Welcome Renee and Mindy!

Renee, I really love that costume! One of my coolest costumes ever was a Renaissance wench. I had a friend who had a Renaissance themed wedding and asked guests to dress the part if at all possible, so I splurged and bought a dress from a Renaissance store here in town. I got A LOT of Halloween use out of that dress!

Hope to see you both here dropping off more ideas (and taking some, too!)

BIG hugs!

[sublime311]

I collect Department 56 (http://www.department56.com) Dickens' Village pieces and have purchased several pieces from their Original Snow Village Halloween collection (http://www.department56.com/products/product_thumbnail.asp?cat=VL||SVH&filter=AVL) and I love it! I'm actually thinking about focusing on this collection more now.

Most pieces light up and some have moving parts - I have the Fun House and it has a rotating tunnel! Anyway, here are a few village and accessory pieces:

http://images.snapfish.com/34447%3A8723232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323972%3B94%3A%3C9ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/34447%3A8723232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323972%3B94553ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/34447%3A8723232%7Ffp7%3Enu%3D3243%3E399%3E334%3EWS NRCG%3D3232%3A63%3A%3A3%3B%3B%3Bnu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/34447%3A8723232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323972%3B94556ot1lsi

I LOVE IT! I think it makes a really awesome display in our entryway. Trick-or-treaters can see it when they come to the door.

[mindy]

I love the village I might have to go get some to decorate my hall with.

[sublime311]

Oh Mindy, you TOTALLY should check them out. Other than the obvious collection stores, most Hallmarks carry the line, I think, and deparment stores carry the Christmas lines near Christmas, but I'm not sure about the Halloween pieces. Plus, if you're near Mall of America, D56 has a store there. Their corporate offices are in Minneapolis. My BFF and I took a trip there just so we could tour their offices! lol Yeah, we're weird. :rolleyes:

[MrsWilson]

Found these and had to share!
Frankenstein 35'h
http://www.globos.net/images/halloween/inflatable_franky_rev1.JPG

Witches 15'h & 25'h
http://www.globos.net/images/halloween/inflatable_witches_rev1.JPG

Witch 30'h
http://www.globos.net/images/halloween/inflatable_witch_rev1.JPG

Inflatable Ghost 20'h
http://www.globos.net/images/halloween/inflatable_ghost_rev1.JPG

Halloween Pumpkins 10'h & 20'h
http://www.globos.net/images/halloween/inflatable_pumpkins_rev2.JPG

[MrsWilson]

Giant Spider
http://www.globos.net/images/halloween/inflatable_spider.JPG

Halloween Decoration Props: Dracula 15'h; Witch 15'h; Grim Reaper 12'h; Frankenstein 15'h
http://www.globos.net/images/halloween/halloween_inflatables.JPG

[MrsWilson]

http://www.pcshock.com/Moo/images/witch.jpg

http://www.lisamariesgiftsgalore.com/i/Halloween/33851_Halloween_Light_up_Ghost.jpg

http://www.lisamariesgiftsgalore.com/i/Halloween/34582_Halloween_Candle_Jar.jpg

http://www.joannagamble.com/p12t2c19__Pooh__Harvest_Decoration.jpg

[Cohl]

I love that Halloween village. I want to buy it and put it in my florida room once my DH gets around to putting my shelves up (if it ever happens :rolleyes: ) I really need to get moving on halloween. The only thing I have picked out is my DD's costume. I am pretty sure this is what we're going with:
http://store1.yimg.com/I/mamabearsbabyboutique_1853_148119528

She was a bumble bee last year.

[PGirl26]

I'm so excited to see this thread. I love Halloween and I'm obsessed with all things Frankenstein!! I'm subscribing!

[Hangin'in]

Christmas is my favorite SEASON, but Halloween is my favorite holiday! My sister and I used to throw the most fab parties! I haven't thrown one since moving to Little Rock, mainly because my SIL STOLE my holiday! If they have one this year, it will be their 3rd one... but they really suck! She just doesn't have the right mix of people, and she's not willing to spend the money to rev up the party so that it equals the hype she has given it.
Below are pictures from last years party... DH and I came up with most of the food ideas.

This is the food table. The item in the top left corner is SALSA with plasic eyeballs floating in it. The platter down front has cookies shaped like witch's fingers (dyed almond slivers for fingernails). There is a kitty litter box cake (not my idea) Right behind the KL Cake is a bowl of merangue bones!
http://images.snapfish.com/3444934723232%7Ffp7%3Enu%3D3238%3E989%3E752%3EWSNR CG%3D3232764%3B%3C883%3Anu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/3444934723232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2329%3D%3A7%3A%3D843%3 DXROQDF%3E2323673%3C%3B9267ot1lsi
ETA: One of the MOST CREATIVE food ideas I didn't get a picture of... DH and I went to medical supply places and bought urine sample cups, then we filled them with ~ 1 inch of urine colored jello shots!

They covered the mirror with cheese cloth so the Vampires would feel at home... they had beakers filled with colored water.
http://images.snapfish.com/3444934723232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E2329%3D%3A7%3A%3D843%3 DXROQDF%3E2323673%3C%3B8%3B64ot1lsi

She did the same thing to her front porch that DH and I had done to ours with the garbage bags cut into strips and stretched out, the candle abra is my sisters.
http://images.snapfish.com/3444934723232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E2329%3D%3A7%3A%3D843%3 DXROQDF%3E2323673%3C%3B9757ot1lsi

DH and I in our costumes... he was Dracula, and I was a spider princess.
http://images.snapfish.com/3444934723232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2329%3D%3A7%3A%3D843%3 DXROQDF%3E2323673%3C%3B9765ot1lsi

I posted the pictures because you know... a picture is worth a 1000 words... and it would have taken forever to describe all of that! Alot of the ideas I got from Martha Stewart... she put out a special edition magazine just for Halloween last year! DH and I bought alot of Halloween stuff 75% off after the holiday... but we probably won't be decorating our house for halloween this year... it will be too close to our closing/moving date for our new house.

[sublime311]

Mrs. Wilson, rocks! Thanks for the inspiration pics! I LOVE those inflatables!

http://images.snapfish.com/3444768%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323972836%3A99ot1lsi

Hey Cohl! Super cute costume for the baby! I love it!

http://images.snapfish.com/3444768%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323972836%3A99ot1lsi

Welcome, Amanda! Hope to see you posting in here!

http://images.snapfish.com/3444768%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323972836%3A99ot1lsi

Hiya Jen! That food table looks great! I think I'm a little off because I have ALWAYS wanted to make that kitty litter cake! I think it's toooo funny! Sick, but funny! lol Do you have recipes for the witch's fingers and bone meringues? Those look pretty easy to make, but provide loads of visual punch, KWIM? The costumes looked great, too! I'm still not decided about this year's costume. Do you have ideas for yours, yet??

[shopaholic]

Ohh..I love Halloween too!!! When it gets closer I will definitely re-visit and try out some of these receipes!

[Hangin'in]

I do have those recipes at home.... DH and I went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this weekend... and he said that IF his sister had her halloween party this year, then he wanted to go as Willy Wonka. I don't think I will have time to make our costumes (I ALWAYS make our costumes!), but they have some online you can preorder... so if he goes as Willy, I guess I'll be an Oompaloompa! Kind of like these...
http://www.frightcatalog.com/images/large_catalog_images/16887_467x467_wonkacostume.jpg
http://www.frightcatalog.com/images/large_catalog_images/16888_467x467_oopmacostume.jpg with these glasses...
http://www.frightcatalog.com/images/medium_catalog_images/1303029_Wonka_glasses_200x200.jpg
http://www.frightcatalog.com/images/medium_catalog_images/1303027_Wonka_spiralgogg_200x200.jpg

If they had the white ommpa loompa costume, we would go with the white goggles, because they look so fab... but the only oompa loompa I've seen is red!

[sublime311]

Jen! Look what I found for you (sorry about the poor picture quality)!

http://images.snapfish.com/3444938323232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3DX ROQDF%3E2323974%3C965%3A5ot1lsi

Found it here. (http://www.tvdance.com/shop/halloween-costumes/)

[sublime311]

Hey Susan! Welcome! If you come across any good recipes, be sure to share!

[Chimichanga]

Yay for Halloween!! :D

I have a few recipes, but no pictures. :(

Frankenstein Jell-O
- In a clear 16 ounce cup (or larger) pour lime green Jell-O about 3/4 of the way up.
- Refrigerate for about 15 minutes or until partially set
- Smoosh two marichino (drained and dried with no stems) into the Jell-O for eyeballs
- Refrigerate until set
- Crumble Oreos on top of the Jell-O for hair
- Glue Rollos on the outside of cup for the bolts
- Use a paint pen to add scratches

Spider Cupcakes
- Make devil's food cake cupcakes as normal.
- Frost with white frosting with black dye
- Use some shredded coconut dyed black for texture - sprinkle on top of frosting.
- Using chocolate licorice strings, cut 8 legs and stick into the cupcake
- Use two red hots for eyes

**********
this year I hope to get a sewing machine before Halloween and I'd love t make DH and I costumes! It's our first year in our house and I can't wait for the holidays. And, I'd love to dress up our lab.

[Hangin'in]

sublime311 Thankd for the link to the white oompa loompa costume!

Chimichanga I'm going to have to tell my sister about the frankenstien jello cups... I have a couple of nieces that will love that!

Another food item that I did for that party last year was guacamole (I butchered the spelling), but I called it guacaMOLDY... and I made my own chips. You take colored/flavored flour tortilla's and cut halloween shapes with cookie cutters. Lightly coat with olive oil, and sprinkle with coarse salt... bake on a cookie sheet until crisp.... Then you can use them for salsa, guac, and many other dips!

[sublime311]

Chimichanga! Welcome! LOVE those recipes! Keep 'em coming!

