Wow, can you believe Halloween is only two days away?  Everything is ready at our house; costumes are here, candy is bought (lots I might add because you can never have enough candy), Halloween music is selected and the house decorating is complete – well almost!

To me,  Halloween decorations are such an important part of the holiday.  Every time I go somewhere I end up picking up little odds and ends to add to my collection that I already have.  Pumpkins are my favorite!  Every year we go to the pumpkin patch so the kids can pick out their pumpkins to carve.  This year they each picked out two pumpkins, one to carve into a jack-o-lantern and the other to paint. 

Our yard is quickly turned into a haunted cemetery complete with tombstones, skeletons, fog and haunted music.  It’s fun to watch all the kids in the neighborhood pause at the end of the driveway deciding if they should be real cool and walk to the porch or be on the safe side and run!

You can’t over-do it when it comes to decorating for Halloween.  Whatever you want to put in your yard (or house for that matter), go ahead and do it.  You can go with a theme or just throw everything together and decorate to your hearts desire. 

This year, have fun with decorating!  Halloween is supposed to be fun, crazy and exciting.  Why shouldn’t your decorations be the same? 

HAPPY HAUNTING!

In all the Halloween rush to get your kids costumes, decorate your house, carve pumpkins and buy candy, did you remember to get a costume for your pet?  They are a member of your family, aren’t they?  At least the two dogs in my house are.  I don’t even think they realize they’re dogs at all! 

I think it’s cute when you put a Halloween costume on your dog.  I’m sure they may have a different opinion on the matter, but I think it’s adorable.  Pet costumes have become increasingly popular over the years.  If your family is doing a group costume, you can even include little Fido in with the theme you choose. 

Check out the Top 10 Pet Costumes for 2009, they’re too cute to pass up!  Your pet will be the talk of the town (or at least the dog park) for months to come!

It is finally here!  After months of blogging about everything Halloween, the holiday is finally within days of coming to life (or death, if you like the creepy side of Halloween)!  Only four more days until trick-or-treaters will be knocking on your door, costume parties will be in full swing and jack-o-lanterns will illuminate front porches everywhere!

You’d think with time running out, you wouldn’t be able to get your Halloween costume in time even if you ordered now, but not at HalloweenExpress.com!   With words like, “guaranteed delivery” and “same day shipping” it’s no problem getting your order to you in time for all the fun and excitement of Halloween.  They have the largest selection of Halloween costumes online and with great prices to boot!

Simply find the costume you want and place your order.  It’s that simple!  Kids costumes, adult costumes, sexy costumes, tween and teen costumes, group and couple costumes and every possible accessory you’ve ever dreamed of is right here at your fingertips!

So what are you waiting for?  You don’t even have to leave your house.  It’s one stop Halloween shopping for everything you’ll need to make this Halloween the best one yet!

We’ve all grown up with the classic male superheroes of Batman, Superman and Spiderman.   It seems the majority of superheroes are men for some reason (maybe it’s the tights).  Anyway, women make amazing superheroes and I have to admit we look way better in our costumes!

Women superheroes have been around forever.  They just seem to fall between the cracks and not get noticed.  Well, not anymore with a sexy superhero costume from HalloweenExpress.com!  These costumes scream superhero sexy!  Tight spandex and short skirts will certainly get you noticed this Halloween!

The heck with Batman, bring on a Secret Wishes Batgirl costume and Sexy Robin.  Oh, and don’t forget Wonder Women and Super Girl; now there’s a couple of costumes you won’t soon forget! 

I think it would be so much fun to get a group of your girlfriends together and all of you go as a sexy superhero.  Everyone can be a different character but all within the same theme.  Or, go with your significant other and have them be the male counterpart of your female superhero!

Ok, we all know how important kids costumes are at Halloween, but did you know that a little accessory known as the “trick-or-treat bag” is probably just as, if not more important to the kids?  The main objective for all children is to get as much candy as possible during those fun and exciting trick-or-treat hours.  That’s what it’s all about right? 

