Thinking of sending your kid to school this year in a cool Halloween costume? Considering passing out Halloween candy or sprucing up your yard this year to “spook” the neighborhood? Here are 10 tips for making your Halloween a success this year.
Halloween is the 2nd most commercially successful Holiday of the year in which millions of people dress to impress, attend Halloween parties, and line the streets in the hopes of growing their candy bank.
1. Get creative with your kids Halloween costume.
Justification – Would you send your kid to school wearing this costume? Little kids are harsh these days - the last thing your kids friends need is ammo for jokes and laughs. Invest some time in researching costumes online or visit the local costume store and find a costume your kid can be proud wearing. If you have someone in the family that can make a custom costume, more power to you!
2. Be aware of the people you scare!
Justification – Let’s say you want to be the biggest and baddest decorated house in the neighborhood this year - great! Just be very careful on how creative you get and who you decide to scare. Halloween is not meant to send little kids home crying - try to use your best judgment on who you decide to “trick.”
3. Decide on your Halloween costume early.
Justification – if you wait too long, your neighborhood Halloween costume store will have limited supply. Most online costume stores offer an exchange on costumes so buy your costume early just in case it doesn’t turn out exactly how you wanted. Additionally, the sooner you get your Halloween costume, the sooner you can claim your costume amongst your friends and loved ones - there’s nothing worse than showing up at a party and seeing 5 others wearing the same costume!
4. When attending a work-related Halloween party as a group, get creative!
Justification – Imagine if you showed up to a work party as a group wearing these costumes. If you are going to a work party as a group, put some more thought into it – although Halloween is the time of year wear people can dress how they like, people at work will remember what you wore – don’t get too loose in thinking you can get away with “anything.” Put some thought in to your costume this year for Halloween – Making a good impression on your coworkers will likely result in things we all want – like raises. (photo from unknown source)
5. Choose a costume that will appeal to ALL audiences.
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Justification – If it’s offensive, don’t wear it…Putting on any one of these costumes might offend others. Of course, Halloween is the time of year in which you can get away with wearing pretty much anything, but don’t wear a costume that might offend others – it’s that simple. It’s ok to express yourself but ask yourself the question “Can I get away with wearing this costume and not offend others?” Costumes from Movies that were a big hit from the past or present or funny costumes are a safe bet.
6. Place pumpkins in your yard that have Universal appeal.
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Justification – Imagine how little Johnny would feel if he saw pumpkins like this on your lawn? Many kids thoroughly enjoy this time of year and you don’t want to upset your neighbors with your bad humor. Take some time to create a pumpkin with Universal appeal. Remember, Halloween is not about having an excuse to express your inner self and get away with it. Halloween is about fun, candy, and wearing costumes that put a smile on your face.
7. If your dog or cat will be wearing a costume this year put them in a costume you would wear yourself.
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Justification – How happy do these pets look? If you have a pet that digs this sort of thing, great. Put them in a costume that you would wear yourself! If not, don’t force your pet to put on a costume for your enjoyment of taking a quick snap shot and sending it off to family and friends for bragging rights.
8. Pass out Halloween candy children WANT - not what’s best for them.
Justification – How many children would actually trick-or-treat around the neighborhood if they knew they were getting hot chocolate packets, nuts, granola bars, cheese and cracker packs, sugar free gum or pretzels?
Follow the Halloween Candy Hierarchy to make sure you pass out the good stuff! (comic photo from clanofthecats.com - Jamie Robertson)
9. Be supportive of trick-or-treater’s costumes.
Justification – Don’t ask a kid “What are you supposed to be?” Kids want you to know what they are supposed to be. Asking them this very question simply devalues the effort they put in to deciding what they were going to wear for Halloween. A simple “what a great costume” or “I love your costume” or “your costume is great!” would work just fine. (comic photo from greenhorncomic.com)
10. Turn your porch light on, place a pumpkin in your lawn & pass out candy if you’re home.
Justification – According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there was an estimated 36.1 million potential trick-or-treaters in 2006 (children 5 to 13) – keep the tradition alive and pass out some candy!
Just imagine what Halloween would have been like for you if EVERY house in your neighborhood passed out Halloween candy with a smile. (photo from unknown source)
