Halloween can be an exciting time for both young and old, and the right Halloween cake can only add to the fun. Though experienced bakers can make elaborate creations using their favourite recipes and decorations, even children can create cute cakes that make a hit at their party or activity. Before beginning the Halloween cake making extravaganza, it might be best to gather ingredients and materials that could be useful in the creation of spooky creatures such as spiders, ghosts, black cats, and monsters. For more inspiration, look at pictures of cakes online or in magazines, or just let your imagination run wild!  The following list includes some easy ideas for decorating Halloween cakes: 

• Red hot candies, nuts, chocolate chips, M & M’s, gumdrops, or raisins for eyes

• Red and black licorice for legs,tongues, spider webs or tentacles

• Gummy worms for effect

• Large and small marshmallows for creating appendages

• Skittles for spots

• Candy Corn for teeth or noses

• Chocolate and vanilla icing

• Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and caramel ice Cream topping in squeeze bottles 

Once any useful ingredients have been gathered for creating the most creative Halloween cakes ever, it is time to begin cooking the actual cake components. Useful parts and pieces might include cake batter cooked in small coffee cans or other round tins, cupcakes, miniature muffin shapes, regular-sized round cakes, or even batter cooked in cornbread fritter pans or metal bowls can be helpful. One good tip for baking cakes when kids are helping is to use a cake mix mixed with one can of some type of cola. Children then do not have to deal with eggs or oil, and the process goes more smoothly. 

Once these cake parts are cooled, they can be used to construct a variety of Halloween cake critters. Some of the easiest to create are the following: 

• Large and small spiders

• Jack-O-Lanterns or pumpkins

• Bats

• Ghosts

• Skulls

• Graveyards

• Coffins

• Eyeballs

• Black cats

• A haunted house

These homemade cakes can be as simple or as extravagant as one wants to make them and can be individualized according to the preference of the baker. Use the icing to glue pieces together and the ice cream topping to fashion spider webs and other wiggly lines as needed. Decorate a whole cake on top by making it into a graveyard with tombstones in various shapes, or cut pieces from cake forms to create bats and snakes. Let younger children use cupcakes to from smaller critters with several arms and legs and a variety of unique eyes made from marshmallows, candies, or chocolate chips. Add strange arms, legs and tails with bits of licorice to take some of the scary away and keep everyone giggling. Young kids also enjoy using candy corn for Jack-O-Lantern teeth or for silly bat ears. Let older children add some gory blood to the brains and eyeballs using the strawberry icecream topping. 

When it comes to themed Halloween cakes, imagination and fun are the words for the day. Bakers sometimes surprise themselves as they let their creative sides take over during this wonderfully entertaining holiday.

 Witches, ghosts, jack-o-lanterns, spiders, and other spooky critters may be entertaining Halloween figures, but when children think of Halloween, they always think of candy first. Whether it is free trick-or-treat gifts or homemade party candy, sweet treats are central to Halloween fun. Providing appropriate Halloween candy for kids does not have to be time consuming or difficult. A little creativity and imagination can go a long way even if bulk bought prepackaged candy is used.

The following types of candy may be transformed into novelty Halloween creatures of all kinds using Halloween molds or cookie cutters:

• Rice Krispy Treats

• Chocolate

• Fudge

• Fondant

Once these treats have been molded or shaped into pumpkins, eyeballs, witch hats, spiders, bats, and other traditional symbols of Halloween, they can be decorated using candy corn, licorice, red hots, or chocolate chips. Plenty of red frosting is also a great idea and will provide that gory touch so popular at Halloween.

No matter what kind of strange candy concoctions a hostess creates for a Halloween party, they will always be more highly prized if accompanied by a great Halloween name. Each dish or bowl of candy should have its own colorful place card denoting its Halloween moniker. Some of the following may be helpful ideas to jumpstart family creativity:

• Ghost Tracks

• Spider Eggs

• Magical Monster Brains

• Bloody Eyeballs

• Haunted Cobwebs

If homemade Halloween candy takes too much time, candy can be purchased which will make mouths water and eyes sparkle just as much. It is important, however, to make sure that any candy that is included in goody bags or given during trick-or-treating should be in sealed wrappers and safe for all ages.