The amount of candy each child gets while out trick-or-treating is the determining factor in whether they had a great Halloween or a good Halloween.  Last year my son had to run back home to dump some of his candy to make room for more.  Now to him that was a great Halloween!

Your child’s trick-or-treat bag is really a pretty important accessory on Halloween night.  This is one accessory that your child will never leave home without!  When I was young, everyone used the same type of bag, the good old plastic bag with handles.  Today though, you have a lot more choices for your child when it comes to treat bags. 

This year I decided to get my girls personalized trick-or-treat bags and they love them!  They’re simply adorable and they can use them again and again every Halloween.  It helps to have bags with their names on it so that there’s no mistaking whose candy is whose.  My son Caden explained to me that he was way too old to carry anything with his name on it and that he was just fine using an old pillowcase like all his friends.  No complaints from me, that was simple.

Today, you’ll find trick-or-treat bags come in all shapes and sizes and made out of different materials; plastic, vinyl, cotton and felt.   They have great Halloween designs for both boys and girls.  Remember, candy is the life-line of every little boy and girl on Halloween night, so get them a trick-or-treat bag that they can be proud of!

Oh the good old days of Twister!  Can you believe this game has been around since 1966!  A game that consists of only a plastic mat and a spinner.  A simple concept really; spin the red arrow on the spinner and move your body accordingly.  Did you know it was the first game to use human bodies as playing pieces?   

To this day, Twister is still a huge hit!  It’s so much fun to play with a group of people and it definitely never gets boring.  There are even Twister tournaments held at college fraternity and sorority houses across the country with all the proceeds going to charity.  I’m sure that white plastic mat and square spinner board will be popular for years to come!

Have you seen the Twister costume for Halloween?  It’s so cute.  At HalloweenExpress.com you’ll find it in women’s costumes as well as children’ sizes, so it’s fun for everyone!  The plastic dotted mat is in the form of a dress with the hat being the spinner.  Young girls and women will find this is one costume that everyone will recognize! 

This Halloween, don’t just play the game Twister, wear it!!

It’s that time of year again when the kids are waiting by the door for the UPS truck to bring them their Halloween costumes.  Well yesterday afternoon their prayers were answered with the ringing of the doorbell!  I almost think they are as excited about the arrival of their Halloween costumes as they are Christmas morning!

Caden, my 11 year old son was just a bit cooler than his little sisters when they heard the doorbell ring.  Olivia and Sydney nearly knocked him down running for the door (the two dogs were smart enough to stay out of the way)!  Once the box was opened and all the costumes were ceremoniously handed out, it was showtime!  (Just a little fyi – these are not pictures of my children, they’re just pictures of the costumes that we ordered online.  However, the costumes look just like this in “real life”.)

First we have my 6 year old daughter Olivia who loves the Power Rangers.  She started watching it a couple years ago with her brother Caden.  Since then Caden has outgrown the whole Power Ranger thing, but not Olivia, she still watches them religiously.  So this year, her costume choice was simple, she wanted to be the Pink Power Ranger.

Next, we have my 8 year old daughter Sydney who had a little bit harder time deciding on what she wanted to be this year.  But after many hours and days browsing through the website of HalloweenExpress.com, she decided that she wanted to go with the Hip Witch Costume (which by the way looks adorable on her).  I couldn’t believe all the cute witch costumes they had.  No wonder she had such a hard time deciding!

Finally we have my 11 year old son, Caden.  He had a hard time deciding between the Optimus Prime costume or being a Gangster.  The minute he realized he could carry a plastic Tommy Gun with the gangster costume, his decision was made.  The costume looked great on him and once we put on the Fedora hat and fake jumbo cigar the costume was awesome!  He loves it!

