Do-it-Yourself Halloween Costumes

More trick-or-treaters will be donning "do-it-yourself" Halloween costumes this year, predicts HowStuffWorks.com, a website that offers explanation for thousands of topics.

The number of people who searched HowStuffWorks.com looking to create their own costumes has doubled since last year, likely due to tough economic conditions.

"Whether cute or creepy, we're seeing more and more resourceful people searching for information online on how to create homemade Halloween costumes," says Conal Byrne, Editor-in-Chief, HowStuffWorks.com.

Here are the 10 most searched 'do-it-yourself' Halloween costumes for kids:

1. Owl

2. Horse

3. Ghost

4. Pig

5. Zombie

6. Donkey

7. Elephant

8. Vampire

9. Turkey

10. Pilgrim

If you're in a bind and don't have time to make a zombie or donkey... how about making your own Halloween mask!

If you need a last minute transformation, this quick idea explains and illustrates how great Halloween Masks can be made with little more than a milk jug and a bit of enthusiasm!

Halloween Masks made from milk jugs!

Here's what you need:

One empty, washed gallon milk jug for every two guests

Scissors

Electrical tape

Permanent marker or paint

String

Hole punch

Glue and yarn (optional)

Directions:

Cut along the side seams of each jug, starting from the mouth of the jug.

Shift direction toward the center of the jug (toward the handle) when the scissors are about even with a point roughly one inch below the handle (the end furthest from the jug mouth).

Continue cutting across the jug until you reach the seam on the other side, then cut back up along that seam toward the mouth until the jug is in two pieces. The handle piece, with its built-in "nose," will be smaller.

To finish, cut the mouth part of the jug from each piece, making a slightly rounded cut after it is removed to echo the shape of the chin. Trim any rough edges.

On the larger piece, the jug bottom is meant to sit atop the child's head and the longer side against the child's face. Cut the shorter side so the opening is large enough to slide comfortably over a child's head.

Using your child as a model, mark dots on each mask for eyes and mouth holes.

Remove the mask, and cut out large eye holes -- at least twice the size of your child's eyes. Make evil upturned eyes, as well as wicked grins, crooked smiles, and gaping-gasp mouths.

Tape the outside edges of the mask with colored electrical tape to prevent scrapes or cuts.

If you're planning on making these with kids at a Halloween party, provide permanent markers or acrylic paints with which the kids can decorate the masks.

Yarn can be glued on for hair. Use a hole punch and elastic string to secure the masks to each child's face.

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Halloween History and More

Carve the pumpkin and buy the candy; Halloween is just around the corner.

Whether going as a cute cat or spooky ghost, Halloween is all about being something you aren’t and has long been a tradition for people across the globe. Halloween was started approximately 2,000 years ago by the Celts, a group of people that lived in what is today Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France. They celebrated their new year on Nov. 1, marking the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of winter. On the night before, Oct. 31, they celebrated Samhain, a night when they believed spirits returned to earth and yielded comforting prophecies to get them though the winter. To commemorate the event, the Celts wore costumes and built large sacred bonfires, which they then used to light their hearth fires, believing it would protect them from the coming winter.

Years later, when the Celtic territory had been conquerred by the Romans, two more festivals were added to Samhain including a day to honor Pomona, the goddess of fruit and trees, whose symbol is an apple. Coincidentally, bobbing for apples is still a largely practiced game on Halloween.

By the 800s, Christianity had spread into the Celtic area and Nov. 1 was designated as All Saints’ Day or All-Hallows, a time to honor saints and martyrs. The day before it, Oct. 31, was called All-Hallows Eve and eventually Halloween. When European immigrants began to come to America, they brought Halloween with them. Around 1846, when Irish immigrants began fleeing to America to escape the potato famine, Americans began imitating their customs, dressing up in costumes and going house to house asking for food or money. Now, it’s all about the candy. According to Nielsen data, consumers buy 598 million pounds of candy, spending about $1.9 billion during the Halloween season alone.

