As my daughter reminded me this morning, there are only 15 days left until Halloween. Halloween falls on a Friday this year, perfect for trick-or-treating that runs past bedtime, but also a great opportunity to throw a Halloween party.
Before you start thinking, A Halloween party? Now I have to entertain in addition to making costumes, baking cupcakes, and buying candy?, consider this. A Halloween party is a great way to enjoy time as a family, spend time with busy friends, or avoid going door-to-door, if trick-or-treating just isn't your thing.
Make magazine and its associated website are running a contest for do-it-yourself types. There are lots of categories, from hack-o-lanterns (no simple carvings here!) to costumes, food, and even green Halloween. Prizes are understandably DIY-ish, with grand prizes from the Maker Shed store and Plaid Craft Express.
This is the sort of thing I'd love to be involved in, if I had the time and I had any talent for such things. I do have a neighbor who could probably do pretty well in the "best decorations" category and we're making Jared's costume from scratch this year. I'm not sure it will be good enough to enter in a contest, let alone be prize-worthy. He's only six, though, so imagination goes a long way when it comes to Halloween costumes.
It will be fun to see the results of the contest although I think I might skip the "Food" category.
Across the country, kids are gearing up for the one holiday when it is socially acceptable to ask perfect strangers for candy, and some people are scouting out locations that might offer a better selection for their little ghosts and goblins.
Just what makes a neighborhood prime trick-or-treating real estate? Thickly settled, well-lit streets with plenty of porch lights glowing, and low automobile traffic, well as a high ratio of homes decked out in Halloween finery. Perception doesn't hurt, either -- neighborhoods with a reputation for wealth are more likely to draw visitors from other areas.
Just how acceptable is it to engage in drive-by trick-or-treating? It depends on which side of the street you're on. Those in popular locations grumble that parents are looking for a way get "better pickings" for their kids, without having to reciprocate, while others claim it is a matter of safety. Imagine what it's like for parents of kids who live in Chicago's notorious public housing, for example.
What do you think? Would you drop your child off in a "better" neighborhood on Halloween, or do you find the practice obnoxious and greedy?
My husband and I share the personal opinion that we're doing our kids a favor by eating their Halloween candy at night. After all, they don't need the sugar, right? Of course, neither do we, but we don't usually acknowledge that fact while fighting over the last mini-Snickers bar.
If our neighbors start handing out treats like those suggested in this gallery from Forbes, there wouldn't be any arguments, because there wouldn't be anything good to fight over. But these treats are healthier for kids, so they're worth taking a look at. For instance, Forbes recommends avoiding:
They disagree on the economy. They disagree about foreign policy. They even disagree on how to pronounce "Pakistan". But whatever their philosophical, economic, military or social differences, there is one thing the two presidential candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain, can agree upon -- pirates are cool.
In interviews with Nick News, both candidates told the thirteen-year-olds quizzing them that their favorite costume from their own past was that of a pirate. Now, having dressed as a pirate for a friend's son's birthday party, complete with real saber, I can understand that. There's something to be said for the romantic notion of a pirate's life -- sailing the seas, answering to no one, sort of an ocean-going hobo. Only, with plundering and pillaging thrown in.
McCain seems partial to that part; "When I see the way they behave in the United States Senate," he said in the interview, "sometimes I wish I (could) put my costume on and take my sword out or my dagger and get 'em back in line."
Obama, on the other hand, remembers fondly the costume he wore when he was three years old. He says it was "one of the best costumes of all time," adding that it even came complete with a pirate sword and a "little mustache."
I think we've finally found something that truly crosses all party lines and that everyone, republican or democrat, liberal or conservative, boxers or briefs, can agree on. And if we're all into being pirates, surely the rest of these problems can be solved? What say ye? Arrr!
Is it time to carve the pumpkin yet? Depends on where you live. Having spent most of my life in a warm climate, I've learned that no matter how anxious the kids are to slice into that pumpkin, sometimes it is best to wait. If you cut too early, there is a good chance that the pumpkin you carve today will be a moldy pile of mush next week.
But even if you've already got some frost on your pumpkin, a knife-free jack-o-lantern might be the way to go. There are lots of kid-safe ways to dress up that orange gourd of October that are guaranteed not to involve a trip to the emergency room for stitches.
The easiest and fastest way to turn a pumpkin into an objet d'art is to paint it. For the best results, lightly sand the pumpkin first so the paint will adhere without flaking. Then set your kids loose with a brush and some acrylic paints to create a scary face, black bats or even pretty flowers. When complete, a top coat of clear sealer will ensure that the masterpiece lasts until Halloween and beyond.
Get out the glue for another knife-free alternative to prettying up a pumpkin. Buttons, leaves, felt cut-outs and even glitter can turn an ordinary pumpkin into an extraordinary pumpkin.
