How to Create Halloween Traditions For Your Kids
As Halloween approaches, many parents will be rushing out to purchase candy, costumes and decorations. As Halloween is second only to Christmas in American spending, according to National Retail Federation, it is very easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget that it is an opportunity to create treasured traditions with friends and family. Here are some great Halloween party ideas from the pros to help busy families change Halloween from just another holiday into a tradition.
Decorations
Better Homes & Gardens is known for making homes beautiful. So who knew they also can make a home spectacularly spooky? To impress your guests before they even enter your home, create an “unwelcome” door mat. To do so, begin with a bag of rubber snakes and a plastic foam board. Snip the snakes in half so that you have varying lengths. Then, arrange them along the edges of the board, creating the illusion that these reptilian rascals are slithering under the mat. Glue the snakes into place, and set it under your door to make the spookiest of first impressions.
Food
Every party expert has a version of a Halloween cupcake. A favorite among many children is a spider cupcake like the one from Pillsbury. To whip these up, prepare the cake batter according to the package directions, and cool for 10 minutes. Remove from the cooling rack, and let them cool completely for 30 minutes. Cover the top of each cupcake with a frosting color of your choice. Lightly press two chocolate candies into the frosting, and insert four licorice pieces, cut into even-length legs, into each side of the cookie. Now, you have a deliciously edible phobia.
Crafts
The good people at Kraft are true to their namesake, offering tons of craft ideas to the party-planning mom. For example, a mummy munchies box can help the little monsters make their own treat box for the party. You’ll need a black box for each kid, two small white bottle caps, two black buttons, glue and a roll of bandage gauze. Have the kiddos glue the buttons to the inside of the bottle caps so they look like eyes, and then glue the eyes to the box. Wrap the box with gauze, allowing the eyes to peek through the material. When the glue dries, the treat holder from the crypt is ready to be filled with sweet treats and taken home as a souvenier.
Activities
In October, Martha Stewart, has been known to transform from the queen of crafts to the queen of scream. She offers several harrowing party tips to eager moms including a face painting booth. The children can create their own costumes at the party, and accessorize with face paint. From butterfly wings to monster masks, the budding artists can be as creative as they like. However, Martha warns to only use water-based makeup that is clearly marked as safe for facial use and to always supervise your children with the application of makeup.
This season, don’t let Halloween become just another holiday. Incorporate the kids in the event, and invite friends over to share in your monster bash. Create Halloween traditions and memories that your children can one day pass on to their own.