Law enforcement officials want to make sure trick-or-treaters are kept safe this Halloween. They recommend the following safety tips: if wearing a mask, children should make sure they can clearly see, especially when walking at night; carry a flashlight or other illumination device to see and let others see you; make sure costumes allow you to be seen at night; stay on the sidewalks whenever possible; be mindful of vehicle traffic; walk in groups whenever possible; respect other people’s property and stay on walkways/sidewalks and along lighted pathways; do not go into any houses, unless they are of trusted friends and neighbors; and, parents should inspect all candy before eating, discarding unwrapped candy and treats.

Another hot Halloween market is the pumpkin industry. At first, settlers carved turnips or gourds as a way to welcome deceased loved ones and ward off evil spirits. When they arrived in America, the native pumpkin seemed a better choice, larger and easier to carve. Pumpkin carving used to be simplistic, featuring two eyes, a nose and a mouth. Now, people carve celebrity faces, animals and scenes onto their pumpkins.

According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), this year’s pumpkin patch is excellent. The VDACS estimates that Virginia farmers will sell around 67.5 million pounds of pumpkins this year. The crop is estimated to be worth approximately $10 million.

“The 2009 harvest has produced exactly what we hope for in pumpkins,“ VDACS Commissioner Todd P. Haymore said. “They have beautiful color and good size. This is the year of the specialty pumpkin.“

According to VDACS, popular pumpkins this year include white ones of all sizes and the ones with bumps and veining all over them.

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Halloween Tips for Couples

Halloween costumes for couples are always a hit, but rarely unique (you know who you are, "plug and socket" and "Sonny and Cher"), so Moviefone is changing it up. We've got great Halloween costume ideas for couples and groups based on the hottest movies -- plus a few timeless classics -- that'll keep Halloween interesting. Also, you'll save money with our tips on where to shop and convenient how-to instructions for homemade costumes.

For couples, honor the late Patrick Swayze by dressing up as Johnny and Baby from 'Dirty Dancing.' A group of friends can kick-butt on skates as a roller derby team from 'Whip It.' And even grandpa can join in by teaming up with a grandchild for Carl and Russell from 'Up.'

So check out our costume ideas and make sure you come back throughout October for updates.

Movie character costume ideas for couples or groups:

Johnny and Baby: 'Dirty Dancing' Costumes for Halloween

'Harry Potter' Halloween Costumes: Harry, Hermione and Ron

Alan, Stu, Jade and Phil: 'The Hangover' Halloween Costumes

Spock, Uhura, Nero, & Captain Kirk: 'Star Trek' Halloween Costumes

Carl and Russell: Disney's 'Up' Halloween Costumes

Roller Derby Team: 'Whip It' Halloween Costume

Television character costume ideas for couples or groups:

'Gossip Girl' Halloween Costume: Serena and Blair

Sookie Stackhouse and Bill: 'True Blood' Halloween Costumes

Don and Betty Draper From 'Mad Men' Halloween Costume

'Vampire Diaries' Halloween Costumes: Stefan, Damon and Elena

'Dexter' Halloween Costumes: Dexter Morgan and Harrison

'American Idol' Halloween Costumes: Adam Lambert and Kris Allen

Dayman, Greenman & More 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' Halloween Costumes

'30 Rock' Halloween Costumes

Jon and Kate Gosselin Halloween Costume

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HalloweenMart's Top 5 Halloween Costumes

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 21 -- HalloweenMart, the Las Vegas-based retail complex and national leading retailer of online Halloween costumes, has announced this season's most popular costumes for adults and children.

"Pop culture icons and Hollywood are having a big impact on Halloween costumes this year," said Heather Siegel, HalloweenMart owner and fashion expert. "With Halloween just a few weeks away, there are several trends leading the way as costume favorites this season."

