Halloween Must-Have Decorations Review

 As spooky season approaches, this year is shaping up to be one of the most creative, expressive years yet for Halloween decor. As I walk or drive around the neighborhoods this year, I see some very creative decorations, from tech-enhanced animatronics to vintage charm and classics.

I'm most impressed with the large 12-foot skeletons and animatronics. Our neighbor, who lives around the corner from us, has a 12-foot animatronic witch. When you walk by, it lights up and screams at you.

These large decorations have instant curb appeal, and the kids love them. Keep in mind that if you purchase something this large, you will need a place to store it.

I also see a lot of the classics, such as inflatables in all shapes and sizes, ghosts, and pumpkins.

We decorate our yard with two inflatables, one 7-foot Grim Reaper and a 4-foot pumpkin. We line the walkway to the front porch with six lighted carved pumpkins, three per side. For a lighted ambiance, we wrap lights around both railings on the porch.

This is our front yard for Halloween. The witch in the cauldron has since been replaced with the Grim Reaper and Pumpkin inflatables.

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Celebrate Halloweens Links To Nature Reviewed.

 

 

Happy Halloween!! Wishing everyone a fun and happy time! Halloween can be a fun celebration for those who participate.

On the very cusp of saying goodbye to summer and hello to winter time it is an important time in the calendar. 

Today we find many ways to celebrate this season and the Halloween festival. We decorate our homes with orange and black, spiders and ghosts and ghouls, or a display of gorgeous squashes outside the front door.  We might go trick or treating with young children dressed in amazing inventive fancy dress or go to parties dressed in Halloween costumes. 

Some of us buy decorations for our homes, others craft their own and some even become family traditions. Even if you don't decorate or do anything yourself it can be fun driving or walking around the neighbourhood looking at all the inventive decoration. It is a festival that everyone can be involved in if they wish.

  

Nature Relating to Halloween, Festival Of Samhain

With all this going on I was reflecting on the origins of Halloween and how it relates and links to nature. Halloween has a strong connection to nature through its ancient origins and the season of this celebration. 

Halloween developed from the ancient Celtic pagan festival of Samhain pronounced sow win. This festival has deep roots in nature and marks the point of transition between summer and winter or from the new life, growth, light and warmth of the summer time to the lower light levels , slowing down of plants and leaf loss, darkness and colder days throughout the winter months. So this festival marked the change of seasons as seen in nature and the constant rhythm of life and death.

During Samhain, and as the nights drew in and became much colder, people would naturally gather around warm bonfires. These fires symbolised the warmth and light of the sun and of course provided physical warmth so crucial in the cold nights. In addition they were a spiritual beacon, with the belief that they were guiding the spirits of the departed back to the Otherworld. 

People believed at this time of year that the barriers between this world and the other world were broken down and that meant the living could interact with the other world more easily. 

To disguise themselves they dressed as monsters and various animals so that the fairies would ignore them and thus avoid being kidnapped to the other world.

The costumes worn by people during Samhain often included elements of nature such as leaves, animal skins, or masks made from a range of already harvested crops from the fields. In this history, we can see the origins of where our current costumes enjoyed at Halloween may have originated. 

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Gathering Crops And The Pumpkin

The close connection between the time of Halloween and the harvest season reflects the importance of nature and its crucial link to our lives.

This time of year is traditionally associated with the gathering of crops in from the fields. This is undertaken in order to have food to sustain us and stave off hunger during the long cold winter time, with a good crop ensuring our wellbeing in the worst harsh winter months. 

It is also important to prepare our homes and gardens for the cold sometimes harsh winter months and for us to adjust from the long easier summer days and warmth to the often harsher, colder and darker winter.

 Pumpkins are a prominent symbol of Halloween frequently used as decoration inside and outside our homes, with talented artistic carvings, fun lighted carvings and sometimes competitions. In addition delicious Pumpkin recipes abound at this time of year.

Pumpkins and squashes represent the bountiful harvest and the abundance provided by nature. I love to see the pumpkins and squashes growing in the fields and they are satisfying and wonderful to eat. Originally turnips were used filled with coal for displays but this later switched to pumpkins.

 I really enjoy seeing all the amazing carvings and abundant displays in homes and gardens at this time of year. It certainly brightens up the often dull, low light afternoons and evenings.

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Overall, Halloween's origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain and its association with the changing seasons and harvest demonstrate its innate connection to nature and the natural rhythms of life. 

This is just a brief look at the ancient festival and its relation to nature and how we celebrate today. There is certainly much more to its fascinating history, but here is just a glimpse of how it relates to nature.  

 So enjoy and celebrate Halloween and this change of the seasons and spare a thought for our ancestors with their beliefs and connections to the natural world. 

Here are amazing and fascinating articles about Halloween from recipes to decor and more written by the talented contributors on Review This Reviews 

Halloween Articles By Contributors On Review This Reviews

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Trick or Treat Pumpkin Tote Bags for Halloween

North American Bear Co. Pumpkin Goody Bag
Click to Purchase

Halloween and trick or treating are definitely special times in a child's life.  Having a unique Halloween trick or treat tote bag is really cool, especially if you consider how they can be used after Halloween. 
 
I remember trick or treating as a child and the fun that I had with my siblings on Halloween.  We loved going door to door and receiving candy treats from our neighbors.

Then, as a young mother, I loved taking our children trick or treating.  The years flew by too fast, but I cherish those memories. 

