Vintage Halloween Decorations - Hard Plastic Halloween Decorations and Toys

One of the most popular categories of collectible vintage Halloween decorations is the hard plastic decorations and toys that were manufactured from the 1940s and onwards. It's primarily the vintage plastic items that are of interest to collectors, so you will mostly want to take a look at products made in the Forties and Fifties, but some later finds from the Sixties and beyond are certainly interesting as well if you want to put together a fun and whimsical collection.

Some of the brand names to take note of are Irwin, Knickerbocker, Rosen, Rosbro and Union Products, but they aren't even close to being the only companies making polystyrene and celluloid plastic novelty items for Halloween. They are just some of the most well known companies and therefore quite collectible.

\"Halloween Decorations\"

Examples of some of the vintage hard plastic Halloween decorations include items like blow mold pieces in various shapes - Jack O'Lanterns, witches, and black cats are popular (and frequently together in a single piece) and many of the Halloween blow molds light up, glowing orange, especially Jack O'Lanterns, of course, but there are all kinds of shapes that are turned into lanterns as well.

Vintage Halloween Decorations - Hard Plastic Halloween Decorations and Toys

But it isn't just the larger blow mold pieces that are popular. You'll also find lots of smaller items in hard plastic that are fun to collect. Look for party decorations such as cake picks, cake toppers and other small decorative pieces made to decorate cakes and cupcakes and other Halloween treats. You can also find Halloween drink stirrers for more adult parties too.

Also, keep on the lookout for hard plastic candy containers. In addition to the large ones designed for kids to take out trick or treating (the large Jack O'Lanterns with straps), there are lots of small candy containers designed for the table. You could arrange a whole collection of them on a shelf together.

In addition to items that are meant to be decorations, there are also lots of hard plastic Halloween toys. You can find lots of little roller toys that are in good condition, so if you're looking for a witch on roller skates you'll be sure to find her. Or maybe you want a ghost that pops out of a Jack O'Lantern to scare you.

Vintage Halloween Decorations - Hard Plastic Halloween Decorations and Toys

If you're new to collecting vintage Halloween decorations, including the hard plastic novelties, then you'll want to take a look at some guides to vintage Halloween collectibles for some help in putting your own perfect collection together. You can get an introduction to some of my favorite Halloween items to collect at: http://www.squidoo.com/vintagehalloweencollectibles

Emma Martin collections both Halloween and Christmas collectibles, especially from the mid-century modern era.

DIY Halloween Decorations

Halloween is an occasion that can be enjoyed by both adults and children. Most events and parties are for either children or grown ups. It rarely happens that all age groups can celebrate together. In this article we will focus on home made Halloween decorations and how to involve your children when making them.

Before we get started, it must be stressed that making Halloween decorations, costumes and accessories is not for everyone. If you do not enjoy using your creative talents then don't do it. It will only result in stress and arguments, you are much better off visiting an online shop that sells Halloween party supplies and getting everything delivered direct to your door. The selection is fantastic and you will save both time and money.

\"Halloween Decorations\"

No matter what type of decorations you decide to make there are certain "tools" and craft supplies you will need. Any house with children will probably have most of the items already but check before you tell the kids that they will be making Halloween decorations. Items that you will need include, safety scissors, glitter glue, Halloween confetti, water soluble markers, coloured card, pipe cleaners, assorted costume accessories such as wigs and face paints.

DIY Halloween Decorations

Once you have selected a Halloween party theme, for example scary spiders, you can then start thinking about specific designs. This is where the internet comes in handy. Just do a quick search for Halloween templates and you will get a huge selection of designs including spiders, bats and ghosts. It should take no more than half an hour.

Outdoor decorations are just as important as indoor versions at Halloween. Before you finalise the items you are going to make ensure that they are weatherproof if they are to be used outdoors. There is no point making decorations if they are going to dissolve in heavy rain.

After getting all the craft supplies ready and confirming the theme you will need some firm suggestions as to what to make. In our opinion, if you do nothing else then carve or decorate a pumpkin. Halloween would not be the same without a smiling / scary pumpkin in the window. If your children are young then decorating the pumpkin rather than carving it is definitely a better choice.

Before decorating the pumpkin make sure you select one that is nice and smooth. It will help when trying to draw a design on it. Don't forget to cut the top off and scrape out the inside. When cleaning out the pumpkin leave about 1/2" on the inside. You will need the pumpkin to remain rigid.

Pumpkins do not have to last a long time. They are usually prepared the week before Halloween and are left up for a few days after Halloween night. Even so it is a good idea to apply a base coat of orange paint. This is not so important if you are carving a face on the pumpkin but if you are drawing a design then having a well prepared and smooth surface will help make you design stand out.

