Why Choose A Halloween Basket As A Gift?

Halloween is one of the most popular celebrations of the year, and a lot of people like to give Halloween gifts to friends and family. However, it can be challenging to find suitable Halloween-themed gifts (especially for adults), which is why gift baskets are such a good idea. There’s a huge variety of premade gift baskets available, with a wide selection of gifts inside, including edible and non-edible, and suitable for all budgets. They’re also easily available, especially if you buy on the internet. And of course, you can make your own Halloween gift basket if you prefer, and this is a great way to have complete control over the contents and ensure that it perfectly matches the tastes of your recipient.

Halloween Gift Basket Types

You’ll be spoilt for choice when buying a Halloween basket. Premade baskets will usually contain items such as food, drinks, party related items and/or toys and other non-edible goods. Various baskets and box types are available too, and may be made from traditional wicker (although they’re more likely to be orange or black in colour), or may take the form of pumpkins, skulls, cauldrons or similar Halloween-related themes.

As far as fillings go, so long as your recipient isn’t on some kind of special diet, you’ll probably find that Halloween cookie gift baskets will go down very well. These are readily available and are especially popular. They contain cookies which are cut and decorated in the form of pumpkins, ghosts or other Halloween motifs. They’re especially popular with kids, or anybody with a sweet tooth.

On a similar theme, you can also get Halloween gift baskets filled with candies and other sweets, as well as gourmet food, coffee or alcoholic drinks, which make a good choice for adults.

If you’re looking for a gift for a Halloween party host, perhaps a basket that contains party-related items such as masks or streamers will be appreciated. Whereas some baskets contain only non-edible items and others contain just food, you can get baskets which contain a mix of both, which gives you the best of both worlds.

Who Are They For?

A Halloween basket makes a great Halloween present for just about anybody of any age. They can be especially useful when you’re buying a gift for an acquaintance who you don’t know that well, as well as work colleagues (in fact, you can even get Halloween gift baskets that are made specifically for business acquaintances!)

The other good thing about Halloween baskets for gifts is that different choices are available to suit all budgets, so you don’t have to spend a lot of money if you don’t want to. Although on the other hand, if you want to splash out, there are some very luxurious baskets available

Where To Buy Halloween Gift Baskets

It’s easy to find Halloween baskets for sale both online and off. Any store which sells Halloween related items is likely to have at least a few different baskets in stock, and of course you can also find a larger selection on the internet – often at better prices too!

It’s best to start shopping early, before the best items sell out, and it’s also worth remembering that many stores tend to put their prices up in the run up to Halloween, so if you’re being budget-conscious this Halloween, make sure you start shopping early to avoid spending more than you have to. This is also another good reason to shop online, as internet retailers will often sell Halloween items all year round, or at least earlier in the year than brick and mortar stores do, since they don’t have the same space restrictions to deal with.

Another Option – Making Your Own Gift Basket For Halloween!

Don’t forget that you can also easily make a Halloween gift basket for yourself – this can be a cheaper option than buying one premade, and also gives you the chance to get creative and really add a personalised touch to your gift. This is an especially good way to go if you know the recipient’s likes and dislikes well, as you can tailor the contents to their tastes.

To make your own, just get hold of an empty basket and decorate it as necessary. If you get at plain wicker basket, you might want to spray it black or orange (although you can buy coloured baskets from many Halloween supply stores). You could also buy an empty cauldron or something similar.

Try lining the basket with tissue paper in Halloween colours such as orange or purple, and then simply fill it up with small items you think your recipient will enjoy.

As you can see, Halloween gift baskets are an easy and effective gift choice for Halloween, whether you choose to buy one or make your own.

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Different Types Of Halloween Decorations For The Yard

Exterior Halloween decorations can be classified in three groups – lighting, props and sound. Let’s look at each of these in more detail.