Individually wrapped Halloween candy is also excellent to use for the games during a Halloween party. For example, each child might be given a container or jar holding five pieces of candy. A plastic pumpkin might be set up for the children to take turns attempting to hit the opening with their five pieces of candy. After all of it has been thrown, the child who has gotten the most candy into the pumpkin gets any of the other candy that has landed in the pumpkin as well, as the prize. If there is a tie, the winning children get to split the pumpkin’s contents.

Another great game for using cheap or leftover Halloween candy is to make a great spider’s web, winding yarn all over the room, around chair legs, and over, under and around obstacles. A piece of candy should be tied to the end of each piece of yarn. Children will be given the other end and asked to untangle their piece. Because it is difficult to distinguish which piece belongs to the end of a string, children will spend several minutes having a giggling good time before being rewarded with a treat.

Take the time to make some special Halloween memories this year by carefully choosing the most appropriate and interesting Halloween candy. Calories can be forgotten on this one special day of the year!

Halloween cookies can be an exciting addition to any occasion. They can be baked for school functions, home parties, church events, neighborhood gatherings, or family nights. In fact, Halloween cookies can bring the whole family together as they work to see who can make the goriest, most disgusting creations. Halloween cookies can be particularly exciting for young children, and some are so simple and easy they can do most of the work themselves. It does not matter whether the cookie dough is purchased or homemade; a little creativity goes a long way when it comes to unique Halloween cookies.

For children, it is best to stick to simple shapes and provide several cookie cutters from which they can choose. They can easily make and decorate round cookies in the following ways:

• full moons

• spider webs

• jack-o-lanterns

• eyeballs

Put out bowls of raisins, nuts, candy corn, chocolate chips, and colorful sugar sprinkles, and then stand back and watch as the children rush into full Halloween creativity mode. They can also attach licorice legs to chocolate sandwich cookies and use a dab of frosting to stick on red hot eyes for the scariest spiders ever. In a similar manner, children can create creepy ants by using Nutter Butter cookies and attaching legs and eyes.

A great idea to get older children and teenagers started is to make severed hands. The following items will be needed:

• a paper pattern of their splayed hands down to the wrist

• cookie dough

• butter knives

• red gel icing in a tube

• almonds

The hand patterns can be placed on the cookie dough and traced with a butter knife to form hands. Almonds should be pressed into the tip of each finger to serve as nails. Once the cookies have been baked and cooled, the children or teens can add red gel icing to the tips of the fingers, around each nail, and to the ends of the wrist. Party guests will be thrilled when they see these bloody severed hands displayed at a Halloween event.

Of course, Halloween cookies do not have to be unhealthy to be delicious and fun. With a little planning and thought, even cookies can be somewhat nutritious. Pumpkin cookies are a great idea, and most cookie recipes will work just as well if the baker substitutes applesauce for up to half of the fat in the recipe. Many cookie recipes can be made using olive oil rather than vegetable oil without affecting the taste, and honey makes an excellent sweetener. Almonds and walnuts are healthy additions to cookie batter or can be used as a part of the decorating process, and raisins or chopped apples work as well. Some recipes work well with just egg whites and egg substitute will sometimes work as well.

Why not set aside a night for making Halloween cookies with the whole family this year? Creating these spooky treats with the kids could be the start of a new tradition that can be passed down through future generations of young ghouls and goblins for a howling good time.

Nothing sets the mood for a good Halloween party like the perfect background music. Whether one is giving a children’s party, a Halloween dance for adults, or a family party which combines the two, choosing the right music is important, and with the help of the internet, it does not have to be expensive. Several searches will result in some classic Halloween songs that will keep everyone in frighteningly good spirits and can be downloaded without any charge. In fact, if the right Halloween songs are playing, some of the guests might begin to spontaneously sing along, creating an impromptu karaoke contest. 

