|
by Phoenix A. Desertsong, Staff Writer, Healer & Advocate  Looking for a low-key, but fun way to celebrate Halloween without going all out with wearing a full on Halloween costume? You can always accessorize with Halloween jewelry! Holiday jewelry has become a trend. While Christmas jewelry, and even Easter jewelry, have become quite popular, nothing beats Halloween accessories!
Finding Accessories and Jewelry for Halloween Christmas jewelry may be the first thing people think of when it comes to holliday jewelry. But for now, Halloween jewelry is a close second. There are many different motifs to choose from with Halloween jewelry, including black cats (which work all year), pumpkins, spiders, little ghosts, witches, zombies, and more! You can find these themes on bracelets, earrings, pendants, and more. The best part about most Halloween jewelry is that it can actually be used all year, unlike Christmas jewelry which is very specific to the time of year. Making Halloween jewelry a part of your everyday wardrobe is easy and fun! Why Wear Halloween Jewelry? While it may seem strange to some people to be wearing skeleton earrings and black cat brooches, Halloween jewelry is actually a versatile accessory. It’s probably the best way to celebrate the Halloween holiday without being obnoxious about it. It’s not as blatantly obvious as Christmas jewelry, for example. It’s also really good for wearing to the office, where there may be a business dress code. Not all offices have casual days, although many do have Halloween exceptions nowadays. But even then, many costumes may not be considered appropriate. Jewelry is a good way to celebrate Halloween while not necessarily bringing your “creative” Halloween costume to the office. It’s very unlikely that most bosses will complain about tasteful Halloween-themed earrings or pendants, after all. Halloween jewelry can also help you put the finishing touches on your Halloween costume. If you’re trying to be a witch, for example, you can add some glamour to your outfit with a large spider ring or some flashy bat earrings. So, Halloween jewelry can be as much a complement to your costume as it is just to wear everyday. When you’re looking for a way to celebrate Halloween in October or all year long, Halloween jewelry is that perfect accessory! See all of the Goth, Vamp, Witchy, & Halloween Jewelry & Accessories we have at our Intent-sive Nature crafts & hobbies store!
0 Comments
by Phoenix A. Desertsong, Staff Writer, Healer & Advocate  Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved It seems like every year that older and older kids are still out trick-or-treating on Halloween, well after the younger kids have already come by. These tweens and teens are often trick-or-treating late into the night, often without adults with them. For many different reasons, including safety, many parents are asking themselves, “Who’s Too Old for Halloween?”
The Halloween Age Debate People are only too happy to give out candy to preschool, kindergarten and elementary kids who have their cute and often creative Halloween costumes. But while they often have their parents, older siblings, or guardians with them, the tweens and teens often don’t have anyone watching them. Without supervision, they often roam the streets well into the night. There’s definitely quite a debate about letting older kids roam the street late into the Halloween night. There are parents who are only happy to let their older children enjoy their Halloween costumes and the fun that goes with trick-or-treating. But other parents have the concern that teens, who love to experiment, might be out doing a lot more than that. While alcohol, drugs, and sex aren’t necessarily in the picture, there are plenty of other reasons that can get teens in trouble without supervision. The real concern is that there are many strange and unsavory characters out and about on Halloween. While you may not see them walking around, many neighborhoods have them. There are lurkers who often sit in cars and can pounce on unsuspecting children without notice. This is perhaps the greatest argument against letting kids go out on Halloween night. There’s also the problem of the “mob mentality” that often leads to kids doing things that they would never do on their own. As Halloween is famously a night of causing trouble, even the most well-behaved kids may find themselves doing things that could get them breaking the law or putting themselves in great danger. Should Your Pre-Teens and Teens Choose an Alternative to Trick-or-Treating? The obvious solution to the Halloween age debate is to supervise your trick-or-treating children, no matter how old they are. Of course, most teens don’t want their parents lurking behind them, as that may be a source of embarrassment for them. There are ways for your older children to still enjoy their Halloween costumes and night out, however. Some parents let their older kids dress up in their Halloween costumes but tell them that they need to stay home and hand out the candy. This isn’t always the best solution, though, as you do want your kids to have fun. The better solution to that is to host a Halloween party where your kids can have their friends over in a safe environment. This is a much better compromise than essentially giving your Kids a chore on what’s supposed to be a fun night. With a party, your kids can choose a theme and be creative, without all the wandering about. There’s also harvest parties at local churches and community centers. You could also visit haunted houses or go on hayrides as a family. What if Your Kids Just Want to Go Trick-Or-Treating If your kids really insist on still trick-or-treating, there are safety precautions that they can take. Be sure that they keep themselves highly visible with things like glow-in-the-dark costumes or accessories. It’s also a good idea to have someone watching your children who they wouldn’t be embarrassed about having follow them around, such as a family friend or relative. Really, there’s no age limit on trick-or-treating. Yes, there are plenty of alternative, but you want your kids to be able to choose their own activity on Halloween night. Present the alternatives, but ultimately, try to let your child do what they want to do, within reason and while taking the right safety precautions. Halloween is about having fun, and it’s just good sense to stay safe, no matter what age your kids are.  Looking for the perfect accessory to accent your Halloween costume or wardrobe? These skull earrings are to die for and they come in several ghoulish colors! They're scary enough to adorn during a haunted house visit, classy enough to wear to the office, and fun enough for a Halloween evening on the town. Get one or more to match your Halloween costume or outfit! For more fun jewelry, visit our family-owned shop, Intent-sive Nature! #Halloween #Jewelry #Accessories #Costumes #Fun #Fashion #Earrings
#Skulls #Wardrobe #Clothing #Style #Holidays #DayOfTheDead #Samhain #AllSaintsEve
Need something super fun and creative to dress up in as a couple? If you don't know where to start, here's our top 5 fun couples costumes.
