Halloween Storage

Halloween Storage

How many times has this scenario happened to you? It's the day after Halloween and you look around your yard and the inside of your house and think, "Now I've got to put this stuff all away". You're tired from the day's or even weeks of preparations, so you proceed to toss and cram all your Halloween decorations into boxes like a madman. Believe me, we've been there...

But think about it, you have a great deal of time and money invested in your Halloween decorations, so shouldn't they be protected for years to come? By taking the time to organize and pack them with care will save you time next year, giving you more time for Halloween decorating.

Packing Materials: Try to keep the original boxes when possible. Cardboard boxes work well for packing, but are susceptible to moisture and can deteriorate, particularly in humid climates. Plastic storage containers have the advantage that they come transparent so that you can also see what's inside. When stacking your boxes, try to make stacks of similar sized containers, starting with heavy boxes on bottom and working up to lighter boxes at the top.

Try to avoid using newspaper. The ink can rub off and cause damage. Tissue or butchers paper works well. Bubble wrap and foam chips are great for items that are breakable and need to be cushioned.

Labeling: Use large permanent markers to label Halloween storage boxes. Describe all of the pertinent information including the contents of the box, whether its for indoor or outdoor use, if its fragile, etc.

Halloween Lights: It's a lot easier to store them properly now, than opening the box to find a giant headache next year. Strings of Halloween lights should be wound around plastic holiday light spools or wrapped and tied with twist-ties and placed into separate plastic storage bags, otherwise you'll end up with one big, tangled ball of lights. Spare bulbs should be stored with the correct string of lights.

Tableware and Kitchenware: Everything you had on your serving table or tables such as Halloween tablecloths, napkins, utensils, plates, bowls, punch bowls, etc., should all be kept together in one or more well labeled boxes. Glass or fragile plastic items such as punch bowls should be wrapped in a protective material such as paper or bubble wrap for there protection. Cookie cutters, cake pans and the like should all be packaged together and labeled appropriately. Inexpensive paper napkins work well for separating dishes.

Crushable Decorations: Halloween wreaths should be stored in a box that will protect the wreath, but also to keep its shape. There are boxes made for storing wreaths, usually available during the Christmas season. Write "Do Not Crush" on the box. Foam tombstones, as with other flat decorations, should be packed together with bubble wrap between each one. Halloween collectables such as ceramic villages, toys and ornaments should be re-packed in there original boxes.

Halloween Costumes: Halloween costumes should definitely be stored in plastic storage containers to protect them from dust, moisture and pests. Wash or dry clean the costume, if needed, then carefully fold it just as you would when storing any other piece of clothing. We place ours individually in extra large plastic zip top storage bags for extra protection and label the bags with a black permanent marker.

You can also store Halloween costumes in plastic garment bags. Keep specific costumes and their accessories together by using smaller storage bags. Once you place them in the storage container, seal it by running packing tape all the way around the lip.

Halloween masks: Store them properly so that they can be used year after year. The worst thing you can do is just toss it in a box as the mask will not hold its natural shape. The best way we've found to store latex masks is on a Styrofoam wig stand. These are shaped like a human head and only cost a couple of dollars at beauty supply stores. Masks should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place. Exposure to sunlight or excessive temperatures for a prolonged period can cause the colors to fade and damage the latex, causing the mask to crack.

Halloween Candles: Didn't use all those creepy Halloween candles you bought this year? Well be careful how you store them for next year. First, store identical candles together in there own zip top plastic storage bags. Candles are temperature sensitive and if they get to warm will melt together into a blob. Store candles in a cool dry place.

Manuals and Instructions: Keep the original manuals and instruction sheets with the original items. If you can't do this, keep all manuals in a box marked "Halloween Manuals". Before we disassemble complex decorations we always take a few pictures of it from different angles with a digital camera. Next year we use the pictures as a visual guide for reassembly.

Taking the time to carefully wrap and store your spooky decorations will make putting them up next year easier and a lot more fun!

