Category Archive: Family Fun

Pictures with Santa

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November 14, 2011

Santa Claus

Santa Claus

Plan now to make your upcoming holidays as special as possible and make sure you have the photos to keep those memories alive. Using costumes as well as holiday themed accessories will add character as well as originality to your celebrations and will make this year’s family gathering the one everyone really talks about for years to come.

It almost seems like it happened overnight, but it only takes one brisk fall morning to remind you that we are knee deep into autumn.  The days are getting shorter and shorter and although (last time I checked) there are still 24 hours in a day, it’s a little bit difficult to stay motivated when you have less daylight to work with and cram everything in that needs to be done.  Make the most of your time by planning ahead for your holiday season.  Crossing some things off your Santa to-do list can only make your life in the ensuing weeks that much easier. 

One of the most treasured things we do during the holidays is take family pictures and portraits.  It’s fun to reflect back on family gatherings and holidays from days gone by and these events are recorded for posterity through our family photograph collections.  Inevitably with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, you will be taking plenty of family photos and will be recording your very own personal history for future generations to come.  We have a few ideas to give your family pictures some extra panache and festive holiday style this year that you won’t want to miss out on!

With all the relatives gathering for a Thanksgiving meal and obviously many pictures being snapped in the process, why not dress up the family in some appropriate holiday attire?  We have many costumes that are perfect for any Thanksgiving celebration.  Pilgrim costumes as well as Native American costumes will accentuate your holiday and put your entire family in a festive mood.  And as for the pictures that will follow–well, with authentic looking Thanksgiving apparel on some or all of your family members–this years Thanksgiving is likely to go down in your family history as one to be remembered.  You may even start some new traditions of your own!

While we are on the subject, be sure to start thinking about those Christmas pictures you are going to want as well.  Perhaps you want to take an extra special picture for your Christmas card or just want to capture your children’s excitement on film when they get a visit from Santa Claus.  You can easily recreate all of these special holiday moments if you wear one of our amazing Santa Claus suits.  Even if you don’t have children around, what a great Christmas card picture it would make to have your sweetie dressed in full Santa attire and you dressed up as one of his very sweet and sexy helpers, or even as Mrs. Claus herself. 

Plan now to make your upcoming holidays as special as possible and make sure you have the photos to keep those memories alive.  Using costumes as well as holiday themed accessories will add character as well as originality to your celebrations and will make this year’s family gathering the one everyone really talks about for years to come.  Start planning your holiday photo album now!

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Extreme Pumpkin Carvings

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October 20, 2011

While this isn't exactly a pumpkin carving, we thought it was a clever use of a couple of pumpkins!

Here we are, in the heart of the 2011 Halloween season. Halloween is a little more than a week away (sooner for many weekend party goers). Halloween decorations are up in neighborhoods around the country and haunted houses are attracting thousands of visitors daily. And for most of the east coast, midwest and northwest, Fall is in the air. And with Fall, comes pumpkins. One popular Halloween tradition is pumpkin carving. In the “old days”, pumpkin carving was simple. Carve out the center of a pumpkin, add a couple of eyes, a nose, a mouth and you’re done. If you were really ambitious, you might add some ears or perhaps a single tooth in an otherwise toothless mouth. That was it. Your pumpkin was ready to be displayed. Well, those days are long gone. Pumpkin carving has become an art form for some. In fact, pumpkin carving has become downright EXTREME! Don’t believe us? Check it out for yourself. We’ve gathered some extreme pumpkin carving photos. Some people are even carving pumpkins underwater! Go figure. To each his own.

Happy Halloween!

While this isn't exactly a pumpkin carving, we thought it was a clever use of three pumpkins!

 

Butt or Bust? Another clever use of pumpkins to celebrate Halloween.

 

Underwater pumpkin carving? Are you kidding me? Now this is EXTREME!

 

This is an interesting twist on extreme pumpkin carving.

 

Now we're getting to the really cool stuff!

Now we're getting to the really cool stuff!

 

Love the detail in this extreme pumpkin carving! Wonder how long this took to do?

Love the detail in this extreme pumpkin carving! Wonder how long this took to do?

 

Someone had a lot of extra time on their hands to this pair of pumpkin carvings!

Someone had a lot of extra time on their hands to carve this pair of pumpkin!

 

Wow! Look at the detail in the face of this pumpkin carving.

Wow! Look at the detail in the face of this pumpkin carving.

 

Anyone feel like 'phoning home'? Very nice pumpkin carving.

Anyone feel like 'phoning home'? Very nice pumpkin carving.

