Trick Or Treat - A Halloween Tradition

Trick or Treat - Smell My Feet - Give Me Something Good To Eat! These words are a Halloween tradition and have been uttered countless times over the years and will again come October 31. Are you ready for the parties and celebrations that will be here before you know it?

You need to make a list consisting of everything that must be done in preparation for this exciting holiday. It is not only the children who have to make their decision on who to masquerade as this year, you are invited as well.

Invited to participate as adults should - and to act like a kid again. Decorate your yard with pumpkins, scarecrows, and bales of hay. Plug the DVD in at the front entryway and play spooky, eerie sounds to greet your guests. Create a stuffed monster with an outfit filled with hay or old rags. Use an old mask on a ball or bucket as a face and set your creature on a chair, a swing, or standing under the tree.

There are many creative and totally unique ways to decorate both the outside and the inside of your home. Use pumpkins in your windows and as centerpieces for your tables; witches, ghosts and menacing monsters in your windows, on your walls, doorways and shelves also help to set the mood.

Don't forget the many visitors that could come to trick or treat on this special night. Be prepared with plenty of treats to hand out to the pirates, witches - both good and bad - the ghosts, skeletons, fairies, lady bugs and all the creatures that will be darkening your doorway.

Last, but surely not least, the Halloween costumes for everyone. There are parties to attend, or maybe you are hosting one? Dressing in disguise to celebrate at work? Or, go out to dinner at a special restaurant that encourages participation in the traditions of the holiday.

Halloween by all accounts, is a strange and peculiar holiday. The one night of the year that can fulfill your wildest fantasy, dress in costume, act (and look) silly, and it is all okay and widely accepted to do so.

Trick or treat time is a fun time. It is a time for parties and celebrating, so go have a good time, be safe and Happy Halloween. Trick or treat - a Halloween tradition - decorations, costumes and more. Explore Everything Halloween.

10 Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe and Sane on Halloween

Halloween is a fun time of year and a holiday that many of us look forward to.  However, for the family dog Halloween can be a dangerous and stressful holiday.  Plan ahead and be prepared by implementing some common sense and making the holiday safe and sane for everyone involved. 

1.  Prepare a Secure Place for Your Dog to Hang Out On Halloween 

Have a place where your dog will be safe, secure and comfortable on Halloween.  If your dog is crate trained then this is the best option hands down.  If your dog is not crate trained, keep him confined in a separate room during peak trick-or-treat hours.  Either option will help reduce your dogs stress caused by the ringing doorbell and exuberant squealing of costumed children.  Keeping your dog confined will also reduce your stress by eliminating the worry of your dog darting out the door every time you open it.

2.  Best Dog Halloween Costume Ever - A Tag and a Microchip

If you do not seclude your dog and he manages to escape out the door, he may find his neighborhood frightening due to it being filled with strange looking costumed creatures. Be sure Fido is wearing a tag with his name and your contact number in case he is too confused to find his way home.  If your dog does not have an identification microchip implanted between his shoulder blades, now is the time to get him one.  The chip is permanent and contains your contact information that is read by a scanner.  If you regularly change your phone number then consider using your vet as a primary contact point.  Contact your local veterinarian, shelter, or pet store for more information about microchipping your dog.

3.  Second Best Costume Ever - Fur

Some dogs will tolerate you putting a costume on them but most find it uncomfortable and stressful.  If you insist on dressing up Fido, be sure the outfit does not constrict movement, vision, hearing, breathing and barking

4.  Appropriate Treats

Dogs and humans should always stick to their own treats and Halloween is no exception.  Chocolate is toxic to your dogs health.  Keep some yummy dog treats handy so Fido can participate in the holiday festivities and do not forget to keep a watchful eye over the candy that you are handing out.

5.  Watch Out for Xylitol

Xylitol is a sweetener used in gum and candy and it is also toxic to your dog.  Watch for products containing Xylitol and keep them out of your pet's reach. 