The Future of Halloween

The Future of Halloween

While we can't say for certain exactly how Halloween will be celebrated one hundred years from now, we have a pretty good idea about the next two years. But before we get to that, here are some thoughts on how the particular day of the week that Halloween falls on influences this holiday.

For Christmas, it is not uncommon for people to start putting up decorations as early as Thanksgiving and they may leave them up all the way through New Years. Since the Christmas season lasts literally weeks, you have much more time to spread out special events such as parties.

Halloween on the other hand, usually does not become visible until October 31st, or at best a few days before and then vanishes like dust in an Autumn breeze the following day. You may spend weeks or even months in preparation for Halloween night, but all you get is one night.

When Halloween falls on a week day, except Friday, celebrating tends to be smaller, particularly on a Wednesday or Thursday. These days are too far removed from the preceding weekend to have a Halloween party, and it's virtually unheard of to hold a party after October 31st. If you have a party on a week night, it usually has to be short in duration as kids have school the next day and most adults have work. The best Halloween falls on either a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, giving more time for parties, haunts and Halloween fun.

Here's the best news for the next two years: Halloween will fall on a Saturday in 2009 and on a Sunday in 2010.

Saturday - This is our favorite day for Halloween to fall on. Kids are out of school and have plenty of time to get ready. They can stay up later since they don't have school the following day. Adults have all Friday night to hold or go to a Halloween party and then Sunday night to greet their costumed visitors.

Sunday - Our second favorite day for Halloween to be, you can host or go to that party on Saturday and then have all Sunday to prepare for your trick or treaters.

So, what can we expect over the next two years? More Halloween parties, more business related events such as costume contests, a larger selection of Halloween products in stores and more haunted events like haunted houses popping up around towns. The next two years look to be great for Halloween lovers everywhere!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween

Jumbo Inflatable Tombstone

Jumbo Inflatable Tombstone

Add some graveyard fright to trick-or-treat night with this giant vinyl tombstone! With a purple bat perched on top, this decoration will turn your yard into a scary cemetery. Fun for greeting your guests at a haunted Halloween bash or vampire party!

Hanging Skeleton Halloween Decoration

Hanging Skeleton Decoration

Scare up some frightful fun with this Halloween decoration! Ideal for hanging in a doorway or from a ceiling, this 3-ft. bony spook will be a ghostly greeting for your party guests and trick-or-treaters. A haunted house essential! Includes a foam face and hands and a tattered fabric cloak.

Eyeball Bounce Halloween Party Game

Eyeball Bounce Game

Take ping pong ball and decorate with markers to look like blood shot eyes. Then get a plastic pumpkin or party cups.

Now give each child an eyeball and place the plastic pumpkin or cup at the bottom of stairs or across the floor. Works best on wooden stairs and floors. Have each child toss or bounce the eyeball down the stairs or across the room. The goal is to see if their eyeball bounces into the pumpkin.

You can give a prize to those that get it in the pumpkin. Also for young kids, you may want to place 20 cups together and have each cup worth a secret prize. This increases the chance to get a prize and it makes the prize a complete surprise.

Pirate Costume

Pirate Costume

Aye, Aye maties. Your treasure awaits you! This Pirate Costume features a red pirate bandana with dreadlocks and skull and cross bones design, pirate vest and shirt combo, cropped pirate pants with sash, an earring and an eye patch.

Queen Arwen Lord of the Rings Costume

Queen Arwen Lord of the Rings Costume

This costume is fit for a queen. Costume features a long flowing dress and a tiara with ornate design and detail. From the movie The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King.

Palmer Dr. Scab’s Monster Lab Chocolates

Palmer Dr. Scab’s Monster Lab Chocolates

Shaped like assorted body parts and individually wrapped in matching foil wrappers, trick-or-treaters will lose their head (or at least an eye, a finger or an ear) to get these chocolates!

Halloween Twister Game

Halloween Twister Game

Party guests will bend over backwards for this Halloween game! A creepy twist on a classic game, Twister, kids will love curling and turning around on the 6-ft. x 5-ft. vinyl mat! Each spooky square shows off a monstrous character! Includes a cardboard spinner.

