Halloween costumes

Ghoulish or glamorous? How will you dress this Halloween?

With Halloween fast approaching (Thursday 31 October), it's time to start thinking about what you'll be wearing to scare your family and friends. Although it's traditional to wear a spooky costume for your Halloween party or to go trick or treating, anything goes. Most costumes are modelled around the original themes of zombies, vampires, ghosts and monsters. But nowadays people are choosing to be unique, dressing up as everything from a cartoon character to a celebrity. 

If you're planning on terrifying the neighbourhood, consider becoming a witch or Frankenstein. But if you fancy reinventing yourself with a touch more glamour, consider a princess costume or become a Greek god. Whatever look you go for, you'll be sure to make a big impression this Halloween. 

What will your 'little monsters' be wearing?

If you're thinking of taking the little ones trick or treating this year or are hosting a Halloween party for all their friends, then you'll want them to look the part. Witches are an obvious choice for the girls, but if they want to stand out from the crowd, there's a whole host of looks to choose from, ranging from viking girls to gothic vampires. And there is no shortage of costumes for boys either. Choose from Captain Hook or Captain America, Harry Potter or the Hulk - and your little ones are guaranteed to be a Halloween hit. 

Halloween traditions

Trick-or-treating

It's the evening of Thursday 31 October. The time is about 5pm. The doorbell rings. You go to answer it, wondering who it might be. And there, standing on your doorstep, is your first visitor of the evening - the Halloween trick-or-treater.

They come in all shapes and sizes - from the cute little girl in her fancy dress witch's costume, accompanied by mum, to the group of cheeky teenagers who, having found a monster mask or two between them, think they'll try their luck. And they're all after one thing of course - a treat in the form of chocolates, sweets, cakes, biscuits or even money.

Bat trick or treat bag: Ideal for collecting your goodies in

You'll hear them ask: 'Trick or treat?' and it's up to you whether you oblige them or take the forfeit. If you're happy to have them call, make sure you have a few wrapped chocolates to hand over, some mini packs of sweets, or a few coins if you haven't managed to get to the shops. Of course, you can always take the easy option and simply not answer the door. But where's the fun in that? The trick may be an idle threat, but who wants to run the risk of a mischievous prank being done on you or your home?

In embracing trick-or-treating, you’ll be following a Halloween tradition that’s practised in many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Republic of Ireland, Puerto Rico and Mexico. In Mexico, it’s known as calaverita (Spanish for little skull) and the children ask in Spanish: ‘Can you give me my little skull?’ which is a skull made of sugar or chocolate.

The practice dates back to 1895 where, in Scotland, on Halloween night, children disguised in costumes and carrying lanterns made out of scooped-out turnips, went from door to door asking for cakes, fruit and money. However, it was not until the 1980s that the term ‘trick or treat’ became more common in the UK, although it was first used in the United States in 1934.

So, whether you’re planning to welcome trick or treaters to your door or will be trick-or-treating yourself this year, make sure you take care. Be sensible about who you open the door to. Similarly, visit neighbours who are happy to have callers. You’ll know them from the lit-up pumpkins in their windows and the Halloween hanging decorations that adorn their homes.

Halloween celebrations

Top tips to make your Halloween party a huge hit

If you're planning a Halloween party, it's now time to start making preparations so that you'll be ready for the big day. Here are a few ideas to get you started in the run-up to your celebrations.

Costumes

As host of your Halloween party, you'll need to look the part. There is a whole range of fancy dress costumes to choose from - and for every member of the family. Girls can take their pick from a midnight spirit to a spider queen, while boys can be anything from a skeleton to the screecher. For women, become a devil or a demon for the evening, and watch the men transform themselves into Freddy Krueger or a crazy clown. But, if it's just accessories that you're after, there are no shortages of those available. A long black wig or a satin witch's hat will be sure to turn heads.

Decorations

Whether you're holding a Halloween party at home or in a hall, you'll certainly want to create the right atmosphere - and you'll be amazed at how a few decorations can transform a room. A well-placed black furry rat and a few plastic spiders, scattered here and there, will undoubtedly scare your guests - especially the arachnaphobes. Or, raise a smile or two with  a couple of hanging demons and a neon blinking skeleton.

Party food

You may be surprised at the number of recipes available with a Halloween theme. If you're planning on dishing up a meal, why not boil up a pumpkin soup, rustle up a goulash (ghoul-lash, get it?) or create a spiderweb-inspired pizza. A pumpkin risotto will always go down well, as will devilled chicken. And for dessert, how about a pumpkin pie, Halloween cupcakes or skull-shaped biscuits? Serve your culinary delights on the Mozaik plastic tableware range and everyone will be suitably impressed.

Entertainment

It wouldn't be a Halloween celebration without a few party games to get everyone in the right spirit - and there's something for everyone, whatever their age. For the little ones, bobbing for apples is always fun. Just fill a large pool or bucket with water and apples and get your younger guests to pick them out without using their hands. To make it more of a challenge, tie their hands behind their backs or use a blindfold. Filling a jar with candy corns or Halloween sweets - and getting the children to guess how many there are - is another way to keep them entertained. The child who guesses closest, gets to take the jar home with them.

As for the adults, there are countless games to keep them amused. When your guests arrive, tape a piece of paper to their back with a Halloween movie character written on it. Then encourage them to find out who they are by asking questions to the other partygoers. The first to guess their identity receives a prize. After a few drinks, your friends and family will be sure to find Mummy Wrap a good laugh. Just get your guests into pairs and have one from each pair wrap the other in toilet roll, spinning them as they go. The first person to get fully covered is the winner. And if you're guests are up for even more fun, a Halloween movie and trivia quiz or a dance contest with Halloween-themed music will get everyone mingling and in the party spirit.

So now you have a few ideas to get your Halloween celebration preparations underway, what will you be doing on Thursday 31 October?