 

Another very detailed extreme pumpkin carving. Where do people come up with these ideas?

Another very detailed extreme pumpkin carving. Where do people come up with these ideas?

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Help for Halloween Minimalists

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October 17, 2011

The Guidette Costume Kit

Halloween isn’t just for the youngun’s anymore.  Halloween has become immensely popular amongst ‘big kids’ too, for a number of reasons.  It’s fun dressing up in costume, at least for most people.   Finding just the right character that expresses ones personality and reaches out to the inner child within is a positive throwback experience for many of us.  Even with Halloween being as popular as it is and it also being a universally celebrated holiday by kids of all ages, there are still those that are reluctant to participate.  For these less than eager folks, dressing up in costume creates undue stress, embarrassment or effort.  Let’s call these people Halloween minimalists.  If you can relate to what I am saying here, you don’t need to fret, you can still participate in your neighborhood or office party without much effort, expense or commitment.  The best part is that you won’t have to wear that “This IS my Halloween costume” t-shirt to another Halloween function. 

 

Costume Kits:  These handy “kits” have some really cool basics and accessories that you can use with your own clothes to turn every day street wear into a not only acceptable, but down right respectable costume ensemble.  With choices such as Jack Sparrow, Buzz Lightyear and The Green Lantern, it’s simple to bring both popular as well as familiar movie characters to life very easily.  For a more traditional Halloween look, there are kits available to recreate pirates, vampires and devils.  For a costume that is a little goofier that you can really throw your personality into, try a nerd look or perhaps even a silly nun, pig or kitty.  All the critical accessories have been put together for you so putting your costume together with little effort is a breeze.  No point in stressing about being a minimalist, with these simple looks you will get maximum results.  See how easy that was?  Halloween is fun again! 

 

 

Costume Masks:  Another cool way to get really big impact with very little effort on your part is to wear a really amazing mask.  These life-like masks come in a huge array of characters from the silly and whimsical to the really scary as well as gruesome looking ones.  Consider who is going to be at your party.  A super gory mask at a party with very young kids is really not a great idea unless you want to tick off a few mommies.  With the addition of simple clothing, however, a fantastically realistic mask can be a really quick and easy costume solution for all of you minimalists out there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costume Accessories:  Sometimes it’s just a matter of a few well-chosen accessories to pull off a costume look.  This can include make up, hats, contact lenses, etc.  A makeup kit that transforms your face into some sort of Halloween monster can be combined with simple dark clothing for an amazing look.   Scars, wounds and other faux body damage can be created easily through make up and prosthetics.  With a severe look like this you often need very little else with it to get your Halloween point across.  Animal looks can easily be obtained through simple make up as well.  A pair of mouse ears is a fun and easy way to take simple clothing pieces and create a Mickey or Minnie Mouse look.   As you can see, a few well-chosen accessories or a make up kit can go a long way in getting your Halloween look out of the minimalist doldrums and right into the spectacular zone.

No more making silly excuses on Halloween!  Get into the spirit of it easily by using some of these inexpensive as well as quick and easy costume tips! 

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The Costume Box

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September 12, 2011

Chilren's Halloween Costumes Aren't Just for Halloween Anymore

At our house it was always called the costume box.  It was actually this really large chest that all of our old Halloween costumes and accessories found their way into year after year when Halloween was over.  No, this wasn’t a storage methodology—it was actually a very well used trunk filled with things we used for dressing up and playtime all year round.  If you have kids, you probably already know this, children’s Halloween costumes are not just for Halloween anymore. 
Imaginative playtime, pretend and dress up will always be some of kid’s favorite past times.  Wearing costumes gives kids the opportunity to pretend to be various characters from TV and the movies, as well as to experience adult roles that they may see during daily living.  Believe it or not, playing dress up is a great way for kids to deal with the stresses of every day life, plus it’s a wonderful opportunity to use their growing imaginations.

As the first signs of fall appear, now is a great time to start thinking about some great dress up ideas for your kids, for Halloween of course, but also just for fun and for play.  Some of the summer’s hottest movies have provided great characters that probably have inspired you, such as those from Pirates of the Caribbean, Captain America, Harry Potter and the Green Lantern. 

Take full advantage of the many hours of fun that a costume can provide for a child, from animals to many various occupations.  Your child will enjoy recreating many of these exciting roles and having numerous imaginative adventures.