Halloween Recipe - Meatball Creepy Crawlers

Meatball Creepy Crawlers

Meatballs:
1 can (12 oz) Pillsbury Golden Layers refrigerated flaky original biscuits
20 frozen cooked beef meatballs, thawed (from 16-oz bag)
1/4 cup shoestring potatoes (from 1 3/4-oz can) or chow mein noodles
Sliced olives, pickles and carrots, as desired

Dips:
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup mustard
1/2 cup cheese dip

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray, or cover with cooking parchment paper.

2. Separate dough into 10 biscuits. Separate each biscuit into 2 layers. Wrap 1 biscuit piece around each meatball; seal. To make 1 crawler, line up 10 biscuit-wrapped meatballs on cookie sheet, making sure each is touching, to make a curved line. Poke shoestring potatoes in both sides of each ball for legs, at head for antennae and tongue, and end for tail. Repeat with remaining 10 wrapped meatballs to make second crawler.

3. Bake 13 to 16 minutes or until golden brown. Garnish with olives for eyes and mouth. Top every other section with layer of sliced pickle, carrot and olive. In small bowl, mix ketchup and mustard. Serve crawlers with ketchup mixture and cheese dip.

Bobble Head Reaper Costume

Bobble Head Reaper Costume

This Bobble Head Reaper costume is BIG TIME SCARY! Costume includes a full-cut robe with drape sleeves, an oversize hood with collar, gloves, belt and a giant, lightweight head with bobble eyes and interior elastic head support.

Pink & Silver Diva Dress Costume

Pink & Silver Diva Dress Costume

Our Deluxe Pink & Silver Sequin Dot Diva Dress features a pink sequin dot poly flapper dress with a marabou hem and silver sequin trim.

Make A Monster Party Game

Make A Monster Party Game

Break your guests into teams and tell them that they are going to Make a Monster. Now give each group a variety of magazines, paper, glue (glue stick) and scissors and tell them they must make monsters from the contents of the magazines.

Then tell them how many and what type of monsters you want. (Print on sheet of paper)Example: 3 Monsters & 1 Monster face

Tell them to use different body parts (legs, arms, head, feet, etc… to make 1. Scary Monster2. Funny Monster3. Bad Fashion Monster (target one to your theme/attendees) 4. Create a face monster cut out different eyes, lips, nose, hair to make this monster.

Give each team a time limit 10, 15, or 20 minutes (5 minutes per monster) and send them off to create their Monsters.

Once time is up call then back and have each team present their monsters based on the category and parents can independently judge you monsters and select a winner for each category. This is a fun activity and does not require a prize.

To accommodate young kids have adults cut out various body parts in advance and just have the kids put the pieces of the monster together. (This removes the scissors issue)

Bat Rings

Bat Rings

For a simple touch of Halloween flair, add a plastic bat ring to your outfit! Dress up your costume and jewelry ensemble with these dark-winged gems! Hand them out in kids' goody bags to wear on each finger!

Halloween Picks

Halloween Picks

Stick these 3" plastic picks in Halloween appetizers for a spooky look! You can add a frightfully fun touch to meat and cheese trays with these spiders, bats, pumpkins and ghosts. They’re also perfect for cupcakes! Ideal for a haunted house party or Halloween bash!

Candy Corn Catch Party Game

Candy Corn Catch Party Game

Divide guests into groups of 3 teams, 4-5 per team or if couples into pairs. Then announce that you are going to play Candy Corn Catch where team members will toss candy corns into the pumpkin that will be tied around a team member’s waist.

To make things fair give each team member the same amount of candy corn, so if some people choose to eat it rather throw it, they will have a choice. Suggest 10 per person.

Now select a team member to wear the pumpkin (these should be the ones for trick or treating so there is a hole on top) and tie the plastic pumpkin around one team member's waist. Now establish a throw line for those with the candy and place the pumpkin wearing teammate 5, 7 or 10 feet away.