Do you have any ideas about what you would like to make for your costumes? I SOOOO wish I could sew, because it just totally opens up the possibilities, ya know??

I tried to dress up my dog as a clown once - uh.. yeah, she didnt' like it very much! lol It was fun while the costume stayed on! :D Are you going to try to match your labs costumes to the ones you make for you and DH? It would be cute to have a family theme! They have SOOO many cute doggie costumes!


http://images.snapfish.com/3444768%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323972836%3A99ot1lsi

Morning, Jen! You are most welcome for the pic! Google is my best friend when it comes to research! :D

Ok, can I just say that I just LOVE your guacamoldy idea! Genuis!

[Chimichanga]

Well, I'm pretty open for costumes. I haven't taken sewing classes, but I think I'd be pretty handy making something simple.

I just found this today:
http://images.buycostumes.com/mgen/merchandiser/18842.jpg?is=225,225,0xffffff
for our pup. DH is a huge Star Wars nerd (not as much as some, but enough for me) and he would probably think it's funny.

[sublime311]

ROFL! Chimichanga, that costume is TOOOO cute! You HAVE to do it so you can post pictures afterwards! :D

[mindy]

That is too cute! I love the yoda costume I only have a cat wonder if they make them that small? My husband would go nuts over it!

[Chimichanga]

they had pretty small sizes for Yoda. although, I'm not sure our lab will be able to fit into it by Halloween. We'll see though...

[BooeyJ2]

GREAT THREAD! I looooooooooooooove Halloween!!



Here are some pictures of our house last year on Halloween (can't find the pics of the decorations inside).......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/BooeyCruz/HalloweenHouse2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/BooeyCruz/bb910e48.jpg




Chimichanga - That Yota dog costume is HILARIOUS! I think I might have to get it for my dog (who is a pug...so she already looks a lot like Yota! LOL). She was a "china doll last year" (red silk chinese dress and black pigtails....but I can't find the pics! :()

[Cohl]

I was looking through the Lenox catalog today and saw this tree. I think it is the cutest thing! I may have to buy it!
http://www.lenox.com/images/pg/product_images/093328_wb3.jpg

[sublime311]

Welcome Julie! I LOVE your home! It's soooo beautiful and your decorations are adorable!

Cohl! That tree is sooo cute! You HAVE to get it!!

[BooeyJ2]

Thank you Sublime!! :)






I found the rest of my Halloween decoration pics........


Bad pic, but those are my little skull tealight holders....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v147/BooeyJ2/HalloweenDecor2.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v147/BooeyJ2/HalloweenDecor1.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v147/BooeyJ2/SamuelScarecrow1.jpg

[Hangin'in]

booeyJ2 I just love the portrait of your pup!

[shellbell516]

We had a big party for Halloween last year. Here's some of our decorations.

We put this out by the front door.
http://images.snapfish.com/3444%3B%3A4723232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2329%3D679%3D963%3 DXROQDF%3E2323662%3C896%3A4ot1lsi
http://images.snapfish.com/3444%3B%3A4723232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2329%3D679%3D963%3 DXROQDF%3E2323662%3C8%3A383ot1lsi
http://images.snapfish.com/3444%3B%3A4723232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2329%3D679%3D963%3 DXROQDF%3E232366%3A%3C34955ot1lsi

We had a cooler full of beer inside the trunk.
http://images.snapfish.com/3444%3B%3A4723232%7Ffp7%3Enu%3D3238%3E588%3E872%3E WSNRCG%3D323275%3B%3B3%3B%3B9%3Bnu0mrj

here's me as the Bride of Frankenstein with our door keeper (he was not a real person)
http://images.snapfish.com/3444%3B%3A4723232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2329%3D679%3D963%3 DXROQDF%3E232366%3A%3C35332ot1lsi

[mindy]

I love the pumpkins by the door very cute I never thought of stacking them before.

[shellbell516]

Mindy - They were the fake carvable ones from Michaels. We can use them every year now. :)

[sublime311]

Mindy - They were the fake carvable ones from Michaels. We can use them every year now. :)

Wow! I've never heard of those! Soooo cool! I REALLY love the effect that created. Your party looks like a blast!

[jellybeany]

Subscribing. We will be in our house by October so it will be our first time that we can decorate and hopefully have trick-or-treaters. Here are some cool recipe ideas that I've found while searching! :)

http://www.britta.com/HW/fingers.jpg
Creepy Witches' Fingers

Yield: 5 dozen
1 cup Butter, softened
1 cup Icing sugar
1 Egg
1 tsp Almond extract
1 tsp Vanilla
2 2/3 cups Flour
1 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Salt
3/4 cup Almonds, whole blanched
1 Tube red decorator gel
(optional, not pictured)

Gross everyone out with these creepy cookies.
In bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla. Beat in flour, baking soda, and salt. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. Working with one quarter of the dough at a time and keeping remainder refrigerated, roll heaping teaspoonful of dough into finger shape for each cookie. Press almond firmly into 1 end for nail. Squeeze in centre to create knuckle shape. (Accompanying picture showed long rolled shape with bulge at centre for knuckle; you puff it out rather than squeeze it in.) Using paring knife, make slashes in several places to form knuckle.
Place on lightly greased baking sheets; bake in 325F (160C) oven for 20-25 minutes or until pale golden. Let cool for 3 minutes. Lift up almond, squeeze red decorator gel onto nail bed and press almond back in place, so gel oozes out from underneath. You can also make slashes in the finger and fill them with "blood."
Remove from baking sheets and let cool on racks. Repeat with remaining dough.

Tempting Toenail Truffles
Serving Size : 6

3 ounces semisweet chocolate
9 ounces pretzel nuggets
12 ounces beer nuts

Carefully remove the thin sugar shells from the beer nuts and set aside. Heat 2 inches of water to simmering, not boiling, in the bottom of a double boiler. Place the chocolate
in the smaller pot and set it over the simmering water. Stir until the chocolate melts.
When the chocolate is melted, remove the small pan from the heat. Carefully insert a
toothpick into each pretzel nugget, then dip the nugget into the melted chocolate. Be
sure your pretzel (toe) is completely covered. Place 1 sugar shell (toenail) on the end of
each toe. Place on waxed paper to cool and repeat with as many toes as you desire.
Makes 4 to 6 feet.

http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/07/p_hauntedforest.jpg
Haunted Forest Platter

3 stalks of broccoli
3 medium beets
Wood toothpicks 3 hard-boiled eggs
Assorted vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, pea pods, kohlrabies, radishes, sweet red peppers, sweet yellow peppers, and shredded carrot
Ripe olives, pimiento-stuffed olives, and/or tiny sweet pickles
1 ounce spaghetti, cooked and drained
Liquid green food coloring

1. To make a haunted forest, first create trees. Cut bottoms from stalks of broccoli to make 6-inch broccoli trees. Slice beets about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick to make a base for broccoli trees. Break wood toothpicks in half. Insert three to four toothpick pieces into bottom of each broccoli stalk and then insert into a beet slice. Stand broccoli upright. Cover to keep moist.
2. To make egg ghosts, use a small knife or 1/2-inch aspic cutters to hollow out eyes and mouths to form a face. Cut small pieces of ripe olive to press into hollowed-out areas for eyes or mouth, if desired. Cover to keep moist.
3. Using your imagination, create creepy creatures with tomatoes, sweet peppers, pickles, olives, and radishes.
4. Place broccoli trees on serving platter. Cover surface of platter with shredded carrot. Hide egg ghosts in forest along with creepy creatures. Scatter piles of vegetables such as pea pods, beet slices, kohlrabi slices, olives, pickles, and/or any other desired vegetables. Add strips of red pepper to the broccoli branches.
5. To make moss, add a few drops of green food coloring to a small amount of water in a medium bowl. Add cooked spaghetti and let stand about 5 minutes. Drain and place over broccoli trees. Keep platter covered until serving time. If necessary, spritz platter with water to keep it moist.

[jellybeany]

http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/halloween/images/eyes.gif
EYES AND EARS

TO MAKE THE EARS:
1 1/4 cup cake flour (not self-rising)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large egg yolks
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup water
3 drops Red food coloring
Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl. In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients together. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix. Depending on the humidity, you may need to add a little more flour. Dump the dough out onto a floured counter and knead well. If the dough is still too sticky, add more flour. Knead the dough about 5 minutes. Let the dough sit while preparing the eyeballs

TO MAKE THE EYEBALLS:
1-1/2 pounds of Ground Chicken or more
1/8 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon Pepper (white if you have it but black will do)
1/8 teaspoon Garlic
Pitted Medium Green Olives
Pitted Medium Black Olives
Dump the ground chicken in a mixing bowl, add the spices, and mix well. Make little balls of chicken about 1-1/2 inches in diameter and place on a cookie sheet. To make the iris of the eye, take a green olive and cut in half and remove the pimento if you bought that type. To make the pupil, cut a black olive into small pieces. Now insert the black olive piece into the half of green olive. Stick the green olive onto the ground chicken eyeball. When you cook the eyeballs, you do not want them to brown, so steam them. Steam the eyeballs just like you would steam vegetables. It should take about 20 minutes over medium heat.

BACK TO THE PREPARATION OF THE EARS:
Roll out the dough on a floured counter with a rolling pin. The dough should end up about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out round pieces of dough using a glass about 3 inches in diameter. Cut a small hole in the middle of the 3 inch piece of dough to form the ear canal. Roll up the edge of the round piece of dough and form into an ear shape. It helps to have a picture of an ear since you cannot look at your own. I put my ear on the copy machine and made a copy. Put the finished ears on a dishtowel and let dry overnight if possible. If you do not have time, an hour or two will suffice. Cook the ears in boiling water and 1 tablespoon of olive for about 2 minutes or until they float to the top of the water. Drain the ears in a colander.

TO MAKE THE BLOOD:
Simply take a small jar of spaghetti sauce and mix in some red food
coloring.

ASSEMBLE THE DISH:
In a crock-pot or dish, pour the "blood" into bottom. Arrange the cooked "eyes" and "ears" and your done. It can be easily microwave or heated in a crock pot.

Kitty Litter Cake

1 spice or german chocolate cake mix
1 white cake mix
1 package white sandwich cookies
1 large package vanilla instant pudding mix
12 small tootsie rolls
1 litter box (Maybe spring for a new one!)
1 plastic scoop
green food coloring

Prepare cake mixes and bake according to directions. Prepare pudding mix and chill until ready to assemble.
Crumble white sandwich cookies in small batches in blender, they tend to stick, so scrape often. Set aside all but about 1/4 cup. To the 1/4 cup cookie crumbs, add a few drops green food coloring and mix using a fork or shake in a jar.
When cakes are cooled to room temperature, crumble into a large bowl. Toss with half the remaining white cookie crumbs and the chilled pudding. You probably won't need all of the pudding, mix with the cake and test it, you don't want it soggy, just moist; gently combine. Put mixture into clean litter box.
Put three unwrapped Tootsie rolls in a microwave safe dish and heat until soft and pliable. Shape ends so they are no longer blunt, curving slightly. Repeat with 3 more Tootsie rolls and bury in mixture. Sprinkle the other half of cookie crumbs over top.
Scatter the green cookie crumbs lightly over the top, this is supposed to look like the chlorophyll in kitty litter. Heat remaining Tootsie Rolls, three at a time in the microwave until almost melted. Scrape them on top of the cake and sprinkle with cookie crumbs. Place the box on a newspaper and sprinkle a few of the cookie crumbs around. Serve with a new pooper scooper or an old one for added flavor.

[princess1224]

I'm subscribing to this thread, I can't wait to put some of the ideas to use.

Sublime, I love the halloween village items you posted, I've put in my request to DH to start getting them. I love the Christmas ones but I had no idea there were halloween ones.

Michelle, the stacked pumpkins are so cute, where did you find a template for them? (please don't tell me you did that free hand)

Jennybeany, my kids will die for those witches fingers and eyes and ears. Are they really edible?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/sunshine4376/bar1-19.gif

As far as costumes go, I say every year that I will make my costumes for my boys (I have three of them, they're 5, 6 and 7) but either they want to be some character that I recreate or I run out of time by the timne they decide what they want to be. Last year my 6yo decided he wanted to be Obiwan Kenobi again so I made him a bown jedi cloak. Harry Potter is my friends son, the other three are mine (Obiwan, a ninja and Darth Vader)
http://images.snapfish.com/34452%3C6%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2337%3D924%3D%3A%3 A8%3DXROQDF%3E2323983%3A67%3A%3B5ot1lsi
I also made them their candy bags.

A few years back I made costumes for a group of friends to go to a party. DH and I were Fred and Wilma Flinstone
http://images.snapfish.com/34452%3C3523232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2337%3D924%3D%3A%3A8 %3DXROQDF%3E2323983%3A592%3A%3Bot1lsi

Here's the rest of the group, it's too bad the 'photographer' didn't take a full length picture. DH wore the costume to work and won a prize.
http://images.snapfish.com/34452%3C3523232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2337%3D924%3D%3A%3 A8%3DXROQDF%3E2323983%3A5%3A885ot1lsi

Last year DH wore my sweatsuit and was an Olympic coach - Olympic cutbacks and the reason Canada doesn't win many Gold medals...the outfit says Vancouver 2010
http://images.snapfish.com/34452%3C6%3B23232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E2337%3D924%3D%3A%3 A8%3DXROQDF%3E2323983%3A67%3A%3B7ot1lsi

We keep saying we're going to have a Halloween party but we've never gottne around to it. I think it would be really cool to have a kid friendly one. We used to have them every year when I was little - do people still do that?

[princess1224]

These are the pumkins we made last year. They took forever and DH bitched and moaned the whole time but we got lots of compliments from trick-or-treaters and their parents so I say we'll do them again. But hopefully we won't have so many next year.

http://images.snapfish.com/34452%3C6%3B23232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2337%3D924%3D%3A %3A8%3DXROQDF%3E2323983%3A6%3B6%3C5ot1lsi
http://images.snapfish.com/34452%3C6%3B23232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E2337%3D924%3D%3A%3 A8%3DXROQDF%3E2323983%3A5%3B%3A%3B%3Aot1lsi
http://images.snapfish.com/34452%3C6%3B23232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E2337%3D924%3D%3A%3 A8%3DXROQDF%3E2323983%3A5%3B%3A%3B%3Bot1lsi
http://images.snapfish.com/34452%3C6%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2337%3D924%3D%3A%3 A8%3DXROQDF%3E2323983%3A6%3B6%3C4ot1lsi
http://images.snapfish.com/34452%3C6%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2337%3D924%3D%3A%3 A8%3DXROQDF%3E2323983%3A67%3A%3B9ot1lsi

[Pink_Converse]

This is MY Holiday! I am so glad someone started this thread. We have huge parties every year. This year will be our 4th, we always spend way too much money, but have a lot of fun. I have tons of Halloween stuff and hardly any Christmas stuff!! I will go thru some of my book and ideas and post later. I'm so excited!

[Pink_Converse]

Halloween Book Reviews:

Halloween: A Grown-Up's Guide to Creative Costumes, Devilish Decor & Fabulous Festivities by Joanne O'Sullivan

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1579903460.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

This book is pretty cool. I don't really like the sections on the homemade costumes but the sections on Halloween candlescapes and parties are cool. They have themes for a New Oleans Voodoo cocktail part, Day of the Dead dinner party and all kind of templates you can Xerox for luminaries, pumkin carving, etc.

Halloween Crafts: Eerliy Elegant Decor by Kasey Rodgers (Louise Tate of TV's Bewitched) and Mark Wood

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0873492919.01._PIdp-schmoo2,TopRight,7,-26_PE30_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

This book is cheaply made, bad photography but has tons of super cool crafts and decor. Well worth the money. Bleeding skulls, dripping candles, pumkin goblin kings and MORE! Lots of stuff for adults.

It's hard to find books, mags and websites that have ideas for adult parties.

Budget Living Magazine's new book Party Central is very cute too. It has cheap parties for all occasions (some of them have gross recipes that are too cheap in my opinion, but it's full of cute ideas). Their Halloween punch recipe was so good I've made it for baby showers, weddings, birthday parties, it's made a lot of appearances this year. People request that I make it.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0399530223.01._PIdp-schmooS,TopRight,7,-26_PE60_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg


Piña Colada Witches' Brew (makes enough to fill 2 large punch bowls: 1 alcoholic, 1 nonalcoholic)

6 cups orange juice
6 cups pineapple juice
1 15-oz. can cream of coconut
4 cups light rum
1 2-L bottle ginger ale

Divide juices and cream of coconut between two large punch bowls; stir well. Add rum to one of the mixtures. Divide ginger ale between mixtures and top both with ice.

[Cohl]

I just have to say that all of you ladies are so creative! I love the holidays but don't have a creative bone in my body!

jellybeany I LOVE that haunted forest platter!! Too cute!!

[sublime311]

Julianne! Your party rocks! I LOVE those Flinstone costumes, too! I LOVE themed Halloween costumes like that where serveral people coordinate. We had department themed costume contests at this one place I worked - some of the themes we've done is:

Band of gypsies
It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (I was Snoopy and his dog house!)
101 Dalmations
Wizard of Oz

Fun!

[sublime311]

Welcome Jo and Pink Converse! Love those recipes and book reviews! That pina colada recipe is a MUST try! I may not even wait for Halloween! lol

[sublime311]

Old Fashioned Hallween (http://oldfashionhalloween.com/) (check out their links page, too)

Lots of great old fashioned Halloween decorations and pictures here. I really loved the postcards. Here are some samplings from the website:

Postcards
http://images.snapfish.com/3445539523232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3DX ROQDF%3E2323988346846ot1lsi http://images.snapfish.com/3445539523232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323988345985ot1lsi
http://images.snapfish.com/3445539523232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323988346847ot1lsi

Paper mache
http://images.snapfish.com/3445539523232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3DX ROQDF%3E2323988345986ot1lsi

Noise makers
http://images.snapfish.com/3445539523232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3DX ROQDF%3E2323988346848ot1lsi

Onaments
http://images.snapfish.com/3445539523232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3DX ROQDF%3E2323988346849ot1lsi

[sublime311]

The 12 days of Halloween
(sing to the tune of "The 12 Days of Christmas")


On the first day of Halloween my best friend gave to me.
A boney witches knee.

On the second day of Halloween, my best friend gave to me.
Two bats a flying,
And a boney witches knee.


On the third day of Halloween, my best friend gave to me.
Three pumpkins growing,
Two bats a flying,
And a boney witches knee.


On the fourth day of Halloween, my best friend gave to me.
Four vampires biting,
Three pumpkins growing,
Two bats a flying,
And a boney witches knee.


On the fifth day of Halloween, my best friend gave to me.
Five haunted houses,
Four vampires biting,
Three pumpkins growing,
Two bats a flying,
And a boney witches knee.


On the sixth day of Halloween, my best friend gave to me.
Six ghouls a dancing,
Five haunted houses,
Four vampires biting,
Three pumpkins growing,
Two bats a flying,
And a boney witches knee.


On the seventh day of Halloween, my best friend gave to me.
Seven witches cooking,
Six ghouls a dancing,
Five haunted houses,
Four vampires biting,
Three pumpkins growing,
Two bats a flying,
And a boney witches knee.


On the eighth day of Halloween, my best friend gave to me.
Eight ghosts a flying,
Seven witches cooking,
Six ghouls a dancing,
Five haunted houses,
Four vampires biting,
Three pumpkins growing,
Two bats a flying,
And a boney witches knee.


On the ninth day of Halloween, my best friend gave to me.
Nine monsters dancing,
Eight ghosts a flying,
Seven witches cooking,
Six ghouls a dancing,
Five haunted houses,
Four vampires biting,
Three pumpkins growing,
Two bats a flying,
And a boney witches knee.


On the tenth day of Halloween, my best friend gave to me.
Ten bats a hanging,
Nine monsters dancing,
Eight ghosts a flying,
Seven witches cooking,
Six ghouls a dancing,
Five haunted houses,
Four vampires biting,
Three pumpkins growing,
Two bats a flying,
And a boney witches knee.


On the eleventh day of Halloween, my best friend gave to me. Eleven Trick-or-treaters,
Ten bats a hanging,
Nine monsters dancing,
Eight ghosts a flying,
Seven witches cooking,
Six ghouls a dancing,
Five haunted houses,
Four vampires biting,
Three pumpkins growing,
Two bats a flying,
And a boney witches knee.


On the twelfth day of Halloween my best friend gave to me. Twelve Jack-o-lanterns,
Eleven Trick-or-treaters,
Ten bats a hanging,
Nine monsters dancing,
Eight ghosts a flying,
Seven witches cooking,
Six ghouls a dancing,
Five haunted houses,
Four vampires biting,
Three pumpkins growing,
Two bats a flying,
And a boney witches knee.

By Daniel. W. S.

[December27JJB]

www.yankeehalloween.com

jello molds:

http://www.yankeehalloween.com/qwiggle/brainsmall-lg.jpg

_______________________________

http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/beverages/bevimages/eyetini.jpg

per eyeball:
1 radish
1 pimiento stuffed green olive

per drink:
1 shot gin or vodka
1/4 shot dry vermouth (more or less to taste)

See Photos)
Prepare ice "eyeballs" at least a day before your plan to use them. Peel radishes, leaving thin streaks of red skin on to represent blood vessels. Using the tip of the vegetable peeler or a small, knife, carefully scoop out a small hole in each radish, roughly the size of an olive. Stuff a green olive, pimiento side out, in each hole. Place 1 radish eyeball in each section of an empty ice cube tray. Pare the radishes down a bit to fit, if necessarry. Fill the tray with water and freeze overnight.

To make drink, fill a tall cocktail glass with 3-4 eyeball ice cubes, add ingredients in the order given. Shake or stir, as is your preference.

http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/appetizers/appimg/eyeball1.jpg

http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/appetizers/appimg/eyeball2.jpg

http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/appetizers/appimg/eyeball3.jpg

http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/appetizers/appimg/eyeball4.jpg


http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/beverages/cocktails/gin/eyeballtini.html

[sublime311]

www.yankeehalloween.com

That's an awesome website! I love those recipes, too. I think the jello molds are the coolest!

[Chimichanga]

Jo-Ann Fabric has recently redone their entire store to be more like a Michael's. They had some awesome looking Halloween decorations there!!
http://63.210.199.178/06/33/2/63326.jpg.fpx?qlt=70&wid=144&cvt=jpeg
Metal bobble - $16.99. They also have a pumpkin and a ghost

[maplekitty]

Curt and I LOVE HAlloweena nd we always go all out on our costumes - usually winning a prize at the parties we go to as well.

Here are two of our best costumes:

This year we went as a goth couple. What funny is that this is so FAR from our normal personalities that our friends were actually really creeped out with how authentic we played it.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid121/p89438766083bc9ae580421c1a6e16f8e/f84f80ff.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/pefb6088f8f0f28610a98467fe980dbb4/f2e0ea45.jpg

The next year we changed it up a bit and went as "Curt and Sarah - 50 years from now"...and you better beleive I had that purse full of scotch mints, kleenex and a photoalbum of my "grankids".
http://ww.thewatts.ca/images/photos/hallow04-03.jpg

[maplekitty]

Our friend Kyle was a "Locked-out NHL player" and our friend Sean was the "NHL owner's salary-cap"

http://ww.thewatts.ca/images/photos/hallow04-05.jpg

Our other friend Dan and his gf Jen were Fred adn Wilma
http://ww.thewatts.ca/images/photos/hallow04-04.jpg

[sublime311]

Sarah! Those are the coolest costumes! I LOVE the goth theme! Fun! I wish DH and I had a bunch of friends to have a party like this. We both just have a couple friends and that's not really enough to have a party!! Maybe now that I'm teaching we'll have access to more people! lol

Thanks for sharing your costumes! What's the plan for this year??

[sublime311]

Collectors, Gocollect.com (http://www.gocollect.com) is having a "shop early for Halloween" (http://www.gocollect.com/promotions/freegifts/freeshipping.asp) sale. Free shipping on orders over $25!!

They have a site dedicated to Halloween collectibles called Spookology.com (http://www.spookology.com/)!!

Cool, cool, cool! I am SOOOO excited! The free shipping sale ends 8/18, so get a move on if you plan to add (or start) to your collection this year!

[MLA]

Ooh! Illuminations is starting to sell their Halloween stuff online. I love these:

Owl lantern:
http://www.illuminations.com/images/us//local/product/2005_fall/OwlLtn_FA05_p.jpg


Hurricanes:
http://www.illuminations.com/images/us//local/product/2005_fall/ShdowCst_Lntrns_p.jpg


http://www.illuminations.com/images/us//local/product/2005_fall/Hwn_Cndlbra_FA05_p.jpg

Last year they had some really cool haunted houses. I hope they offer them again this year!

[sdianems]

Halloween...one of my favorite time of the year!

Williams-Sonoma frequently sells Halloween themed items for cooking/baking, like cake & cookie decorating kits with orange and black sugars, deco pens, etc. or theme music CD's for your entertaining pleasures!

Of course, both Pottery Barn and PB Kids always come out with great decorating items....treat bags, candles, candle holders, etc.

They should be out sometime next month...

[vwinkel]

Shellbell516 - Did you use a stencil? How did you cut out your numbers?

MLA I LOVE those items from illuminations

[MLA]

Oooh! Illuminations now has some more stuff available online:

http://www.illuminations.com/images/us//local/product/2004_fall/spooky%20tree_tlt_hldr_xl.jpg
http://www.illuminations.com/images/us//local/product/2005_fall/Lg_SpookyHouse_xl.jpg

[maplekitty]

Thanks for sharing your costumes! What's the plan for this year??

This year, we are doing full-out redneck white trash. Curt will have a stained wife beater, tight-ass pale jeans, a beer beely. He'll grow his mustach out, and shave his goatee. We're also thinking, one of those beer hats.

I'll be wearing a nightgown, barefeet, I'll have babies (dolls) coming out of every pocket. (might be a little riskque and have a babie tied to a red string hanging from between my legs - you know...I'm always pregnant so I didn't even know I was having another one...lol). I'll carry a box of wine and maybe roadkill in a frying pan).

LOL...we still need to figure out the whole thing...only 2 months to go! LOL

[Etoile]

Aaaah! We did white trash one year too!
DH wore a fake mustache, his buddy-holly glasses (well, they're his everyday glasses now but it went with the whole package), a wife beater under a hawaiian shirt, plaid shorts, black socks & flip flops. I wore a trashy k-mart nightgown, knee-hi's, pink fuzzy slippers, pink curlers in my hair with a leopard-print scarf tied around my head, 70's looking sunglasses (you know, the big squarish kind that are darker at the top and lighter at the bottom), frosted eyeshadow & frosted lipstick, and a cigarette hanging out of my mouth. We were a hit!

[sublime311]

Crossposted from another thread:

Couple Costume Ideas

1920's Lifeguard/1920's Bathing Beauty
Abe Lincoln/Mary Todd
Al Capone/Gangster's Moll
Ape/Bananas
Astronaut/Genie
Baseball Hero/Cheerleader
Batman/Catwoman
Beast/Beauty
Buccaneer/Spanish Senorita
Caesar/Cleopatra
Captain Hook/Peter Pan
Caveman/Cavegirl
Clyde/Bonnie
Confederate Officer/Southern Bell
Convict/Gangster's Moll
Convict/Keystone Cop
Count Dracula/Vampira
Cowboy/Cowgirl
Daddy Warbucks/Annie
Daniel Boone/Prairie Girl
Darth Vader/Princess Leah
Dentist/Tooth
DiMaggio/Marilyn Monroe
Elvis/Priscilla
Farmer/Cow or Pig
Frankenstein/Bride of Frankenstein
Fred/Ginger
Fu Man Chu/Oriental Servant
Gambler/Can-Can Dancer
Gangster/Flapper
Gay 90's Muscle Man/Gay 90's Swimsuit
George Washington/Martha Washington
Gin/Genie
Gladiator/Slave
Greaser/50's Poodle Skirt
Groom/Bride
Henry VIII/Anne Boelyn
Henry Higgins/Eliza
Indian/Squaw
Japanese Man/Geisha
John the Baptist/Salome
Keystone Cop/Flapper
King/Queen
King Arthur/Gueneviere
King Kong/Fay Ray
King of Hearts/Queen of Hearts
King of Siam/Anna
King Tut/Queen Nefertiti
Killer Bee/Flower
Last Emperor/Oriental Consort
Latin Dancer/Carmen Miranda
Lifeguard/Bathing Beauty
Louis XV/Marie Antoinette
Mad Doctor/Evil Nurse
Mad Hatter/Alice In Wonderland
Marc Antony/Cleopatra
Matador/Flamenco Dancer
Monk or Priest/Nun
Musketeer/Marie Antoinette
Napoleon/Josephine
Peter Pan/Tinker Bell
Pirate/Wench
Prince Charming/Cinderella
Purple Jester/Hench Woman
Quasimodo/Esmeralda
Raggedy Andy/Raggedy Anne
Rasputin/Alexandra
Rhett Butler/Scarlett O'Hara
Robin Hood/Maid Marion
Roman/Roman Lady
Romeo/Juliet
Santa Suit/Mrs. Claus/Elf
Scarecrow/Lion/Tinman/Dorothy
Sonny/Cher
Sultan/Belly Dancer
Superman/Supergirl
Tarzan/Jane
Titanic Gentleman & Lady
Uncle Sam/Miss Liberty
Viking Chief/Sexy Barbarian
W.C. Fields/Mae West
Warlock/Witch
Wizard/Jester
Wolf/Red Riding Hood
Yodeler/Swiss Miss
Zorro/Spanish Lady

Found these here (http://www.theromantic.com/stories/halloween/couplescostumes.htm).

[stella24]

I just received my pb catalog in the mail the other day, and I know there were a few halloween items/ideas in it, though I can't find anything on their site just yet. But now I can't wait for halloween ;)

[Hangin'in]

The following chip and dip set from Fitz and Floyd . com is on sale for $19.99!
http://www.fitzandfloyd.com/immagini/products/large/2063_304-l.jpg

[Vorian's_Leronica]

I

This next one is from ebay - the seller had a TON of really pretty designs. You can find her "store" here. (http://stores.ebay.com/Royal-Coffers)

Renaissance Pirate
http://images.snapfish.com/3444779923232%7Ffp3%3Enu%3D3243%3E399%3E334%3EWSNR CG%3D3232%3A6386582%3Cnu0mrj


I am seriously considering that costume.
I have a lundry list of costumes and I cant decide on one.
That one is a pretty reasonable price and I can wear it again. (and I dont mean next halloween. I mean out and about to the embarrassment of my family lol)

[sdianems]

PotteryBarnKids.com (http://ww1.potterybarnkids.com/index.cfm?src=hme&cid=thmocchal&area=thm) has great Halloween items now!

http://a293.g.akamai.net/7/293/5910/0010/image1.styleinamerica.com/pkecimgs/images/products/200535/0004/img11m.jpghttp://a293.g.akamai.net/7/293/5910/0010/image1.styleinamerica.com/pkecimgs/images/products/200533/0017/img6m.jpg
http://a293.g.akamai.net/7/293/5910/0010/image1.styleinamerica.com/pkecimgs/images/products/200535/0007/img50m.jpg http://a293.g.akamai.net/7/293/5910/0010/image1.styleinamerica.com/pkecimgs/images/products/200533/0017/img7m.jpg

[sdianems]

http://a293.g.akamai.net/7/293/5910/0010/image1.styleinamerica.com/pkecimgs/images/products/200535/0004/img94m.jpg http://a293.g.akamai.net/7/293/5910/0010/image1.styleinamerica.com/pkecimgs/images/products/200533/0017/img16m.jpg
http://a293.g.akamai.net/7/293/5910/0010/image1.styleinamerica.com/pkecimgs/images/products/200533/0017/img12m.jpg http://a293.g.akamai.net/7/293/5910/0010/image1.styleinamerica.com/pkecimgs/images/products/200535/0008/img70m.jpg

[msnicolea]

duplicate post

[sublime311]

DH and I decided on our costume for this year: Hagar, the Horrible and Helga (his wife):

http://images.snapfish.com/3449852323232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3DX ROQDF%3E2323%3A%3A8476399ot1lsi

Glad we've decided!

[mrsdrummer]

I'm thinking D and I will be Dog and Beth Chapman. Last year he was Tommy Lee circa 80's
(that's him on the far right)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4cf20b3127cce9b0e273c55d800000036108Das27lm1E

And I was his groupie and the guy by me is MIL's cousin he was a ZZTop guy
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4cf20b3127cce9b0e273e55da00000036108Das27lm1E

[sdianems]

For the super-creative among us:

Hallmark (http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10051&storeId=10001&partNumber=ABOUT_HALLOWEEN_CONTEST&CatIDsList=18052%3B80551&tabOn=Halloween+Event) is hosting a Halloween House of the Year Contest.

Rules:
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/Content/gcs_contest_sect1_hdr1.jpg

Fun-tastic Halloween Contest

Is your house where Halloween comes alive? If you're planning to turn your home into a fun-filled haunted house, deck the walls with monster-inspired art, or create your own ornament-covered Halloween tree, the Hallmark Halloween House of the Year contest is for you!

How to Enter
To participate, please follow the following steps:


Submit a digital photograph of your decorated home — inside or out — and a 25-word summary describing why your home deserves to be named Hallmark's Halloween House of the Year. Submissions should be e-mailed to Halloween@hallmark.com
Your submission must include the following: your name, address, daytime phone number, and e-mail address.
Entries will be accepted from September 26, 2005 to October 20, 2005. Entries submitted prior to 9/26 or after 10/20 will not be accepted.
Please refer to the Official Rules by clicking the "Official Contest Rules" link at left.
Winners will be selected by midnight (CST), Oct. 21, 2005. Judges for the contest will include a panel of Halloween experts, including Butch Patrick, who played Eddie Munster on the popular television show "The Munsters."

One grand prize winner will receive the entire Hauntington, U.S.A., product line and a personal visit from Butch! In addition, five national winners will receive the Hauntington, U.S.A., line just in time for Halloween!

[Heidi9771]

We've been invited to a Halloween Party! I think I found DH and I our costumes! We are really into the series HBO Rome lately, so I am really digging these:

http://zoom.buycostumes.com/mgen/merchandiser/11380.jpg?zm=400,400,1,0,0 http://zoom.buycostumes.com/mgen/merchandiser/12274.jpg?zm=400,400,1,0,0

[nektarine]

i've got a good costume idea for someone!

last year i begged my local Dunkin' Donuts to let me borrow their donut costume, and they obliged! :D i figured that they know me well enough, it wasn't as though i was a complete stranger. they just asked that i hand out coupons all night.

so i threw on my tap shoes, and i was a tap-dancing donut!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/kstar770/kdonut.jpg

although maneuvering around a crowded NYC bar in a donut costume was not the easiest task. and i got assaulted by random nyers all night long.

[sdianems]

Nektarine that is absolutely hilarious! And genius....you get to wear a fabulous outfit, for free!

[LadyD088]

Subbing. This is a great thread!! I am NOT all that into Halloween however we are going to a party this year - driving 6 hours just to drive 6 hours home the next day for this part, however I know the Dj and its going to ROCK! Dh and I have come up with a costume idea (with the help of a fellow CC'er)

DH will be a doctor in scrubs
I will be an accident victim

Can't wait to have pictures!

Looking for more recipe ideas and just fun stuff.

Deb

[sublime311]

Q. Anyone else putting up their outside Halloween decorations this weekend??

[Chimichanga]

I started today!! :)

There's a farm by my parents that sells smaller pumpkins for 50 cents each. I got 30 and I lined our front sidewalk with them. I need more to finish up the driveway and the back brick wall.

I'm about 45% done - I'll be bringing up our rubbermaid of decorations tonight. :D :D

[Chimichanga]

I just heard of a really cute outfit yesterday...

A friend of mine made a hat of cotton, and put cotton on white boots. She wrapped her body in blue saran wrap and was...a Q-tip!!

She said it was a pain when she had to go to the bathroom, but overall it was really cute.

[Heidi9771]

I love these!
http://a293.g.akamai.net/7/293/5910/0010/image1.styleinamerica.com/pkecimgs/images/products/200535/0004/img11m.jpg

[sublime311]

Bumping for more ideas!

[sublime311]

This is a great website if you're looking for yard decoration ideas:

http://www.yardhaunter.com/halloween_intro.html

[sublime311]

MUST have this!!

http://www.buyinflatables.com/images/25607.jpg

This Gemmy Inflatable stands a towering 6 foot tall and includes blower fan, stand, lighting with spare bulb, yard stakes and tethers. No assembly required. Simply plug this Gemmy Airblown Inflatable Halloween Snoopy into any standard outdoor or indoor 110v electrical outlet or one of our Dusk/Dawn Adjustable Digital Timers and within seconds this airblown inflatable becomes a wonderful Halloween lawn decoration.

[sublime311]

Candy-Filled Witches' Hats

http://www.cooksrecipes.com/recipe_pics_4/candy-filled_witches_hats.jpg

Hats off to these chocolate temptations made from ice cream cones and purchased cookies. Each cone is filled with candy treats before it is attached to the base, making for a sweet surprise.

Self-sealing plastic bag
1 can chocolate frosting
20 chocolate ice cream cones
Candy corn or assorted small candies
Large green and yellow gumdrops (optional)
20 (2- to 3-inch) chocolate cookies

Fill plastic bag with some chocolate frosting. Seal bag and cut a very small end off one corner of the bag and set aside. For each hat, invert one ice cream cone and fill with about 2 tablespoons candy corn or small candies. Pipe some frosting from bag along bottom edge of cone. Press a cookie against frosting. Carefully invert right side up onto waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.

Decorate outside of cone with small candies, using additional frosting as necessary. Refill frosting bag as needed. If desired, roll out large green and yellow gumdrops on a sugared surface until 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 1/4-inch strips. Press green strips around brim of hat and cut smaller pieces from yellow strips to make a buckle; press onto hat.

Makes 20 hats.

[Tonysweetie]

sublime: those are not only adorable but sound sooo yummy!!! :):D

[claribella]

I just wanted to share my costumes. They are done. And believe me...for ME to be this creative is RARE! I did these all myself.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/LJPhotos76/000_1234.jpg

[sublime311]

I just wanted to share my costumes. They are done. And believe me...for ME to be this creative is RARE! I did these all myself.

Wow! So creative and adorable! Hope you'll come back and post some action pics!

You should be so proud!

[mindy]

The costumes look great!