Halloween can be filled with fun. But it’s important to know your stuff before treating the kids. We asked experienced parents to give us their best Halloween advice to help you out.
Let the children pick their own costume, carry a flashlight, watch for cars and make sure you know where your child is at all times. Don't rush, take your time and let them have fun. There is plenty of time to worry later. - Laurie Childree Drive around your neighborhood a week to a few days before to scope out any "haunted" houses and plan a route to get there according to little legs. Carry flashlights. And don't have children eat the candy while you walk so you can check for ingredients in case of allergies. - Amanda Kimberley Linstruth-Beckom Get back to the original history of the day. Then study the Wiccan and other earth based religions take on this day. - Sally Franklin Christie Pick a small community, where there are a lot of older folks or folks with children. Stay with your children. The end of the walk is fine, but I usually dressed up to and followed them from house to house. NO eating anything until it's checked out by the adult or until they get home. Tell them to say thank you, even if they don't like what they got. Or dress up for a Fall Festival at church or schools and skip Trick or Treating all together. Before Halloween there are usually Apple Orchards that have corn mazes, pumpkins, wagon rides, etc. - Cherley Grogg Always, always make sure you know your area. Have the kids walk in a group (with you behind if they are older, you don't want them to feel like they are being chaperoned). Discuss before you leave your house of a meeting area if you get separated. No eating candy unless it came from grandmas house. Rule of thumb...no candy gets ate until parents check it, and when you do check it you are allowed to keep 1 of each kind of candy, as payment for your ever so watchful eye!!! Lol... it's really using your common sense...it will keep your children safe. Oh...and really they don't need a crap load, teach them moderation. - Tina Sawyer Roberge Parents, be consistent... If your parents, like mine, feel that Halloween is a pagan (read negative) celebration where millions of children whip themselves into a candy induced state of ecstasy and you refuse to allow your children to "partake", don't let them then dress up in a ghost costume made out of a homemade sheet and pass out candy at the front door to other God-less children... -because you don't want to answer the door on Oct 31... They didn't believe in sugar either... My sister and I still refer to this day as All Hypocrisy's Day. - Julie Bell Have kids dress up and set up a stand in your front yard to hand out candy and hot chocolate. Teaches them to be willing to give instead of receive. - Donna Thacker Hand crafted costumes are just as much fun as store bought and usually a lot more budget friendly. Get your kids involved with choosing and creating them. You're not only making a costume, you're making memories, too. - Aimee Plesa Remember Halloween is just a holiday and kids should be taught in a fun way that it's not an excuse to eat too much or expect expensive costumes. Making them is much more fun. Teach them to respect other people's property, and to carve pumpkins with pride. Teach them to respect that little animals may be bewildered by it all and to above all be gentle to them and to other folks. - Rachelle Write When you walk with your kids on Halloween night, leave your cell phone at home. Be present and fully enjoy the experience with your children. - Colleen Larson Chew very quietly with the shower running. They will never know it was you that ate it all. :-P - T Lynn Morgan 
Trick-or-treat safety is not the only thing for parent to think about this Halloween. Choosing safe Halloween costumes for kids is also vital. Sure, that fuzzy bear costume may look sweet on your little one. But is it safe? How can you tell? From one parent to the next, here are some safety tips to keep in mind when choosing your child's next costume.
