Simple tips to take the fear out of Halloween planning

Does it seem like the kids start talking about Halloween as soon as school starts again? Fun costumes, spooky decor and heaps of candy - no wonder kids love Halloween. And for adults, having a happy Halloween can help set an upbeat tone for all the end-of-year holidays.

About 58 million children and 47 million adults dressed up for Halloween in 2009, according to the National Retail Federation. With that much love of the holiday floating around, it makes sense to seek out unique Halloween ideas before the big day arrives.

Whether you're looking for ideas for one-of-a-kind costumes, delightful decorations, frightfully fun Halloween crafts or unique recipes for the holiday, you can find a wealth of information online. Websites like Better Homes %26 Gardens (www.bhg.com), offer ample ideas with easy-to-follow instructions to take the fear out of Halloween preparations.

Here are a few fun Halloween ideas to help you scare up a great holiday for all:

* Go costume crazy. Kids love to dress up, and being kids, they can put on costumes any time of year. But when else than Halloween do adults get to don a costume and indulge in some make-believe? This year, get the whole family involved in dressing up - even the family pet. Whether you need a full-blown pharaoh outfit for a grown-up Halloween bash, or just a little something to tickle the trick-or-treaters when you answer the door, you can find plenty of ideas online. And with thousands of costume shops across the country, you'll have plenty of options - just be sure to rent (or make) your costume early as popular characters are the first to sell out when the holiday approaches.

* Get crafty. Creating your own Halloween decorations and crafts is a fantastic way to extend the fun of the holiday. Look for ideas that feature popular Halloween themes like bats, jack-o'-lanterns, ghosts and anything that ties into kids' favorite movies or TV shows. To really trick out your home for the holiday, look for projects for both the inside and outside of the house, like candy corn topiaries to sit on the mantle or table, and a giant rooftop cat to perch over the front door.

* Taste the fear - and the fun. Whether they're humorous, unique or just icky, Halloween recipes can help you capture the flavor of the holiday. Look for creative ways to "mummify" food - like wrapping breadstick dough around hot dogs to create a hot dog mummy, or twining strands of fettuccine around a summer sausage. Halloween treats can be yummy, eye-catching and nutritious, too - remember, veggies are a great way to add color to a Halloween recipe. Need to mimic drops of blood? Try some sliced red pepper, or the classic fake blood solution - catsup. Mash some green vegetables together to create your own "slim," or opt for some store-bought guacamole to create the effect.

It's never too early - or too late - to begin planning your Halloween fun. You can find lots more Halloween ideas, crafts and recipes at www.bhg.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent