Halloween Blog

If you love Halloween, you know that it with all of the fun, comes added expense. Whether it is the candy, the costumes, or the decorations, all the different expenditures can add up quickly. And for those who celebrate Christmas as well, having the two holidays within 2 months from each other can put a definite strain on the bank.

If you want to figure Halloween into your budget, the best thing to do is start saving right away. Here are a few easy things that you can do.

Savings Accounts

Many banks offer programs where you can automatically transfer money from your checking account into your savings account on a regular basis. If you are able to take $10 out of your bi-weekly paycheck and have it automatically put into savings, you will have $260 after a year. That’s a lot of fun-sized candy bars and plenty left over for costumes! Plus, some savings accounts will also accumulate interest for you, so you can grow that amount even bigger over time.

Spare Change Savings

One easy way to save up money is to simply save your spare change. Look for a Halloween-themed piggy bank. If you cannot find one, a pumpkin-shaped trick-or-treat bucket will work nicely. Everyday, empty your pockets or purse of any loose change and put it in your bank. By Halloween, all of those nickels and dimes can really add up!

Sell your unneeded items

Reselling old Halloween items that you no longer love, as well as other things around the house, can help earn you some money for this Halloween. Garage sales are a great way to earn money and clean out your home to make room for new items. Make your garage sale even more attractive by inviting friends, family, and neighbors to sell with you and advertising it as a multi-family sale.

Post-Holiday Sales

All this Halloween savings will be for naught if you blow your money carelessly. A great way to save money for next Halloween is to shop the sales after this Halloween. You will often be able to find costumes and decorations at deep discounts because the stores want them cleaned out in order to start preparing for the Christmas holiday.

By planning ahead, you can make sure that you have adequate funds to celebrate Halloween properly.

Halloween has a lot of interpretations and misconceptions. Some religious organizations feel that it is a dark holiday steeped in devil worship. Others see it as a way to honor the dead. Others just see it as a fun day to run around in costumes, carve pumpkins, and eat candy. Here is a look at some of the roots of Halloween that stemmed what we celebrate today.

Samhain

Halloween is a descendant of the Celtic fire festival Samhain. This festival marked the end of the harvest and of the summer and marked the beginning of winter, which would continue until May. For those that believed in faeries, they were thought to become active at this time of year.

Why the end of summer was significant

The Celts were pastoral people, so the end of the summer marked the end of the time of being out in the fields with their livestock. Animals were brought down from the hills and people gathered in their houses together.

Samhain and the dead

For the Celts, when a person died they went to the land of eternal youth. Some people also believed that they went to live with the faeries. Samhain marked the beginning of the new year, which was thought to be one of the times when the veil between the land of the living and the dead was at its thinnest, and the living would be able to speak to those who had passed on.

The evil connotations

While the Celts did not have demons in their belief system, the faeries were not always friendly to humans. On the night of Samhain, they could trick humans into getting lost in fairy land, where they would be trapped. It was also one of the last nights of revelry before the dull winter, and so many humans would engage in practical jokes.

Trick or treat

Part of the practical jokes would include people imitating the fairies. They would go from one house to another asking for treats, and if the owner refused they would place a trick on them. Many people would also leave out bowls of food or milk for the fairies, hoping to get a blessing from them. Meals might also be left out for the dead.

Sacrifices

Animal sacrifices were partly done to cull the herd of undesirable animals, and for religious purposes. Scholars remain divided as to whether human sacrifices were ever performed.

Halloween has a rich and varied history, with customs that go back hundreds of years. For some, it still remains a religious holiday, and for others it has simply become a night of fun, laughter, candy and costumes

While Halloween night is a blast for many people, there is always the challenge of putting everything away afterwards. And with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, many people pack away their Halloween decorations and other goodies rather quickly.

You may be tempted to cram everything into a trash bag and toss it into the attic or basement until next year. However, if you have invested time and money in finding the perfect decorations, you will want to pack them carefully to keep them in good shape for years of enjoyment.

Packing Basics

If your Halloween items came in a box, it is often best to save it for easier storage. Plastic storage containers are the next best thing, as they will protect against moisture. Transparent boxes can be used so you can tell what is inside. When wrapping fragile items, avoid newspaper, and opt for tissue paper, bubble wrap, or Styrofoam pellets. Don’t forget to label all boxes so you know exactly what is inside next year!

Lights and cords

Wrapping up the lighting carefully now will save you a headache next fall. Light spools are an easy way to do this to prevent tangling. Keep spare bulbs and fuses with their proper strings of lights.

Fragile items

Some Halloween decorations are quite delicate. Always make sure that you have a box that is big enough, and use bubble wrap to prevent bending and crushing. Whenever possible, store small, fragile decorations in their original packaging.

Costumes

Halloween costumes should also be properly stored. Wash or dry clean if needed. You can then store neatly folded in plastic bags like you would out of season clothing. Or, hang in garment bags and store in garment box. Make sure everything is properly labeled.

Latex max will hold their shape best if you get a Styrofoam wig stand. Store in a cool, dark, dry place, avoiding temperature extremes and direct sunlight which could cause damage and discoloration.

Proper storage of your Halloween items will help insure that they look great for next year’s celebrations!

Halloween is full of memory-making opportunities. However, since most of it takes place after sundown, capturing the event on film (or even with a digital camera) can be a bit tricky. Here are some tips to making the best of your Halloween photography.

Three main tips

Before you even think about pushing the shutter button, there are a couple of factors to decide. First, you want to think about what the subject of the photo is – be it your adorable nephew in his goblin costume or a glowing jack-o-lantern. Then you want to think about how you can focus attention on the subject. And lastly, you want to simplify the subject. Otherwise your pictures will be cluttered and unfocused.

Beyond that, you want to look for subjects and angles that will really capture the spirit of Halloween. Dramatic lighting can help bring out the fantasy, fear, and creepiness of the holiday.

Jack-O-Lanterns

Jack-o-lanterns have been a symbol of Halloween for decades. Whether it is the traditional gap-toothed grin or something more dramatic, capturing these on film is a perfect way to capture Halloween memories.

When photographing jack-o-lanterns, keep in mind that the setting will make a more dramatic picture. For instance, a pile of leaves in the background will be more dramatic than the steps to your house. And of course, lighting is a major consideration. Wait until after dark, set in the candle, and turn of the strobe on your camera. Try placing some indirect light around the pumpkin so that you can capture the full effect.

Costumes

A great portion of the excitement of Halloween centers around the costumes. For the best shots of these, think about what you like best about the look. Is it just the face/mask? Or the effect of it with the torso and body? You will want to frame those portions in, and avoid full body shots.

For kid’s costumes, get down on their level or lower. This will give you a more dramatic view of the action and play up the spookiness of their looks. For pairs, have the subjects stand as close together as possible.

For groups, keep everyone as close together as possible, but keep the feeling casual. Instead of having everyone stand, experiment with some standing and others sitting or kneeling. If you are going for the scariest picture possible, ask for howls and growls instead of laughter. You can also try lighting the subjects from below for a more dramatic look.

With a little practice, your Halloween pictures will be spookily spectacular.

As if babies weren’t cute enough already, dressing them up in Halloween costumes is the epitome of cuteness. And with so many adorable little outfits to think of dressing your little on in, there is no wonder why baby Halloween costumes are so popular.

Why bother dressing up a child that will not even remember the day? For many parents, the pictures alone are worth it. Plus, if you are planning on taking baby with you trick-or-treating, or along to one of the numerous Halloween parties that happen in October, then a costume is almost a necessity.

Baby Halloween costumes are also super easy to put together. There are a wide variety of infant costumes. In most cases, parents opt for cute over scary when it comes to making their Halloween wardrobe decisions. Just think of how cute your child will look dawning their own pumpkin costume. Their round little cheeks are the perfect silhouette, and adding a tiny hat with a stem will make your heart melt. Your little guy would be adorable as Thomas the Train, or how about a sugar plum fairy costume for your little angel.

Not sure your little one is old enough to trick-or-treat (or maybe you just don’t want all of that candy in the house) but still want to dress up? Consider doing a costume party. If your baby is old enough for a playgroup, you can consider making one of your regular sessions a costume day. Older babies and toddlers may also enjoy simple Halloween crafts, treats, and games.

No matter what you decide to do for Halloween with your baby, don’t forget the camera! All those cute outfits are too cute not to remember, and will be too small for them to wear again next year. Costume pictures can make great gifts for grandparents or out of town relatives who might miss out on the holiday fun.

Halloween is much more than a children’s holiday, there are plenty of adults who enjoy this day far more than any other, and for this reason they choose to dress up and celebrate. If you have been dressing up for the last 20 years of your life or more in celebration of the holiday, you may be starting to become rather stumped in deciding what to dress up as. However, if your significant other also loves the idea of venturing out in costumes, then couples costumes can be a lot of fun.

All you have to do is use your imagination and think of things that come in pairs or in his/hers combinations. Finding matching couples costumes is not difficult, choosing often can be. Costumes can range from humorous and silly to sexy to haunting and creepy.

Costume ideas

Still stumped for some inspiration? Why not try:

A spooky couple? Go as Frankenstein’s monster and his bride, Mr. and Mrs. Dracula, or matching undead creatures.

A Renaissance man (and woman)? Bring out your fantastical side by dressing up as King and Queen or a Knight and his Lady.

Good and Evil? The Devil has always been a popular Halloween character, so why not pair him up with an angel?

Doctor and Nurse? The medical profession has always worked with partners. Plus these costumes can be easily thrown together with a set of scrubs, surgical masks, and maybe some artfully placed fake blood.

You favorite decade? Relive the roaring 20’s or the Disco Era by bringing out some vintage clothing.

Your favorite book/movie characters? Literature has always offered interesting couples. What about Romeo and Juliet, Rhett and Scarlet, Aragorn and Arwen, or Superman and Lois Lane?

Something funny?  You could always be a ball and chain or a nut and a bolt.

Millions of people celebrate Halloween every year. For some, it is a matter of placing a carved pumpkin on the front porch, choosing a cheesy costume, and stocking up on fun-sized candy bars for the big night. For others, however, the celebration of Halloween could be said to rival that of other major holidays like Christmas. So has your Halloween fun turned fanatical? Keep reading to find out.

You know you are a Halloween junky if…

…You drive to more than one pumpkin farm searching for your perfect jack o’lantern-to-be.

…You have so many costumes in your closet that people think you are either a costume designer or an extra in movies.

…You only own black cats.

…You spend more money on your annual Halloween bash than most people spend on Christmas.

…Your MP3 player features hits like “The Monster Mash” and the theme song to the Addam’s Family.

…You can recite the entire script to “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”

…Your movie collection only includes movies that center around vampires, ghosts, witches, and werewolves.

…You are convinced the guy next door is a werewolf.

…You ask the Goth girl at the bus stop if you can go home with her so you can meet Dracula.

…The neighborhood children think you are Dracula.

…You wanted to name your children after characters on the Addam’s Family

…Your newborn’s layette includes more costumes than onesies.

…You staged a walkout because your child’s school stopped celebrating Halloween.

…You know not only which candy bars come in fun sized versions, but also the average price per candy bar based on current market prices.

…You think that handing out fruit or granola bars on Halloween night should be a criminal offense.

…You intentionally bought a house with its own graveyard.

…You do all of your cooking in a cauldron.

…You haven’t taken down the fake spider webbing from last year’s decorations because you like the way it looks.

…You’ve considered legally changing your name to Morticia or Elvira.

While many people associate Halloween with ghosts, goblins, witches and gore, or if you are in the younger crowd your favorite movie character, others use this time of year to bring out a side of their personality. For some women, Halloween is the time of year where they can unleash their inner vixen.

Why are sexy Halloween costumes so popular? Because they allow you to explore another side of yourself that you normally may not while still being well within societies acceptable parameters. So even if cleavage hugging tops and mini skirts aren’t your normal attire, the holiday allows you to turn heads without being offensive. After all, it is just a costume and it is in the fun spirit of Halloween. All you have to do is select the costume that reflects your personality and tastes.

So what makes a sexy Halloween costume?

Some Halloween costumes are sexy on their own. For instance, dressing as a belly dancer or your favorite female super hero can all have a certain sex appeal, since they are naturally a little more revealing than other costumes. Others, like cat costumes or aerobics instructors, tend to be a little more fitted. These are also often the less risqué than other costumes and therefore, they tend to be more appropriate for taking your children trick-or-treating or for family Halloween parties.

The other option for a sexy Halloween costume is to go with the less equals more concept. So you can turn a witch costume into a sexy witch by opting for a shorter skirt, a form-fitting gown, or a plunging neckline. Often nurses, school girls, cowgirls, and other traditional women’s costumes are made sexier through mini skirts and midriff baring tops. Some of these are skimpy enough that they should be left for adults-only parties and not the standard trick-or-treating crowd. You should also remember, there is also one golden rule to consider when dressing in a sexy costume - there is a fine line between racy and raunchy.

Halloween is a fun and special holiday at the end of October where many people dress up as their favorite ghouls, goblins, super heroes, cartoon characters or any other imaginable character. Long associated with the spookier side of life, many fans celebrate this day with costumes, candy, and fun.

For true Halloween lovers, decorating their home or workplace is a major part of the holiday excitement. Every year, retailers are joining in on the festivities by offering us more and more elaborate decorations for our Halloween enjoyment.

Jack O’lanterns

One of the most widely recognized symbols of Halloween is the jack o’lantern. However, you can now take these icons to the next level. Of course, there is always the traditional gap-toothed grin cut carefully into the flesh of a pumpkin. But some celebrants are using their pumpkins for pie and turning to ceramic or plastic versions. For the truly creative, stenciled and painstakingly carved designs can capture anything from black cats on fence posts to their favorite Star Wars characters.

Lights and sound

Halloween is starting to rival Christmas when it comes to the decorations that are available. Instead of sparkling reds and greens, you can choose to decorate with orange and white twinkle lights. Black lights are also popular as they will help whites and neons pop out in Halloween displays. Flickering candles and creepy looking bats, cats, and rats can also add to the effect. Some people will even choose to embellish their display with their own Halloween sound track – either with creepy sound effects or fun Halloween songs like “The Monster Mash.”

Halloween crafts

Another fun way to decorate for Halloween is with Halloween crafts. Kids in particular will enjoy creating their own bats and ghosts to hang around the home. Plus there are plenty of art projects that you can do centered around the colors black and orange and your favorite Halloween icons.

Decorating for Halloween can really help you get into the spirit of the holiday and make it enjoyable for young and old alike.

Nearly all kids and kids-at-heart love Halloween. After all, what other time of year do you get to dress up as your favorite super hero, cartoon character, or spooky haunt and run around and get candy?

However, all this running around in the dark can be a bit dangerous if your Halloween costume is not safe. Since everyone wants to have a safe and happy Halloween, there are some pointers to consider when designing your get up.

See and be seen

Halloween night is usually dark enough, and a costume that makes it difficult for you to see, and for others to see you, can definitely be a hazard. Make sure that any masks have eye holes large enough to see out of clearly. Or, forgo the mask entirely and choose some nontoxic and hypoallergenic face paint. To help others see you, adding lights or reflective tape to your costume will make you more visible to passing cars.

Don’t get burned

One of the all time favorite Halloween decorations is the jack o’lantern. However, the flickering flames that light these pumpkins up can present a fire hazard if the pumpkin becomes knocked over accidentally. Look for Halloween costumes that are flame retardant to prevent going up in smoke.

Walk safely

Since most kids will run, not walk, from one house to the next, it is important to have a Halloween costume that allows freedom of movement. Avoid costumes with long capes or gowns that could drag on the grown and cause the child to trip. For younger children wearing their sibling’s hand me downs, make sure that the costume fits properly or can be pinned to prevent accidents. If your costume idea involves the use of props, particularly ones like long swords or staffs, look for one that is made out of a flexible material. That way your child does not risk impaling himself or a friend should he trip and fall.

With the proper costume, Halloween will be a fun and safe holiday!