[miaclear]

I bought this tablecloth today fromabcdistributing (www.abcdistributing.com) for $11!

http://images.abcdistributing.com/store/0705F1/images/cmb_366367.jpg

[claribella]

I bought this tablecloth today fromabcdistributing (www.abcdistributing.com) for $11!

http://images.abcdistributing.com/store/0705F1/images/cmb_366367.jpg


Ha! I was looking at those pictures thinking..."wow and they put a life size sheet ghost in there.."

Duh...its a KID in a sheet! :p

That tablecloth is great though.

[August2005Bride]

Subscribing as I am loving this thread so far :)

[debbydibbles]

Thank you for posting the pic of the kitty litter cake. I have this recipe but have not made it and was curious as to what it looks like.
My son has a b-day a week before Halloween and this year we are doing a Halloween themed party for him . so I am subscribing to this thread

[Rippy1010]

Work-Friendly Costume ideas, anyone?

[Mandos*Bella]

Work friendly to me:

Witch
Ghost
Renaissance woman (with the big dresses)
70's girl (bellbottoms, etc)

Let me ask you:
What are you not comfortable wearing? I know we're excluding anything too risque or slinky, of course. Besides that, anything else? :)

[Rippy1010]

Work friendly to me:
Let me ask you:
What are you not comfortable wearing? I know we're excluding anything too risque or slinky, of course. Besides that, anything else? :)


I'm pretty open to wearing anything. It just has to conform to our dress code.

[shellbell516]

http://images.snapfish.com/3444%3B%3A4723232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2329%3D679%3D963%3 DXROQDF%3E2323662%3C896%3A4ot1lsi

I've been asked how we did this. These are the fake/carvable pumpkins from Michael's. I downloaded a font from www.dafont.com. I can't remember exactly what it was called though. The bottom pumpkin is a face that we also downloaded and printed out. We used the font called pumpkinhead (http://www.dafont.com/en/font.php?file=punkinhead) for the face.

We bought a strand of lights with large bulbs to run through them to plug into the recepatcle.

ETA: We did carve them out completely, but put yellow tissue paper behind the cutouts to make them "glow" better when the lights were on.

If you have any more questions about it, please ask and I'll try to explain better.

Michelle

[Mandos*Bella]

Rippy,
What about an angel or goddess? Or a baby? I'll research some costumes and post them for you on here tomorrow :)

[claribella]

I just wanted to share my costumes. They are done. And believe me...for ME to be this creative is RARE! I did these all myself.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/LJPhotos76/000_1234.jpg


FYI - I have pictures in my LJ (link in my sig) of the costumes on. We had our photo session at JCpenney earlier this week and it turned out great! I am very impressed and very happy!

[Zherbus]

For the last four or five years, I've done this:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a308/Zherbus/devilishcharm.jpg

It creeps little kids out, which is my goal. I think this year, I may dig out my Micheal Myers mask and get a gas station attendant suit.

[mel7dog]

I've been racking my brain for days trying to think of a good costume. I will be home passing out candy, so i'd like something fairly comfy and fun the kids will get a kick out of. I am thinking Marge Simpson, if making the hair and finding a dress isn't too hard.

Any other costume ideas kids have loved?

[sublime311]

I've been racking my brain for days trying to think of a good costume. I will be home passing out candy, so i'd like something fairly comfy and fun the kids will get a kick out of. I am thinking Marge Simpson, if making the hair and finding a dress isn't too hard.

Any other costume ideas kids have loved?

I think that's a GREAT idea! Here is a Marge wig (found it here (http://www.worldofwigs.com/product_info.php/products_id/105)):
http://www.worldofwigs.com/images/costume/4-148-210x.jpg

[nektarine]

hee mel7dog, marge simpson was my back-up costume from last year!

there are a TON of marge wigs on ebay. i kind of like this (http://cgi.ebay.com/BNWT-MARGE-SIMPSON-HALLOWEEN-Costume-Style-Wig_W0QQitemZ5626313972QQcategoryZ19255QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) one the best.
http://i3.ebayimg.com/01/i/05/1b/43/f3_1.JPG

there's also a dress on ebay...but it's looking as though the price is getting up there.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Marge-Simpson-costume-green-strapless-dress-NEW-Medium_W0QQitemZ5625239457QQcategoryZ80916QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

my plan was to get this dress-->
http://store.shopbop.com/product_images/SUSAN1027211852-M.jpg because i knew i would wear it a lot during the summer.

[Maria]

What a great thread! (I'm finally getting around to posting over here... I'm a slow starter!)

We're hosting a party for my Mommy & Baby Friends group, which means babies from 4 months to 21 months along with parents. The babies are really too young for games & crafts, but I'm sure we'll get some great photos. (Isn't that what it's all about? :D)

Keep the ideas coming! I love all your costumes and recipes. My baby is going to be a Bumble Bee:
http://static.flickr.com/30/50291551_e53b171bab.jpg?v=0

I have no idea yet what DH and I are going to be... We're going to have to decide soon!

[sublime311]

This is x-posted from my journal:

James and I wanted to be Hagar, the Horrible and his wife Helga, but time got away from us so I'm going to go as my old standby, a gypsy. A couple of weeks ago we decided to be pirates, but that didn't work out either. I think I could pull off my gypsy costume as a pirate's wench, but we would have too much to get for James. Anyway, we bought him a long black wig last night and now he's going as a stoner kind of guy! lol Think Slash from Guns and Roses. lol I'll be sure to post pictures tonight or tomorrow.

Here is what we ended up with tonight for my Godson's Halloween Costume Birthday party combo:

http://images.snapfish.com/3453264%3B23232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323%3B86%3A%3B6246ot1lsi

See? He DOES look a little like Slash! lol
http://images.snapfish.com/3453264%3B23232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323%3B86%3A%3B6243ot1lsi

Extreme close-up of me! Keep in mind that I have really dark foundation on!
http://images.snapfish.com/3453264%3B23232%7Ffp7%3Enu%3D3243%3E399%3E334%3EWS NRCG%3D3232%3C779%3C5328nu0mrj

This is one of my Godsons - I got a kick out of his costume! lol
http://images.snapfish.com/3453264%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323%3B86%3A%3B6249ot1lsi

[sublime311]

These were nabbed from this wedding idea thread (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=216&page=4):

http://www.frontgate.com/images/prod/zoom/23028-S-Z.jpg

http://www.oxmoorhouse.com/images/Companion/MSmonoramPumpkins.jpg

[Hangin'in]

sublime311, I did monogramed pumpkins for our rehearsal dinner! I wanted something fairly low key, and carved 3 huge pumpkins with our initials... a script "j" and "r" and a block letter "b". They turned out great, but were a pain in the butt... took a long time! MIL also had a huge floral arrangement in which she used a carved out pumpkin as the container... i had a few pictures, but I don't know where they are!

[EveWasFramed]

Does anyone know a place online that you can get free stencils to put on your pumpkins for carving?

[sublime311]

Does anyone know a place online that you can get free stencils to put on your pumpkins for carving?
Here are some: http://www.hersheys.com/trickortreats/activities/stencils.asp

Here are some Cinderella ones from Huggies: http://www.pull-ups.com/na/specialoffers/stencils/print.asp

I just did a google search for "free pumpkin stencils" and turned up loads of "hits". Good luck!

[EveWasFramed]

Thanks! I did a google search for "halloween cutouts" and didn't find much. I guess I just needed a better search term!

[KRM&TPS]

I wanted to post some pictures of my decorations. I really liked Shellbell pumpkin so I made one. It was very time consuming. I am having some trouble with the tissue paper staying taped down. How did your's stay so good Sheel bell?


http://images.snapfish.com/3453534%3B23232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D78%3A%3D4%3 B%3C%3DXROQDF%3E2323%3B94543566ot1lsi

I got this pumpkin from Hallmark. It was only $24. You can put a tea light in it.

http://images.snapfish.com/3453534%3B23232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D78%3A%3D4%3 B%3C%3DXROQDF%3E2323%3B9453%3A%3A%3B8ot1lsi

The rest of my decorations I guess are really just for Fall.

[KRM&TPS]

Ok I will post the rest of my decorations. Because I like them and I am proud of myself because I never decorate.


Here is my $6 welcome sign from Kroger. :) The pic is a little dark but I just took these tonight.
http://images.snapfish.com/3453534%3B23232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D78%3A%3D4%3 B%3C%3DXROQDF%3E2323%3B94543573ot1lsi

OK this isn't really part of my decorations. But I had to show my great deal. This was originally $50 and I got it for $15 at a closeout store. But it does have Pumpkim potpouri in it.
http://images.snapfish.com/3453534%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D78%3A%3D4%3 B%3C%3DXROQDF%3E2323%3B9454357%3Aot1lsi


Everyone's costumes are really cute. Anyone else have pictures? I wish we were going to a Halloween party so I could dress up.

[EveWasFramed]

That jar is beautiful! Congrats on your good deal! :)

[Zelda Von Yitz]

One more thing...

I went to a Halloween Sock Hop on Friday Night.

Three of us went as the Mousketeers.

My costume had a twist to it...here are some pics:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce09b3127cce9489990103c800000015108AcNGTVk0cNL

[sublime311]

Wow. We went through 13 bags of candy tonight! I think there is about 20 pieces left in the bottom of the candy bucket. Crazy. Anyway, hope you all had a great Halloween! I guess this thread will go quiet until the end of summer next year - what a bummer.