Some of the most popular Halloween songs include the following: 

• Ghostbusters Theme Song

• The Adam’s Family Theme Song

• Phantom of the Opera

• Jaws Theme Song

• Casper the Friendly Ghost

• Bewitched

• Twilight Zone Theme Song

• Monster Mash

• Witchy Woman

• Dark Shadows Theme Song 

Versions of these songs may be available as free downloads or found on inexpensive Halloween greatest hits CDs, but some are more appropriate for adults than children. Other Halloween songs with lyrics that might work well for teenagers include “Thriller,” “Diary of a Madman,” ”Frankenstein,” and “Black Sabbath.” Guests this age might also enjoy “Devil with a Blue Dress On,” “Funeral March,” and “Werewolves of London.” Making a soundtrack with these Halloween songs will add to the mood of the festivities and keep everyone involved. 

For even more fun, a spooky play list of top Halloween songs and videos from Youtube might be running in the background. These might include “The Zombie Song,” by Stephanie Mabey, “Arachnitect,” by Kristin Lawrence, or some of the soundtrack and songs taken from the various Goonies movies. Kids might appreciate the music of M. Ryan Taylor, such as “Skin and Bones” or “I Bought Me a Cat.”

 Toddlers need Halloween songs that are simple and repetitive. An online search will reveal dozens of Halloween songs that can be quickly taught to preschoolers, and most of them have entertaining hand motions. In this way, toddlers can make their own Halloween music without scaring themselves. Some of the songs with the lyrics available online are as follows:

 • Three Little Witches

• Three Little Ghosts

• Big Orange Pumpkin

• Bats in a Tree

• Ring Around the Pumpkin

• The Ghosts Go Flying One by One

• Itsy, Bitsy, Spider

 Most of the music for these lyrics is based on well-known melodies that young children pick up quite well.

The best Halloween song choices will make the games more fun and the party memorable for the guests. Once the theme for the party has been decided, head to the nearest computer and find appropriate Halloween songs or greatest hits compilation albums that will keep the guests humming long after the party is over and have them begging to be invited back to next year’s Halloween event.

Going trick or treating at Halloween is something most kids love to do.  It can be great fun to get dressed up in costumes and go door to door after dark, collecting candy.  However, it’s important for trick or treaters to stay safe and follow some commonsense guidelines.  Here are some trick or treat safety tips for parents, to help you make sure your children stay safe and have fun this Halloween night.

The Route

Choose a route in a local area that you know well and plan it in advance, so you know exactly where to take the your group of children.  Stick to well-lit sidewalks and driveways, and don’t take shortcuts across lawns, front yards or along dark alleyways.  Walk together as a group and don’t allow kids to run, in case they trip or run in front of a car.  Avoid trick or treating at homes without lights, as this is usually a sign that the occupant doesn’t want to be disturbed.  Never enter a stranger’s house, even if they invite you to step inside whilst they get the treats.

Time

It’s sensible not to stay out trick or treating too late at night (after 9pm) as this may annoy your neighbors as well as tire the children.  Local communities often organise Halloween events and activities, so check if there are designated trick or treating times for your neighborhood.

Age

Kids and tweens should have at least one responsible adult with them when trick or treating.  If you are planning on going in a big group, try to get some other adults, such as other parents, to help you out. 

Teens may be old enough to go on their own.  However, if you decide to allow this, make sure you know what route they are taking, make sure they carry a cell phone in case of emergency and have a set curfew for them to return home.

Costumes

Be practical when choosing your kids costumes.  They will be walking some distance in them so they need to be comfortable.  Although kids love to dress as witches or wizards, it’s best to stay away from very long outfits or cloaks that drag on the ground, as they could get caught on objects or cause a child to trip and fall.

If a costume involves wearing a Halloween mask, check the eye holes are large enough for your child to see out properly and that the mask doesn’t restrict breathing.

