List of 'History of Halloween'
There are some ‘old standbys’ and some novel ideas:
GHOST: Grab a white sheet, cut out the eyes, and adjust the length. Make a treat bag out of the remnants.
CLOWN: Use hand-me-downs that are large and colorful, tack on pompons, buttons, bows, etc., Add a colorful wig and face paint.
SCARECROW: Beaten up old flannel shirt, jeans, and loose belt. Straw and other messy items completes the look.
OLD MAN/OLD WOMAN: Powder hair, use outdated clothing, torn socks and stockings.
HIPPY: Loud 1960s items from the attic!
1950’s GIRL/BOY: Look up 1950s gear, add saddle shoes or penny loafers and you’re good to go!
SPIDER: Use cheap black hose for legs that are stuffed, and sew or staple to black garments.
MUMMY: Cut up old white sheets, wrap over and over, leaving space for eyes, nose and mouth. Secure with safety pins.
These are just a few examples. You can do more with whatever you find at home or in a thrift store!
Pirating adventures are in demand after the movie, ‘The Pirates of the Caribbean.’ Let your child become a pirate by designing a costume similar to that in the movie. Theme a Halloween party around the movie, and then issue invitations similar to those of the 19th Century.
A sample invitation:
Attend a Halloween Pirate Party at 1122 Lansdale Road
Bring your best Pirate Costume and Attitude
Sunday, October 20th, Rain or Shine
Items Needed: Treasure Map
Name of Missing Pirates
A Knowledge of Traps and Foul Play
Once the kids have arrived, turn your home or yard into a shipwreck scene and let them find the missing pirated and treasure. Mark the trails to pirates and treasure with props, and put up decorations and danger signs. Skeletons and other Halloween markings can be used as indicators of a ‘find.’
It’s also good to use run on tattoos or face painting as a reward for found treasures or pirates as well as prizes and other goodies. Playing a Halloween movie at the end of the party completes the picture.
Sample Halloween Map:
The Secret Hiding Place of Billy Bones’ Treasure
Beware of Traps……….
Begin by following the areas marked with skeletons, to the end of the trail that is marked by a skull. Proceed to the mark of the Devil’s Head, and then dig where the X marks the spot in the earth. Unearth the treasure and return it to the table that has a witch atop it.
Using imagination can make a great Halloween theme party for your child and their friends!
Nashoba Valley in Massachusetts is home to the infamous ‘Castle Morbid.’ If you like acting, want to be involved with a local attraction, and love frights, this is definitely for you. All you need is to love Halloween and have the ’spirit’ to really get into the fun here.
Always looking for volunteers, this happy little attraction will let you be a monster, a vampire, a zombie, a mad scientist, a werewolf, or any other ghoul you like. They also like those that seek to interact with the public and the place by organizing affairs and shows. You can also build and design sets, and they welcome new ideas so bring yours too!
Haunts usually build props so handymen are welcomed. You can then watch your creations come to life and you can also take part in the marketing and design of the brochures if you’d rather push a pencil than a rake.
You can be a community volunteer by actually being a tour guide also if you have people skills. And don’t forget there are more places like this for you to choose from. Check your local listings and be a participant wherever you like. The more the merrier on Halloween!