Once everyone is set let the tossing begin. The kids and adults can throw candy corn all at one time or one at a time. You person wearing the pumpkin can move around to try to catch the candy corn as it is thrown. Once everyone has thrown the candy corn, take the pumpkin and count how many went in and also have the kids pick up any that is on the floor.

Switch team members and go again. Add up how many go in each round and then total the amounts after everyone has had a turn. Winning team is the one to get the most candy corn in the pumpkin.

Pretty Potion Witch Costume

Pretty Potion Witch Costume

You'll be simply bewitching in this Pretty Potion Witch Costume. Costume features a black, purple and fuschia dress with attached crinoline, black and purple sleeve puffsand a witch hat with tie.

Red Flapper Sequin Dot Velvet Dress Costume

Red Flapper Sequin Dot Velvet Dress Costume

Charleston! Charleston! Bring back those exciting days of the Roaring 20's when Flappers were all the craze with this Deluxe Red Flapper Dress. Features a red sequin dot velvet dress with fringe and a flower decoration. A matching red sequin headband with red boa feathers is included.

Halloween Straw Assortment

Halloween Straw Assortment

Dress up your Halloween drinks with these festive plastic straws! Sure to add some trick-or-treat pizazz to your party beverages, these orange and black straws have ghost, black cat and pumpkin designs. Fun for witch’s brew, too!

Halloween Candy Rings

Halloween Candy Rings

Jewelry you can eat! Place these fruit-flavored accessories on each finger for a fun and frightful appearance! Kids love wearing these Halloween candy rings in black cat, green monster and ghoulish ghost styles! The perfect accessory for every costume!

Halloween Recipe - Bewitched Double-Crust Cheese Pizza

Bewitched Double-Crust Cheese Pizza

Trick or treat! Cookie cutters make fun, quick work of uncovering the cheesy filling in a celebratory pizza.

3 cups Original Bisquick mix
2/3 cup very hot water
1 can (8 oz) pizza sauce
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (8 oz)
1/2 teaspoon spicy pizza seasoning

1. Move oven rack to lowest position. Heat oven to 450°F. Spray 12-inch pizza pan with cooking spray.

2. In large bowl, stir Bisquick mix and hot water with fork until soft dough forms; beat vigorously 20 strokes. Divide dough in half. Press half of the dough in pizza pan, using fingers dipped in Bisquick mix; pinch edge to form 1/2-inch rim. Spread pizza sauce over dough. In medium bowl, mix cheese and pizza seasoning; sprinkle over pizza sauce.

3. Place remaining dough on surface dusted with Bisquick mix; roll in Bisquick mix to coat. Shape into a ball; knead 5 times. Roll dough into 14-inch circle. Use cookie cutters in Halloween shapes to cut shapes from dough (leave 1 inch of dough between cutouts and leave 1 inch of edge of dough uncut). Fold dough circle in half; place over pizza and unfold. Seal edges. Place dough cutouts on top of pizza if desired.

4. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted.

Hot Dog Pet Costume

Hot Dog Pet Costume

Yes, pun is intended. Comical costume features a body suit with branded "Hot Dog" buns and a hat with mustard on the back.

Doodlebops Deedee Deluxe Costume

Doodlebops Deedee Deluxe Costume

Musically creative, this costume will whisk you to a magically musical land. Costume includes dress, gloves, shoe covers and wig.

Colorful Bats

Colorful Bats

Scatter these colorful bats on tabletops or put these batty toys in treat bags.

Jack-O’-Lantern Lanterns

Jack-O’-Lantern Lanterns

Hang these jolly tissue paper pumpkins from the ceiling at your haunted house party! With a variety of goofy smiles, these orange decorations will add a frightfully fun touch to your Halloween event!

Witch Hunt Party Game

Witch Hunt Party Game

Cut out paper witch hats. Whatever number you think would suit the number of people at the party, 3 - 5 per person is recommended. Color two hats a different color from the rest. Hide all the witch hats throughout the house (area where you would be doing this game).