6.  Keep an Eye on Jack

The carved Jack O'Lantern looks great with a flame flickering inside of it and candles can be spooky and provide ambiance.   If your dog knocks over anything that is burning he could be seriously injured or start a fire. 

7.  Keep Decorations Out of Your Dogs Reach

Keeping your dog away from candy is not the only hazard to worry about on Halloween.  Pumpkins, decorative corn, costume accessories, etc. may be non-toxic but if your dog eats them he may suffer from an upset tummy or even worse, intestinal blockage.

8.  Kids Outside - Dogs Inside

When the kids go out trick-or-treating keep Fido inside at home.  You may enjoy seeing friends, neighbors and kids dressed up in masks and costumes but this can be confusing and frightening for your dog.  Dog behavior can become unpredictable under stress so play it safe and leave your dog at home.

9.  Know Who to Call In Case Your Dog Becomes Sick

If you think your dog has consumed something dangerous have the following resources available:

Your veterinarian's number, local animal hospital, or after hours emergency vet.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center  888-426-4435.

10.  Do Not Forget About the Wrappers

The candy is has been eaten but have the wrappers been disposed of properly?  Candy wrappers and packaging could lead to choking or other medical issues if your dog finds them and eats them.  Clean up after your little goblins and be on the look out for dangerous debris for the next few days after Halloween. 

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Ghoul Celebration and Trick Or Treating

Halloween is a popular Christian Holiday observed annually on October 31. People generally celebrate it by wearing costumes, throwing Halloween parties, holding bonfires, telling scary stories and making jack o' lanterns. Trick-or-treating is a ritualistic custom for children on Halloween. Kids go around on this day to every house in the neighborhood to ask for treats like candy, sweets and money with the question 'trick or treat' to every person who opens the door to them. If no treat is given, they perform some kind of mischief to the person hence the term 'trick or treat'.

Traditionally Halloween themes invite the age old subjects of awe and horror like death, monsters, vampires, werewolves, occult, witchcraft, ghosts and the like. Black is the symbolistic color associated with this momentous day. Homes are decorated with pumpkins and scarecrows during Halloween. It is believed that if you disguise yourself by wearing costumes and masks, you can ward off harmful spirits and ghouls and that is why people dress in traditional costumes. Bonfires are a part of a cleansing ritual or performance and play an important part of the festival.

Costumes are typically based on traditional themes to scare off spirits and demons. Pop culture icons, movie stars and characters from television shows are what people choose from for their costumes. Since the Harry Potter book and movie series release, a lot of costumes during parties are based on this spooky and hit production.A lot of people also dress as the popular character 'the Joker' from the Batman movie 'Dark Knight' directed by Christopher Nolan. Games such as apple bobbing and gazing at the mirror on Halloween night to see your future spouse are common. Because the holiday comes in the opening of the apple harvest festival foods such as candy apple or caramel apple are much in demand. Halloween costumes are a rage with teenagers and college students during this much loved and famous occasion.

Revelers stay up all night usually to celebrate this festival and bonfires held throughout the night aren't uncommon during these times. Halloween also signifies the time to chase out the old and bring in the new. It also celebrates the defeat of evil forces; to elaborate that evil can never win over goodness. The triumph of good over evil is a common universal theme which Halloween borrows from. Children are often seen dressed up in their costumes roller-skating or biking their way to people's houses on this ominous day.

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How Do Costumes Get on the Popular Halloween Costume List?

How does the National Retail Federation come up with their list of popular Halloween Costumes a month before Halloween takes place? They take into consideration what is popular at the movies, on TV, in Music and world news and they always throw in a few of the perennial favorites that have been around for years - Princesses, Vampires, Witches, Fairies and Disney Characters.

Older kids and teen costumes tend to be scary Halloween costumes. Anything from cutesy stuff all the way to the bloodsuckers and zombies. The popular costumes usually feature black or darkness and range from vampires and witches to fallen angels and demons. Skulls are also common among Gothic fashion.