By the time you have got a nice smooth pumpkin and applied a base coat you will be keen to get going on the actual design. The key to success is to keep it simple. Don't go for an intricate design. Remember you just want the kids to have fun, it is not a master's degree. You may want to trace the design onto the pumpkin yourself and then let the kids crack on with the colouring.

There is no end to the number and type of Halloween decorations you can make. Another idea that is relatively easy to do is candle decorating. Just as with decorating a pumpkin get a nice smooth pillar candle in either black or orange. The bigger the better. You can then follow the same system of tracing a design onto the candle using a template downloaded from the internet. It is then just a matter of colouring between the lines. For best effect you should dig down a few mm into the candle so the design will stand out.

Halloween is a fun time of year and all the activities associated with the occasion should reflect that. There should be no pressure on the kids, they should be given the freedom to decorate as they see fit. You may end up having to do ninety percent of the work yourself, particularly when very young children are involved, but once you plan for that there should be few surprises.

If you are not interested in arts and crafts then you will not be short of alternatives. Scene setters, pinatas, and costumes are just some of the Halloween party supplies that can be easily sourced online. Even if you go down the shop bought route don't assume that the decorations will magically jump out of the box. You will still need time to get the most from them and make sure you have the scariest house in the neighborhood.

DIY Halloween Decorations

Halloween party decorations are easy to make. Just make sure you have everything prepared well in advance. Alternatively you can purchase all your Halloween Party Supplies at party-shop.ie

7 Quick And Easy Halloween Decorations To Make For Your Classroom

Here are seven Halloween decorations you and your students can make quickly and easily. In most cases all you will need is some paper, glue and felt pens or paint.

1. Ghosts!

\"Halloween Decorations\"

Draw a large ghost on a piece of poster size card. This can be as simple as an upside down U shape with googly eyes and a zigzag mouth. Glue several white streamers to the bottom. Pin your giant ghost on the notice board for the class to see. Give each student a smaller version of your ghost printed on white A4 card. The students cut these out and glue white streamers to the bottom. Pin the smaller ghosts on the notice board as well. If there's room it's fun to add a speech balloon to each ghost.

7 Quick And Easy Halloween Decorations To Make For Your Classroom

2. Gravestones

Cut a gravestone out of cardboard. Leave a flap at the bottom that can be folded back. This needs to be about a quarter of the height of the gravestone. This will enable the gravestone to stand up. Paint the gravestone grey. Use a sponge or brush to paint darker grey patches. Use a sponge or toothbrush to add black speckles. Use a black felt pen to write a name, date and epitaph. If possible drape with cobwebs and add a spider or two.

3. Borders

Use repeating pictures or patterns to create borders for noticeboards, windows and displays. Print out a copy of the picture you want to use, for each student in the class. If possible, print on lightly colored paper (green, orange, yellow). This will help the pictures create a unified effect when they are lined up. Let your students color the pictures. If they all use the same medium the effect will be stronger (crayon, felt pen, pencil).

4. Raffia

String teased out raffia across a wall in the classroom. Sticky tape cut out pictures that your students have colored to the string, creating a pinched effect at the site of each picture. The rough texture of Raffia and the strings that fall down create a great effect.

5. Dead Tree

Use a dead tree branch to create a classroom display. Place a leafless tree branch in a bucket filled with sand or stones. This works best if you use one with several smaller branches on it. Spray paint it black or let a small group of students paint it black with brushes. Use string to hang pictures and decorations. Add cobwebs and spiders if possible.

6. Bats Everywhere!

Bats fly in large groups. Let your students paint (or color with crayons) a whole bunch of bats. These look great if you paste them to the wall. Have them coming through the door, up and across the wall and then up to the ceiling.

7. Paper Lantern

Make orange paper lanterns with black lanterns to hang on a string stretched across the classroom. To make the lantern, fold A4 paper in half lengthways. Then cut into the card starting at the fold and ending 1cm before the end of the paper. Continue making these cuts every 1cm.
Unfold the paper and glue the two short ends together. Cut a strip of paper to make a handle and glue this to the top of the lantern.

7 Quick And Easy Halloween Decorations To Make For Your Classroom

If you want free printable Halloween decorations head to http://www.free-teacher-worksheets.com/free-printable-halloween-decorations.html

If you want a wider range of free teacher resources head to http://www.free-teacher-worksheets.com/index.html

Halloween Porch Decorating Ideas to Wow Your Trick-Or-Treaters

The front porch is the focal point for Halloween decorating. Don't you think? Your porch can have just a touch of Halloween - jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin banner. Or your porch can be full-out haunted. Even I would not want to put foot on some of these creepy porches. Would you?

How do you decorate your porch to wow your trick-or-treaters?

\"Halloween Decorations\"

I have some fun and easy porch decorating ideas that both big and small kids will enjoy. Try these...