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10 Reasons to get Excited About Fall

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August 16, 2011

10 Reasons To Get Excited About Fall

Towards the end of August many people start feeling a little sad because summer is slowly disappearing.  Warm weather merchandise is long gone from the stores, and the kids are getting ready to go back to school.  The end of summer does bring with it a distinct sense that something wonderful is coming to a close, but the good new is that the fall brings with it a whole new set of magical things!  There’s no point in being sad about the summer wind down with so much to look forward to.  Here’s our list of 10 reasons why you should be absolutely looking forward to the autumn months!

Perfect Weather:  There is nothing better than the weather during the fall season.  The extreme heat of the summer is gone.  Most of the time, autumn days are still fairly warm, yet the nights are just crisp enough to grab that favorite sweater or jacket to take off the chill.  Springtime weather can be unpredictable, while winter is just far too long and cold.   Yes, gone are the hot and lazy days spent baking by the pool, but the temperate fall days can be almost magical.

Back To School: There is something about going to Back-to-School that signals a fresh start. Arguably, most people think of New Year’s as the big starting over point, but for kids, a new school year may be the perfect time to begin anew.   Kids actually love shopping for new school supplies.  There is something fresh and wonderful about new books, pencils, markers, notebooks, and perhaps even a new pair of sneakers to wear on that first day of school.  Once school is back in session, you also won’t be looking to entertain bored kids anymore.  This is a definite fall bonus for most parents.

Football Season:  Football season is nearly upon us, and if you don’t have a favorite local team to watch live in a stadium, America’s best pastime is probably coming to a television and living room near you!  Football brings with it many excuses to get together with your group to party even if you aren’t a huge fan of the sport.  Tailgating parties before games are always great fun.  Watching the game on TV with your family and friends is made even livelier with appropriate game fare and lots to drink.

Fall Foliage:  There is nothing like the vibrant color changes that happen to leaves as they begin to change in the fall.  Even your average tree can suddenly become a rainbow of yellow, green and gold.  Autumn is a good time to take the long way home.  Find the tree-lined side streets nearby to really take in the leaves and their color changes.  If you have a mountain nearby, the canyons can be glorious during the fall.  The sound of the crisp leaves underfoot after they have fallen to the ground is another reminder of fall.  Kids love to gather the leaves, throw them up or just jump right into large piles of them.  Leaves are such a simple autumn pleasure.

Halloween:  Halloween is nearly as exciting as Christmas for many children (and some adults too!)  Dressing up in costume is really, really fun and exciting for kids of all ages.  The candy is great, too, and Halloween brings with it the perfect excuse to indulge, along with a wide variety of mini-versions of all your favorite sweets.  Halloween parties, and all the fun surrounding them are always memorable. 

Autumn Festivals:  Many communities have a variety of Harvest festivals, fairs, and community activities during the fall.  Oktoberfest is a popular theme to celebrate in the autumn months.  Enjoying a fall festival is the perfect way to get outdoors and enjoy the crisp fall weather and celebrate with your friends and neighbors.  Enjoy the fun, food and family time at your local celebration.

Television’s New Season:  Every fall each network comes out with it’s new season of television programs.  No more summer re-runs as the latest editions of your favorite shows will soon be off and running, along with new programs that the networks have been cooking up for your viewing pleasure!

Fashion:  Fall is the best time of the year if you are a fashionista.  Stores are fully loaded with the latest and greatest fashions for you to indulge yourself in.  There is something about the rich color palette of autumn clothing that really livens up a wardrobe, along with the vibrant colors and mixed textures of fall fabrics. 

Autumn Treats:  Ah, there is something delectable about the taste treasures you are going to find to tantalize your taste buds in the fall.  From that first pumpkin latte at your coffee shop, to pumpkin and apple pies–there is much to enjoy in the fall.  Hot chocolate, mulled cider and other warm drinks are comforting and relaxing and especially fun to drink while out in the cool night air.  Embrace the fall season with your favorite autumnal food and drink splurges.

Smells: Fall just smells really good.  From the first time you smell a waft of smoke coming from a neighbor’s chimney, to the aroma of something wonderful baking in your own oven, there is a smorgasbord of smells to enjoy in the fall.  Cool, clean crisp air smells invigorating.  Coffee shops and stores are filled with the wonderful fragrances of cinnamon, vanilla, cloves and apples.  Even fresh cut grass mixed with the smell of burning leaves can be reminiscent to some.

As your summer winds down, you can look back with fondness to all the fun memories you’ve made and look ahead with great anticipation to all that lies ahead this fall.  Autumn is filled with so many wonderful, yet simple pleasures.  There are many beautiful things to be enjoyed during the fall months and so much to look forward to!

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