Most parents choose sweet costumes for their babies. Disney Characters and Animals are at the top of the list. As young children begin to decide on their own costumes, they are influenced by TV, Movies and Cartoon Characters. Princesses, Fairies, Spider Man, Witch, Star Wars, Pumpkin, Ghost and Power Ranger are the most popular costume choices.

Adult costume choices are sometimes influenced by whether or not they need to be a couples costume or not. The choices are more limited if you choose to go in couples costumes. Being creative can help you pair up 2 seemingly unrelated costumes. Online costumes shops have some great choices if you need to go as couples - Bowling Ball and Pin, Matador and Bull; Plug and Socket, Vampire and Vampira.

If you decide to make your own costumes, you will need to be creative. Homemade costumes don't need to involve a lot of sewing. Checkout old clothes you may have or visit a second hand store. You can find accessories to use around the house. Get the child involved and the project will be more fun.

If your children are going out in the neighborhood for trick-or-treating be sure that they are safe. Attach some reflective material to their costume and give them a loot bag that is reflective as well. If they are wearing a mask, ensure they can see properly with it on. As well, reinforce with them to wait until they return home before they eat their candy.

Dressing up our pet dog or cat is something fun that we like to do. Whether your pet goes with you as you trick or treat or it stays at home to greet the trick-or-treaters, they should be allowed to participate in the festivities. Halloween is meant to be a fun day for everyone.

If you know what costume you want, you are ahead of the game. If not, do some research - stores, catalogs and online. There are thousands of costumes available, but order early so that you aren't disappointed. Popular costumes and specialty sizes will sell out quickly. You don't want to be still looking for a costume on October 30th.

Before you select this year's costume be sure to check out Popular Halloween Costumes and Popular Costumes.

Cheap Ways to Make Halloween Costumes - Best Kiddies Funny Ghoul Jokes, Party Ideas & Games

Halloween - It only seems like yesterday cowering behind closed doors fearing little monsters, which would come armed with tricks up their sleeve, more than that of the year before. Would my treat be good enough to keep me safe, I thought? With bated breath I would apprehensively open the door. The pleasure I got from giving was so rewarding, once the masks were removed to reveal ear to ear grinning kids, who believed at the time, had scared me witless

Witches, pumpkin lanterns and jolly kids, who, in cold damp weather conditions, dress up wearing a mischievous grin under a ghoulish mask, are just some things we associate with Halloween (October 31st.) I am not sure of the popularity of this event around the globe, but in the UK it is pretty big Halloween - a time when kids love dressing in eerie costumes, and a happy time for parents who do the dressing.

What is trick or treat, simply explained, it involves children dressing in their favorite Halloween costume and approaching neighbors for their goody bag to be filled with treats. If a child is denied a treat then beware because a trick is then played. Tricks can include throwing flour/eggs through the letter box. Depending on how devilish the imp (child) tricks can be more serious. Do yourself a favor and give generously. Children at one were safe to go out alone; however, you must discourage kids from wanting to do this. Insist that an adult accompanies them on their rounds.

Want this Halloween night to be extra special but money is an issue, worry not because there are ways to help you have a fun Halloween night without costing the earth.

A fabulous money saving option is to share expense. Ask neighbors or family if they are up for sharing costs. Don`t be afraid to ask, as there is possibility they too are in the same boat, and think this a good idea. If your neighbor has a bigger garden than you, then you save money if they provide space for tent or marquis depending how big the event. And in return, if you`re handy with a needle and cotton, then you supply the Halloween costumes. Two heads are better than one, so ideas will come fast and furious on how to save cash.

Halloween Costume Ideas

Nothing beats making your own outfit as a money saving alternative regardless of whatever the occasion. Avoid temptation to hire a ghoul costume as it is expensive; also it has to be returned. A handmade Halloween costume can be stored away and used the following year. Jumble/car boot sales are worth a visit for picking up bits and bobs cheaply. Let us assume that the needle cotton option is not your forte, if so consider working with face paints, newspapers and black bin bag liners.

