Baby & Child Care Tips for Parents
FROM SPOOKILY THEMED RECIPES TO CREEPY COSTUMES, HERE ARE 10 SUREFIRE WAYS TO HAVE A GRUESOMELY GOOD HALLOWEEN
Although this year’s Halloween activities may be pared back, there’s no reason to dial down the fun. The trick is to refocus attention on entertainment around the home in the form of a Halloween-themed party, perhaps followed by a spine-chilling film night – a great excuse to rewatch classics like Gremlins, Ghostbusters and Beetlejuice with older kids. If you’re feeling particularly creative, you could try a few Halloween recipes, too. This year, go easy on the tricks – it’s all about the treats.
A haunted Halloween garland
Spending more time at home is the perfect excuse to go big on the decorations. Get creative and spook up your space with Halloween bunting, hanging skulls or this fun balloon garland, which adds instant ghoul factor to any room.
The fiendishly good cake
More time at home means more time to create a delicious cake (on a black turntable if you want to stay on theme). Go for classic Halloween shades of orange and black and add mini meringues for ghostly toppings. See Waitrose’s Halloween baking recipes.
The glow-in-the-dark pyjamas
For kids, the novelty of glow-in-the-dark pyjamas never wanes. They can pop them on for Halloween as a costume and still get plenty of wear out of them afterwards. This skeleton onesie will also keep the kids cosy throughout winter.
Frighteningly good gingerbread
With trick or treating off the cards, attention turns to making the most of celebrations at home. Baked to a traditional German recipe, this Halloween-themed gingerbread house will make a great table centrepiece. Surround it with sweets and homemade treats.
Make-up with impact
Even with the simplest outfit (see more costume ideas), you can transform your child into a werewolf, vampire or ghoul with good old face paints. And it’s easier than you think – with a YouTube tutorial or two, you’ll be a dab hand.
Creepy cookies
If your kids enjoy baking, take the opportunity to make some fun Halloween treats (cooling rack essential), from zombie gingerbread men to bat biscuits via spiderweb cookies. See Waitrose’s Halloween recipes for kids for more inspiration.
Devilish decorations
Who said baubles were just for Christmas? If you’re going to town for Halloween this year, you could decorate some branches (spray-painted black, should you have the time and inclination) with some themed trinkets.
A fearsome cocktail
With all the emphasis on the kids, why not have a treat lined up for yourself too in the form of a Halloween cocktail? In your best glasses (cue these elegant martini ones from LSA), mix up a fiendishly good Poltergiest or Pumkpin spiced espresso martini.
A hair-raising headdress
Minimal on effort but high on impact, this duo of witch and bat-themed headbands will turn any outfit into a Halloween one. Add a classic witch’s outfit for a traditional take on the theme or wear them with everyday clothes.
sweet treats
For many of us, Halloween is all about the sweets. These fun chocolates and marshmallows will keep the party in full sugar-fuelled swing. Choose from a selection of sweet treats.