Halloween-o-Pedia

New Halloween Site Is Up!

2010-06-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

I've finally got my new Halloween-o-Pedia site ready! For lots more articles about all aspects of Halloween (with many more to come), check it out at http://www.halloweenopedia.com/

Adult pumpkin carving ideas for Halloween

2007-10-25T00:58:00.000-07:00

If you want some pumpkin carving ideas for Halloween, but are bored with the usual Halloween pumpkin designs, here's something a little different...

http://cityrag.blogs.com/main/2007/10/pumpkin-carving.html

Basic Instructions - How to Deal with Trick-or-Treaters at Halloween

2007-10-15T00:18:00.000-07:00

I'm a fan of Scott Meyer's 'Basic Instructions' comic strip. The latest, Halloween-themed, issue is entitled How to Deal with Trick-or-Treaters.

Simple Halloween Pumpkin Painting Ideas

2007-10-11T08:07:00.000-07:00

(article reprinted with permission)

With each annual visit to the pumpkin patch, teachers, room mothers, scout troop leaders and parents alike often wonder how to make the most of the prize pumpkin that was chosen by a child.

Forget the messy and dangerous ideas of carving. Pumpkin Painting is the perfect solution to a creative dilemma!

Painting silly, goofy or scary faces or other designs can be a fun, yet relatively simple activity for children and adults.

Preschool age children can even participate in creating their own designs for their pumpkins. You certainly can't say that about carving pumpkins!

The easiest design to paint on a pumpkin is a traditional jack-o-lantern face. But here are some other ideas for festive designs:

- silly or goofy faces
- favorite cartoon characters
- fall leaves
- scarecrow
- witch
- princess
- turkey
- spider
- ghosts
- cats
- goblin

Painting pumpkins is a very economical craft as most supplies are readily available (you probably already have some of these in your home):

- washable markers
- acrylic craft paints
- newspaper
- spray sealer
- accessories such as raffia, jewelry, hats, etc.

Before beginning, decide what design you are going to paint and trace that design onto a clean pumpkin. You can freehand the design or select one of the many designs in the ultimate e-guide for pumpkin painting, Easy Pumpkin Painting.

Once you or your child has painted their first pumpkin, chances are you’ll want to paint an entire pumpkin family to proudly display at your home.

Pumpkin Painting is an annual family tradition at our house. We hope it will be at yours as well.

Easy Pumpkin Painting is a guide that contains step-by-step instructions and color photographs of exactly how to paint the cutest Halloween pumpkins. It also contains templates that you can use to paint your first pumpkin in about an hour! Easy Pumpkin Painting makes painting pumpkins, well, Easy!

Halloween Around the World: Scotland

2007-10-04T02:13:00.000-07:00

Halloween originated with the Celtic celebration of Samhain, which marked the end of the six months of light, and the beginning of the six months of darkeness, and of the Celtic new year. Since then, practices from other cultures have become intermixed with the original Celtic traditions, and Halloween today is something of a mishmash of culturally diverse elements. But regional Halloween traditions do still vary quite a bit, and this series of posts will look at some of the unique ways in which Halloween is celebrated around the world, beginning with Halloween in Scotland.

Some popular Scottish Halloween traditions and games include the following (some of which are also common to other areas, under different names):

Dooking/Dookin' apples in a tin bath. Each person takes a turn at trying to catch the apples in their mouth, and keeps and eats those that they catch. A variation of this game is forking for apples, where the participants hold a fork between their teeth, and attempt to spear the apples with it. The game is possibly related to the old practice of dunking suspected witches in water. Apples are also sacred to pagans and druids, and thus have special relevance to this time of year.

Another popular game involves covering scones in treacle and hanging them from a piece of string, then trying to eat the scone off the string with your hands behind your back.

Turnip lanterns - also known as neepy lanterns (or neepy candles) - are the Celtic equivalent of pumpkin lanterns, and consist of a hollowed out turnip carved with a scary face and illuminated with a candle. These were originally intended to scare off the evil spirits that were believed to be especially prevalent at this time of year. The tradition may have originated with the practice of placing human skulls on sticks around tribal encampments in ancient times, again in an effort to scare away evil spirits and enemies.

'Guising' involves children going from house to house dressed as witches or ghosts, and carrying turnip lanterns. Unlike the American practice of trick or treating however, they must provide some form of entertainment such as a song or joke in exchange for an apple, nuts or sweets, and no trick is played if the householder doesn't wish to participate.