Halloween Porch Decorating Ideas to Wow Your Trick-Or-Treaters

• Ghosts never go out of style. Ghosts are not hard to make. Create ghosts that are "standing" on your porch or driveway by criss crossing two broom sticks or dowels. Then hang an old white sheet or white garbage bag from them. Draw ghost faces with black markers. Also create a few smaller ghosts (without the broom sticks) that are simply hung from the ceiling to sway in the breeze. Ewwwww!
• Use natural elements. Encircle your porch's columns with broom corn. Tie it snugly with dried willow sticks. Choose kale, gourds, squash and pumpkins that are unusual, bumpy, even ugly! Make spider webs from hemp fibers. Dye bamboo black and use it to create perches for store-bought ravens. Carve pumpkins and light up with tea lights placed inside. More ewwww! Be sure that lit candles are out of the way from excited trick-or-treaters.
• Light your walkway with skull or pumpkin lights. Draw in the goblins with a safely lit-up pathway. Pile up pumpkins and gourds along the way. How about a few gigantic furry spiders to add some scare factor? Play some creepy music, too. That always kicks in the ominous feelings on Halloween night. Bushels of colorful mums add a splash of vibrance, too.
• Create gourd or squash can­dle­ hold­ers to create a dimly lit Halloween mood. Cre­ate a spooky can­dle­holder by cutting a hole in a gourd or squash that is large enough to accommodate a candle. A battery operated candle is the safest bet. Cutting the gourd or squash (or even a small pumpkin) should be done by an adult. You might need to start by scooping out a little and keep working at it until the hole is large enough for the candle. Always keep children and their costumes away from candles. That's why a battery-operated candle is a much safer bet. Safety warn­ing: If using a regular candle with a flame, put the candle holder on a metal tray with foil. Keep it away from trick-or-treaters or pets.

It's pretty easy to decorate for Halloween with things you already have around the house - like old sheets, broom sticks, and harvest from your garden. The most important thing is to have fun and be very safe. I hope you enjoyed these Halloween decorating ideas.

Halloween Porch Decorating Ideas to Wow Your Trick-Or-Treaters

Get more ideas about outdoor Halloween decorations for your porch as well as ideas for just plain enjoying your porch.

Mary Morris is a self-proclaimed porch lover and grandma to 7 awesome grand kids. Mary is one of the co-founders of Front Porch Ideas and More, a site about everything related to front porches and more.

Great Prizes For Your Halloween Games

What's a game without a winner, and around the holidays, what's a winner without a prize? If you're going to plan Halloween games for your children, having some great prizes for the winner (and for all participants) can make them even more fun. Here are some ideas for awards:

• Small Halloween Pumpkins Filled with Candy: Many children like to carry large plastic Halloween pumpkins when they go trick-or-treating. You can also find very small versions of these, which can be awesome for prizes to Halloween games. Fill them with candy or other Halloween items.

• Stickers: Kids - both boys and girls - love Halloween stickers. These can be used to personalized school items like folders and notebooks, and you'll probably find them on your child's faces and hands as well. You can find Halloween stickers in many designs, and most are fairly inexpensive.

• Candy Corn Filled Gloves: Find clear, plastic gloves and fill them with candy corn or, for a healthier option, popcorn. These have the "creepy" look you need for Halloween but kids absolutely love them!

• Candied Applies: If you want to make sure that everyone gets a prize for participating, try starting a production line for candied apples. Allow the winner of the game to go first and have the kids line up to roll their applies in caramel and peanuts, small chocolate chips, or color coated candies. Everyone can make their own just they way they like it!

• Plastic Bugs: Halloween is all about crawly, slimy things, so plastic bugs make great options. You can find these for relatively little money in just about any toy store, and most dollar stores also carry them in packs. Hide the bugs like you would hide Easter eggs and let the kids keep whichever ones they find. Just be prepared in case you find the lost ones under your pillow or between the seat cushions.

• Coupon prizes: If you're playing Halloween games with just your children, you can give out coupons as prizes. Make them for things one day without having to make your bed or one free toy the next time you're at the mall. Kids love not having to do their chores, and these are prizes you can make pretty easily without much planning.

• Hours of TV or Computer Time: If your kids fight over what to what on television or who gets to use the computer first, let them play a game with the winner being allowed to choose the program or use the computer first.

And what games can you play? There are tons from which to choose! If you want a more traditional game, choose bobbing for apples, but you can also pin the nose on the Jack-o-Lantern, race to "mummify" one another with toilet paper, and use magnets and paper clips to "fish" for prizes. The bottom line? Have fun with it! Join in some of the fun by getting involved yourself. Halloween games - especially if there are some prizes involved - can be great for the whole family.

\"Halloween Decorations\"

Great Prizes For Your Halloween Games

Great Prizes For Your Halloween Games

Colin Joss is the owner of [http://www.halloweenhalloweenonline.com] - a site dedicated to hints and tips for family fun at Halloween.