Top Five Adult Halloween Costume Trends for '09:

1. The Vampire: Box office hits like Twilight and television series like True Blood and The Vampire Diaries have made the vampire one of the must-have Halloween costumes this season. Turn heads with the "Vamp Vixen Costume," priced at $39.99

2. Michael Jackson: Many will pay tribute to the King of Pop this fall with elaborate costumes inspired by some of Michael Jackson's platinum-hit songs. This year women can sport a variety of Michael-inspired costumes including the elaborate "Queen of Pop," $199.99 and "Billy Jean Costume," $119.99. A top seller in for men this season is the "Michael Jackson 'Beat It' Costume," $99.99 paired with the "Michael Jackson 'Beat It' Wig," $34.95

3. Reality Stars: Popular reality shows like E!'s Girl Next Door has idolized the robe-clad Hollywood legend Hugh Hefner and the identical twin ladies that make up this popular television series. A very in-demand trio of costumes this season is the "Playboy Hef Smoking Jacket

Costume," $79.99, accompanied with of a pair of the "Playboy Pink Smoking Jacket Costume(s)," $59.99, and the "Blonde Seductress Wig," $19.99.

4. Zombie: In theatres now, the 2009 Zombieland film has brought this popular costume back from the dead. The "Complete Zombie Costume" is a hot commodity, priced at $44.99.

5. Bollywood: Pop culture icons like the Pussycat Dolls and the Academy Award-winning film, Slumdog Millionaire, put this year's "Bollywood Beauty" costume on the A-list. Achieve the sultry look with the extravagant "Bollywood Beauty Costume," $59.99.

Top Five Children's Halloween Costume Trends for '09:

1. Vampires: The Twilight saga has teens screaming over the popular "Rockin

Vampire Costume" this season, priced at $34.99.

2. Superheroes: Box office hits like 2009's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Wolverine have made superhero costumes a Halloween must-have. Children can transform into the heroic Bumblebee character with the "Deluxe Bumblebee Transformers 2 Costume," $44.99, or unleash their inner mutant powers with the child's"Wolverine Costume," $24.99.

3. TV Idols: The popular TV show Hannah Montana has turned this costume into

a rising superstar. Get the best of both worlds with the "Hannah Montana Gold Costume," $39.99.

4. Wonderland Wonders: The upcoming re-release of Alice and Wonderland has moved these whimsical costumes to the top of the list. Adventure through the looking glass in the classic "Fairytale Alice costume," $39.99 or rule in the suit of love with the "Queen of Hearts

Costume," $99.99.

5. Little Top Chef: The popular television show Top Chef has paved the way for a generation of chefs-in-the-making with this year's "Chef in Training Costume," $19.99.

HalloweenMart is located in Las Vegas at 6230 S. Decatur Blvd. Store hours are

Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m.

Website sales are 24 hours, daily. For more information, please contact the

HalloweenMart experts at 800-811-4877 or visit info@halloweenmart.com.

Halloween Tips

Fall is here, the temperature has dropped, and we find our food tastes change from the high water fruits and vegetables of summer to the heartier and heavier foods of winter. It’s a natural food progression, but it doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot more. It just means that you need to be a bit creative with your food offerings.

Want to know one of my favorite fall secrets for feeding lunch to a large group of hungry kids for just a few dollars? Broiled open-faced cheese sandwiches.

On slices of hearty bread, place a thin layer of a good cheddar cheese. Top with a thin slice of tomato and one slice of bacon.

Broil until the bacon is cooked. (If kids make these, remind them to not leave the kitchen, the broiling does not take long.)

Figure on two slices per person.

My kids love these tasty sandwiches, which are so easy that they often make them after school for snacks. These open-faced sandwiches are much easier, healthier and thriftier than their store-bought, processed cousins – Hot Pockets.

More Halloween thrifty ideas

With regard to thrifty Halloween costumes, Lynn Lippett, of Milford, told me about how her neighbor dressed her child in black and then used fluorescent tape to make him look like a skeleton. What a thrifty and safe idea. Lippett further suggested that orange or red tissue paper can be taped onto kids flashlights in the shape of a cone or flame to help them be seen better by cars.

As a way to keep down on costs, as well as sugar, instead of candy, the Lippetts often give out little toys at Halloween. She gets them from Oriental Trading and will throw in those unopened toys that come in kid meals at fast-food restaurants. The kids have fun choosing a toy, and the neighborhood kids always look forward to it.