1. Halloween Lighting

Spooky Halloween lighting plays a huge role in the effectiveness of your decorations. There are various types of outdoor Halloween lights available, including small string lights, large stake lights featuring Halloween characters such as zombies or witches and black lights (these are great if you have fluorescent props – and even if you don’t you can spray your existing decorations with special black light paint). Other options include floodlights and strobe lights, which can do a great job of illuminating your outdoor graveyard or other decorations.

Don’t forget about jack-o’-lanterns too, which look especially effective when placed around your porch or doorways, or along the garden path to welcome your party guests.

Make sure that you only use lights that are suitable for outdoor use, otherwise you might create a safety hazard. You can read more about outdoor Halloween lights here.

2. Halloween Props

Halloween props will probably form the main part of your decor. Props are individual objects which usually take the form of various Halloween motifs. These include:

Statues

Halloween statues will add an instant creepy touch to your yard, and there are lots of different types to choose from. Try looking for witches, skeletons, zombies, vampires or other classic Halloween characters. You can also get hands that appear to be coming up from the ground, or even zombie torsos which look like they’re digging their way out of their graves – these go very well with Halloween tombstones.

Statues aren’t just restricted to use on the ground though, as you can also get hanging Halloween props that are designed to hang from your trees, including figures which attach to a hangman’s noose – great for an extra-ghoulish effect!

Spider Webs

Spider webs are another classic Halloween decorating idea, and work well both indoors and out. You can get spider web lights for hanging in the trees, or try using a spiderweb gun (like the Webcaster) to create realistic looking webs around the yard. If you don’t want to use a spider web gun, you can also buy them ready made.

Tombstones

Tombstones are great Halloween props, and for best effect you should get a few of them so you can create your own little graveyard. Make sure you leave plenty of space between them for a realistic effect. Unlike real tombstones, the Halloween versions are normally made from lightweight plastic material, so they’re very easy to move about, but they can look extremely realistic nonetheless. As an alternative, you can get cartoon-style tombstones for a more light-hearted effect.

Halloween tombstones will often feature a fluorescent coating which glows in the dark under black light. If they don’t already have this, you can spray them with a black light paint. This is worth doing, as it really helps to create an eerie glow at night under your Halloween lights.

Hanging Critters

Hanging bats, spiders, witches, ghosts and other Halloween characters are a very easy way to decorate your yard without spending huge amounts of money. Try hanging them from the trees, bushes, fences or the eaves of your house.

Pumpkins

We mentioned jack-o’-lanterns earlier, but if you can’t face carving your own pumpkins, you can also buy plastic pumpkin props which can look very effective as well. These may be mounted on stakes, so they can easily be secured in place on your lawn.

Fog

If you really want to pull out all the stops to create the best possible Halloween atmosphere, try buying or hiring a fog machine– tendrils of fog wrapping around your tombstones will create a genuinely chilling effect, or you can really ramp it up to create a thick mist for that horror movie ambiance.

House Decorations

Halloween exterior house decorations are another good idea, and can easily be added to the walls or roof of your house. Examples of this kind of prop include ghosts, Halloween wreaths and banners. You can also get Halloween-themed light covers which you can add to your existing exterior lights – this is a great way to create spooky Halloween lighting effects without having to worry about wiring.

3. Halloween Sounds

Lastly, don’t forget to pick up a soundtrack for your Halloween celebrations. If you’ve ever seen a horror movie, you know how much the music adds to the chilling impact of the visuals, and it’s the same with your Halloween decorations. If you don’t have an outdoor sound system, try placing a speaker near an open window, or using a portable stereo or MP3 speaker system to flood your yard with ghastly screens and howls, or chilling music. Halloween music and sounds can easily be bought online; try Midnight Syndicate for especially good recordings of this type.

As you can see, there are lots of ideas to choose from when creating your Halloween yard decorations. Just make sure that you plan them in plenty of time, and try to buy everything you need well before Halloween actually starts, especially if you’re looking for the best prices, because many retailers will increase their prices in the immediate run-up to Halloween.

