Holiday Articles Archives

Halloween Treat Bag For School Or Parties

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 at 11:18 am  
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My kids and I love Halloween. The orange and black decorations start coming out on the first of October. The kids have already picked their costumes by then and are looking for fun Halloween crafts or activities to do. I let them make trick or treat Halloween bags to give out to their friends and a Halloween treat bag to collect candy themselves.

For the trick or treat mini bags, you can fill pre-printed ones, or get plastic or cellophane bags that your kids can decorate with halloween stickers. You want the bags to be big enough to hold the items, but not so big that they look empty. Instead of all candy, mix in some fun halloween toy items. I buy items from a novelty catalogue that sells inexpensive mini toys for teachers to give to good students. There is a wide variety of halloween items, like pencils, erasers, bouncy balls, stickers, and various slimy, gooey and spooky items.

The kids help me pick out 3 or 4 items and I order several bags of each. We then spread everything on the table, along with the pre-made bags and candy. We put 1 of each item in the bag, then seal the bag with twist ties, staples, or orange ribbon. Kids love getting Halloween toys and enjoy the surprise of opening the bags up. My kids love putting them together and filling up a tray with their finished treat bags. Every year we need to make more bags because our toy treats are so popular and our house is a must-stop for many. This makes my kids very proud of their work.

I also let my kids make a tote bag to collect trick or treats. You want to start with something large enough to hold all their candy so they don’t have to make too many trips back home to empty the bag. You can get canvas tote bags and let the kids decorate them with fabric paint, puffy paint, markers or glitter glue. They can write slogans like “Trick or Treat”, “Will Accept Cash” “My Other Bag is a Coach” etc. They can also make pictures of ghosts, cats, moons, stars, witch hats, etc. Black, orange, or grey ribbons can be attached to the handles of the bags, but watch out for long strings they can trip on. You can also add reflective tape or decals to the bag to make them more visible by cars at night.

Halloween only comes once a year, so let your kids have some fun with the build-up over October. Giving out Halloween toys is great because it cuts down on the sugar kids eat, is safe for kids with food allergies, and leftover toys can be put away for next year. Safety toys, like flashlights and reflective necklaces, can help trick or treaters stay safe. There are even fun Halloween toothbrushes and brushing timers you can give to counter balance the sugar. Kids can always use those extra pencils and erasers at school, and will be reminded of the fun they had trick or treating.

Janet writes articles and blogs for party ideas and crafts. Visit her blog at http://www.partycrafter.blogspot.com for more ideas for Halloween; trick or treat bags, where to order Halloween toys, and Halloween baking tips.

All about Halloween Trick or Treat bags, Halloween, kids dance, gymnastics, fitness, activities, games, sports, health and nutrition. FitForAFeast.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/holidays-articles/halloween-treat-bag-for-school-or-parties-1295759.html

Prepare for a Safe and Fun Halloween for your Preschooler

Friday, October 2nd, 2009 at 6:39 pm  
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Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and times have certainly changed since my own kids donned pumpkins and Power Ranger costumes. Though parents need to be more careful today than previous generations, those precautions don’t need to ruin the holiday.

Though many families, blocks, and communities host parties, other families still enjoy trick-or-treating the old fashioned way. Just use common sense. Here are some recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Costumes: Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible. Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you and your children. Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation. Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses. Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.

Venturing out: Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups and be sure children are always with a trusted adult. Hold a flashlight whiule trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible. Only walk on siedwalks or on the frar edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe. Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside. Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Check your treats – Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat. Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.

I wish you a safe and enjoyable Halloween!

I produced the Romper Room and Friends TV show and Bowling for Dollars when I worked for Claster Television in the ’80′s and ’90′s. With three kids of my own, I stopped working there in 1996. Today I am a freelance writer and preschool teacher and I am in the process of publishing my first book about preschool advice for parents. Check out my blog at www.preschoolteach.blogspot.com
Please contact me at: terribakman@gmail.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/holidays-articles/prepare-for-a-safe-and-fun-halloween-for-your-preschooler-1295301.html

Looking to Buy Medieval Halloween Costumes?