Check for sharp edges. Before ever putting that costume on your child, check for things that may scrape or scratch. Sharp edges can most commonly be found on masks and other costume accessories. But also check the costume itself for sharp edges and other pieces that jut out. Test for allergies to latex and other masks. The last thing you want on Halloween is to rush your child to the ER over a reaction. Do an allergy test at least 48 hours prior to your child wearing his Halloween costume. Check each mask label for the manufacturer's instructions on testing for allergies. General instructions will likely include exposing a small area of the skin to the material for a certain amount of time. Test for makeup and accessory allergies. Face makeup and other Halloween costume accessories may also cause an allergic reaction. You might avoid face makeup and certain accessories, use hypoallergenic face makeup, or do a skin allergy test at least 48 hours in advance. How well can your child see through masks and around hats? Tiny holes for the eyes are just one no-no when it comes to Halloween masks. Be sure your child can see fully when wearing any hats, masks, and face accessories. If your child cannot see side to side and directly in front of him without rotating his head, that's a bad sign. Is the costume weather-appropriate? Sure, that fairy princess costume is adorable. But if it's snowing outside, your child better also have some cute warm clothing on top or underneath. On that same token, if your child is wearing a thick bear costume and it's 80 degrees outside, there better be some air filtration and/or fans inside of it. Pay attention to length. Tripping over a costume might be funny. But it can also be quite painful. Be sure your child's costume is no longer than 6 inches above the ankles to prevent accidents on stairs and while walking or dancing. Use appropriate accompanying footwear. Tired after a long day at work? You know that feeling your feet get? Help prevent that in your child on Halloween by making sure footwear is appropriate. Try finding shoes that are both comfortable and appropriate to the costume. Slippers and other dress-up shoes can be bought in a larger size to slip over more comfortable footwear. Be sure costumes are bright, glowing, or have lighted accessories. Traffic can be busy on Halloween with all the activities going on. Make sure your kids are bright enough to be seen from a good distance. Check faux weaponry for real dangers. True, these are supposed to be fake weapons. But that doesn't mean they aren't still dangerous. Look for sharp edges, removable parts, and other potential hazards to kids before sending them off to have fun on Halloween.
by Tara M. Clapper, Contributing Writer
Halloween is a favorite time of year for many Chihuahua owners--it's the perfect excuse to dress up your pet in an adorable costume. Most Chihuahua owners go for the cuteness factor at Halloween. Here are some top ideas for Chihuahua Halloween costumes. You can click on the links to buy the costume from the company selling it.
Most of the costumes range from $8.00-$33.00 plus shipping and handling. You can also check local pet stores for costumes to avoid those pesky shipping and handling fees. Tattoo Dog - 1950s Greaser. Does your dog act like a punk from "Grease "or "West Side Story?" Dress your pooch appropriately with the Tattoo Dog costume. $10.88 Pirate Dog - Is your Chihuahua a pro at stealing shiny objects? Perhaps he'd make a great pirate! (Note: Take care using the eye patch; Chihuahuas have very sensitive eyes.) Pirate Dog costume. $31.00. Dogzilla - Can your tiny terror take down Tokyo? Consider dressing her as Dogzilla! Dogzilla costume. $19.99. Witchy Dog - Is your Chihuahua so cute she's considered bewitching? Dress her in a cute Candy Corn Witch Dog costume. $7.58 Taco Dog - Thanks to Taco Bell, Chihuahuas are forever associated with food from their native Mexico. This costume could be mildly offensive in multiple ways, but it's pretty adorable and designed specifically for Chihuahuas. Taco Dog costume. $33.00. With all the cuteness created by Chis in their costumes, it's tempting to take them outside for Halloween! If you do, don't forget the basic safety tips:
Please feel free to add other costume suggestions! This post was originally published on Examiner.com as Chihuahua Examiner. Republished with permission of the author.
For this super simple Halloween costume, all you need is a pair of your child's jeans, a dress shirt, some cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, and a handkerchief. The items are the same whether you'll be creating a costume for a cowboy or a cowgirl. A belt with a huge buckle can add to the look. For a girl, you may also want to add an extra handkerchief to cut up for hair ties. You'll see a few options for that shortly.