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Halloween is one of the most popular holidays of the year, and the amount of money that’s spent annually on Halloween goods reflects that. But there’s no need to break the bank to celebrate Halloween in style. Let’s take a look at some cheap Halloween decorating suggestions that will look great without costing too much.

Cheap Halloween Props And Other Décor

If you want to buy your Halloween décor (rather than making it yourself), you can pick up some great looking pieces without spending a lot. Halloween props and other items that you can buy cheaply include:

• String lights

• Balloons
• Window stickers
• Hanging Halloween characters (witches, vampires etc)
• Rubber spiders, bats, ghosts etc
• Halloween banners
• Streamers
• Orange or red light bulbs, and black lights
• Candles
• CDs or downloads of spooky Halloween music or sound effects

If you’re organised enough, you can save even more money by purchasing Halloween items such as these in bulk and storing them for future years. If you don’t need a lot yourself, try getting together with some friends or neighbours to place a large order and splitting the cost. Remember to shop early too, since stores tend to increase their prices in the run up to Halloween – in fact, the best time to shop is in November, as Halloween items are often on sale very cheaply right after the event!

Make Your Own Cheap Halloween Decorations

If you’re super-serious about saving money and are feeling a bit creative, making your own Halloween decorations is the way to go. This can also be a lot of fun, and if you have kids, they’re sure to enjoy getting involved too.

One very common and effective do-it-yourself type of Halloween decoration is the Halloween pumpkin. You’re not limited to carved pumpkins either; they can also be painted and embellished with various craft items such as glitter or sequins. You could try getting hold of a large pumpkin to make a great centrepiece for your table, and create several smaller pumpkin decorations to arrange around the house, on your porch or in the yard (read more about pumpkin carving and other pumpkin decorating ideas).

Other home-made Halloween decorations include ghosts made from sheets, which can be hung in the trees or windows; paper cutouts of spiders and other Halloween nasties which also look great when stuck in your windows; spiders, bats and other figures made from pipe cleaners which can be hung around the house, and other décor that can be made from such easily available materials as black plastic garbage bags, papier mache (newspaper), tissues etc. A quick Google search will reveal many sites with detailed instructions for making a variety of Halloween decorations, and you can also get some great books on the topic from Amazon.

Buying Cheap Halloween Props And Other Decorations

As we mentioned earlier, the internet is the best place to buy cheap Halloween decorations, as well as supplies for making your own. This is because online stores don’t have the huge overheads of their brick and mortar counterparts, and can pass the savings on to you. You’ll find that many sites also run special offers that are only available online, especially at holiday times. Don’t forget to check out auction sites such as eBay, where you can pick up some fantastic bargains, and Amazon is also worth checking out too (both the Marketplace and Amazon’s own listings, which are often the cheapest that you’ll find online).

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1. Prepare Your Workspace

To avoid creating a massive mess to clear up later, it’s important to prepare your workspace first. So choose a flat work area, and spread a few layers of newspaper on the floor & surfaces, making sure you overlap them.

2. Get Your Supplies Together

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Pumpkin(s)

• Pumpkin carving kit OR butcher’s knife & serrated paring knife
• Semi-permanent marker or pencil
• Container lined with a garbage bag for the waste
• Lighting source (candle, glow sticks etc.)

3. Prepare The Pumpkin for Carving

1. Place the pumpkin on its side.
2. Take the permanent marker and draw a large circle on the bottom of the pumpkin. The circle must be large enough to fit a large spoon and your hand inside.
3. Using the butcher’s knife, cut out the circle.
4. Examine the pumpkin, and make a note of which site will be best for carving a face or other design.

Note that you’re cutting out the bottom of the pumpkin, not the top – this makes it easier to place the light source inside.

5. Clean out the pumpkin by scooping out the seeds with your hands (you might want to keep these for roasting later). Next, scrape out the flesh with a serving spoon or wooden spatula. Scrape extra flesh from the side you’ll be carving the design into, to make the shell thinner.

Now for the fun part!