Thursday, October 1st, 2009 at 11:06 pm  
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Best Deal and Places to Buy Medieval Halloween Costumes
Medieval costumes are a popular choice among many of the renaissance fans out there that relish the enigma, sorcery, and glamour of that unique era!

Fitting into your favourite fantasy character is always exciting while featuring a medieval costume, and the moment you slip one on, you’ll take yourself back in time when the infamous Black Knight combatted Gothic pirates in order to save their Kingdom, and live all the medieval renaissance celebrations on Halloween night.

Medieval clothing occupied on a unique style of it’s own, and now with a variety of nice costumes available with excellent authentic designs, one can easily turn into the Wizard who performs numerous spells, or Maid Marian who is Queen of the hearts of the Renaissance Noble Men!

In case dressing as a Princess is not your castle in the sky, and you rather take the wild as well as exciting dungeon path, then there’re a lot of costume variations of the historical Wench. The alternatives are never ending, and you can turn into a gorgeous Tavern Wench wearing a long flowing velvet outfit with lace-up corset and mop hat, or the exotic Gothic Slayer wearing a deluxe long flowing drape that expresses the mystery and beauty in you.

No matter what medieval fashion costume you opt, Prince Charming, Regal King, and the Royal Knight will, by all odds, be tightly pursuing your trail. For the bad boy, the Medieval times has created the elite and also the nasty, and incase you’re one to persuade more towards the darker side, then choose the well noted character dress the Executioner! This dress comes with a strap trimmed tunic, hood with cowl, palm gloves, and boot tops fully trimmed with studs, plus a belt and battle axe, or you can easily turn into the adventurous renaissance pirate with the frill white shirt, pants and waist sash.

For every men and women that enjoy to potrait themselves in medieval century dressing, this Halloween you’ll be glad to hear that several medieval century items are still available, alongwith great costume accessories to go with your selected outfit. Even So, just like we talk of the medieval days that have come and gone, if you delay too long to purchase your preferred Halloween Renaissance costume, they soon will as well be history!

Discount on Halloween Medieval Costumes

CLICK HERE FOR MORE STUFF on Medieval Halloween Costumes!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/holidays-articles/looking-to-buy-medieval-halloween-costumes-1291353.html

Choosing A Halloween Costume Online

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 at 11:14 pm  
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Halloween costumes are fun for kids and adults, alike. Since Halloween comes only once a year, most people put quite a bit of thought into their costumes. Here are a few tips for choosing, making, and buying Halloween costumes:

1. When deciding on a costume, there are several factors to consider. Safety matters most. Be sure that the costume or mask doesn’t impair vision or mobility. Comfort matters, too. Be sure to choose a costume that leaves room for warm clothes underneath if the weather will be chilly, and try not to choose thick, furry costumes in warm climates.

2. If you are choosing a costume to wear to a Halloween party, consider the guest list. If it is a grown-up get together, feel free to wear whatever you like. If there will be children in attendance, keep it G-rated!

3. A costume that corresponds to some current news event is often interesting and conversation-provoking, and a good excuse to procrastinate if you have that tendency anyway.

4. When selecting a costume for a child, try to allow the child to buy or create a costume that they really love. What you think is cute and what your child wants may be two very different things. Enjoy dressing up your baby for the first two or three years–after that, they will have strong opinions of their own!