Plan costumes according to the weather in your local area to make sure your children don’t overheat or get too cold.

Footwear

Unless you’re driving round the trick or treat route, there will usually be a lot of walking involved.  Kids and any accompanying adults should wear comfortable shoes that won’t hurt their feet.  Girls who want to wear high heels or boys that want to wear big boots can do so at a party afterwards or another day.

Visibility

Each kid should carry a flashlight or wear something highly visible as part of their costume, such as glow in the dark jewellery or shoes with lights, so passing cars (and the adults in charge) can see them.

Props

A lot of kids Halloween costumes involve props, usually made from lightweight plastic.  Make sure any props are unlikely to cause injury of a child falls and make sure no one carries a joke plastic weapon such as a gun or knife that could cause offence.

Containers

Be careful when choosing buckets, tins or goody bags for carrying treats.  Make sure the containers you use are convenient and comfortable to carry, and not too bulky or heavy.

Treats

It’s tradition for people to give candy, or sometimes homemade cupcakes or biscuits, as treats.  Check what your children have received before letting them eat it.  Throw away any unwrapped candy in case it’s been tampered with, and unless you know the person who made them, throw away any homemade treats too.  There will still be plenty of treats left to go around!

You may want to take charge of carrying the treats yourself, so your kids don’t eat too many sweet, sugary foods at once.

Food

So kids are less tempted to devour all their treats in one go, it’s a good idea to feed them a proper meal before trick or treating.

Bathroom Stops

It’s advisable to make sure every child visits the bathroom before going trick or treating.  It’s also a good idea to arrange in advance somewhere for kids to use the bathroom on the route, such as another parent’s house. 

Pets

If you encounter any dogs or cats when trick or treating, it’s best that the kids don’t try to stroke them in case they are spooked by their costumes and try to bite a child.

It may seem like there are a lot of safety tips and rules here, but really they are just sensible precautions to help your trick or treating go smoothly.  Halloween is a fun holiday that can be enjoyed by everyone, and with a little commonsense and forward planning you can ensure your kids stay safe whilst trick or treating this Halloween.

What is the history of Halloween?

Halloween is the second largest commercial holiday in the US today, but have you ever wondered where it all began and how the tradition of Halloween started?  Why is Halloween celebrated on 31st October?  Where does the name come from? 

Here we hope to provide answers to some of your questions about Halloween and explain the origins of some of the most popular traditions.

Where did the holiday of Halloween originate?

The Celts

Halloween actually has Celtic origins.  The Celts were an ancient people who lived around 2000 years ago in the countries we now call the UK, Ireland and northern France.  The Celtic New Year was 1^st November, which signified the start of the winter and the end of the summer.  The night before, 31^st October, was the Celtic festival of the dead, called Samhain, when it was believed ghosts and spirits of the dead came back to earth and helped the Druids (the Celtic priests) make their prophecies for the future.  This is where the date of Halloween being celebrated on 31^st October comes from.

To celebrate Samhain, the Celtic people dressed up in costumes, to disguise themselves from malevolent beings from the underworld, and burned sacrificial crops and animals on special bonfires lit by the Druids, in attempts to ward off evil spirits.  Afterwards, they used the flames from the bonfires to light the fires in their homes.

The Romans

When the Romans arrived in the Celtic areas, they incorporated some of their traditional festivals with Samhain.  One of these Roman festivals was Feralia, which remembered the dead.  The other was a celebration of Pomona, the goddess of fruit and trees, which may be where the traditional Halloween game of apple bobbing has its origins.

Christianity

Next the Christians came along and in 837 AD Pope Gregory IV adopted 1^st November as All Saints Day, remembering saints and martyrs.  This day was also known as All Hallows.  Samhain, on 31^st October, became known as All Hallows Eve, which is where the word Halloween comes from.  The meaning of Halloween translates as All Hallows Eve, or hallowed (holy) evening.

Later, the Christian church designated 2^nd November All Souls Day, in memory of the dead.  These three dates were collectively known as Hallowmas.  The people celebrated by wearing costumes of saints, angels and devils and by having bonfires.