4. Draw Your Design

Now you have a clean, scooped out pumpkin that is ready to carve. First though, you’ll need to transfer your design to the pumpkin using the marker or pencil.

If you’re feeling arty, you can make your own design from scratch. Don’t worry if you’re not so handy with a pencil though, as you can just use a stencil. Pumpkin carving stencils are widely available online, or you can get a book of pumpkin carving designs. You may even have some included with your pumpkin carving toolkit, if you have one.

So, you’ve got your design. Next:

1. Place a copy of the design over the pumpkin, securing it with masking tape.
2. Take a needle, pin or tack, and poke small holes into the pumpkin through the paper, following the lines of the design. These must be close enough together for the outline to be easy to follow.

5. Carve The Pumpkin

Now you’re finally ready to carve your pumpkin. Take your time with this stage, as mistakes may ruin the final effect, or even cause an injury.

To carve the pumpkin, use your paring knife (or other carving tool), and slowly cut along the lines of the pattern you’ve created. Make sure you cut right through the pumpkin rind, and position the knife away from your body and into the middle of the pumpkin.

After each feature has been carved, push the cut pieces out from within the pumpkin.

To make the process easier and more accurate, ensure your knife is very sharp when you begin.

6. Clean Up

You’re almost done now – time to clean up the mess! Fold the newspaper over the pumpkin innards, and throw it in the trash or onto the compost heap. Wipe the pumpkin down with a damp tissue or cloth, to remove any remaining bits of flesh and create a smooth surface.

You can also spray the carved pumpkin with a sealant or pumpkin preserver spray, to prolong its life.

Congratulations! You’ve created your first carved Halloween pumpkin! Now you can add a light to the interior, and place it on your porch or somewhere else to show it off to good effect. Remember to take a photo too – the pumpkin won’t last forever, but you’ll probably want a record of your first carving effort!

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Decorations & Music

Get your home into the Halloween spirit with some spooky Halloween props, such as fake cobwebs draped in the bushes or windows, some ghoulish tombstones for the yard, or the occasional dangling beasties such as bats or spiders. Don’t forget the sound effects too – creepy Halloween music can go a long way to creating the right atmosphere for your celebrations!

Halloween Food

No party is complete without food and drink, and a Halloween party calls for something beyond the usual party snacks. Don’t worry though, as it’s easy to give regular foods a scary twist. Try making cookies in the shape of bats, ghosts and other spooky critters, and serve up red or green-colored drinks that look like blood or slime (click for more Halloween food ideas). These little details really add to the overall effect, so don’t neglect them!

Lighting

Good Halloween lighting is really important too, and for best effect you should keep the lights dim (although not so dim your guests trip over the furniture!), and try drawing attention to your key props with spotlights. Orange or purple Halloween string and pumpkin lights work great in windows, foliage etc, and you might even want to use black lights to create a ghostly glow in your home. Candles are excellent too, and really provide an authentic ‘haunted house’ kind of atmosphere, but just be sure that they’re located in a place where pets or kids can’t knock them over, and they don’t create a fire hazard.

Pumpkins

What would Halloween be without pumpkins? Grab a few from the store (or better yet, your local pumpkin patch) and create some scary carved faces and other designs (read more about how to carve a Halloween pumpkin). If you don’t fancy doing all that carving, try some other easy pumpkin decorating techniques, such as pumpkin painting. Once your decorated pumpkins are ready, sit them out on the porch to welcome your guests, or place them around your home as extra decorations.

Party Themes

So, now your house is all ready for Halloween, but what about your party? You might want to have a themed Halloween party, and your imagination’s really the limit here. You could base it around witches and wizards, vampires, zombies or other typical Halloween characters. Or why not make it a 70s or 80s theme, or take inspiration from your favourite movie, TV show or cartoon character. Or you could keep things flexible, and give your guests free reign to come up with whatever costume ideas they like – you might be surprised at the insights those costumes give you into their hidden personalities!