5. If you decide to make a costume yourself, be sure to take into account your budget, sewing ability, artistic talent, and overall creativity level. There are a number of great costumes that are very inexpensive and easy to create:
* Scarecrow: Start with old jeans or denim overalls and a flannel shirt. Using clear packing tape, attach straw, raffia, or shredded burlap to the inside of the cuffs and bottom hems of pants so the material sticks out. Add a straw hat and a bit of simple face paint and you are set to go!
* Bunch of Grapes: Buy a sweat suit in either green or purple and a bunch of balloons in the same color. Blow up the balloons and attach then to the sweats using small safety pins. This is a great costume for trick-or-treating, but it doesn’t allow the wearer to sit down, so keep that in mind!
* Dalmatian: Begin with a white hooded sweat suit. Cut black felt into assorted “spots” and iron them onto the sweats using fusible backing material (available at fabric and craft stores). Paint the face with a white base topped with a black nose, a few whiskers, and a few black spots. If desired, you can fashion black or white fabric ears to sew onto the hood of the sweatshirt.
* Skunk: Created in much the same manner as the Dalmatian, only this time, begin with a black hooded sweat suit and attach a long, white strip of felt up the back and onto the hood.
* Skeleton: Again, begin with a black sweat suit. Fashion “bones” from strips of white felt and iron on.
* Pair of dice: This is a great “couple” costume. For each die, start with a large, bottomless cardboard box with holes cut to accommodate the head and arms. Cover the box with white paper and then glue black construction paper dots to the box.
* Television: Begin with a box similar to the one used for the dice. Cover the box in a black or wood grain look contact paper. Using a large piece of poster board, design a scene for your “screen” and glue it securely to the front of the box. Attach some old knobs (check at a resale store), use Velcro to attach an old remote control to the top of the box next to the opening for your head, and you are cable ready!
* Wrapped gift: Again, begin with a similar box as in the previous two costume ideas. Using colorful gift wrap, thoroughly cover the box and add festive ribbon or bows. If you want to dress up as “God’s gift to women,” attach a tag that reads, “To: Women, From: God.”

6. If you decide to purchase a ready-made costume, try to shop early while the selection is the best. By mid-October, many of the more popular costumes are already sold out.

7. Looking for an easy way to buy your costume? Simply choose a mask that, when combined with something from your existing wardrobe, will make a great costume. For example, purchase a mask of one of the Presidents (readily available at costume shops) and then wear a business suit. Instant costume!

8. Resale stores typically carry a nice selection of costumes in the fall, and the prices are dirt cheap. They also get quite a few donations of costumes after Halloween, too, so if you are willing to plan ahead for the next year, you’ll probably get the best bargains of all.

9. While discount stores often offer the best prices, many Halloween specialty stores carry unusual costumes that you won’t see everywhere. If you are trying to find a unique selection, it may be worth a bit more money.

10. Many online merchants offer Halloween costumes and supplies year round. If you know in advance what you’d like to buy, you’d be wise to make your purchase early. Prices may be better off season, too.

Looking for an easy way to buy your costume…

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/holidays-articles/choosing-a-halloween-costume-online-1287882.html

Adult Vampire Costumes For Looking Good At Halloween

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 at 4:13 am  
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At Halloween everyone wants to make an impression and what better way than with adult vampire costumes. We have a bit of an obsession with vampires and this is reflected in TV shows such Buffy the Vampire Slayer and now with True Blood. This is more than fancy dress as it allows you the chance to escape a little and dress with style and elegance. We would all like to live outside of Society’s rules once in a while and this is the perfect way to experience the dark side for a day albeit all in the spirit of a good laugh.

There is something about these costumes that lend themselves to the adult market. You can look good, glamourous and sexy if you wish. Just let yourself go and you will be surprised at the transformation. For the males amongst us, adult vampire costumes can follow the classic look of the Dracula movies and other films of that genre. Black capes and white shirts with burgandy waistcoats are the look you can create made with satin and velvet. You will soon be that dark stranger that roams amongst us after night. For the ladies it is really a chance to be a bit naughty with colors of black and deep red and you can become that voluptuous vampiress of the night. You can wear more or less depending on how brave you are feeling but be prepared to look ravishing as you step out into the night.

What you add to your costume depends on how much you want to create the look. There are plenty of options with make up, rings, wigs and fangs. The only limit is your imagination but this chance comes but once a year so you may as well enjoy yourself. This is not the time of year for any inhibitions, so express yourself and have a great time.

Check out these adult vampire costumes for more ideas and to buy your costume to make this Halloween one you will never forget.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/holidays-articles/adult-vampire-costumes-for-looking-good-at-halloween-1281533.html

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