I’m sure you’ve been sitting on the edge of your seats just waiting to see what they picked out to wear this year; so there you have it!  The kids costumes look amazing and they all fit perfectly.  Now if only they can keep from wearing them BEFORE Halloween even gets here!

I’m not crazy about insects, but I do have a couple favorites; ladybugs and butterflies.  Did you know that if you find a ladybug in your house in the winter you will have good luck?  Children also love ladybugs.   I think it’s because they’re so colorful and easy to catch. 

Butterflies have the same affect on little girls.  They almost seem mesmerized when watching a butterfly in flight.  It’s true though, have you ever watched a butterfly as it lands on a flower?  Before you even realize it you’re staring at it amazed at how pretty and graceful it is.  

That’s why when it comes time to pick out what they want to be for Halloween, a lot of little girls want to be ladybugs or butterflies.  At HalloweenExpress.com you’ll find the cutest ladybug and butterfly costumes to choose from.   The colors, the wings and the overall beauty that goes along with these two “bugs” have little girls everywhere wanting to be one for Halloween.  The ladybug costumes look absolutely adorable on little girls!  For some really adorable toddler sized ladybugs, check out the Tom Arma Costumes!

 This Halloween let your daughter show how pretty and graceful a bug can really be!

There are two types of people in zombie fighting films. There’s the cool guy who has possibly a scar and a troubled past who picks up the nearest shotgun/chainsaw or knife and instantly is more deadly than a Navy Seal with a ponytail. That wouldn’t be me. I’d be the guy with the nervous look who’d probably be eaten in the first half hour of the film.

You'll be alright with him?

So how do you get good, and spin the guns with confidence, cracking zombie heads with the precision of a sharpshooter? A stint in the military is probably not an option and hanging round Brooklyn late at night not advisable, so there’s one thing to turn to you into a sharp shooter, the latest and best kill ‘em and splat ‘em games on the consoles.

And as Halloween approaches, and the inevitable zombie uprising appears, we’re doing a service to all those who want to be the cool guy and the sharp shooter, we’re going to let you know which console you should buy, and games you should endlessly practice on in preparation for October 31^st. And if your girlfriend (or more likely, mother) complains, point her in the direction of this article.

Right. Let’s get this out of the way first. We’re only dealing with games available on exclusive platforms here. So no cross platform games allowed. Let’s start with the 360.

Xbox 360

Crackdown

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crackdown

Ok, first problem here – you’re cybernetically altered. Or in other words, made better; you know like that kid at college: faster, stronger, smarter. But the weapons are comparable to what you’d find in the city, and includes explosives! So a good starting point, but don’t try to run as fast.

Nice suit

Fable II

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fable_II

Hmmm, one problem here, it’s all swords, arrows and ye olde time rifles and guns. Have you ever gone toe to toe with a zombie? From what I understand, they have unquenching thirsts for brains and super strength (even though I’m sure brains doesn’t give the much sustenance). A weak game to lean how to defend yourself.

Gears of War 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gears_of_War_2

Better guns. This’ll help. And also, it emphasises covering from the enemy and destroying them. All good so far. However, some of the guns are a bit far fetched – can you really expect to be wielding a mortar launcher in New Hampshire? Although they do have a flame thrower, and if Small Solders taught us anything, it’s that anyone can make one of them. Definitely one you need to perfect.

Halo 3

Halo Rocks!

 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_3

How could we not include Halo? Everyone wants to play it and be the chef. Sorry I mean chief. But more importantly – would it train you for the all important zombie uprising? Well, no. Those dudes in Halo have all manner of funky weapons and armour. If you’re left on a street in your underwear with a prodding stick as defence, how would Halo help – be something nice to think about as you get brain fried?