For additional ambiance, try playing scary movies on the TV in the background, or use a bit of dry ice around your fake tombstones to create your own foggy haunted cemetery.

With just a bit of effort and preparation, you’ll have a great Halloween night, and people will be talking about your party for years to come!

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1. One option is to give the kids packages of nuts or trail mixes – you can get small packs of these which are about the same size of a pack of sweets. Not only do they provide a satisfying sweet treat, but they’re much healthier than candy too.

2. The second option is microwaveable popcorn packages. While these aren’t completely healthy, they are a better option than gently sweets, so long as you skip the flavours which have lots of sugar or additives.

3. You could also look into chocolate and sweets that are sweetened with xylitol. This is a completely natural and healthy sweetener that’s derived from birch trees, corn and some other plant sources. It tastes just as good as sugar, but is much healthier, because it doesn’t cause blood sugar issues, and it is even good for the teeth! (Yes, a ‘sugar’ that helps prevent tooth decay!) Xylitol also contains 40% fewer calories than sugar, which is great if you or your kids are prone to weight issues.

4. Cheese and crackers provid a savory alternative to candy, and are often a big hit with kids. Nabisco Handi-Snack is one option which provides a variety of flavors, although if you want a completely healthy choice, try getting some rice cakes from the health food store.

5. If you’re looking for alternatives to candy for trick-or-treaters, another option is to get some gift certificates for restaurants such as McDonald’s or Wendys. While these aren’t exactly known for their healthy choices, they do have some good options available, and if you purchase using your Arch card and follow some simple guidelines at the McDonald’s website, you can earn college rewards at the same time.

6. Non-edible gifts: Remember too that Halloween gifts don’t have to be all about food. Try taking a trip to the dollar store or any other store that sells inexpensive items, and you can pick up some things such as crayons, colouring books, novels and audio books, all of which provide excellent alternatives to sugary foods. Not only will your kids’ health benefit from presents like these, but their education and creativity will too. If you remember, you could pick up things like this throughout the year, to help spread the cost.

7. Another more unusual gift idea which actively helps to counteract some of the damage caused by sugary Halloween food, is toothbrushes and toothpaste. Your local dentist may even be willing to give you these at a reduced rate to give out this Halloween. You could try throwing in some xylitol-sweetened gum too, as this is also good for the teeth, as well as being tasty.

8. Another good option is small games like jump rope and jacks, or perhaps a yo-yo or some bouncy ping-pong balls, or playing cards. These aren’t your typical Halloween gift, but they will almost certainly be appreciated, as they can provide fun throughout the year. Games like these are also very inexpensive, and can be bought at the dollar store, or online in bulk from places like eBay.

So as you can see, there are lots of ways to keep kids happy Halloween other than giving them sugar-laden foods. Think creatively, and you’ll help to make this a Halloween to remember, while looking after their health as well.

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Types Of Halloween Outdoor Lights

There are lots of different types of Halloween lighting effects you can create, especially if you mix up a variety of different types of light. Here are some of the most popular:

1. Halloween String Lights / Fairy Lights

Tiny string lights aren’t just for Christmas – you can get Halloween versions too! Orange and purple lights are the most common colours for Halloween, and they’re often shaped like pumpkins, or sometimes other Halloween characters like witches or skulls.

2. Halloween Rope Lights

As the name suggests, rope lights consist of a solid rope, which often has a variety of flashing effects, or maybe solidly lit. For Halloween look out for those in traditional colours such as orange.

3. Halloween Stake Lights & Other Standalone Lights

Stake lights are anchored in your lawn by use of a stake, which makes them very stable. Halloween stake lights might be shaped like characters such as zombies, ghosts, pumpkins and other Halloween motifs. Other standalone Halloween lights may not feature a stake, but have a solid base which enables them to stand securely, or they may be designed to be strung in the trees or other areas; an example of this type are those lights shaped like spiders webs which are draped over trees or placed in the window, or illuminated hanging critters like spiders (below, from Amazon).