If you want a spooky Halloween mask then make one with paper Mache. Involve the kids, it makes decorating more exciting and the mask more personalized. Remember there is no right or wrong way. To create the shape of your Halloween mask use a balloon, this saves on buying fancy craft store products. "Warning" some children may not excite over Halloween like other kids do and may fear different things. If so, dress them down so they can still enjoy the fun without their little heart pounding ten to the dozen.

Make a Mask Items.

1 You will need a Balloon, Newspaper, and Wallpaper Glue/Paste, some Acrylic Paint, Pinafore and scissors.

2 Protect the work space with newspaper or old cloth. Blow balloon up to preferred size. Cut newspaper into strips then dip in glue and layer round the balloon several times. Smooth out wrinkles as you go along. The more layers - the more solid the mask. Finally add features specific to the mask you are making. Allow cast to dry for 24 hours. Once Mache has set cut into the mask popping the balloon. Cut the back of the mask out, and secure a piece of elastic around the back for keeping the mask in place.

Paint mask in preferred color. This is where imagination comes in so you can identify the mask in the way you see fitting as a scary Halloween mask using paint.

Halloween Costume Ideas

3 Costumes do not come cheaper than making one with a bin liner. Bin bags make shiny capes. All you do is cut a hole for the arms and head to go through. Red liners use for creating a devil, and black for witches, Dracula or Batman. Also good for keeping the kiddies dry if raining when out trick or treating.

4 Spooks don`t come spookier than a Halloween ghost. Take a white sheet, cut out eyeholes, and you`re done (how quick.) Keep the sheet a safe length to prevent tripping. Sheet cuttings make favorable treat bags with draw string opening. Using a permanent marker, you can draw spiders, bats etc on the sheet. A Halloween skeleton has you wear a black leotard and your face painted black. Use white paint to draw bones on for skeletal effect. Have a book to hand with graphic pictures for you to copy from.

Halloween Jokes

1. Where do ghosts go the day before Halloween?

Boo -ty Parlour

2. What do witches use after

blown dried their hair?

Scare spray

3. On what day do spiders eat the most?

Fly-day

4. What do skeletons say before they begin dining?

Bone appétit!

5. What kind of mistakes do spooks make?

Boo boos

6. When does a skeleton laugh?

When his funny bone is tickled

7. What do ghosts drink at breakfast?

Coffee with scream and sugar

8. Where do most werewolves live?

Howllywood

9. What instrument do skeletons play?

Trom-BONE

10. What do you get when you cross a black cat with a lemon?

Sour-puss

Halloween Games and Party Ideas

1 The filling of a sweet jar with colored jelly beans is a fun game. Ask guests to guess how many beans inside. Other confectionery connected with Halloween i.e. jelly snakes frogs and toads are ideal. Place sweet jar near the door and hand each guest a blank piece of paper to put their name and answer on.

2 Halloween Generation Game: Place items such as different type sweets, fruit, mini pumpkin, etc. on a tray. Allow guests to view for a minute, and then have them recap on what they remember. Winner is the one who remembers the most

3 Halloween Words: Of course word choice will differ for age groups playing this game.

Hand each person or child a sheet of paper printed out with a Halloween word such as haunted, trick or treat, pumpkin, skeleton or apple dunking on. Save printer wear/ tear and ink, and hand write. Ask participants to make as many words as they can out of the words.

4 Who Has The Pumpkin - Ask guests to form a circle. Start a song, the more suitable for the occasion the better i.e. Monster Mash. Give mini pumpkin to someone who then passes it on to the next person, and so on until music stops. The person left holding the pumpkin leaves the circle. The last left with pumpkin is the winner and gets to keep it.