Now let the kids know that there are witch hats hidden and the guests must find them. The guests finding the most hats will in prize (show prize) and there are two special hats that will result in special bonus prizes. Now send the kids to find all the hats, stagger the release if the age group varies a lot and give the younger kids a head start.

The kids who find the different colored hats get the biggest prize and the two who got the most hats collected get the next biggest prize. Have extra prizes in case of ties. Also, you might want some small prizes for the people who didn't get a prize.

Witch Maternity Costume

Witch Maternity Costume

Are you a good witch or a bad witch? Whichever you are, you'll be positively bewitching in this beautiful Witch costume. Costume features a black and olive green dress with jagged hem, mesh and sheer sleeves a stone brooch. A matching witch hat with brooch is also featured.

Go Diego Go Costume

Go Diego Go Costume

From the cartoon show Go Diego Go! comes Diego Marques, an 8-year old rough and tumble action adventure hero. Your little one will love dressing up as this animal lover and rescuer and bringing one of their favorite cartoon characters to life. The licensed Deluxe Diego costume features a shirt, shorts, vest and backpack.

Hanging Bat

Hanging Bat

This flying mammal likes to “hang out” indoors or outdoors and makes a fun addition to your décor! Hang this 30" latex bat above the buffet table at your Halloween party or outdoors on your front porch to scare trick-or-treaters — they’ll “go batty” fearing this prop is real!

Inflatable Halloween Beach Balls

Inflatable Halloween Beach Balls

These vinyl beach balls are perfect for a backyard Halloween party! Printed with “Happy Halloween” and a variety of ghosts and goblins, these orange and black pool toys will add some spooky fun to trick-or-treat night.

Halloween Recipe - "Scary Night" Caramel Brownies

"Scary Night" Caramel Brownies

Don't be afraid to bake and decorate rich chocolate brownies as a special Halloween treat!

Brownies:
1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker Original Supreme brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch)
3/4 cup butterscotch-flavored chips, if desired
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs

Caramel Frosting and Decorations:
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 cups powdered sugar
Pretzel sticks
Assorted Halloween candies, gumdrops or shaped marshmallow pieces, such as bats, moons, pumpkins, ghosts

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line 13x9-inch pan with foil, leaving edge of foil above rim of pan; grease bottom only of foil. In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, chocolate syrup, butterscotch-flavored chips, water, oil and eggs, using spoon, until well blended. Spread in pan.

2. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool about 1 hour before frosting.

3. In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low. Boil and stir 2 minutes. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling; remove from heat. Cool about 45 minutes or until lukewarm. Gradually stir in powdered sugar. If frosting is too thin, place saucepan of frosting in bowl of cold water. Beat frosting until smooth and thick enough to spread. If frosting becomes too thick, stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time.

4. Lift out foil and uncut brownies from pan; carefully remove foil. Spread frosting over brownies. Arrange pieces of pretzel sticks to make tree and fence designs. Add candies to complete the "scary night" landscape. For brownies, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store tightly covered.

Ruby the Pirate Beauty Costume

Ruby the Pirate Beauty Costume

You're sure to be the prettiest pirate on the high seas with this Ruby, the Pirate Beauty costume. This pirate costume features a top with corset styling, skirt, hip wrap and head tie.

The Flash Costume

The Flash Costume

Speeding to a Halloween party near you, here comes the Flash. This Flash costume comes with a red and gold jumpsuit with the Flash's lightning bolt symbol on the chest and around the arms and waist. The headpiece and mask are also included.

Halloween Foam Bracelets Craft Kit

Halloween Foam Bracelets Craft Kit

Includes 24 foam 8" x 3/4" bracelets, 414 assorted 1/2" - 4" shape and word stickers and touch fastener tabs.

Halloween Can Insulators

Halloween Can Insulators

Keep your party drinks chilled to the bone with these colorful beverage insulators! Featuring festive skeleton and tombstone designs, these frightening foam insulators fit a 12-oz. soda can.