4. Solar Halloween Lights

Solar Halloween lights are a great idea if you care about the environment, and want to reduce your electricity bills too. They are safer too, as they need no wiring, but instead recharge during the day. Another advantage of solar lighting is that it’s easier to setup, again because no exterior wiring is needed. Solar Halloween lighting comes in various forms, including pumpkin lights, and lights shaped like other Halloween characters.

5. Projection Lights

Another option for outdoor Halloween lighting is to use a projector to decorate the walls of your house with various scary images. This Halloween lighting option can also be used indoors, and is a great idea for Halloween parties. Since the images you project can be changed as often as you like, this is a more versatile choice than many other types of Halloween decoration and lighting.

6. Halloween Pumpkin Lanterns

Halloween pumpkins are a staple part of any household’s Halloween decorations, make great outdoor lights as well. Once you’ve carved your pumpkin with a suitably scary design, it can be lit from within by using candles, a torch or other lighting source. Illuminated jack-o-lantern lampslook great after nightfall, and can be mounted on stands or placed around your porch to welcome your Halloween party guests.

7. Black Lights

Black lights make another great Halloween lighting option. They emit a spooky purplish glow when it gets dark, and if any of your Halloween props feature fluorescents paints, or your guests wear fluorescent make-up, this will be shown off to great effect under the black light bulbsYou can enhance your Halloween decorations further by adding black light spray to make them glow under black lighting.

8. Halloween Light Covers

You don’t have to buy Halloween lights specially either. If you already have lights on the exterior of your house, another option is to get hold of some Halloween light covers which fits over the top of these. In this way, you can create some great looking outdoor Halloween lamps with very little hassle or extra expense.

Tips for Installing Outdoor Halloween Lighting

If you’ve never created an outdoor Halloween lighting display before, be warned that it can be a time-consuming process, depending on how complex your ideas are.

You’ll probably want to create a written plan to begin with, so you’ll know what you need, and where everything needs to go. It’s important to make sure you’ve got all the accessories you need to securely attach your lights to walls, trees etc, and also that you don’t end up overloading any electrical circuits.
It’s also important to use lighting that’s specifically designed for outdoor use, and ensure that all plugs and cords (including extension cords) are well insulated against water. Always follow any instructions that are included with your lights carefully, and the whole process will go much more smoothly.
Don’t forget too, that solar Halloween lights provide a much more fuss-free option, although that you may not find the same variety to choose from.

Where To Buy Outdoor Halloween Lights

Many general department stores and other places that sell Halloween paraphernalia will stock a variety of Halloween yard lights. However, you’ll probably find the best bargains online, as web-based retailers tend to have much lower overheads than their brick and mortar counterparts, and can pass the savings on to you.
It also pays to start shopping for your Halloween lights early, as prices tend to increase as Halloween draws closer. I suggest checking out Amazon and eBay, as these sites have some of the lowest prices and best selections online. Just make sure that you buy good-quality lights wherever you shop from, as safety should always be the first consideration.

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Ghostly Sandwiches

Make your sandwiches as normal, but cut the bread into ghost shapes – great for kids!

Scary Eyeballs

Hard boiled eggs make great eyeballs – just add a bit more mustard into the centers, topped with a black olive to form the pupil.

Spider Snack

Take two round crackers, and spread peanut butter in the middle. Take 8 small pretzels and stick all around the cracker, placing four on each side to make the legs. Add raisins for eyes

Ghostly Toast

Toast your bread, and cut into a ghost shaped body using a Halloween cookie cutter or sharp knife. Top with yoghurt or whipped cream cheese, using raisins or dates for the eyes.

Mini Orange Jack O’Lantern

Take an orange and gently carve a scary face into the skin using a toothpick. Be careful not to pierce the flesh of the fruit.

Wormy Hot Dogs

Thinly slice your hot dogs and heat in the microwave. This will cause them to curl up and resemble worms. Place on a hamburger bun and create a slimy swamp underneath by dressing with mustard, catsup and pickles.