5 Halloween Hunt - Hide bags of spider jellies, toffee skeletons or candy. Set kids loose letting them run riot while trying to find the hidden yummies. Have children supervised for particular Halloween games. Be sure to keep back some sweets as someone has to lose.

For the Halloween environment buy black construction paper and cut out silhouettes of bats and decorate accordingly - hang them at different heights with thread from the ceiling. Pipe cleaners are great for making creepy crawlies (spiders.) Pumpkins hollowed out and carved with evil faces with a lit candle inside is traditional and they make great Halloween room features. Watch children at all times where there is a naked flame. Happy Haunting and keep safe this Halloween night.

Halloween Fun Costumes and Entertainment

Dogs and the Dangers of Halloween

Fall has arrived and with it the Halloween holiday. I love Halloween and look forward to helping my girls picking out costumes every year. However, each year I worry about my dogs and the dangers that I know can go along with this holiday. Unfortunately there are unscrupulous people out there who will go as far as to hurt your dog on purpose and then there are the dangers of candy poisoning, wrapper choking, an escape out the door and the list goes on.

Unfortunately the thing that we humans love most about Halloween - the candy - is also one of the most dangerous things for your dog. Candy is not good for your dog. There are a million reasons from the artificial sweeteners to the toxicity of the chocolate to dogs. You even need to look out for healthy treats like raisin or grapes. They are extremely toxic for your dog. Oh, and for you adult trick or drinkers - NO Cocktails for the pooch! Somebody has to drive! Seriously though, dogs cannot tolerate alcohol either.

If your home is like ours, I'm sure you like to include your dog in the celebration and they like to be included. So for a fun idea, try baking them some homemade dog treats for Halloween. There are thousands of healthy recipes online and your dog will think he is getting treats just like everybody else.

Halloween costumes can be so adorable and a fun way to include your dog in the celebration but

be sure that you find an outfit that fits properly and that is safe. Costumes that are too big or too tight can cause them to trip or to become irritable. It's a good idea to have a trial run a few days early for the costume.

Do you remember when your kids were little and it was time to decorate for holidays? Remember how everything had to be simple and up higher? Well, that same principle goes for your dog too. They will get into everything just like a toddler. They will be chewing that pumpkin to bits before you know it and electric cords too. So remember to plan before you decorate.

Another safety issue to consider is the lit candles in the pumpkins. It only takes a second for your curious dog to knock one over and the curtains are ablaze! So light with caution!

One of my main fears on Halloween is losing my dog or having them accidentally get loose. With all of those kids coming to the door and loud noises it can be very overwhelming for your dog. It doesn't take much to spook them and the next thing you know they are darting out that open door. So it's a good idea to make sure they have proper identification on and perhaps consider putting them in a bedroom for the evening or putting up a gate to keep them from getting to the open door.

If you decide to leave your dog loose while you are entertaining trick or treaters, remember that to your dog, they look rather strange with their masks and costumes hiding their faces. Your dog will likely react in a protective manner and you don't want to put them in the position of accidentally biting someone. So consider keeping them out of reach of all of the trick or treaters. It's less stress for you and your dog.

If you would like more information on the Dangers of Halloween for your dog, please visit the website listed below.

A few months ago I left the business world to pursue my passion of working with animals while trying to improve my health. To do this, I am using my 20+ years experience as a dog breeder and pet owner. I also worked for a well known veterinarian and national vet supply company for several years. I have a B.S. In Agriculture with an emphasis in Animal Science and Ag Business. I want to be clear that in no way does any of this qualify me to be an expert. I am only sharing my experiences as informational material only. You should always consult your veterinarian before making any health choices for your pet. Please click here http://www.love-your-dog-food.com if you are interested in the details of how the right dog food can truly make your dog happy and healthy.

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Halloween Fancy Dress Ideas - Costumes and Accessories

It is that time of year again when you need to start planning your Halloween costume. Whether you plan on Trick or Treating or hosting your own Halloween party you're going to need some scary Halloween fancy dress ideas. You might want to buy a complete costume or create your own with the addition of a few accessories, but first of all you're going to need some good ideas.