Halloween Wine Tasting Party

Halloween Wine Tasting Party

Tired of the standard spooky Halloween party? Mix things up by throwing a festive Halloween wine tasting party that mixes sophistication and fright. With great décor and delicious Halloween treats your party is a guaranteed hit.

Haunted Wine Tasting Décor:

Go all out with the wine tasting theme and turn your house into a haunted wine cellar. Here are a few ways you can create this look:

1. Procure old wooden barrels and use them as much as possible. Use them to hold platters of food, wine decanters, decorations, and jars of candy.

2. Use oversized glass apothecary jars to hold Halloween candy, cookies or other treats.

3. Present food on large silver platters, and label cheeses and crackers with small toothpicks that have labels attached. Write in scary writing or use a ghoulish computer font for maximum effect.

4. Create a grand wine tasting table by placing an old, broken down door between two wine barrels. Scatter the table with grapes (real or faux), vines with grape leaves, and scary touches like fake mice and spider webs.

5. On the grand tasting table, place each different type of wine in an old fashioned glass decanter. Make sure to identify which wine is which with more ghoulish labels.

Delicious Wine Tasting Treats:

Serve your guests plenty of tasty snacks to satisfy their appetite between tastings.

Variety of Cheese:

Put out a variety of cheeses for your guests to nibble on. Choose an assortment of hard and soft, mild and strong flavored cheeses.

Crackers & Bread:

Bread and crackers are perfect to pair with the cheese, and they provide energy and something substantial for appetizers. Try getting seedy crackers, French bread and a soft whole wheat roll for a good variety.

Apple and Salami Rolls:
Pair a thinly sliced piece of gala apple with a thin slice of a hard cheese.

Wrap it up with a piece of Genoa salami.
Keep it all together with a toothpick.

Five Great Halloween Wines:

1. Vampire Wines: The grapes for Vampire wines were originally grown in Transylvania, giving the wine its name. Choose from a variety including Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah and Pinot Noir.
2. Poizin Zinfandel: This wine from the Arminda Winery comes in a box shaped as a coffin.
3. Casillero del Diablo: The name of this wine translates to “Cellar of the Devil,” perfect for a Haunted Tasting Party! Look at the selection in the Casillero del Diablo, which includes good food pairings too!
4. Owen Roe Sinister Hand: A Rhone-style blend from Washington state with a label label features a ghoulish-looking hand. Have a look at Owen Roe's website for all the sinster selections.
5. R Winery Evil Cabernet Sauvignon: A thick, fruity wine with a great name. If you like white wine better, try the Pure Evil Chardonnay. Don't be afraid to shop for your evil cabernet!

Prom Nightmare "Carrie" Costume

Prom Nightmare "Carrie" Costume

Reminiscent of the classic horror film "Carrie" comes the Prom Nightmare costume. The costume includes a white gown with fake blood print, a blond wig (without blood), and a slip for underneath the dress.

Animal House Toga Costume

Animal House Toga Costume

Toga! Toga! Toga! This ancient outfit gets a modern spin put on it with this costume. The Animal House Toga costume features a fake laurel leaf headpiece and a white toga with attached pin of John Belushi's legendary character Bluto.

Hanging Light-Up Eyeball With Creepy Cloth

Hanging Light-Up Eyeball With Creepy Cloth

Covered in creepy cotton cloth, this light-up plastic eyeball will survey the scene on Halloween. Hang it from your ceiling it will change colors as it give your guests the creeps!

Monster Brains Suckers Candy

Monster Brains Suckers

These fiendish suckers are monstrous fun for Halloween favor bags or handing out to trick-or-treaters. Each 1 1/4" sucker is on a 3 1/4" stick. Sour apple flavor.

Halloween Recipe - Cinnamon Roll Bats

Cinnamon Roll Bats

Think you're going batty? Well, don't be selfish! Invite everyone to join in the fun of creating and serving up the little creatures for breakfast!

