HIP HALLOWEEN HINTS AND HELP WITH DECORATIONS

Halloween or Harvest -- both can be totally happening with these easy tips that kids can get involved with and help! Sure you can spend a fortune at the store on some fall and Halloween inspired goodies but why not take the time, make a memory and have something you can be proud of that you and your family created together!  Whether for a party or for your house -- Halloween Decorating
 
1. Mummy Pumpkin—this is a great no carve option.  This make less of a mess and adds a unique 3-dimensional quality and it’s also a great way to use up some of those spider rings that we seem to accumulate this time of year!!  http://www.freekidcrafts.com/halloween-mummy-pumpkin.html
 

Tacky Pumpkin-- Go Glamorous!  We did-- using THUMB TACKS!

We made that one up there-- but here's how Martha did it!   ( We think ours is just a smidge more awesome, don't you?) 

2. Ghostly Ghouls (milk carton recycling)- Start saving ahead of time and you can even line your walkway with these ghostly additions.
 
http://familyfun.go.com/halloween/halloween-crafts/scary-crafts/spirit-jugs-673388/
 

3. Mangy Mice Stick ONshttp://www.marthastewart.com/271198/paper-mice
 
 
4. Frankenstein Freebies!

( go trick or treating with your kids, don’t get left in the dust.. put this planter out with the warning-- ONLY 1. Here's how to make it!  

5.  Book Jack-o-Lantern- 

Have an old book you just couldn’t finish and never want to try… well, this is the project for you!  Turn that old book into a work of art!
   
 
HALLOWEEN SAFETY SQUAD

 
Safety First! 
If you’re like me, I am not quite in the mode of “winter hours” and seem to forget every year just how dark it can get while Trick or Treating!  It’s time to light ‘em up so everyone can see our little ones as clear as day!  
Light them up:

1.  Flashlights-  It’s the old standby and it still works like none other!  Try to find a clever way of attaching it to their costume or make sure it’s light enough that they can carry for a long period of time.  

 2.  Glow Lights- These are one of my favorites from my childhood BUT what I didn’t realize back then is that they can easily break open and leak so be very CAREFUL… especially to keep it out of the eyes if it does break open!  You might even want to take a pack of my favorite cleaning product… wet wipes, along just in case of breakage. 

3.  Reflective Arm Bands-  These won’t take away from the “mystique” of the costumes but will allow your child to be seen by any passing cars.  A Win/Win in our books.

4.  LED finger lights- What can be better than lightweight little flashlights that the kids don’t mind carrying… NOTHING!  It’s perfect for seeing what kind of candy was just dropped in your bag too!  This is a great choice for kids but you may want to warn them not to point them in anyone’s eyes… SAFETY FIRST!

5.  Reflective Tape and glow in the dark fabric paint-  Buy stock in this now!  This is a simple way to add a safety measure to costumes and accessories.  Cover the sword or pony with this stuff and you are good to go!!  Don’t be afraid to put it directly on the costume so even if it’s passed along next year, you can sleep well  knowing you’ve done your part to keep the next child safe.  *A great use for the reflective tape is to make a bag out of it!  Check out this awesome bag and our editor Kim said it was a breeze to make!

http://www.howcast.com/videos/342003-How-To-Craft-Duct-Tape-Halloween-Bag  

What to do with all that leftover candy????  Ship it off!