Rituals involving fire were an important part of Celtic Samhain (known in Scottish Gaelic as Samhuinn) festivities, and it was traditional to have bonfires on Halloween, and some people still do this today (although many now prefer to wait until November 5th).

Some of Scotland's Halloween traditions have also been immortalised in poetry, such as Burns' Tam O'Shanter and Halloween.

Want Spooky Halloween Eyes? - Try Theatrical Contact Lenses

2007-09-30T05:32:00.001-07:00

Dressing up for Halloween is great fun, but why stop with your clothes? Your eyes are one of the first things people notice when they meet you, so to really get the maximum effect from your Halloween costume, try dressing up your eyeballs with some scary contact lenses.

Theatrical contact lenses have been used in the entertainment industry for decades, and are now available at affordable prices to the general public too. Special effects contact lenses are widely available online, but you should look for a reputable retailer (try looking for reviews on google to see what kind of experiences others have had with them), and be aware that you get what you pay for; it's better to pay a little extra for high quality lenses that will last longer and be better for your eyes. In some countries (including the US) you will need a prescription from an optometrist before you can buy theatircal lenses, even if you don't need lenses for vision correction purposes - this is to ensure that the lenses will fit your eyes correctly.

There are many suitably scary designs to choose from. With designs like decomposing eyeballs, mirrors, slitted pupils, irises in every colour imaginable and much more, you're sure to find something to match your Halloween costume.

Recommeded retailers of high quality theatrical Halloween lenses include FX Eyes (in the US) and Coastal Contact (in the UK).

Avoiding Trick-or-Treaters this Halloween

2007-09-27T08:24:00.001-07:00

Some people don't like Halloween much. And some people may enjoy most aspects of it, but don't especially like having their peace and privacy invaded by hordes of trick-or-treaters. What many children and parents see as harmless fun, can seem more like begging with menaces to those on the receiving end. Here are a few tips (some tongue in cheek!) to make it easier to avoid them:

You could try putting up a sign on your door or at the bottom of the driveway making it clear that they aren't welcome (but be aware that some may take this as an invitation to 'trick' you). To really get the point across, try claiming that the inhabitants of your house have a life-threatening and highly contagious illness.

If you know anyone with an especially loud and ferocious-looking dog, this could be a good time to invite them over for a visit.

Local authorities have found that classical music played loudly in public areas deters vandals and rowdy teenagers - perhaps the same tactic might work on their younger trick-or-treating counterparts too!

A few biohazard stickers posted prominently around the property can work wonders ; )

If you're not averse to giving treats, but simply don't want to be disturbed, try leaving a box of treats at the bottom of the driveway so they can help themselves (of course this carries the risk that the first few might make off with it all!)

Try giving out treats that nobody in their right mind would want. Word will soon get around.

Deter them with smell - try spreading some manure around the boundaries of your property, or place a big pile by the front door.

Be elsewhere - not being at home is the easiest way to avoid them. But of course you shouldn't feel obliged to go out if you weren't planning to do so anyway. You could also appear to be out by turning off house lights that are visible from the entrance, and if you have heavy curtains, ensure they are firmly closed.

The easiest way - simply don't answer the door! You're under no obligation to answer if you don't want to.

And on a serious note - while trick or treaters may be annoying, most are harmless young children, who are accompanied by their parents, and do not pose any real threat. But sometimes older children and teenagers use the occasion as an excuse for anti-social behaviour. You should always report any such incidents to the police.

Halloween is a fun time of year, but that doesn't mean you should feel peer-pressured into going along with other people's rituals if you don't want to - and that includes trick-or-treating.

Pumpkin Decorating Ideas for Halloween - Overview

2007-09-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

Decorating your Halloween pumpkin is one of the most fun aspects of Halloween, and in later posts I'll explore some pumpkin decorating ideas in more detail. This post gives a brief overview of the different general techniques you can use to create a Halloween pumpkin decoration or lantern.

1. Carved Halloween Pumpkins

Carved pumpkins are the best known type of Halloween pumpkin decoration. The basic idea is simple - you cut off the top (or bottom) of the pumpkin, scrape out the flesh, and cut a scary face or other design into the pumpkin's surface. The pumpkin is then illuminated from within using a candle or electric light.