1 can (1 lb 1.5 oz) Pillsbury Grands! cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing
5 tablespoons chocolate candy sprinkles
5 chocolate wafer cookies
10 gummy ring candies (3/4 inch)
10 miniature candy-coated chocolate baking bits
10 candy corn
5 large or small black gumdrops

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Separate dough into 5 rolls. Cut each in half crosswise. For each flying bat, arrange 2 halves, round sides together, on ungreased cookie sheet.

2. Bake at 350°F. for 17 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Reserve 1 tablespoon frosting. Frost warm bats with remaining frosting. Immediately sprinkle each bat with 1 tablespoon candy sprinkles.

3. With small amount of reserved frosting, attach wafer cookie to each bat for head. Use remaining frosting and candies to decorate faces as desired.

Pumpkin Jack O Lantern Pet Costume

Pumpkin Jack O Lantern Pet Costume

Beware, when the clock strikes twelve all will go back to the way it was. Pumpkin costume features a ruffled body with cuts for the front legs, collar and headpiece.

Evil Outlaw Costume

Evil Outlaw Costume

Most outlaws are bad, but this outlaw is down right evil! The Evil Outlaw Costume includes a long black coat, vest, skull printed necerchief, cowboy hat and fingerless gloves.

Spooky Lighted Lace Curtain Panel

Spooky Lighted Lace Curtain Panel

Hang this creepy drape over a window or doorway for a frightful Halloween decoration! Ideal for adding an eerie glow to a haunted house, this polyester lace panel comes with a strand of 20 orange lights that shine through strategically placed openings. The scene comes alive with twinkling spooky eyes, bats, flying witches, black cats, ghosts, spiders, jack-o'-lanterns, headstones and a creepy tree.

Glow-In-The-Dark Stretchy Skeletons

Glow-In-The-Dark Stretchy Skeletons

These 4 1/2" glow-in-the-dark vinyl skeletons are ghoulishly goofy! Add some bone-rattling fun to Halloween goody bags or hand out these glowing skeletons on trick-or-treat night. You can also scatter these creepy skeletons on party tables for a unique way to decorate! Also ideal for a pirate party!

Pumpkin T-Shirt Activity

Pumpkin T-Shirt Activity

Materials:

White T-shirt, washed
Rubber bands
Orange fabric dye
Sink or bucket for the dye
Rubber gloves
Blunt-ended scissors
Cardboard (for inside of shirt)
Black permanent marker
Black fabric paint
Paintbrush

1. Pinch and gather up a portion of the T-shirt fabric, then add a rubber band 1 or 2 inches from the point of the pinch. Wrap the band around several times until it's nice and tight. Create similar sections with rubber bands all over the shirt and sleeves.

2. Prepare the dyebath according to the instructions on the package. Thoroughly wet the shirt with water. Wearing rubber gloves, submerge the shirt in the dye. Let it soak until it looks a shade darker than you want it to be.

3. Still wearing gloves, rinse the shirt under warm running water. As the rinse water becomes less orange, change the water temperature to cold.

4. Once the water from the shirt runs clear, carefully cut off the rubber bands. Dry the shirt.

5. Insert cardboard inside the shirt, then use a permanent marker to draw jack-o'-lantern features inside each circle. Fill in the shapes with the marker, or use black fabric paint (which stays black longer).

Playboy Cop Costume

Playboy Cop Costume

Book'em! This Playboy Cop costume includes a cropped tie top, a pleated mini-skirt with a zippered side, a belt with a badge and handcuffs, and thigh-high baby blue stockings.

Princess Cinderella Costume

Princess Cinderella Costume

This princess is ready to go to the ball. The costume features a princess satin dress, glovelets, ribbon choker and tiara.

Jack-O’-Lantern-Shaped Playing Cards

Jack-O’-Lantern-Shaped Playing Cards

Play ghostly games at your Halloween party with these grinning pumpkin cards! Fun for long car trips, these spooky decks also make unique goodies for your trick-or-treaters. Each 2 3/8" deck is packed in a 2 1/2" plastic container and has an assortment of Halloween characters for each suit!