Gina Rosati, of Merrimack, has the following tips for a thrifty Halloween:

• If you can’t find any cool costumes in the depths of your closets, check out the selection at thrift or consignment stores.

• Go to your local library, and look through past October issues of Family Fun and other parenting magazines. There are tons of ideas for costumes and parties.

• Be considerate of the pocketbooks of others. Don’t give out taffy or other sticky candies that will cause big dental bills.

• Save those pumpkin seeds and roast them. They’re very good for you – and a good source of zinc!

• A little ambience goes a long way. Rather than spend a fortune on Halloween decorations that take up a ton of space to store for the rest of the year, buy a Halloween CD or search for Halloween music on iTunes and play scary music for the little boys and ghouls

• Do not try to save money by turning out your porch light and pretending you’re not home. If you anger the little tricksters and they egg your house, power washing costs a fortune!

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More Halloween Ideas

As the crisp fall air makes its presence known, leaves quickly falling, the light of day lasting less and less, it is clear that Halloween has almost arrived. Whether you’re going to a doctor’s appointment, the mall, or even to the grocery store — the ghosts, zombies, black cats, spider webs, witches, and vampires seem to haunt you everywhere. Aside from all of the ghoulish decorations, haunted houses and sinful candy, one question still remains; “What am I going to be this year?”

Most of us can recall our very first Halloween costume, whether it was a Disney princess or even a cowboy costume, Halloween was always highly anticipated. After all, who wouldn’t look forward to being allowed to wear make-up, dress up, stay up past your bedtime, and on top of that, be able to receive large amounts of candy all for yourself? The point is, that from a young age, we’ve established emotion associated with Halloween; that very feeling has followed us up to our college years. As we’ve grown throughout the years, our costume selection has varied. However, as the years continue, the themes of Halloween costumes have taken a slight shift in direction.

Halloween costumes are supposed to be scary, demonic, daunting, bloody, and the like. This original scary theme is by no mistake. The ancient Celts believed witches, ghouls, and goblins roamed the countryside on the night of October 31. In attempt to scare and trick them, the Celts would wear scary masks and costumes when walking outside that night. Naturally over the years, we have separated from this reasoning and now have more than just these scary costumes to choose from. Costumes now vary from childhood cartoon characters, assorted candies, fictional beings (fairies, mermaids, etc.), sexy authority figures, comedic costumes and celebrities.

Over the past year, there have been many famous celebrity scandals, well- known events, or just well recognized costume themes derived from the like. Dazzle your costume with these ideas for this Halloween.

Girls:

Lady Gaga – We all know Lady Gaga for her controversial performance at the VMA awards, along with her famous choice of outfits. Her wardrobe throughout the length of her career leaves the door open for endless costume choices this year.

Lindsay Lohan – Starting out as a child star, Lindsay Lohan has definitely become a media favorite. Her constant drug and alcohol addictions keep her in the spotlight

Gossip Girl characters – Every Monday night, many tune in to watch the next anticipated episode in the hit series Gossip Girl. Become just as controversial as Blair with this costume hit!

Kate Gosselin – Kate is no stranger to the tabloids. Become this mother of eight for Halloween without Jon!

Guys:

Michael Jackson- Despite his untimely death this year, this legendary King of Pop will always be a costume success.

President Barack Obama – The most powerful man in the United States, our president himself. Have fun being the man in charge.

Coach Calipari – Who wouldn’t want to be the highest paid college basketball coach in the country? Get a head start on coaching our Cats through this basketball season.

Lil’ Wayne – Do you want to be the best rapper alive? Achieve this look with dreads, sunglasses, a grill, and that mysterious white Styrofoam cup.

Injured Tim Tebow – Relive the classic injury of Tim Tebow from the UK vs. Florida game.

Couples:

Kanye West and Taylor Swift – Interrupt everyone’s Halloween party with this controversial VMA duo.

Beyonce and Jay-Z – Hip- hop’s favorite couple.

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom – These newlyweds are far from rookies in the celebrity world. Set the record straight if this marriage will last.