Although faces are the most common type of carved pumpkin design, many people decorate their pumpkins with other images such as cats, spiders, words, abstract patterns, etc. Your imagination (and skill level - some of these carved pumpkins are real works of art!) is the limit here!

There's a huge amount of free (and paid for) info about pumpkin online - a nice site to start with is http://www.pumpkin-carving.com/

2. Pumpkin Painting

Carved pumpkins look great, but they can be difficult to make, and there may be safety issues, especially if children want to get involved. Or maybe you just fancy doing something a bit different? In which case, you might like to paint your Halloween pumpkin. Painted pumpkins look fantastically vibrant, can be made easily by all ages, and designs can be as simple or as complex as you like, so don't be put off if you think you can't paint! If you'd like to find out more about pumpkin painting, click here to check out Pumpkin Painting, Anyone Can Do It. Really! This handy guide comes with lots of information about other Halloween crafts, games and recipes too.

3. Extra Pumpkin Embellishments

So you've carved and/or painted your pumpkin, but you don't have to stop there! If you want to pimp your pumpkin to the max, try gluing on some extra decorations, such as glitter, sequins, collage pictures and other bits and pieces (be careful if you use flammable materials). By adding a few glitzy extras, you can really make your pumpkin stand out from the crowd!

More Halloween pumpkin decorating ideas coming up soon!

Halloween Pumpkin Heaven - Squidoo Lens

2007-09-21T03:08:00.001-07:00

Halloween-o-Pedia has a new Squidoo lens all about pumpkins, called Halloween Pumpkin Heaven - check it out!

http://www.squidoo.com/halloweenpumpkinheaven/

7 Facts About Halloween

2007-09-20T05:31:00.000-07:00

Fear of Halloween is known as 'Samhainophobia' (Halloween was originally called 'Samhain' by the ancient Celts).

Halloween only became a holiday in America in the early 19th century. Before this, it was frowned upon somewhat by the Puritan tradition.

Halloween originated among the Celtic peoples of Ireland and Britain.

Halloween costumes and masks only became commonplace in the first half of the 20th century, although the practice of wearing them has ancient roots. Ancient Celts used to wear masks to avoid being recognised as human by the spirits that were believed to roam the earth on Halloween night.

The carved pumpkin is one of the most well-known and popular Halloween symbols. However, the practice only began in mid-19th century America; before this, in Europe, large turnips and swedes were carved to make Halloween lanterns.

Halloween is traditionally associated with the colours of black and orange. Black symbolises death, and orange is reminiscent of pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns, fire and autumn (fall) leaves.

Black cats, another popular Halloween symbol, used to be associated with witches, who were believed to keep them as 'familiars'. Some ignorant people thought that the cats were demons in disguise, and aided the witches with their magic.

Halloween Party Recipe Ideas

2007-09-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

In common with most holidays and festivals, there are particular foods that are traditionally associated with Halloween. Candy apples (also known as toffee apples) are a popular Halloween snack, as is candy corn (pictured), pumpkin pie, apple cider and roasted pumpkin seeds. In Ireland, it was (and still is) traditional to bake a 'barmbrack', a type of cake in which a ring is placed before it is baked. The belief was that the person who finds the ring will meet the love of their life within the coming year.

If you're hosting or attending a Halloween party, it's great to offer some of these seasonal foods. One site which has a great selection of fun and easy to make Halloween party recipes is Halloween Kitchen, which shows you how to make Bloodied Popcorn, Pumpkin Punch, and Gingerbread Corpses among other appetising dishes. Halloween Kitchen also provides tips about setting a Halloween table, so if you're preparing for your Halloween celebrations this year, check out these fun Halloween party recipe ideas today!

Halloween Decorating Ideas - 7 Easy Tips

2007-09-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

Halloween decorations are extremely popular, and whether you prefer to make your own decorations or buy them in the store, this is a great time to get creative and let your imagination run wild! Here are a few easy and inexpensive Halloween decorating ideas to make your home look extra-festive this year.

Dot some Halloween candle holders around the house for an easy way to get that spooky vibe after dark. Halloween candle holders are often take the form of Halloween creatures like ghosts, bats or spiders. Some Halloween candle holders are beautifully wrought old-style lanterns that add a gothic touch. And of course some take the shape of the ubiquitous Halloween pumpkins!