The first item to put on is the dress shirt. It should be one with a button-up style. One with metal buttons can sometimes have even more effect, as can one made with corduroy or blue jean material. Next are the blue jeans. The blue jeans can be any style. However, those with more slender legs work best. Tuck the dress shirt into the blue jeans and pull out the shirt slightly on the sides, still leaving it tucked in. Once the jeans and shirt are on correctly, pull on the boots. The jeans should be tucked into the cowboy or cowgirl boots. After tucking in the boots, it is time to add the accessories for your last minute cowboy or cowgirl Halloween costume. Tie the handkerchief around the child's neck and allow the child to put on the belt, securing the buckle in the front. The bigger, the better, as far as the cowboy or cowgirl belt buckle is concerned. If you are dressing up your little girl as a cowgirl, you may want to accessorize the hair somehow. You can use the handkerchief as a headband, securing it around the child's head and tucking it under the hair in back. Another hairstyle option could be to create two braids and cut pieces of the handkerchief to act as ties for the ends of the hair. One more hairstyle option for this Halloween costume is to make a single French braid in the back. Secure the end by tying a piece of a handkerchief to the bottom. The last step to creating a last minute cowboy or cowgirl Halloween costume is placing the cowboy hat atop your child's head. Some may prefer to also tie a handkerchief to the cowboy hat as a hat band. Great cowboy hats can often be found at thrift stores. Thrift store cowboy hats work well because they are often the real thing, versus a cheap Halloween accessory. The boots and belt buckles can also be found at thrift stores. Also, don't forget to ask friends and relatives about these items. If you don't have any of them on hand, chances are that someone you know might. If you and your child will be out at night, don't forget the glow sticks or flashlights. Have a safe and happy Halloween. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer  Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved "Mama! Mama!"
That was one of my little girls shouting from upstairs. I went up to see what all the fuss was about. It was the night before Halloween, and she was stressing over her store-bought princess costume. Tired of seeing - and wearing - the same old costume ideas every year? So was I, and so was my little girl. She wanted something unique that none of her friends were going to be wearing. She had just found out that a couple, at least, were going to be princesses - and they had bought their costumes at the same place. She decided she wanted her princess costume to instead be scary, but in a girlie sort of way. We all racked our brains and in the end she decided her costume would be a princess - not just any princess, mind you - an alien princess. Of course, it was my job to now come up with the costume design that would back her idea and be satisfactory enough for her to be seen around town in. We decided on a homemade alien princess Halloween costume for women and little girls. Materials
Homemade Alien Princess Halloween Costume The first thing you will need to do for this Halloween costume is search your house to see which of these items you already have. You might be surprised at what you find. Also, don't forget that even if you don't have an exact item, you may have something you could use to create the item or to act as a substitute for the item. Most women and girls have at least one frilly dress. In our case, we used an Easter dress that had only been worn by my little girl one time. Any dress with shiny, lace, or frilly fabrics will do the trick. The dress is the first step to creating the perfect homemade alien princess Halloween costume. The next item you'll need are some green pantyhose or tights. If you can't find any, dye some white ones green with RIT Dye. If you do not have time for that, simply go without the tights. They add effect, but are not necessary. If you are using the tights, use two pair. Cut the legs of the second pair so that you can slide those over the arms. The next part to the costume involves both the wig as well as the alien mask. Since this is not just any princess, but an alien princess, you'll want the hair to look exotic. Take a dreadlock or braided wig and put that on. Now, on the mask, cut a couple small holes in random areas where the hair would be. If the mask does not have an area that goes over the hair, skip the cutting part. Now, if you cut those holes, once you put the mask on, pull a few braids or dreadlocks through each of those holes. The end result should be pieces of hair randomly sticking out all over the head. Now slide on some dress shoes and you are almost finished with your homemade costume. The dress shoes should somewhat match the princess dress. You may also wish to add bracelets, necklaces, or other jewelry and accessories. The finishing touch includes the wand and the tiara. Both items can be bought from the Halloween store, craft store, toy store, dollar store, or even the neighborhood grocery store or Wal-Mart. If you cannot find these items, simply make your own out of construction paper. The design is up to you. For the best results, try to match the princess dress. There you have it: your very own homemade alien princess Halloween costume for women and little girls. By the way, my little girl won the Halloween costume contest at school for "uniqueness", "creativity", and "best look." Enjoy! Happy Halloween! *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network  Image: Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved by Lyn Lomasi; Co-owner of Brand Shamans & Write W.A.V.E. Media
Does your child need something fun to dress up as for Halloween - at the very last minute? Try a homemade baby costume. All you need are a few items from around the house to complete the look. You may not even need a trip to any store, which is good if you're in a rush. Gather the necessary materials. To make a homemade baby costume for kids you'll need a white sheet or piece of fabric, large safety pins, long johns or footie pajamas, slippers, red or pink makeup, and any baby accessories (baby bottle, pacifier, etc). Have your child put on long johns, footie pajamas, or sweatpants and a sweatshirt. To start the baby look, this outfit will be the first step. If your child has none of these, just try to find something similar. The goal is to find an outfit that covers them completely. If you have something skin tone color, that's even better. Make your child's face look like a baby's. Take some pink or red blush to accent your child's face. Create rosy baby cheeks by drawing circles around the cheeks and filing them in. Applying petroleum jelly to the face beforehand will help prevent itching and will also hold the makeup longer. Pink or red lipstick can add to the baby look. Next, fashion a diaper. Remember how to put on a cloth diaper? That's how you are going to attach the sheet to your child to create the baby diaper look. Don't remember? You can always watch this online video tutorial for folding a cloth baby diaper onto a baby. Be sure to pin in the proper places to hold the diaper in place long enough for Halloween festivities. You can't have the baby costume coming apart before the fun is over. Also, be sure that your child knows how to detach and reattach the pretend diaper for restroom purposes. Add accessories to your kid's homemade baby costume. You can use whatever you have lying around. Here are some ideas. Attach a baby pacifier to the front of your child's clothing. If you have a pacifier clip handy, that makes it easy. You can fasten a baby bottle to your child's wrist by tying it to a bracelet. This is easier for carrying purposes. This way, your child's free to have fun without worrying about holding the baby bottle. You can also pin on paper shapes of diaper pins, baby bottles, numbers, letters, and pacifiers. If your child has one of those baby bottle piggy banks, that doubles as an accessory and trick-or-treat candy container.  Image: mary tempesta; Flickr.com Need a perfect Halloween costume for your perfect angel - at the last minute? Try an angel. You probably have all the materials at home and it can be made in just a few minutes. This is great for those times when you just need to throw something together and don't have much time or the store is wiped clean.
