Monday, October 11, 2010
Halloween Lasts All October Long
Some people think that Halloween is one day, October 31st. That's just not true, because it's not enough time! The two, three or four weeks leading up to Halloween offer tons of fun and spooky activities. It's become a whole season, almost like the Christmas holiday season.
Halloween is about dressing up and being frightened, about as far as you can get from the other holiday season of Christmas, Chanukah and Thanksgiving. Halloween is frivolous, crazy and wild, not warm and serious. Halloween allows to be anyone but yourself, do things you never would otherwise. Like wearing a costume that's as unlike the real you as it's possible to be.
Everyone knows that the costume is one of the very best things about Halloween. You can vamp it up and dress a little more provacatively that you would at any other time. Or this could be your opportunity to dress up like a celebrity, or someone that you admire, whether real or fictional. Funny costumes are always a hit too. Creativity is the key to a great costume, regardless of the look you're going for.
One of the best ways to get into the Halloween spirit is, of course, to get scared! Read a Stephen King novel or a book about vampires. Forget that some things are impossible and let yourself get into the spirit of things. A quick trip to the library or book store will net a huge selection of spooky stories for all ages. The youngest kids can read something fun, like No Howling in the House, about friendly monsters. There are volumes of scary stories to be read at night by older kids. Even adults can find a good book that will keep them awake at night if that's what they want.
Along the same lines, you could watch a scary movie. There are so many classics to choose from, and they're all out on DVD. You can get a psychological thriller or a bloody horror flick or somewhere in between. Get a bowl of popcorn and a few friends and make an evening of it. Or stay up late at night when you're all alone in the house and watch the scariest movie you can think of. Of course there are always a few scary new releases at this time of year. A movie theater, with its darkened interior, high volume and surround sound, is a great place to watch a frightening flick. And there's an added benefit in the fact that you don't know what's going to happen.
On the more festive side, Halloween parties are more and more popular each year. There are so many ideas for Autumn parties. They can be customized to appeal to a certain age group, or they could be for everyone. Use your imagination in coming up with food and games that fit the frightening spirit of Halloween.
Haunted houses have grown wildly in popularity in recent years. You can be scared out of your wits by ghouls and ghosts in elaborate attractions with many scary scenes. Some charitable groups and professional operations rent store space to stage their haunted houses, complete with realistic sets and actors. Some people just turn their homes into haunted houses. Some amusement parks even go all out with multiple Halloween mazes.
Trick-or-Treating is the most universal tried and true Halloween event out there. Children in costumes get candy at each house when they go door to door crying "Trick or Treat!" Teenagers and parents can get dressed up to take the younger kids trick or treating. Someone needs to watch out for them as they cross the street in the dark and approach the homes of strangers. And, lastly, to make it all work, someone needs to stay home and hand out the goodies.
As you can clearly see, all of this can't be accomplished in just one night. Shopping for costumes and getting in the scary spirit with parties and haunted houses takes weeks if not all of October.
Halloween is about dressing up and being frightened, about as far as you can get from the other holiday season of Christmas, Chanukah and Thanksgiving. Halloween is frivolous, crazy and wild, not warm and serious. Halloween allows to be anyone but yourself, do things you never would otherwise. Like wearing a costume that's as unlike the real you as it's possible to be.
Everyone knows that the costume is one of the very best things about Halloween. You can vamp it up and dress a little more provacatively that you would at any other time. Or this could be your opportunity to dress up like a celebrity, or someone that you admire, whether real or fictional. Funny costumes are always a hit too. Creativity is the key to a great costume, regardless of the look you're going for.
One of the best ways to get into the Halloween spirit is, of course, to get scared! Read a Stephen King novel or a book about vampires. Forget that some things are impossible and let yourself get into the spirit of things. A quick trip to the library or book store will net a huge selection of spooky stories for all ages. The youngest kids can read something fun, like No Howling in the House, about friendly monsters. There are volumes of scary stories to be read at night by older kids. Even adults can find a good book that will keep them awake at night if that's what they want.
Along the same lines, you could watch a scary movie. There are so many classics to choose from, and they're all out on DVD. You can get a psychological thriller or a bloody horror flick or somewhere in between. Get a bowl of popcorn and a few friends and make an evening of it. Or stay up late at night when you're all alone in the house and watch the scariest movie you can think of. Of course there are always a few scary new releases at this time of year. A movie theater, with its darkened interior, high volume and surround sound, is a great place to watch a frightening flick. And there's an added benefit in the fact that you don't know what's going to happen.
On the more festive side, Halloween parties are more and more popular each year. There are so many ideas for Autumn parties. They can be customized to appeal to a certain age group, or they could be for everyone. Use your imagination in coming up with food and games that fit the frightening spirit of Halloween.
Haunted houses have grown wildly in popularity in recent years. You can be scared out of your wits by ghouls and ghosts in elaborate attractions with many scary scenes. Some charitable groups and professional operations rent store space to stage their haunted houses, complete with realistic sets and actors. Some people just turn their homes into haunted houses. Some amusement parks even go all out with multiple Halloween mazes.
Trick-or-Treating is the most universal tried and true Halloween event out there. Children in costumes get candy at each house when they go door to door crying "Trick or Treat!" Teenagers and parents can get dressed up to take the younger kids trick or treating. Someone needs to watch out for them as they cross the street in the dark and approach the homes of strangers. And, lastly, to make it all work, someone needs to stay home and hand out the goodies.
As you can clearly see, all of this can't be accomplished in just one night. Shopping for costumes and getting in the scary spirit with parties and haunted houses takes weeks if not all of October.
About the Author:
The first step is to find the best costumes you possibly can. There are many temporary stores at this time of year, including costume stores in Orange County. Teenagers are especially fond of haunted houses Orange County. They try to be brave, but come out screaming!
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