Pick up a few rubber bats and spiders and hang them around the house. They're especially effective in doorways, where the unwary walk straight into them!

For an extra-scary touch, make your own indoor or outdoor graveyard with some fake tombstones!

Halloween just isn't Halloween without a carved pumpkin or two (or more...). You can make your own Halloween pumpkin by following one of the many patterns that are available for free online. Or why not improvise, and come up with your own original design? Then stick a candle in the middle, and you're done! Carved halloween pumpkins make excellent table centerpieces, or you can dot them around your house and garden for extra effect.

If you like pumpkins but want something a bit different, try painting your pumpkin instead. A hand-painted Halloween pumpkin makes a fantastic centerpiece as well, and is sure to attract plenty of admiring comments. Children love to make them too! Don't worry if you think you can't paint - just click here to check out Pumpkin Painting, Anyone Can Do It. Really!, and find out how straightforward it really is to make your own painted Halloween pumpkin. And of course, you could make your pumpkin extra-special by both carving and painting it!

For a bit of 'aural decoration', try playing some spooky music or pick up a Halloween sound effects CD - these feature plenty of suitably scary sounds, such as banging, screaming, thunder and lighting etc - just what you need for that extra bit of Halloween ambience!

Try stringing some Halloween 'fairy lights' around your house or garden. These are similar to the Christmas variety, but commonly feature lights in Halloween colours like orange and purple.

What is Halloween anyway?

2007-08-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

The history of Halloween is a huge topic that would fill a few books, so this is just a brief intro - more details to come on the main Halloween-o-Pedia site soon!

Halloween is a holiday that is celebrated on October 31. These days Halloween is a hugely popular, and most people associate it with scary-faced pumpkins, black cats, witches, and the like. Halloween is an ancient tradition that has long been celebrated, although many of the rituals and symbols that we associate with it today, such as the carved Halloween pumpkin, are relatively new (turnips were traditionally used for lanterns, not pumpkins).

Halloween originated as a pagan festival with the Celtic populations of Great Britain and Ireland. The name 'Halloween' is a shortened version of the original 'All-hallow-even' or (in Ireland) 'All Hallows' Eve' - a reference to the fact that it was followed on November 1 by All Hallows Day, which was an important time of celebration for pagans in northern Europe (it is now also known to Christians as All Saints Day).

Halloween wasn't celebrated in the US until the 19th century, when Irish, and later Scottish, immigrants brought the festival to America. Today it is a major celebration in the US, with lots of parties and other celebrations for young and old alike, including fancy dress and the popular 'trick or treating' ritual carried out by children. Although Halloween is primarily a western phenomenon, it is becoming increasingly popular in other parts of the world too, largely as a result of the influence of the American media.

The 'supernatural' aspect of Halloween comes from the belief held by many European traditions that at this time of year, spells are particularly potent, and the barrier between the physical and spirit worlds is less pronounced than usual, meaning that spirits can more easily make contact with physical humans. A few Halloween symbols are as ancient as the original beliefs, but commercial interests have seized upon such ideas and popularised themas well as inventing new 'traditions' of their own - and today you can buy a huge range of 'spooky' Halloween paraphanalia for decorating your house or party, as well as witches outfits and other fancy dress items.

Modern Halloween celebrations include such activities as parties, trick-or-treating, the consumption of particular foods such as candy (US), pumpkin pie, toffee apples etc, parades, ghost stories, horror movies and games such as divination or bobbing for apples.

One thing is for sure - whatever the regional variations, Halloween is a time of great fun with a very interesting history!

Welcome to Halloween-o-Pedia!

2007-08-21T01:47:00.000-07:00

This site is dedicated to Halloween in all its aspects, from the fun to the seriously scary! Here you'll find a wealth of information about Halloween, including articles about the history of Halloween, the various ways in which it is celebrated around the world, ideas for Halloween parties, costumes and decorations, and info about traditions such as the Halloween pumpkin. You'll also find out lots about the cast of characters that make Halloween such fun - the ghosts, ghouls, zombies, fairies, werewolves, vampires, demons, owls, bats, zombies and the other charming denizens of the Halloween universe!

The main Halloween-o-Pedia website is under development and coming soon. In the meantime, lots of new material will be added here, so stay tuned for updates!

Privacy Policy

2007-08-01T10:45:00.000-07:00

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