#Halloween is a magical event for kids, with free candy and dress-up fun. Make sure your trick-or-treaters are safe on the sidewalks and streets, says the National Safety Council. A costume shouldn’t be a safety hazard, so choose costumes, wigs and accessories that are fire-resistant. If #children are going out after dark, fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags, or give them glowsticks. Choose nontoxic makeup instead of masks, which can obscure vision, and remove makeup before bed to prevent eye and skin irritation. Children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween, so have a responsible adult accompany young children on their rounds.
Tag: Halloween
Why Fall Is America’s Favorite Season
Fall begins on Saturday, Sept. 23, and four out of 10 U.S. residents couldn’t be happier. That’s right: According to a 2022 Morning Consult survey of more than 2,000 Americans, 41% named fall as their favorite season.
Spring and summer tied for second place, with 24% each, and winter (perhaps not surprisingly) garnered only 11%. Women, Midwesterners and Southerners, and Gen X were the biggest fans of fall; interestingly, Gen Z is the only demographic to like winter second-best.
What contributes to fall’s popularity? Sociologically speaking, the season is associated with many temporal landmarks, sociologist Kathryn Lively told HuffPost. Temporal landmarks are significant dates such as birthdays, holidays and other events that structure perceptions of time.
Fall birthdays are commonplace in the U.S., and events such as the start of school, Halloween, Thanksgiving and even homecoming provide people with fond memories that carry through to the annual change of seasons.
Survey respondents listed any number of justifications for their fall fandom. Almost two-thirds of those who named it as their favorite season (63%) said they enjoy seeing the leaves change color; more than half (58%) highlighted the Thanksgiving holiday.
Fall’s crisper weather (56%), fall foods (50%) and fall clothing (44%) also made the list, followed by Halloween (41%) and football (37%). In a poke at pumpkin spice lattés, only 32% named fall-inspired beverages.
But it’s more likely that positive emotions and memories drive people’s feelings for fall. More than two-thirds of those surveyed said they feel “happy,” “content,” “excited,” “optimistic” and “nostalgic” in autumn. It’s a time for people to turn to comforts like sweaters and a hearty meal.
As you get your fall #clothing out this year, take stock of what you really need and wear, and #donate any extras to ClothingDonations.org. You’ll be sharing those good fall feelings with #veterans nationwide.
Make Lighting Spooky for Halloween
If you’re decorating for Halloween on a budget, consider the lighting, Today says. Create a spooky atmosphere with candles, a green or black-light bulb, or mini lights strung strategically on your prop skeleton or scarecrow. Successful decorating schemes often follow a theme (classics include zombie, werewolf, witch and mummy) and include only a few large items. Add a little yellow caution tape, a few plastic skulls and a plastic tombstone, and you’ll be set! If you like the way your display turns out, pack it neatly away next week and build upon it next year. #HalloweenDecorating
Decorate for Halloween on the Cheap
Giving away candy and hosting a #Halloween party can get expensive. But it’s easy to #decorate on the cheap with a little creativity and a few hacks. Depending on your guests, you can make a pumpkin do double duty as a candy bowl or wine bucket, HGTV says. Household items can be repurposed quickly, too: Make bloodshot eyes out of Ping Pong balls and spider webs out of rope. Cut a bunch of bats out of black construction paper, or cover everything in fake spider webs and plastic spiders from the dollar store. Let the Halloween spirit(s) move you — without spending too much. #HalloweenDecorating
Stylish Halloween Decorating Ideas
If your #Halloween #decorating goal is more stylish than scary, try a few of Good Housekeeping’s 75 DIY ideas. Leave bottles of magic potions around or make your chairs into tombstones. Weave a wreath of rubber snakes or create a pumpkin diorama. Make a gallery wall of haunted black-and white photos or create a bubbling witch’s cauldron out of a beverage tub and some dry ice. Look for inspiration and supplies at the thrift stores supplied by your generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org, and you can #help a #veteran while you celebrate or pass out candy. #HalloweenDecorating