Halloween!! :D

I'm going to use a clear umbrella, the kind with the white strip at the end and that you buy from street vendors. I'm going to tape bubble wrap on the inside to give it some texture and then tape strips of large and small bubble bubble wrap from the sides and some from the inside. I also have strips of iridescent sequins and to give it some colour. Then I'm going to put glow sticks on the inside to give it a glow. I'll wear white clothing.

I'll post a photo when I'm done. I'm quite excited about it. Although my mates in the UK seem to think that a Halloween costume has to be scary and I'm trying to teach them otherwise.

Now that is the spirit! 

Depending on the state... NY is no fireworks, except for July 4th.  And you can't buy them anywhere.  I think Pennsylvania was the closest state if you want to buy fireworks. 

I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to talk hubs into fireworks.  He was pretty anti-fireworks when I brought it up for our wedding.  But a girl can always try...

It is a local thing in PA.  Fireworks aren't allowed in Allentown, only sparklers, so you have to drive towards Kutztown where they are a little stand right over the city (or maybe county) line.

Ahh ok, I didn't know that.  I just knew there was a MASSIVE fireworks store on the NY/PA border near Binghamton. 

I just drove past that stand a few weeks ago!

In Ireland they have something called, 'Barm brack'. It's a special bread they make at Halloween. It's a round loaf of sultana bread that's baked with a ring, a piece of string, and a coin. Everyone dives in and if you get the ring it means you're going to get married, if you get the coin you're going to be rich, and DH can't remember what the string means.  Anyways, there's loads of Halloween stuff everywhere and DH said our nephew will definitely be dressing up. I don't miss Halloween, but I do miss fall festivities like apple fairs, pumpkin patches, and Indian corn hanging around.

In Ireland they have something called, 'Barm brack'. It's a special bread they make at Halloween. It's a round loaf of sultana bread that's baked with a ring, a piece of string, and a coin. Everyone dives in and if you get the ring it means you're going to get married, if you get the coin you're going to be rich, and DH can't remember what the string means. 

Cool!

Just got our costumes yesterday for the upcoming Halloween party. They are a bit naff, but I think it's kind of part of their charm, maybe.  Anyway, they were cheap and it's only one night. Besides, my costume is better than DH's. 

When I was small (in the dim and distant past! ie the 60s and 70s) we didn't really do Halloween but did Mischief Night on the 4th November when we did something similar to trick or treating.  That seemed to die out though and I don't think many people even recall it - I also think it's a northern thing.  Apple bobbing etc was common but more in conjuction with Harvest Festivals etc rather than Halloween.

Mischief Night on the 4th November

Oh yes, I'm familiar with this one. You'll still have a kid or two doing this in Leeds. I've had a few eggs thrown at the bus on the 4th.

Im not over there yet but I have noticed a decline in celebrating here in the states. Maybe its the South, GA. In Oklahoma it was a must and school we would dress up, some kids went home just to get all done up. The whole day was a blast we would walk around all the classes and get a look and they voted for each grade as to who were the winners. I won 3 times, first was a jailbird, second minnie mouse, third dead GI Joe, yes Im weird. I guess I was going through a phase. Like the fact my dad had his air force gear which made it easier to do up. Ahhhhhh I remember those wonderful days........ Im not worried about when I come over there. My fiance carves pumpkins every year. I was like jeez Ive never done that. Just did the trick or treat thingy. Oh and a good recipe we learned in grade school was sauteed pumpkin seeds-mmm mmmm good!

Although my mates in the UK seem to think that a Halloween costume has to be scary and I'm trying to teach them otherwise.

Having been stung a few times whilst scuba diving, I think jellyfish are scary! 

Sounds like a great costume.

Having been stung a few times whilst scuba diving, I think jellyfish are scary! 
 

 

but it does sound cool. We did/do the make-your-own too and they varied over the ages from 40's style school boy, a tamagotchie thingy, a gameboy, princess, vampire, witch, policeman, men in black, wizard, Keith Richards (me and that was scary    )

Still ain't figured anything for the boy this year. He's into Indiana Jones but not enough. He wants to be a policeman. Again.   

Keith Richards (me and that was scary    )

 

Im not over there yet but I have noticed a decline in celebrating here in the states. Maybe its the South, GA. In Oklahoma it was a must and school we would dress up, some kids went home just to get all done up. The whole day was a blast...

Fellow Okie here.  Where did you grow up? 

I have noticed a decline too.  It's a lot of fear mongering from the media.  The days of neighborhood trick-or-treating are over.  I live in Guthrie, and our whole town turns out for candy downtown and then the kids go door to door.  It still has a small town, close feel, which is nice for the kids.  I just can't take them to the mall to trick or treat or one of those $5/person in a park where the kids only get 20 pc. of candy, which seems to be the current trend.

Still ain't figured anything for the boy this year. He's into Indiana Jones but not enough. He wants to be a policeman. Again.   

I know...It can be a pain for something that should be fun!!  I am having problems with my 3-year old dressing up.  The baby is going to be a monkey which is pretty fitting for him right now.  The oldest is going to be Luke Skywalker (I insisted- my favorite movie).  My three year old wants to be a bubble.  I have a left over Buzz Lightyear costume and tried it on him.  He freaked out and started screaming and kicking.  I have no idea what I'm going to do with him.  If he doesn't dress up do I take him anyway?  I hate to be mean, but this may be our last halloween here and I want the kids to have fun. 

If he doesn't dress up do I take him anyway?  I hate to be mean, but this may be our last halloween here and I want the kids to have fun. 

Maybe you can just paint his face? I know it's not dressing up but it's still Halloweenish! Most little kids love face paint.