Dress Up Your House With Silhouettes For Halloween Appeal

Trick-or-treaters will enjoy your outdoor Halloween decor when you use simple silhouette's to lure them in. Any window, garage or flat surface on your house can be fair game to use as your canvas. Use double sided tape, temporary spray adhesive, or reusable adhesive putty (found at office supply stores) to secure your creations, yet allow for easy removal after the holiday is over.

Here's one neat idea for those of you that have a garage that faces the street - decorate the front of it with cutout black craft foam in the shape of a fence. Add a black cat sitting on the fence along with some bats flying around. You could add some low, ambience lighting to highlight your decorations.

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For those who wish to decorate their windows, use black poster board to cut out the shape of a bare tree with a wise owl peering out from one of its branches. In fact if you have a large window, why not create a whole Halloween graveyard scene?

Dress Up Your House With Silhouettes For Halloween Appeal

There are many shapes that can be cut into silhouettes to use as outdoor Halloween decorations. Some additional suggestions are:

• a witch flying in front of a moon
• a jack-o-lantern face
• tombstones
• a skeleton
• a spider web and spider
• ghostly trees
• some ravens
• black cauldron
• witch broom and hat
• Frankenstein and his monster friends
• ghosts and ghouls
• the grim reaper

Using cut out silhouettes for Halloween decorations is a simple and cost effective way to spook up your home without it being overly scary for youngsters. So why not try your hand at something different this year? You may be surprised at all the compliments you receive on your creative Halloween decor.

Dress Up Your House With Silhouettes For Halloween Appeal

(c) 2006. Rose Smith. Halloween Howl is your online Halloween party planner. We cover everything from spooktacular theme party ideas to putting up interesting Halloween party decorations, what games to play, what food to prepare, and lots, lots more. It's Halloween fun for the whole family. Visit us at Halloween Howl Party Planner today

Home Made Halloween Decorations: Five Ideas You Can Make Yourself

1. A Googly Eye wreath

Things you will need for this; glue, a wreath, and googly eyes. This is nice and simple; the trick to this is the right wreath. If you have the wrong wreath it's not going to look right, it's just going to look strange. So the question is how do you know what wreath is the right kind of wreath, well there a simple answer to that, use an amazing new thing called, common sense. Ask your self, would that look right with googly eyes, oh no wait it would look really stupid, and then don't do it, find another wreath. So basically once you have found an appropriate wreath, guess what you do. You use glue to stick the googly eyes on, with your hands, which are attached to your arms, which are attached to your body. But remember, glue takes time to stick on. So leave it on a flat surface until it dries.

\"Halloween Decorations\"

2. Walking spider pumpkins

Home Made Halloween Decorations: Five Ideas You Can Make Yourself

Things you'll need for this, black pipe cleaners, a knife, and a couple of mini pumpkins.

Now this is what you do. You take a couple of pipe cleaners, then you stick them in a hole in the pumpkin that you made with the knife, I was talking about it earlier, remember that? I said you would need a knife, do you have a knife? Good! Now hurry up and make a hole in the stupid pumpkin! Then stick in the pipe cleaners and arrange them like spider legs! Now you can do this with a large pumpkin, but you would have to make the pipe cleaners bigger.

3.Carrot Fingers

Things you will need, a knife, and some carrots. That's it, try not to swallow your own tongue

Guess what your're going to do, that's right children, you are going to carve some finger shapes out of the carrots, as to why the fingers are orange, you'll have to come up with that one on your own.

4. Scary candles

Okay I am going to teach you three different things you can do with a candle, that's right, three, think you can keep up?

Things you'll need, thick candle, a knife, and a pack of matches. Now here's what you're going to do. You're going to carve a face in the thick candle, now, when you do this try not to cut your self like a moron, and if you do cut your self while doing this I hope you feel bad.

Here is the second idea, take a couple of tall white candles, and one red one. Can you guess what we're going to do? We're going to melt the red candle on the white ones, Bleeding Candles! Ooooooh scary, in case you can't tell yet, I don't like Halloween.

Okay last candle tip. Get a shallow vase, a black floating candle and some red die, die the water red and put in the candle. If you forgot to light the candle that's not my fault, you're just dumb.

5. creepy pictures

Things you'll need, family photos, Photoshop, the Internet, that's it.

Take any picture in your house provided it has people in it, go on the web find a skull, put the picture you find on the web in Photoshop over the picture your changing. The key to this is to fade the edges of the skull or it'll look like a bad Photoshop done by someone who didn't follow instructions. Oh, wait...

Home Made Halloween Decorations: Five Ideas You Can Make Yourself

Marina Charalambides is currently an intern with http://www.WebCopyWriting.cc where she is training to write good articles.

She is a keen artist and particularly enjoys writing about animé and art, or anything Japanese! You can visit her personal blog at http://www.mcfiles.com