Why do we celebrate Halloween today?

Although it is no longer a religious holiday, people still celebrate Halloween today because the early settlers to America brought their European Halloween customs with them.  In colonial times New England was a strict Protestant area, so Halloween wasn’t celebrated widely there.  However, there were Halloween festivities in Maryland and the southern colonies, which were combined with autumn harvest festivals, where people had parties and told ghost stories.

When a lot of Irish and Scottish immigrants arrived in America from the mid 1800s onwards, they brought their traditions with them, such as Halloween costumes, jack o lanterns and trick or treating.

By the end of the 19^th century and the start of the 20^th century, Halloween parties that involved both adults and children, seasonal foods and party games, became common.  Halloween became more a community holiday than a religious or superstitious festival.  Over the last century Halloween has evolved to become the huge American tradition it is today.

What countries celebrate Halloween?

Halloween is not celebrated in all countries or cultures.  The biggest Halloween celebrations are in North America – the United States and Canada.  Halloween is also widely celebrated in some other western countries, particularly Ireland and Britain.  It has been celebrated in Mexico since around the 1960s, with the American influence combining with the traditional Days of the Dead holiday.  In several other countries, such as Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, Halloween has grown in popularity in recent years due to the commercial influence from America.

Why won’t some Christians celebrate Halloween?

Different Christians have very different views about Halloween.  Some Christians choose not to celebrate Halloween because they believe it is connected to the occult and has evil, satanic origins.  Others reject it because it originates from a pagan festival.  However, many Christians see it as a harmless, secular holiday and a fun event for children.

Other Halloween Trivia

What phobia do you suffer from if you have an intense fear of Halloween?

Samhainophobia

What did you supposedly have to do to meet a witch on Halloween?

It was a popular belief that if you wore your clothes inside out and walked backwards on Halloween you could meet a witch.

Where does trick or treating come from?

The popular Halloween activity of trick or treating probably has its origins in Celtic times, when it was believed that on the festival of Samhain mischievous spirits went from house to house and begged for food, playing tricks on people who didn’t leave food or wine for them.

The Christian church in England tried to replace this ancient pagan belief by beginning All Souls Day parades, encouraging people to give “soul cakes” to the poor if they promised to pray for their dead relatives.

Nowadays candy is given out at Halloween as treats for kids who go door to door in their neighborhood trick or treating.

Why are pumpkins associated with Halloween?

Traditionally in Ireland, Jack o lanterns were carved from turnips, not pumpkins.  They were lit with candles or burning coal and placed in windows or porches at Halloween to welcome the spirits of dead loved ones and to protect against evil spirits.

In America, the early Irish settlers began to use pumpkins instead of turnips, as pumpkins were in season in October and would have just been harvested.

Here we’ve got some interesting articles about things related to Halloween, such as where traditions such as jack o lanterns come from and other trivia, as well as trick or treating safety tips.

History of Halloween & Other Trivia

Find out about the ancient origins of why we celebrate Halloween and learn some interesting facts about some of the traditions associated with this holiday.

Trick or Treat Safety Tips

Thinking of taking your kids trick or treating?  Read our tips on staying safe this Halloween.

Anyone can go to a department store and buy a fancy dress costume, but no store-bought outfit packs quite the punch of a unique and interesting homemade Halloween costume. Nowadays with the economical situation of most families, any where to save a dollar is welcomed, and with pricey Halloween costumes this is no exception. Plain clothes and normal outfits can be transformed into unusual works of art with zany themes and crazy ideas. And as the holiday is no longer only reserved for children, men and women are joining the fun and dressing up in joke outfits for Halloween parties. So what are some fun ideas that can transform into Halloween costumes for adults and kids?

Caught in a tornado

Add craft wire to clothes and accessories so they appear to be blown in the wind; add leaves and other items attached by the wire to the clothing to make it more interesting.