Forza Motorsport 2

 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forza_Motorsport_2

So how will this train you to blow a head clean off I hear you ask. Well it won’t, but we all know that there always needs to be a highly skilled get away driver waiting in the wings, so you need to know how to handle high-performance cars. And this is a perfect game for that. In fact, that’s the only plus of a zombie world, the chance to get your hands onto this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koenigsegg_CCGT#CCGT

Now, onto the PS3

Heavenly Sword

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavenly_Sword

When you’re fighting zombies there’s always some hotty hanging about. She’ll be angry and stand offish, but will (if you’re good with guns and junk) warm to you. So you need to be good at those sort of things and prepare yourself. Heavenly Sword, although is too heavy on the close-cutting weapons, but  at least prepares you for your flirting with babes who like swords and funny outfits. But in the real world – would it help fight zombies? Probably not!

 Killzone 2

Man elephants, like stealth

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killzone_2

This is more like it, Mr Sony – focusing on Guerrilla warfare. Apart from that crap bit in I am Legend, we know these zombies are dumb brain-eating drones, so any tactics that you can throw into the fighting mix would give you a great advantage. Teaching you this, and with cool outfits and decent guns, I think you should get into training with this one now.

 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid_4:_Guns_of_the_Patriots

More stealth! I think the PS3 is sneaking (very stealthily) into the lead! One problem though, the hero has a suit that is like a chameleons and mimics everything around it. You’ll be in your office rags, and if you’re lucky, a set of nike trainers. Don’t rely on hiding in the background as odour de brain is a powerful aphrodisiac for the zombies

Resistance 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resistance_2

Perfect! This is almost a handbook on destroying freakziods, or the ‘nutritionally challenged.’ The game follows one man set off to fight zombie things in a wasteland.  You need to be an expert at this game.

Dark Kingdom

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Untold_Legends:_Dark_Kingdom

More hotties, and more swords. It’s based on the hack and slash technique of gaming, so I’m told. Well that means you’ll again have to get up close and personal with the zombies. It also includes magic. Do you want to say abracadabra just before you’re eaten? I’d not bother with this one.

Using magic won't beat the zombies

Conclusion – or which one’s best

Well, stealth is the key to staying alive, so I’d say that you should get a PS3. More games that teach you not to just blow them all up, but to duck, crouch, hide – and flirt with hotties. So if you want to prepare the invasion on October 31^st, get a PS3 – and on your downtime – watch blu-ray movies.

No question about it – Halloween is a great family holiday!  The children love to go out trick-or-treating for candy and the parents enjoy walking them around the neighbor.  It’s sort of a social thing for the parents as they stop and talk with all their neighbors as their kids run from house to house.  A lot of neighborhoods that have streets in a cul-de-sac will set up a long table at the beginning of the street and all the parents will sit there with their candy making it easier for the children.  It’s just like one-stop candy shopping for the kids!

For years it’s been a tradition at our house that my whole family (brothers, sisters and their kids) all get together at my house Halloween night.  It’s pizza and chaos as we help all the younger kids get dressed in their costumes.  Then it’s off to trick-or-treating we go. 

This year I’ve decided to have a costume party at our house once all the kids are back from raiding the neighborhood candy bowls.  Everyone has to come dressed in group themed costumes (or as I like to call it “family” themed).  We’re dressing as all the characters from the Wizard of Oz!  I love the idea and the kids are actually excited about it!  Wizard of Oz costumes are so easy and fun and make for a great family costume idea!  I’m going to be Glinda the Good Witch, my husband is going to be the Wicked Witch of the West (which I think is hilarious), Sydney is going to be Dorothy, Olivia is the Cowardly Lion and my son Caden is going to be the Tin Man.  We still need someone to be the Scarecrow so I think we’re just going to throw a flannel shirt on our dog with some hay sticking out all over!

Here are some other great “family” or group costume ideas for your Halloween:

• Alice in Wonderland
• Superheroes
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Power Rangers
• Star Wars
• Toy Story
• Sesame Street

Start a new tradition this year with your family by throwing a Halloween costume party!  Use themes such as; horror and gothic, humorous or even movie costumes.  No matter what you decide, just have fun and enjoy spending time with your family this Halloween holiday!