Grab a white sheet or dress. Either a white sheet or a white dress will work as an angel dress. For the dress, you won't have to do much but have your child put it on. With the sheet, just cut a hole in the middle large enough for going over your child's head. Remember the ghost costume trick? This is just like that, except your child will be an angel, not a ghost, once the accessories are added. Grab a silver or gray scarf, belt, or fabric scrap. One of these items large enough to span your child's waist will do the trick. Put on the belt or tie the scarf or fabric scrap around your child's waist. This helps avoid the ghost look and get your child's homemade angel Halloween costume look more angelic. Grab three wire hangers and straighten them. Take the first one and fold one end over to the middle to make a circle. Twist the sections together. Now make a circle with the other end as well and fasten it in the same manner. Be sure there is a straight piece going up between the two and that one circle will securely fit atop your child's head. When it's placed there, the other circle should rise above his or her head like a halo. Set this aside. Take the other two hangers and connect them in the middle, making wing shapes out of each side. Set the wings aside. Grab some aluminum foil and elastic (or string). This will be the final touch to your kid's last-minute homemade angel Halloween costume. Wrap the foil around the wings, as well as the halo. Now put the halo on your child. Then, you are going to attach the wings. First cut a very lengthy piece of elastic or thick string (yarn and twine both work well). Tie the elastic or string to the middle portion of the wings,with a long piece extending from each end. Place the wings against your child's back and wrap each string end over the shoulder and around the arm on each side. Tie it again in the middle. This should secure the wings. Now the only thing left to do is send your child off to the costume party or take her trick-or-treating in her new homemade angel costume. Happy Halloween! *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network  Image: Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Halloween is a night filled with fun for children and adults alike. Part of that fun actually occurs before Halloween. Making your Halloween decorations can be almost as fun as the actual holiday events occurring on Halloween. One fun thing to make is a scary man to sit on your porch.
Your visitors will be enthralled with this particular one, as some might at first think it is a real person. That's part of what makes this one so fun. Below, learn to make your "Scary Man On the Porch" Halloween decoration. This is a no-sew project that most anyone can do. However, if you enjoy sewing, feel free to sew it up if you please. As you will learn below, your man does not always have to be on the porch. Learn some fun ways to use it once you read further. Also, remember that your "Scary Man On the Porch" does not have to be male. It can also be a woman, if you wish it to be. For easier instructions, it will be referred to as a man, but as stated, either gender is fine. Materials:
Instructions: First, you'll need to either rake enough leaves to fill a large trash bag or purchase their equivalent in Poly-Fil, which can be found at Hobby Lobby and other craft and fabric stores. Once you have your stuffing material, get together an old long-sleeved shirt, old gloves, old shoes, old socks, and an old pair of pants. Your first step is to fill the gloves with the leaves or Poly-Fil. Once they are full (leaving free space at the top), attach the gloves to the wrists of the shirt with one rubber bands (one for each side). Now take your grocery bag and fill it halfway, making a round shape and then securing it with a rubber band. Attach the grocery bag to the neck area of the shirt using another rubber band. Then stuff the shirt, including the sleeves, leaving a small amount that is not stuffed. Secure it closed with another rubber band. Next, stuff a pair of socks, secure them with a rubber band, and attach them to the bottom of the pant legs with a rubber band on each side. Then, stuff the pant legs, leaving the top area open. Stick the top half of your man (shirt, etc) into the opening of the top of the pants. Secure it with the belt. Put the shoes over the socks and also attach your mask, wig, and any other accessories you need to make your man look real. The best results come from either making the Scary MOP look like a family member or from making it look extremely scary. Fun Ways To Use Your "Scary Man On the Porch" There are many ways to use your "Scary Man On the Porch", or Scary MOP decoration. Below are a variety of ways to have some Halloween fun with this homemade man.