Alternatives:

Twilight characters- This successful book and movie was a hit! Don’t just be any vampire for Halloween.

Wizard of Oz characters- Celebrate the Wizard of Oz’s 70th anniversary with your costume.

With all of these media costume ideas, there is no reason for you not to get the tabloids talking with your Halloween costume this year.

This article is from kykernel.com

Lesser Halloween Spending This Year

NEWINGTON — Out of work but not holiday cheer, Stacy Polk says tough economic times won't scare her out of enjoying Halloween.

"We were coming here with the thought of spending $50," she said Thursday, standing outside of iParty on Woodbury Avenue. "Honestly money's so tight right now we don't have enough to spend a lot on a good Halloween costume. Jobs are really hard to find."

She's not alone, according to other shoppers and the National Retail Federation. The nation's largest retail trade association commissioned a study that found consumers are expected to spend an average of $56.31 on the holiday this year, down from $66.54 last year, due to the economy.

Even so, total holiday spending is expected to reach $4.75 billion nationally, according to the federation.

With money tight but the allure of Halloween still strong, shoppers at iParty said they were trying to be more creative this year, checking several stores and websites before settling on decorations and a costume.

"You start looking at how you can incorporate your own and add the extra accessories to spruce it up and make it just as nice," said Carol Murphy, 50, from Stratham. "I think everybody is more cost-effective. I guess you try to be more creative not just for fun, but because we need to. We need to be able to mix and match rather than just pick up the already made costume, and it's more interesting that way too."

Meagan Cowan said she wants to enjoy the holiday even if it means shopping around more. That meant checking out three farms to find pumpkins before buying a batch for $37.

"We're definitely shopping around. Last year I didn't think twice," said the 21-year-old Dover resident, who dressed up as Little Bo Peep, as in the nursery rhyme character who lost her sheep. "I probably spent $80 on my costume alone."

Erica Westover, a 20-year-old from Rochester, picked up a second job to make ends meet and she said she's protective of her money.

"But with Halloween we go all out. We try to get as much stuff as possible," he said. "And my 21st birthday is coming up, so I have to have a really sweet party this year."

At Gauthier's Palace of Party Supplies in Rochester, owner Ginny Gauthier said no matter how important the occasion, this isn't a year for spending a lot of money on costumes and candy.

"People are trying to figure out where to get the next mortgage payment," she said. "I think you will find people will be trying to figure out what they did when they were younger," and bed sheets morphed into ghosts.

"I think you will see a lot of people buying cheap costumes for their kids at Wal-Mart," said Liz Dyer, manager at Piece O' Cake in Somersworth.

Back at iParty, Nick Polk, 19, was shopping with his wife, Stacy, 20, and her daughter Payton Fossa, 2, and her sister Stephanie Fossa, who is 18. He said he's been out of work since leaving a food processing job in Florida five months ago and wasn't looking to spend a lot on "something you're only wearing for like five hours."

But, he said, "you want to have a good time."

Besides, his wife said, Halloween is "the one time a year you get to be someone else." This year that means being a modern-day Marilyn Monroe.

She was eyeing a $24 wig fashioned in Monroe's style, but her husband didn't approve because of the cost. She ended up with a $10 blonde, fluffy wig, $6 eyelashes and a costume dress for around $20. He settled on the $12 wig inspired by reggae legend Bob Marley.

Little Payton already had her ladybug costume before they visited the store.

Maggie Perusse, the iParty store manager, said shoppers don't come in discussing their finances.

"We train people who work in the stores to listen to the customers, because a lot of times they won't tell ya. It's what's between the lines," she said. "And then you can steer them in the right direction."

The store offers something for every budget, she said, and costumes range from about $10 to $50. There's the Amelia Earhart "instant disguise kit" for $13, donkey ears and teeth for $7 and extra thick blood for $1.99, which could go well with $15 vampire teeth.

If none of those work, there are Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin and Barack Obama masks, and costumes for aspiring hippies, gangsters, musical headbangers, gladiators, pirates, science fiction favorites and a getup for one of Santa's elves, which the package says is for those "Elegant Moments."

This article is from www.fosters.com