Spooky Halloween Gift Boxes from The Popcorn Factory

Spooky Halloween Gift Boxes

This set of 6 Gift Boxes is perfect for party favors or a little something special for hard-working teachers or friendly neighbors. Each box is filled with a ghostly butter cookie, Jelly Belly beans and chocolate-caramel Gooey Ghouls.

Halloween Recipe - Caramel-Dipped Apples

Caramel-Dipped Apples

5 medium apples, washed, well dried
1 bag (14 oz.) KRAFT Caramels (about 50)
2 Tbsp. water

INSERT wooden pop sticks (from bag of caramels) into stem end of each apple. Cover large plate with waxed paper; grease paper with butter. Set aside.

PLACE caramels in large saucepan. Add water; cook on medium-low heat until caramels are completely melted, stirring constantly.

DIP apples into melted caramel until evenly coated, spooning caramel over apples if necessary. Allow excess caramel to drip off. Scrape bottoms of apples, then place on prepared plate. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until ready to serve. Remove from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature 15 min. before serving. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

Cooking Know-How:

Wash and dry apples thoroughly so that caramel adheres to the apple peel.

Special Extra:

Prepare as directed, rolling bottom of each freshly dipped apple into one of the following: 10 coarsely chopped OREO Cookies; 1-1/2 cups JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows mixed with 1/4 cup sprinkles; or 1/2 cup PLANTERS COCKTAIL Peanuts, chopped. Or, drizzle dipped apples with 2 melted squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate.

Ninja Costume

Ninja Costume

Only the elite have what it takes to be a Ninja. Are you ready for the challenge? Our Deluxe Ninja costume features a black hood, mask, shirt, pants and arm and leg ties.

Storybook Witch Costume

Storybook Witch Costume

Whether you're a good witch or a bad witch, you're certainly going to be a pretty witch in this Storybook Witch Costume. Costume includes a dress with attached peplum and glitter tulle skirt, hat and green/black striped stockings.

Die Cut Halloween Treat Bags

Die Cut Halloween Treat Bags

Put candy, cookies and other ghoulish goodies in these plastic bags! Fill these frightfully fun sacks with Halloween delights for your trick-or-treaters. You can also use these pumpkin, ghost, green monster and candy corn bags at school bake sales for some “spooktacular” fun or give them to your party guests for take-home treats.

Boo! Chocolate Letters from The Popcorn Factory

Boo! Chocolate Letters

Rich, milk chocolate letters spell "BOO" and have been handcrafted exclusively for us by Golda & I, a chocolatier known for creating great-tasting works of art. A very special gift.

Pumpkinhead Scarecrow Activity

Pumpkinhead Scarecrow

This scarecrow -- affectionately dubbed "Balancing Bob" -- has a knack for using his noggin.

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Medium pumpkin
Permanent markers or acrylic paints
Large plastic bags
Leaves
Overalls or pants
Boots
Duct tape
Spool of fishing line
Large sewing needle
Safety pins
Flannel shirt
Straw hat
Coat hanger or thick wire

1. Holding the pumpkin upside down, draw or paint a face on it (the bottom of the pumpkin will be the top of the scarecrow's head).

2. Loosely fill two tall plastic bags with leaves and insert them into Bob's pant legs. Slip the bottom of the pant legs into boots. Attach the boots to the pants using duct tape or a needle threaded with fishing line.

3. Stuff Bob's shirt-sleeves and chest with bags of leaves. Attach the shirt to the overalls with safety pins.

4. Unbutton the top few shirt buttons, and insert a long piece of wire that stretches from one sleeve, through Bob's chest and out the other sleeve. Rebutton the shirt.

5. Now, in the spot where you want Bob to be (you'll need an easily reachable tree branch or other overhanging support), place his hat on the ground, then put his head in place. Have a helper raise Bob's legs while you insert the arm wires into the ground and position the neck of his shirt so that it meets his head.

6. Attach fishing line to the boots and then wrap the fishing line around an overhead branch and tie it securely. Finally, make any adjustments to Bob's posture so he appears to be standing on his head.