Here are just a few Halloween fancy dress ideas for men, women, teenagers and children.

Halloween Costumes for Women

There are plenty of traditional Halloween costume ideas for the ladies, including wicked witches, sexy little devils, corpse brides and Burlesque Victorian vampires. You can create your own costume based on one of these ideas and accessorise to add your own twist, or you can easily buy complete, ready-made costumes.

Some other womens Halloween costume ideas include gothic brides, ghostly ladies, fallen angels, dark fairies, gothic nymphs, good witches, black widows, and film characters, such as Morticia or Wednesday from The Addams Family, the Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz, Mrs. Lovett from Sweeney Todd, a female Death Eater from Harry Potter, a dark Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, or even a Miss Krueger costume based on Freddie Krueger from Nightmare on Elm Street.

Halloween Costumes for Men

Traditional mens Halloween costumes include skeleton suits, werewolves, vampires and zombies, as well as any costumes with lots of fake blood and gore. You can be as creative as you feel like if you use your imagination and some accessories like Halloween make-up and fake blood packs.

Other Halloween fancy dress ideas for men include the Grim Reaper, ghostly gentlemen, bloody surgeons, Voodoo priests, evil jesters, Lucifer, killer clowns, a mummy or a mad monk. Some film character ideas include Hannibal Lector, Edward Scissorhands, Freddie Krueger, Michael Myers, Frankenstein, Voldemort, a Dementor, Hellboy, Dracula, Barnacle Bill, a Ghostbuster, The Joker, Sweeney Todd or a Donnie Darko rabbit.

Halloween Costumes for Teenagers

Many teenage Halloween costumes available to buy are the same as adult costumes but less scary and for teenage girls often not as short or sexy. They also come in smaller sizes obviously, but they can be suitable for petite adults. Also teenagers have some different film idols and current favourite characters, such as Edward Cullen (Rob Pattinson), Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and the rest of the Twilight and New Moon crew.

As well as vampires and werewolves other popular costume ideas for Halloween for teenagers include evil fairies, punk and biker zombies, glittery witches, bat pixies, devil girls, zombie pirates, Harry Potter, maidens of darkness, South Park Satan, Lolita, Jason and Scream stalkers. Teen costumes also include many other film characters, especially current horror films.

Halloween Costumes for Children

Children are also catered for in the Halloween costume market as there are loads available to buy, but you can make your own if you prefer and kids particularly love face paints to help make a fancy dress costume. Some kids' costumes are just as scary as adults but it's important to think about the age of your children and the other kids they'll be mixing with as some costumes can really frighten children. Keep their costumes fun and without scary masks.

Some kids Halloween costume ideas include colourful witches, pumpkins, little devils, vampires, werewolves, skeletons, mummies, zombies, ghosts and ghouls. Some popular Halloween characters for kids are based on the much-loved Harry Potter characters, and pirates from the popular Pirates of The Caribbean films.

Halloween Accessories

Accessories can really make or break a costume. If you want to stand out from the crowd on Halloween, then make sure you accessorise well! Accessories can also help to make a costume if you are on a tight budget or creating your own costume rather than buying a ready-made one.

Some of the best accessories include Halloween wigs, which are absolutely essential for most good Halloween costumes, special Halloween make-up and fake blood, vampire teeth, witches broom sticks, hats and cauldrons, and face paints, as with some face paints you can create almost any character and really change your appearance.

Whatever costume you choose this Halloween part of the fun will be making it or putting it together and accessorising it. There are loads of Halloween costumes and accessories available to buy online so you should have no problems once you've thought of some fabulous Halloween fancy dress ideas and decided what you'd like to be this year.

For more Halloween fancy dress ideas for men, women, teenagers and children visit http://www.topfancydressideas.co.uk