For kids who are a little bit older, try sequins and straight pins. Sketch out a design first and then bring it to life with sparkly sequins held in place with the pins. This takes patience, but in the end you will have the most glamorous pumpkin on the block.
Those are just a few ideas for safely turning a pumpkin into a unique work of art. How do you dress up a pumpkin without a knife?
Did you know that the first jack-o'-lanterns were carved out of turnips? Legend has it that Jack was a man cursed to walk the Earth forever, banned from both Heaven and Hell. The devil, the story says, gave Jack a crude lamp to light his way. The Irish were the first to make these early jack-o'-lanterns, carving out the inside of a turnip and placing a piece of coal inside.
In America, of course, jack-o'-lanterns are carved out of pumpkins, the signature squash of Halloween. If you haven't picked up your pumpkins yet, it won't be long before your kids are dragging you to the nearest pumpkin farm. Celebrate the harvest and Halloween season with some family activities, all centered around pumpkins.
Is there any greater childhood pleasure than sorting through an enormous bucket of candy on a cool October evening? Rummaging past the Bit-O-Honey, pennies and black licorice bits, you come across the Holy Grail of all Halloween treats -- a full-sized Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.
All candies are not, after all, created equal. As with all things in life, there is a hierarchy of Halloween sweets. Perpetual favorites are full-sized chocolate bars of all kinds, but Almond Joy and peanut butter cups come out on top. Snickers bars are a crowd-pleaser, as are Dum Dum Pops and Charms Blow Pops.
The Kit Kat wafer bar has its place, as do sour candies of the Nerds variety. Gummy candies of any kind always find their way into small tummies, and you won't find any Nestle Crunch or Mr. Goodbar hanging out in the candy bowl. You also won't go wrong handing out Milky Way bars or Baby Ruth.
Chocolate is, of course, king, but no one will turn their nose up at the right hard candy. Jolly Ranchers continue to be popular with the ghouls and goblins, as are Life Savers.
The all-time favorite Halloween candy? Why, candy corn, of course. Who can resist that chewy, sweet, high-fructose corn syrup treat?
My first stop on the Halloween trail was the dentist's house -- he always gave out full-size Hershey's chocolate bars. What did you eat first, and what went stale in a bowl on top of the refrigerator?
Sure, we have a problem with childhood obesity in this country but, come on, what country doesn't? What's it going to hurt to let kids pig out one night a year? I mean, Halloween only comes once a year, just like Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, the Fourth of July, birthdays (of siblings and friends), anniversaries... Okay, so maybe they do end up eating a lot of junk a lot of the time.
Some parents are trying to make a difference -- by skipping the Halloween candy and handing out less fattening treats. Toys, pencils, stickers, Play-doh, and glow sticks are some of the alternatives people are handing out. "I thought, here I am trying to take care of my health," says Lisa Bruno, of Des Plaines, Illinois, who ditched the candy five years ago. "I felt a responsibility to my community to take care of the kids around me."
Experts suggest that Halloween can be used as a vehicle for teaching kids about portion size and limits to help them deal with food issues all year long. "It's important that we as parents help them find the balance between that very traditional fun activity and a healthy lifestyle," says Connie Diekman, past president of the American Dietetic Association.
I like the idea of giving out pencils or Play-doh -- things that will last longer than the length of a single swallow. I'm not so sure, however, how kids feel about it. Are you giving out candy or a less sugary alternative this year?
There's more to Halloween than costumes and candy. Coming, as it does, just a few days before one of the most important elections we've had in a long time, it's also a potential predictor of the outcome of that election. You see, one of the perennial favorite categories for adult costumes is politicians and what better than to pick one's favorite candidate?
According to costume suppliers, mask sales have successfully predicted the outcome of the last few elections. So which of the two presidential candidates is winning, at least in mask sales? So far, it's Obama, but there's more to it, this time around. Sarah Palin has added an unexpected twist to the mix -- she was a late announcement so vendors were caught unprepared and she is a rare opportunity for women to dress as a candidate.
Personally, if I thought the correlation at all implied causation, I'd be in line to buy a dozen or so masks of my favorite candidate, but instead, I think I'll just chuckle a bit and make sure I vote in November.
Would you hand your preschooler a bag full of live ammunition?
Now you know how parents of kids with food allergies feel about Halloween. The treats so many children look forward to with glee can be deadly for those who suffer from reactions to peanuts, tree nuts and dairy. But who wants to tell their child that trick or treating is forbidden?
First and foremost, remember that your normal food-allergy rules still apply: read the label of every piece of candy your child collects before they eat it, make sure he or she carries their medication with them while trick-or-treating, and check that he adult in charge knows how to administer the medication if the need arises. Also, give your child a small packet of hand wipes, so they can clean their hands if they accidentally come in contact with an allergen.
These simple rules don't mean your child can't have fun. Rather than trying to read the fine print on candy labels with your flashlight, bring a small bag of "safe" candy from home, so your little trickster can snack along the way. You can also invent new Halloween traditions, such as a "Halloween fairy" who brings safe treats or non-food presents.
Afraid your little one will get into the stash you plan to hand out? Don't give out candy -- try stickers or pencils. Or skip the door-to-door candy collecting altogether, and attend a local event that doesn't focus on food. Local zoos or farms often host Halloween parties loaded with activities.
And remember, your child can always say "no, thank you."
Last but not least -- don't panic. Taking care to follow your normal food-safety rules will help everyone enjoy a fun holiday.
Sure, the economy is going down the drain and everyone is nervously checking the news to see if their bank is still in business, but that doesn't mean parents aren't going to be dressing their little ones up as pirates and princesses this Halloween. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, more people are planning on celebrating this year than last. They are also planning to spend more this year -- $66.54 on average.
"Halloween sales may be a bright spot for retailers this fall," said Tracy Mullin, NRF President and CEO. "Consumers -- who have been anxious and uncertain for the past several months -- may be looking at Halloween as an opportunity to forget the stresses of daily life and just have a little fun." Plus, you can't disappoint the kids, now can you?
So, how are people spending those Halloween dollars? There's twenty-four dollars and change for costumes, another twenty for candy, and eighteen dollars for decorations. There's even almost four dollars going to greeting cards (that would be my wife's family). With nearly three out of four people planning on handing out candy, but only about a third of respondents planning on taking kids trick-or-treating, there will undoubtedly be some leftovers. Yum!
There's nothing quite like it -- dressing up as your favorite character, heading out (at night! in the dark!) to ask strangers for candy and getting ... wait for it ... a brand-new toothbrush.
Yes, friends, it's that time again.
Halloween is just around the corner and children (not to mention some adults) are counting the days until it's time to bring home a giant bag o' cavities. But not every treat in your huge plastic pumpkin is pleasing to the palate. Some of the all-time worst Halloween treats include apples, boxed raisins and old, loose hard candy.
My personal least favorite Halloween treat? That really hard bubble gum. You know of what I speak - the kind that breaks your jaw because it was manufactured in 1976 and sat on the shelf at your local Big Box store ever since.
How about you? Plastic bugs? Pencils? Play Doh (yes, I got that once). What's the worst treat you ever got?
Make magazine and its associated website are running a contest for do-it-yourself types. There are lots of categories, from hack-o-lanterns (no simple carvings here!) to costumes, food, and even green Halloween. Prizes are understandably DIY-ish, with grand prizes from the Maker Shed store and Plaid Craft Express.
Across the country, kids are gearing up for the one holiday when it is socially acceptable to ask perfect strangers for candy, and some people are scouting out locations that might offer a better selection for their little ghosts and goblins.
My husband and I share the personal opinion that we're doing our kids a favor by eating their Halloween candy at night. After all, they don't need the sugar, right? Of course, neither do we, but we don't usually acknowledge that fact while fighting over the last mini-Snickers bar.
They disagree on the economy. They disagree about foreign policy. They even disagree on how to pronounce "Pakistan". But whatever their philosophical, economic, military or social differences, there is one thing the two presidential candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain, can agree upon -- pirates are cool.
Is it time to carve the pumpkin yet? Depends on where you live. Having spent most of my life in a warm climate, I've learned that no matter how anxious the kids are to slice into that pumpkin, sometimes it is best to wait. If you cut too early, there is a good chance that the pumpkin you carve today will be a moldy pile of mush next week.
Is there any greater childhood pleasure than sorting through an enormous bucket of candy on a cool October evening? Rummaging past the Bit-O-Honey, pennies and black licorice bits, you come across the Holy Grail of all Halloween treats -- a full-sized Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.
Sure, we have a problem with childhood obesity in this country but, come on, what country doesn't? What's it going to hurt to let kids pig out one night a year? I mean, Halloween only comes once a year, just like Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, the Fourth of July, birthdays (of siblings and friends), anniversaries... Okay, so maybe they do end up eating a lot of junk a lot of the time.
There's more to Halloween than costumes and candy. Coming, as it does, just a few days before one of the most important elections we've had in a long time, it's also a potential predictor of the outcome of that election. You see, one of the perennial favorite categories for adult costumes is politicians and what better than to pick one's favorite candidate?
Would you hand your preschooler a bag full of live ammunition?
Sure, the economy is going down the drain and everyone is nervously checking the news to see if their bank is still in business, but that doesn't mean parents aren't going to be dressing their little ones up as pirates and princesses this Halloween. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, more people are planning on celebrating this year than last. They are also planning to spend more this year -- $66.54 on average.
There's nothing quite like it -- dressing up as your favorite character, heading out (at night! in the dark!) to ask strangers for candy and getting ... wait for it ... a brand-new toothbrush.