Here are some pics from a scene we had in our yard this year. We received loads of compliments and lots of people stopped to take pictures with "Uncle Charlie"! lol The lights in and around the casket are orange/blacklight so it gave off a really creepy reddish color to it after dark. DH made the casket out of roofing foam sheets, duct tape and paint - no REALLY! lol (Nevermind the crazy gnome in the background!)

http://images.snapfish.com/3453%3A46323232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323%3B%3A6%3A752%3C6ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3453%3A46323232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323%3B%3A6%3A75336ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3453%3A46323232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323%3B%3A6%3A75348ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3453%3A46323232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323%3B%3A6%3A75358ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3453%3A46323232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2334%3D48%3A%3D425%3 DXROQDF%3E2323%3B%3A6%3A75368ot1lsi

[MLA]

*Bumping*

I'm so excited for Halloween this year! This is our first Halloween in our new house, and I can't wait to decorate. I'm also excited for Trick or Treaters -- we never really got many where I lived before, and now I'm in a neighborhood full of kids. Should be fun!

[Pghchic]

I was just thinking about halloween today I want to go nuts decorating so I need to start buying stuff I can't wait for Target to get there stuff out.

[trefoil]

Fun stuff from Lillian Vernon (http://www.lillianvernon.com):

http://s7ondemand1.scene7.com/is/image/LillianVernon/038557?$250x188$

Brew up eerie effects as fast as a witch can wiggle her nose! Mysterious smoky fog changes colors--what's in that potion! With mister, 12 LED lights, all you need--just add water, plug it in. Auto shut-off. How-to's incl. adult supervision required. 10"Dia. plastic cauldron has 15 1/2-ft. cord. UL-listed.
$29.98


http://s7ondemand1.scene7.com/is/image/LillianVernon/034486?$250x188$
Gothic Graveyard Fencing
SKU: 034486
Light the garden path for trick-or-treaters or use to surround and protect the family plot. Sturdy metal fencing has fleur-de-lis and scroll motif with glass cup for votive candles or LED tea lights sold on page 8. Easy to set upjust push stakes into ground. Each section is 19 x 16 1/8"H.
$12.98

http://s7ondemand1.scene7.com/is/image/LillianVernon/038386?$250x188$

Spider Web Stands

Keep treats at the ready, place your sculpted jack-o-lanterns on a pedestal! Each sturdy metal web design has 3 dangling spiders, black weather/rust-resistant finishes. No-tool assembly; take apart to store compactly.

Candy basket stand, 11 3/4"Dia., 24"H.

Jack-o'-lantern stand has removable spike to secure pumpkin, center pole section adjusts from 11" to 22" H. 11 3/4" Dia.

$29.98 - $49.98

http://s7ondemand1.scene7.com/is/image/LillianVernon/034475?$250x188$

Rat Pack - Set of 3
SKU: 034475
Invite them to your party, then listen for the eeks and ughs. Life-size rodents have tattered and matted acrylic fur over polyfoam bodies. Mean faces have beady eyes and long whiskers. Set of 3, each 6"L with slithery tail. Use solo or in a packjust like real rats!
$9.98

I haven't bought anything new for this year, yet, but I've (obviously) started thinking about it! :)

[ivansbabe]

Those are all so cute! This is our second Halloween in our house but last year we were still moving and getting settled, We'll be able to do more decorating this year. I LOVE those little fences with candles.

[Standrea]

I'm getting so excited for halloween too-especially since's its our first halloween with a child! She's going to be a bat for halloween!

[maplekitty]

We're excited for Halloween this year, because it's the first time we'll be living on an active road, with lots of kids around!

DH and I love Halloween, so we plan to decarote the front yard - and even though we'll have a 1 month old - she'll be all dressed up too ;)

[shopaholic]

Love halloween!!! Hopefully next year we will be in a home w/ trick or treaters. I am in an apartment now and no one comes....had tons of candy left over last year :(

[Hangin'in]

re subscribing to this thread..... DH and i were hoping to be in our new home for Halloween last year..... and we missed it by 9 days. This will be our first Halloween in an actual neighborhood. There are lots of young kids, and there is an apartment complex behind us, so we might have a good turn out this year! We went to Garden Ridge last week, and have already started planning our outdoor decorations! Halloween is my 2nd fav holiday to decorate for..... 2nd to Christmas. And, if you know me, you know I love Christmas!

We hit Target's after halloween sale 2 years ago and got lot's of great stuff for 75% off..... we've never gotten to use it because we were packing and moving last year!

Things we want to get for this year include a fogger for the flower beds, some tall grave stones, rats, buzzards and crows. Lot's of spider webs and plastic spiders for an *infestation*. I want to get some of those cheap glowing eyes to stuff into the hedge plants and a bony skeleten. I also want to cover the uplights in the flower beds with eery purple spotlight gels! We'll see how far we get with the plans!

[trefoil]

Some stuff from Department 56 ( http://www.department56.com/ ):


http://halloween.d56.com/content/halloween06/images/products/55257_small.jpg
$35

http://halloween.d56.com/content/halloween06/images/products/52896_small.jpg
$30

http://halloween.d56.com/content/halloween06/images/products/53071_small.jpg
$35

http://halloween.d56.com/content/halloween06/images/products/53146_small.jpg
$25

Lillian Vernon finally inspired me to order some Halloween stuff for this year. They are doing 15% off of Halloween orders of $75 or more through August 29. The code for that is 856850900. I skipped the cute little fence I linked in my last post in this thread because for what I wanted to do, I would have needed 22 of them. 22 x $12.98 = way more than I was willing to spend.

[MLA]

Fun stuff from Illuminations.com

http://www.illuminations.com/images/us//local/product/2006_halloween/spooky_mansion_xl.jpg

http://www.illuminations.com/images/us//local/product/2006_halloween/haunted_cauldron_xl.jpg

http://www.illuminations.com/images/us//local/product/2006_halloween/hanging_bats_xl.jpg

http://www.illuminations.com/images/us//local/product/2006_halloween/skull_lantern_xl.jpg

[emschwar]

I need some costume help!

I just found out that one of my co-op days at Noah's school is halloween! So I need a costume! (Well, I don't have to have one, but I can't spend the morning with 2 year olds in costume and not dress up myself!) I need something cheap and easy, something I can move in and sit on the floor and play with 2 year olds in, and something that's 2 year old friendly. Any ideas?

Thanks!

[vjel]

I need some costume help!

I just found out that one of my co-op days at Noah's school is halloween! So I need a costume! (Well, I don't have to have one, but I can't spend the morning with 2 year olds in costume and not dress up myself!) I need something cheap and easy, something I can move in and sit on the floor and play with 2 year olds in, and something that's 2 year old friendly. Any ideas?

Thanks!

how about a ladybug? i know i saw ladybug wings and attenae headband at a Claire's (or similar type store) this week. you could just wear all black or black and red?

[MLA]

I need some costume help!

I just found out that one of my co-op days at Noah's school is halloween! So I need a costume! (Well, I don't have to have one, but I can't spend the morning with 2 year olds in costume and not dress up myself!) I need something cheap and easy, something I can move in and sit on the floor and play with 2 year olds in, and something that's 2 year old friendly. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Maybe a black cat? You can wear all black, pin a tail on your pants (or shirt if it's long), wear some ears and paint your face. Super easy and very kid friendly.

You can also be a white bunny -- same idea as the cat, basically.

[Asha]

boo! another year where i won't be home on halloween. i am going to look into going to a halloween party on the w/e before halloween as i really miss getting dressed up. it was so fun when i was a teacher, and i got to dress up every year, and see all the cute costume the kids wore.

[emschwar]

I'll have to take a trip to the party stores soon and see what I can find. I did think of one possibility last night. I could take a white sweatsuit and paint letters all over it and be the alphabet, but I'm not sure if the kids would get it.

[Asha]

emschwar - that would be a really cute idea if the kids were a little older. i think some kind of animal like mla suggested would be appealing to that age group.

[vwinkel]

I just found out that one of my co-op days at Noah's school is halloween! So I need a costume! (Well, I don't have to have one, but I can't spend the morning with 2 year olds in costume and not dress up myself!) I need something cheap and easy, something I can move in and sit on the floor and play with 2 year olds in, and something that's 2 year old friendly. Any ideas?

Unfortunately, when I think costumes, I think slutty. Like the cameolingerie.com type stuff. :o However, MLA has a good point and the cat thing would be easy. Another vote for Claire's at the mall (ear piercing place), they usually have a tower of Halloween type stuff. You can buy the cat ears (headband), tail, and bow tie.

[sublime311]

emschwar - How about going as a dalmation?

You could use an all white hoodie sweatsuit (super cheap at Walmart), hot glue (or sew) black felt spots all over. Attach black dog ear-shaped pieces of felt to the hoodie. Attach a "tail" to your bottom. Wrap a red ribbon around your neck for a collar. Paint your face white with a black tip on your nose. Viola! Instant doggie!

A cowgirl would be another easy costume - you would just need a vest, cowboy hat, denim skirt, boots, plaid shirt, and maybe some makeup for freckles on your cheeks. I guess that's a lot of stuff to "just" need, but I you might be able to find a lot of it at a second-hand store. Also, t would be fun to recreate Jesse from Toy Story 2:

http://www.mkbmemorial.com/mkb_ts2/ragdoll.jpg

[sublime311]

I'll have to take a trip to the party stores soon and see what I can find. I did think of one possibility last night. I could take a white sweatsuit and paint letters all over it and be the alphabet, but I'm not sure if the kids would get it.

You could go as the "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" tree!! Brown sweat bottoms, green sweat top and attach the letters to you. Just use the book as inspiration!

http://www.mrsnelsonsclass.com/photos/chickachicka/velcrochickatree.jpg

[JenInAZ]

Hi Ladies, I'm looking for some Halloween help... My sister is due to have a baby in the end of October so I want to throw her a Halloween themed baby shower. Obviously nothing gruesome and goulish, but more cute cartoon-y Halloween decor. I've found a few things from Oriental Trading (the best place EVER for party decorations, btw). Anybody have any ideas for Halloween/baby decorations or game ideas? I already found some plastic apples that you can fill with treats/prizes for bobbing. Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[sublime311]

Jen, you could do a more fallish-type theme with sunflowers and scarecrows, etc. That way you could keep it more baby-ish. I can't really think of another way to incorporate a baby theme with Halloween. Hmmm.. Maybe Casper the Ghost (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280026637705&ssPageName=MERC_VI_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=280026638431&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=CategoryProximity&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget#ebayphotohosting ) stuff..?

