Green Halloween

Halloween for Earth-Friendly Folk

Halloween Decor & Props

Archive for August, 2010

Ideas for an Unforgettable Monster Halloween Party

Aug-30-2010



Halloween brings about lots of different images, like pumpkins, witches, and ghosts. But perhaps one of the most memorable images and ideas related to Halloween are monsters. Those scary things that hide in the closet or under our bed, the stuff of old horror movies and folklore all make up an interesting cast of characters that leave us scared in the night. There are tons of great ideas for costumes when it comes to a monster Halloween party. You can choose to dress up as a mummy, vampire, werewolf, or swamp thing if you want to dress in traditional monster garb. Or, if you want to be a little more daring try a freaky alien, Freddy from Nightmare on Elm Street, Godzilla, or Jason from the Halloween movies. Take your pick; there are tons of different monsters to choose from.

Once you’ve gotten your costume planned out, it’s time to decorate and get ready for the party. Use false cobwebs and strew them on tabletops and along the staircase. Light candles and dim the lights to give your home a more creepy effect (just be sure the candles are on a secure surface and far away from the reach of children). You can also play some spooky sounds on a pre-recorded CD. These CDs can usually be found at a number of retailers during the Halloween season and they contain cool sound effects that will give off an air of creepy ambiance. Look for cool statues or figures you can use like black cats, bats, or ghosts.

Do a little research and make some creepy snacks for your guests at the monster party. There are plenty of interesting recipes to choose from where you can make the food look as gross and creepy as possible but in reality, it tastes great. Some examples are strained eye balls, witch finger cookies, red popcorn, monster blood punch, and even maggot stew, just to name a few. Make as many snacks as you can with scary themes so it adds to the total feel of creepiness. With a little planning you can have an excellent monster Halloween party that your friends will remember for years to come.

Green Halloween wishes you an unpleasant, scary party!

Posted under halloween party ideas

Safety Tips for Halloween Costumes

Aug-29-2010



Halloween is one of the most fun holidays of the year, but sometimes it can also be the most dangerous. Lots of people in the neighborhood will be roaming the streets at night and it can be hazardous if you are not wearing the proper costume. First and foremost, it’s essential that you can see through any masks you or your children wear. Don’t buy a mask that is going to block your view. Otherwise, you can easily trip and fall, run into someone accidentally, or not be able to see cars in the road as they approach.

Lighting is also important on Halloween night. Make sure you carry a flashlight or a glow stick so you can easily see where you’re going at night. Also, try not to wear costumes that are completely black or too dark. These can make you more difficult to see by motorists. Try to wear more light colored clothing if possible. Also, reflectors can help as well. If you don’t want to add the reflectors to the costume, simply add them to the Halloween candy bucket, a hat, or a backpack.

Since a lot of people still use lit candles in their pumpkins, be sure your child’s costume is not flammable. Most modern day costumes are regulated to be made of non-flammable material, but check the label to be sure. If your costume is home made, check the labels on the clothing and be sure that they are fire proof and safe. Costumes should not be too loose, as they can trail behind and accidentally knock candles over or catch fire.

Well fitting costumes are important when it comes to Halloween safety. If a child’s costume is too long, he or she can easily trip and fall. If the costume is too tight it can be uncomfortable. Be sure you choose a costume that fits just right to avoid accidents. With a little common sense and careful planning, you should be able to find a safe and comfortable costume for yourself and your children this and every Halloween.

Green Halloween wishes you a safe Halloween!

Posted under halloween tips

The History of the Holiday Known as Halloween or Samhain

Aug-28-2010



There are a few different ideas of where the holiday now known as Halloween came from, but most historians can trace it back to Celtic times. Originally, this scary holiday was known by the name of Samhain. The holiday was a festival where people would gather together to celebrate the dead and people believed that their ghosts would actually interact with those still living. At that time, the dead peoples’ souls were then finally set free to move on to the afterlife and everyone was happy to see the dead move forward.

At the Samhain festival, people would partake in eating fruit, candies, and drinking alcohol, and would burn large bonfires and sacrifice their animals. In time, Christians tried to change the mindset of the Celtic people. This helped to move the idea of Samhain to a new way of thinking, and it eventually became Halloween, otherwise known as All Hallows Eve. It was celebrated (and still is) on the night of October 31st, the night before the celebration of All Saint’s Day. People started to recognize the saints on this day and give them their respects instead of worrying about ghosts and dead people.

While Halloween has a storied history, it is still known as a day of celebrating the dead. People began to dress like spirits in order to lure the dead into town. They would wander the streets with small candles, wearing masks and going door to door to their neighbor’s homes, begging for food or trinkets. This is the origin of modern day trick or treating. Many European nations believed in fairies, ghosts, spirits, and demons, which is why these symbols are all still so popular during Halloween time today. The history of Halloween began as a sacred occasion honoring the spirits of those had passed on and today it remains a very important holiday.

Where would Green Halloween be if it wasn’t for good old Halloween!

Posted under halloween history

Unique and Fun Halloween Gift Ideas

Aug-28-2010



You may not think of Halloween as a time to give or receive gifts, but Americans spend millions of dollars each year on cards and gifts for Halloween. If you want to make certain the holiday is extra special, here are five excellent gifts to get or give this coming Halloween courtesy of Green Halloween:

1. Ghouliane the Ghost Beanie Baby: This adorable little stuffed ghost makes a wonderful gift for Halloween. She has a cute little ribbon on her head and is carrying a little orange pumpkin. This is a very cute gift to give anyone who has children or likes to decorate for Halloween in a milder and not so scary style.

2. Pocus the Bear: Here is another cute example of a Halloween themed gift. This little bear’s fur is completely orange and he has a purple witch hat on ad is holding a little black broom stick, so he captures the spirit of Halloween perfectly!

3. Ghosters the Ghost: This cute and cuddly little ghost has stringy white fur and he’s wearing an orange bow tie. He has a hanger at the top of his head so you can hang him on the door, or anywhere else in your home you want to add a super cute touch of Halloween.

4. Hocus the Bear: This is a partner bear to Pocus; pair the up together for a super cute Halloween gift. Hocus has traditional brown bear fur but he’s holding a little orange pumpkin, and he has a black spider perched on his head! Too cute!

5. Merlin the Cat: He’s the purrfect solution for a Halloween gift for the cat lover in your life. Merlin has black fur and orange whiskers and he’s wearing a cute little witch’s hat with an orange border. He makes an excellent Halloween gift for fans of cats, witches, animals, and the Halloween holiday.

Posted under halloween gift ideas