#1 Ceiling Fan

For newborn babies who are too young to wear bulky costumes, take a white onesie or t-shirt and a black marker and write “#1 ceiling fan” on the front to make a hilarious and sporty last minute outfit for a baby boy or girl.

Kissing Booth

Take a large empty cardboard box and cut a hole for the person to slide the box over them. Attach a couple of straps to the front and back, like suspenders, for the box to rest on the shoulders. Write “Kissing Booth $1” on the front. Have the person wear red lipstick and pucker up! This would be great for someone who is pregnant as the box will sit comfortably on their expanded belly while concealing it at the same time.

American Gothic

For couples, this is an artistic representation that is easy and quick. All that is required is a pitch fork, rake or some other garden tool; a pair of glasses; a pair of overalls and a dark coat for the gentleman; and a dark apron for the missus — all of which could easily be adapted or you could borrow from a neighbor or friend if you are missing an item or two. A cult classic, this typical working couples’ costume will make quite the prize winning pair at any party.

Lady Gaga

Young women will go gaga for this one! Wear a one piece bathing suit, any color fishnet stockings, a brightly colored wig, a man’s suit jacket and some heels, and you are set for the evening. Get ready for the paparazzi to take pictures galore as this Halloween costume will definitely attract attention.

Halloween is considered to be the funnest holiday of the year, filled with funky costumes that show off personality and the inner child in everyone. By choosing to wear a one of a kind outfit for this holiday you are displaying ingenuity and real character. Everyone will love to see what you are wearing and will have a laugh once they see the artistic edge of your funny Halloween costume – and you may even win a prize for the best or most original idea.

When planning a Halloween party, what’s the one thing that has to be absolutely perfect for everything else to be effective? Lighting. Whether creepy, fun or geared toward a theme, imaginative use of lights will have guests dying to come back. Here are tips for setting the right mood.

Outdoor Lighting

As guests arrive at the start of the night, the proper lighting of lawn decorations and outside props is important. Too much light, and the atmosphere is not properly scary. Too little, and the guests won’t be able to admire the props.

Colored Lights

Rather than use normal bulbs for flood lights, purchase blue, orange, red or green colored bulbs. These give a spooky effect, especially if combined with a fog machine. Take care to camouflage them.

Blue – Use especially for anything ghostly, such as a cemetery, and displays of ghosts and ghouls.

Red – Goes well with devilish themes, witches or vampires.

Green – Gives alien themes or props an eerie, not-from-this world glow.

Amber – Highlights pumpkin patches.

Angles

Do not simply shine the lights directly on props. Use different angles and back lighting to create shadows. If trees are available, set a light in it and point down on the scene. In a cemetery setting, a light might be placed behind one of the tombstones.

Strobe Lights

They can disorient, and, if used properly, will make stationary objects appear to be moving.

Rope Lights

These can be strung to highlight a pathway, or porch entrance, for guests or around the outside of a scene, providing a little extra illumination to a certain area.

Solar Lights

The glow from everyday solar lights can add to the ambience.

Indoor Lighting

It can be difficult to balance between dark enough to set the scene and making it impossible for guests to find their way around. These tricks can help.

Black lights

Florescent tube black lights can be used in darkened areas to give off some light with a spooky, purplish tinge. Also, by using neon chalk or paint, arrows or other markings can be used to show the way to areas of the party, or to display creepy messages. Parts of indoor props can also be painted with neon glow paint to illuminate them.

Colored Bulbs

Put them into normal fixtures in certain areas, including the bathroom, to provide light while maintaining the setting. Red is always a good one to use because of the devilish connotations. Blue and green bulbs are another option.

SpecialtyLights

Strings of lights in Halloween colors can be hung around the party or in windows to highlight decor, but there are also strings of illuminated spiders, skeletons and pumpkins, just to name a few, available. Small, battery-operated LEDs can be used as creatures’ eyes.

The right lighting at a Halloween party can make the props, decorations, sound effects and music all the more creepy. Using these tips, and some imagination, will ensure guests have a frightfully good time.