Graveyard Snack

Take a cup of plain or buttered popped popcorn; add a half cup each of chocolate chips, raisins, mini marshmallows, mini pretzels and goldfish crackers.

Salty Bones

Making breadsticks for your spaghetti tonight? Here’s a Halloween twist. Unroll a tube of refrigerated breadstick roll and separate the triangle pieces. Stretch each individual piece out to create a long bone-like figure. Cut about a 1.5 inch slit in each end. Roll the remaining 4 flaps to create the end of a ‘dog bone’. Sprinkle with coarse salt and bake as directed.

Goblin Tongues

Spread mayonnaise or cream cheese onto mini bagels. Cut slices out of circular pieces of bologna lunch meat or vegetarian alternative to look like tongues. Place these into the top center of the bagels, leaving them to hang out like tongues.

These ideas take little effort, but will be a hit with your kids or grandkids, as well as your party guests!

Click here for lots more easy Halloween recipe ideas!

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A trip out to the country is always pleasant, and it provides a great opportunity to get together with family or friends and pick up your pumpkins together. A walk through the pumpkin fields provides fresh air and exercise, and you’ll typically find that the variety is greater than you’d find on the supermarket shelves.

In fact, some squash and pumpkins are positively freaky looking, and can make great decorations around the home, or provide a ‘show and tell’ opportunity for kids at school.

Of course you can also pick up some nice squash to cook, as this is a delicious and versatile fall vegetable that can be used in a variety of sweet and savory recipes – and it’s healthy too!

Some farms grow pumpkins especially for making pumpkin pies, and these can really enhance the taste of this classic recipe. And if you’re not used to making your own pumpkin pies, it’s worth doing so, since it’ll taste much better than the store-bought versions.

You can also pick up attractive pumpkins to create a fall display in your home, as you probably won’t want to carve them too early for Halloween if you want them to look their best on Halloween night. The last week before Halloween can be a good time to carve your pumpkins.

So if you don’t already do so, see there’s a pumpkin patch near you. This can be a nice way to start a new Halloween tradition!

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Firstly, you need a mask. A Halloween mask has a big impact on any costume, and can also be very cheap and easy to make. There are lots of free mask patterns online that you can print out and have the kids color in, or add embellishments such as glitter, sequins etc. The just cut the mask out (remember the nose and eye holes!), and attach a piece of elastic or string, and you’re set! Just make sure that the mask fits comfortably and snugly, and that your child can see and breathe easily while wearing it.

Secondly comes the costume itself. Chances are you have plenty of clothing and fabrics around the house that can be co-opted to make a costume. As an example, a bear costume can be made from all brown clothing coupled with a bear face mask (or makeup) and maybe some woolly gloves. If you have a white sheet – and who doesn’t? – you have a versatile way to create different costumes, such as a character from Greek myth, a Roman warrior, or of course, a spooky Halloween ghost! Such a sheet can be cut or wrapped in different ways, so your own creativity is the only limit here. Pillowcases and towels work well for this too, in case you don’t have a spare sheet handy. You can also make use of other items of clothing and accessories, such as scarves, tights, shawls and the like.

Now you’ve got your basic costume in place, you can easily add an extra touch by decorating it with craft-related bits and pieces such as glitter, rhinestones, buttons, felt, feathers, sequins, beads, fabric paints or pens – basically anything you’ve got handy that can add a touch of uniqueness to the outfit.

As you can see, it doesn’t have to be hard to create a cool Halloween costume at the last minute – you just need to do a bit of brainstorming and use your imagination, and you’ll have a costume for your kid (or yourself) that will make a big splash at the party. It’ll also be unique, since you won’t be buying the same mass produced stuff as everyone else, and you’ll save money too. Which is a good thing, because whether you’re on a tight budget or not, it doesn’t really make sense to spend huge amounts on an outfit that you’ll most likely only wear once!

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