Those little cheesecloth ghosts would be cute on and around the tables: http://www.ehow.com/how_5108_make-cheesecloth-ghost.html (http://www.save-on-crafts.com/prchgh.html)

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/bevfabriccrafts_1910_59303289

[sublime311]

Q. What do goblins and ghosts drink when they're hot and thirsty on Halloween? A. Ghoul-aid!!!

Q. What is a Mummie's favorite type of music? A. Wrap!!!!!

Q. Why do demons and ghouls hang out together? A. Because demons are a ghouls best friend!

Q. What's a monster's favorite bean? A. A human bean.

Q. Why can't the boy ghost have babies? A. Because he has a Hallo-weenie.

Q. What do you call a witch who lives at the beach? A. A sand-witch.

Q. Where does a ghost go on Saturday night? A. Anywhere where he can boo-gie.

Q. What did the skeleton say to the vampire? A. You suck.

Q. What do ghosts say when something is really neat? A.Ghoul

Q. Why did the ghost go into the bar? A. For the Boos.

Q. Why was the girl afraid of the vampire? A. He was all bite and no bark.

Q. Why did the game warden arrest the ghost? A. He didn't have a haunting license.

Q. Why didn't the skeleton dance at the party? A. He had no body to dance with.

Q. Where does Count Dracula usually eat his lunch? A. At the casketeria.

Q. What happens when a ghost gets lost in the fog? A. He is mist.

Q. Where did the goblin throw the football? A. Over the ghoul line.

Q. Why doesn't Dracula mind the doctor looking at his throat. A. Because of the coffin.

Q. Why is a ghost such a messy eater? A. Because he is always a goblin.

Q. What do you call a goblin who gets too close to a bonfire? A. A toasty ghosty.

Q. Why did the Vampire read the Wall Street Journal? Q. He heard it had great circulation.

Q. What tops off a ghost's ice cream sundae? A. Whipped scream.

Q. What do you give a skeleton for valentine's day? A. Bone-bones in a heart shaped box.

Q. What are ghosts' favorite kind of streets? A. Dead ends

Q. What is a vampires favorite holiday? A. Fangsgiving

Q. What kind of makeup do ghosts wear? A. Mas-scare-a.

Q. Why did the skeleton cross the road? A. To go to the body shop.

Q. What happens when two vampires meet? A. It was love at first bite!

Q. Who was the most famous ghost detective? A. Sherlock Moans.

Q. What do you call two spiders that just got married? A. Newlywebbed

Q. What is a ghosts favorite place on the web? A. www.halloween.com!

Q. Who was the most famous witch detective? A. Warlock Holmes

Q. What did the ghost say to the man at the coffee shop? A. Scream or sugar!

Q. Who was the most famous skeleton detective? A. Sherlock Bones.

Q. Who was the most famous French skeleton? A. Napoleon bone-apart

Q. Which building does Dracula visit in New York? A. The Vampire State Building.

Q. Where do most werewolves live? A. In howllywood, California

Q. Where do most goblins live? A. in North and South Scarolina.

Q. Where does a ghost refuel his porche? A. At a ghastly station.

Q. Why did the skeleton go disco dancing? A. to see the boogy man.

Q. What do witches use in their hair? A. scare-spray

Q. What do you call a little monsters parents A. mummy and deady

Q. What do you get when you cross a black cat with a lemon. A. sour-puss

Q. How do you scare a mummy A. with a yummy dummy in a crash test crummy.

Q. What do you get when you cross a vampire with the internet? A. blood-thirsty hacker baby

Q. What do you get when you cross a pumpkin with a skwaush? A. a squashed pumpkin pie.

Q. Why do ghosts shiver and moan? A. It's drafty under that sheet.

Q. What instrument do skeleton play? A: Trom-BONE.

Q. What do ghosts eat for breakfast? A. Boo-Berries.

Q. What is a vampires favorite place on the web? A. www.halloween.com!

Q: Why did't the skeleton cross the road? A: He had no guts.

Q. Why do vampires scare people? A. They are bored to death!

Q. How can you tell a vampire likes baseball? A. Every night he turns into a bat.

Q. What's it like to be kissed by a vampire? A. It's a pain in the neck.

Q. How can you tell when a vampire has been in a bakery? A. All the jelly has been sucked out of the jelly doughnuts.

Q. What songs does Dracula hate? A. "You Are My Sunshine" and "Sunshine on my Shoulders.

Q. What did the Mummy movie director say when the final scene was done? A. Ok, that's a wrap.

Q. How does a girl vampire flirt? A. She bats her eyes.

Q. What is a vampires least favorite food? A.Steak

Q. What's it called when a vampire has trouble with his house? A. A grave problem.

Q. Why doesn't anybody like Dracula? A. He has a bat temper.

Q. Why did Dracula go to the dentist? A. He had a fang-ache.

Q. Why are vampires like false teeth? A. They all come out at night.

Q. Who does Dracula get letters from? A. His fang club.

Q. What kind of key does a skeleton use? A. A skeleton key.

Q. What kind of gum do ghosts chew? A. Boo Boo Gum.

Q. Why did Dracula take cold medicine? A. To stop his coffin.

Q. Why does Dracula wear patent leather shoes? A. Sandals don't look good with his tuxedo.

Q. How do you keep a monster from biting his nails? A. Give him screws.

Q. What can't you give the headless horseman? A. A headache.

Q. Why did the headless horseman go into business? A. He wanted to get ahead in life.

Q. What is a ghosts favorite sale? A. A white sale.

Q. What kind of tie does a ghost wear to a formal party? A. A boo-tie.

Q. What's a ghosts favorite desert? A. Boo-berry pie.

Q. What type of dog does every vampire have? A. Bloodhound!

Q. What's a monsters favorite desert? A. I-Scream!!

Q. Why do girl ghosts go on diets? A. So they can keep their ghoulish figures.

Q. When does a ghost have breakfast? A. In the moaning.

Q. What do ghosts drink at breakfast? A. Coffee with scream and sugar.

Q. Where does a ghost go on vacation? A. Mali-boo.

Q. Where does a ghost go on Saturday night? A. Anywhere where he can boo-gie.

Q. Where did the ghost get it's hair done? A: At the boo-ty shop.

Q. Riddle: the maker does not want, it the buyer does not use it, and the user does not see it, what is it? A. a coffin.

Q. What do they teach in witching school? A. Spelling.

Q. Why does a witch ride a broom? A. Vacuum cleaners get stuck at the end of the cord.

Q. What do you call a witch's garage? A. A broom closet.

Q. What do you call two witches living together? A. Broommates.

Q. Why don't mummies take vacations? A. They're afraid they'll relax and unwind.

Q. What is a witch's favorite subject in school? A. Spelling

Q: Why can't Boy Ghosts make babies?? A: Because they have Hollow-Weenies!

Q. Why did the man with a knife in his head cross the street? A. He was dying to get to the other side!!

Q. Where do ghosts go out? A. Where they can get boooooo-ze.

Q. Where do ghosts go out? A. Where they can get sheet-faced.

Q.ÊWhat did the mother ghostÊsay to her kids in the car? A. FastenÊyour sheet belts.

Q. Why didn't the skeleton go to see a scary movie? A. He didn't have the guts.

Q. What did the corpse' mom do when her son was bad? A. Ground him

Q. Why was the mummy so tense? A. Because he was all wound up.

Q. Why did the vampire need mouthwash? A. Because he had bat breath.

Q. Why don't ghost have bands? A. They get booooooooooed.

Q. What do you call a monster who poisons corn flakes? A. A cereal killer.

Q. Who are some of the werewolves cousins? A. The whatwolves, the whowolves and the when wolves.

Q. What did the bird say on Halloween? A. Trick or tweet!

Q. Why do skeletons drink milk? A. To help their bones!

Q. What's a Vampire's least favourate song? A. Another one bites the dust!

Q. What is a Skeleton's favorite song. A. Bad to the Bone

Q. Whats a ghost's favorate type of car? A. A boo-ick

Q. Where do ghost go for fun? A. To the boo-vies

Q. What's a skeletons favorite part of the house? A. the living room

Q. What did the teenage witch ask her mother on Haloween? A. Can i have the keys to the broom tonight.

Q. What do u get when theres a witch in the desert? A. You get a sandwich.

W. Why do ghosts like to ride elevators? A.it raises their spirits.

Q. Why can't a Skeleton Lift Weights? A. He's all bone & no muscle.

Q. What is a vamire's favorite fruit? A: A necktarine

Q. What do the skeletons say be for eating? A. Bone appetite

Q. What do gosts call there girl friends? A. There goul friends.

Q. How did the ghost say goodbye to the vampire? A. So long sucker!

Q. What did the goblin say to the witch? A. I don't know you tell me!

Q. Why dident the skeleten go to the halloween party? A. Becuse he had no body to go with.

Q. What is a ghost's favorite band? A. The Boos Brothers

Q. What did Dracula have for dessert? A. Whine & Ice scream

Q. What is Dracula's favorite restaraunt? A. Murder King

Q. What is a Ghost's favorite food? A. HamBoogers

Q. What is in a ghost's nose? A. Boogers

Q. What was the mummies' vacation like? A. Nobody knows. They were too wrapped up to tell us.

Q: What did tha boy ghost say to the girl ghost? A: You are the most booooooooo-tiful thing I have ever seen!

Q. Why does a cemetery have to keep a fence around it? A. Because people are dying to get in.

Q. What do you give to a pumpkin who is trying