For even more fun, you could hide a small cd player inside the Scary MOP that plays ghoulish talking or laughing.When visitors walk past the Scary MOP, they'll think he is talking to them or mocking them. This can get pretty fun. Bonus Tip#2: To hold up your Scary MOP when you want him to stand, try using props that will go along with him and sticking them into the ground. For example, if your Scary MOP is a witch character, use a broomstick and stick the rounded end into the ground, using it to stabilize your Scary MOP, possibly by sticking it through the back of its belt. Tilt it to the side a bit to make it look like the Scary MOP is holding the broom instead of the other way around. *Disclaimer: Neither the author, nor the Write W.A.V.E. Media network is responsible for any events occurring as a result of anything contained in this article. It is up to the reader to use their discretion wisely with any event or action. **Note: The name "Scary Man On the Porch" or “Scary MOP” was given to this craft by the author. If it closely resembles any other similar entity, the author holds no responsibility. As far as the author is aware, at the time this content was created, no similar craft or item existed with this title. ***I originally published this content via Yahoo Contributor Network  Image: Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Before you send your teen out to brave the spooky world of Halloween, make sure to quiz them on vital safety tips. Trick-or-treating is fun most of the time. But it can also be dangerous. Remember, your teens will be out after dark and there are various safety rules that become more prevalent when night time falls.
Be finished by nine. After nine o'clock on Halloween is not a time when you want your teens roaming the streets. Most areas have an unspoken rule or even laws not to trick or treat after this time. There are also curfew laws. Plus, that's when the crazy drunk drivers and other criminals are going to be the most active. Remember that while kids enjoy Halloween, so do adults. And not all of those adults - or other teens who may also be out - are going to be responsible. Safety first. Don't tease the little kids. "But, Ma, that's no fun!" Your teen can get into trouble teasing the younger kids or stealing their candy. It's harassment and it's also just mean. If they can't get any candy trick-or-treating, then perhaps they are too old. If they ask nicely, perhaps little brother or sister won't mind sharing. You could also buy them their own or let them hand out candy to the younger set. Wear reflective clothing or use flashlights. Black and other dark colors are popular on Halloween. Be sure the teens wear something reflective and/or carry flashlights on Halloween for their safety. Glow sticks and other light sources that can be worn are a great for this. Drivers can see the teens more easily if they are wearing something reflective or using a light source. Be sure that masks don't block vision. Some masks and other costume gear can block vision or lower it immensely. Make sure before teens go out that they can see from left to right without having to rotate. They also should be able to see in front of them. Give them a quick finger check test by holding up various fingers at different angles. They might roll their eyes at you and groan, but at least you'll know they're safe. Besides, your teens are likely secretly loving the fact that you care. Safety comes in numbers. Be sure that your teenager is not going to be trick-or-treating alone or with just one other person. They should be making it a group event. Anyone trying to act ill-willed toward someone is more likely to target those who are separate from the crowd. Talking to your teen about Halloween safety beforehand could help prevent the wrong kind of Halloween nightmares. Other safety tips may apply as well. However, utilizing these 5 vital Halloween safety tips with your teens is a great start toward avoiding danger on this spooky holiday. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network  Image: Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved by Lyn Lomasi; Co-owner of Brand Shamans & Write W.A.V.E. Media
Funny, spooky, or tacky Halloween's the one day Where fashion doesn't matter *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network  Image: Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved You dress your toddler up all cute - and maybe a little spooky - and as soon as you get to the first house for trick-or-treating, she lets out a wail. Not a fun Halloween wail, a cranky, possibly scared, wail that frightens the other kids in a not-so-Halloween way. To prevent such a scenario, there are steps you can take before having some Halloween fun with your toddler. Here are five ways to prevent your toddler from getting cranky this Halloween.
Be sure your toddler takes a nap before Halloween events. Ensuring your toddler is rested well will be a big help in lessening the fussiness probability. Rested kids are usually happy kids. But kids who haven't had naps are probably going to whine and cry and complain. Better to have him take a nap first, so your child can have some fun. Have a snack ready to avoid crankiness about candy that hasn't been inspected. If you are taking your toddler trick-or-treating, let her have two bags. One bag should have safe snacks to eat while having fun. The other is for collecting the treats to save for later. This way, there isn't as much crankiness about candy she can't yet eat. Avoid itchy face makeup. Face makeup can irritate a toddler's sensitive skin. Instead of using makeup to create that look, go for a soft mask or hat instead. Hoods are even better. That way, it can easily slip down if your toddler is uncomfortable. Toddlers may rub and scratch at makeup and pull off hats or masks. Make sure the costume is weather-friendly. If it's 80 degrees outside and you put a thick teddy bear costume on your toddler, you better be prepared for some crankiness. Look for fabrics that will fit the weather. When it comes to toddlers, comfort is much more important than style. Wouldn't you rather have a happy, excited toddler than a cranky, hot , and uncomfortable one? Thick costumes are best if it's cold. Otherwise, go for thinner flexible fabrics. Make the event about the toddler, not yourself. If it's obvious your toddler hates trick-or-treating, then stop. There's no reason for dragging him around house to house if he's upset. The same thing goes for costumes. Let him be what he wants to. It's about him and his self-expression, not about bragging to your friends about your latest trendy creation. When your toddler feels good about what he's wearing, he is less likely to be cranky. Toddlers often get cranky during unfamiliar or particularly eventful activities. This is especially true if these goings-on last longer than their routine activities. Halloween doesn’t have to be a stressful event. By taking charge with extra prevention and following your toddler’s cues, you can help make this Halloween more fun than stressful. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network  Image: Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Unprepared for an unplanned, last minute Halloween party? Maybe your budget cannot fit in a costume this year. Perhaps you waited too long and there are no good Halloween costumes left in the stores. Maybe your kids changed their minds - again. Whatever your reason, this quick and easy last minute clown costume could be your answer. So stop your worrying and stressing and get to it - quick - before you run out of time. Most of the items for this costume may already be in your house. If not, many could easily be borrowed from a friend or found in a thrift store. Materials Needed for a Last Minute Clown Halloween Costume
How to Make a Quick, Easy, Last Minute Halloween Clown Costume A clown costume is possibly one of the easiest Halloween costumes to make on a time or budget constraint. Just gather a few common materials from your house - or possibly your friends - and voila - a quick and easy clown costume for Halloween. There's only a small amount of preparation for this one. The rest is as simple as getting dressed. To make your clown costume for Halloween, simply gather up the materials from above. As far as the dress up clothing goes, the funnier looking an item is, the better. Remember, this is a clown costume, so funny-looking is good this time. Just remember not to wear this on your next date unless you're headed to a Halloween party. Go ahead and put on the shirt, overalls (or pants with suspenders), socks, and shoes. If you don't have overalls or pants with suspenders, you can create mock suspenders with four safety pins and a couple old belts or scarves. Simply safety pin the belts or scarves to the back of the pants and over the shoulders in a criss-cross pattern and then safety pin them to the front of the pants to keep them on. With the shoes, go for the biggest and brightest pair you can find. If they're your big brother's or sister's and they're too big for you, that's even better. A clown Halloween costume should be funny-looking and not too organized. Remember to get permission though, so their angry voice won't be haunting you later. To get them to stay on, just stuff some cloth or tissue in the toe so they won't fall off. As for the hat, you may need to decorate that just a touch. If the hat is already decorated with some sort of funny or scary design, just leave it as is. If it isn't, you can make a quick Halloween clown hat by attaching a flower made from construction paper and glue. To make a simple clown flower, cut out a 5-petal flower shape from your color choice of construction paper. Now cut out a dot in another color that will fit in the center of your flower shape. Next, cut out a stem shape and leaves each in another color. Glue the pieces together with white glue and allow them to dry for a few minutes. Safety pin the flower to your Halloween clown hat. There are several choices to create your clown costume hairstyle. If you have thick, curly hair, you could create an afro. If you have time, look up a Kool-Aid dye recipe and dye your hair in multiple colors. If you don't have time, you can forgo the dye. The afro alone can still work. For shorter hair, worry less about your hairstyle and more about the hat and makeup. The main goal for a Halloween clown costume is to look a bit messy, as far as the hair and clothing. Another hairstyle choice is for hair that is shoulder-length or longer. This can work for males or females. Tease or back-comb the entire head of hair, creating a messy unorganized look. One more hairstyle option that can work for long hair is to put the hair in two braids on either side of the head. Tie bows at the ends. For the makeup, just use whatever you have on hand that will work, unless you can somehow find some Halloween makeup at the last minute. If you have no makeup and cannot find any Halloween makeup, try the regular makeup section in your local pharmacy, grocer, or retail chain and grab some red lipstick, as well as some white. Apply the white makeup first. That should go over the entire face. To help it stay on longer without smearing, try mixing it with Vaseline and baby powder before application. Now use the red lipstick or Halloween makeup for the lips, two dots on the cheek, a dot on the nose and circles around the eye area. Remember to also mix the red with Vaseline and baby powder if you can. Now you are ready to show off your homemade Halloween clown costume. Don't be surprised if yours actually has more effect than the store-bought ones. It may be the uniqueness. Sometimes homemade and last-minute can create the best costume because no one will have one like yours. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network  While browsing the internet a few years ago, as well as local department stores for ideas on Halloween costumes, I noticed a frightening trend. While the costumes remained scary, ghoulish, and otherwise Halloween-themed, I noticed the costumes for little girls were overly revealing. The skirt and dress portions of the costumes had gotten much shorter. Many cat costumes for children resembled the revealing or sexy ones made for adults. Witches were sporting miniskirts and minidresses that hauntingly revealed too much. I can understand that children enjoy looking like adults, but does that mean they should be dressing this revealing? I’m not talking about a normal-looking short skirt. I’m talking about dresses and skirts that are not just above the knees, but are mid-thigh and higher. There are even costumes that look like sexy women's lingerie that are targeted to and sized for very young girls. By the descriptions of the costumes above, it might appear that I am describing costumes for teenagers. Wrong. I am describing costumes designed for children 6 years old and up. Major retailers, one of which I am generally very fond of, were even carrying these seemingly inappropriate costumes for little girls. At first, I wanted to blame this retailer for carrying these costumes, if they can be called that, as this was my first stop during my costume search. Then, with the next stop, then the next, and thereafter, I realized these were everywhere. I saw many little girls princess costumes that were made extremely short. The Disney Princess costumes were not this way at that time and thankfully, were widely available. There were also unisex costumes, like dogs and other animals that were not drawing the line. So, all may not be lost. After my terrifying search at retailers big and small, I decided to search online for an appropriate costume, but again, I was horrified as my internet search revealed the same results, at some times, even worse. Afraid of the trend I'd found, I searched and searched to find a site that did not offer any of these costumes. You would think my search terms were affecting my search, but not so. They were simple and short, such as "Halloween costumes for kids". Search after search turned up so many inappropriate costumes for girls. After that, I determined that I would continue to design and make my children's costumes, as usual. I did find many costume accessories that were much more appropriate than the costumes. There were plenty of princess crowns, wands, false teeth, capes, swords, various masks, and many other accessories. So, indeed, all was not lost. I was just left to wonder who came up with the idea that children needed to dress up in costumes that reveal too much. Was it parents? Perhaps it was the retail stores. Maybe it was even the manufacturers of the costumes. If the parents agreed to this, that would be more frightening than the costumes. UPDATE: As the years passed, I thought maybe the situation would improve. However, instead it has worsened. Yes, non-revealing costumes can still be found. But unfortunately, the sexy ones are growing increasingly popular as the time passes by. What message are we sending retailers when we allow this and even buy these costumes? More importantly, what are we teaching our children? *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network |
FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS
OWNER
Lyn Lomasi is founder and owner of the Brand Shamans Content Community. Services include ordained soul therapy and healing ministry, business success coaching, business success services, handcrafted healing jewelry, ethereal and anointing oils, altar and spiritual supplies and services, handcrafted healing beauty products, and more!
Lyn is your brand healing, soul healing, marketing & content superhero to the rescue! While rescuing civilians from boring business practices and energy vampires, this awesomely crazy family conquers evil and creates change. They live among tigers, dragons, mermaids, unicorns, and other fantastic energies, teaching others to claim their own power and do the same. By supporting us, you support a dedicated parent, healer, and minority small business that donates to several causes. Profits from our all-inclusive store, Intent-sive Nature support these causes and our beautiful family! HIRE OR SHOP WITH LYN | CONTACT LYN Archives
October 2018
Categories
All
|
- Life Successfully
-
- Custom Healing Products & Services
- Essential Oil, Spiritual Oils, & Aromatherapy
- Bath, Beauty, & Self-Care
- Rituals, Herbs, & Altar Supplies
- Original Artwork
- Protection
- Orgone Or Orgonite
- Wands
- Yoga & Meditation
- Crystals & Gemstones
- Books & Media
- Education & Homeschool Resources
- Clothing
- Decor And Home Accents
- RV, Camping, And Auto
- BUSINESS, MARKETING, & CONTENT SERVICES
- SUBMIT GUEST POSTS
-
-
- Life Successfully
-
- Custom Healing Products & Services
- Essential Oil, Spiritual Oils, & Aromatherapy
- Bath, Beauty, & Self-Care
- Rituals, Herbs, & Altar Supplies
- Original Artwork
- Protection
- Orgone Or Orgonite
- Wands
- Yoga & Meditation
- Crystals & Gemstones
- Books & Media
- Education & Homeschool Resources
- Clothing
- Decor And Home Accents
- RV, Camping, And Auto
- BUSINESS, MARKETING, & CONTENT SERVICES
- SUBMIT GUEST POSTS
-
-
RSS Feed