Each year my children would choose new costumes and each year, we searched for Halloween candy tote bags for them to carry.  They were always so adorable!  Of course, the trick or treat candy tote bags were often as big as my little trick or treaters and by the end of the night, their trick or treat bags seemed to weigh more than they did.  But, we had fun and the collection of Halloween trick or treat tote bags are great reminders of our annual neighborhood walks.

Either of my children would have loved the soft sided plush fabric pumpkin shown on the right.  I really hate they were not available when we needed them.

Choosing the Right Trick or Treat Tote Bag

When I was a little girl, just about everyone carried a plastic pumpkin or a pillow case for their candy on Halloween.  After years of carrying plastic pumpkins that would bump my knees when I walked or having the little handle break and spill all of my candy in someone's front lawn, I finally resorted to carrying a pillowcase.  It wasn't as pretty as my little pumpkins, but it sure was easier on the knees and it held more candy. 

Then came the plastic bags with pictures printed on the front.  They were okay.  The looked better than the old pillowcases, but the sticks on the suckers and lollipops would poke through the bags.  As the bag got heavy with candy, the holes would get bigger.  By the time I had finished trick or treating for the night, I was leaving a trail of candy that was, unbeknownst to me, dropping piece by piece from my plastic bag. 

When my daughter started trick or treating, she also carried the little pumpkins or the plastic bags.  By the time her little brother started trick or treating a few years later, we had discovered canvas bags.  

Back then, we decorated our own canvas bags, but now Halloween trick or treat canvas tote bags are pre-made and readily available.  If I had to choose just one, I do believe I would have a very difficult time selecting a Halloween trick or treat tote bag.  Fortunately for me, I do not have to choose just one, because now I use my tote bags to carry groceries, magazines, books, and craft supplies.  I even use a tote bag as a carry-on bag when I fly or as an overnight bag. 

Here are just a few that I have found and really like.  I thought it might be fun to share my favorites with you!

 Ghost & Pumpkin Tote BagCheck Price Welcome Autumn Fox Tote BagCheck Price

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 Trick or Treat Pumpkin Tote Bags for Halloween Written by:

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Reviewing Orange and Black for Halloween and How it Affects Feng Shui

A Good Choice for Halloween & Beyond 
A Water Feature (Via Amazon)
Surround it with Pumpkins

Are you worried that adding more orange and black than usual will upset the Feng Shui you've worked hard to create in your home?

If so, don't worry, it's all good.

What matters is a healthy balance of the five basic elements of Feng Shui.

These five elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. 

For the purpose of this article, we'll just cover the colors Black and Orange and how you can easily integrate Halloween Decor into your home without the worry of affecting your home's 'balance' (Chi) - meaning, it's good energy.

Orange (A Fire Element Color) - The Social Color

Orange is the color of social activity and conversation. In fact orange is an excellent paint color choice for the kitchen for that very reason.

Kitchens are typically the gathering place for people to converse, so adding orange to your kitchen simply aids in encouraging communication. You can do this by adding items with Halloween or Fall Colors to the space; center pieces, window stickers, and pumpkins.

Bagua Map Created by Funkthishouse.com

However, orange pumpkins usually end up in our foyer or front step. That's a good thing; as you can see by the Feng Shui Bagua Map attached, the Foyer or front entrance area is usually the center part of our home, where we focus on bringing in good fortune.

Adding earth elements such as pumpkins to the hallway or entrance area will merely enhance the balance needed to encourage a little more good fortune.

Black (A Water Element Color) - The Flow of Chi (Good Energy) in Your Home/Life

Black is a huge part of Halloween Decor and like orange, tends to be focused in the Foyer, Front Yard or Entrance Way.

With Black being a Water Element, it represents the flow of energy up and into your home. However, during the Halloween Season we tend to put out some funky freaky items and that's ok too - these items are temporary and relate to fun, so enjoy the night!

However, if you want to keep some standard Feng Shui rules in place even with your Halloween Decor, add black colored elements that are 'flowing'.

A good choice is a rug for the front step that has a wavy element to it, or is round. You could add a round Halloween Rug with Black and Orange in it.

Other items you can add to your front door area are; A black framed mirror (works for Halloween), black metal pots (fill them with Halloween Decor - like a witches brew, straw, a Halloween head prop, yikes! or just a simple fall plant).

An actual water feature in your front yard or entry way is the ideal water element. Decorate it for Halloween, then remove the Halloween Decor from the water feature, and you'll have a basic Feng Shui piece all year 'round to aid in encouraging abundance and success into your life.

So remember the basics: Your front door and entry way are where the flow of Chi enters your home and Water Elements and dark colors such as black can work well.

Conversation, good energy and social connection is brought out with Orange, so place it in your home where you want this part of your life improved - and that certainly is the Front Door when those little Trick or Treaters show up for their candy.

Trick or Treat!

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Halloween Countdown Continues 5 days to go!

Halloween is almost here! The ghouls, goblins, witches and princesses,   have all checked to make sure that their costumes are ready for the big night.  After all, this is a one night a year event and it should not be marred by a costume that  is less than perfect!

Review This wants to make sure that along with all the fun the kids are going to have tonight, that they are also seen by all those who may be driving on this Halloween Evening.

We know without a doubt that children get excited and maybe a little careless when they are having fun, but on darkened streets, this could be a recipe for disaster and no one wants that!

So without further hesitation, I am going to suggest a few ways to keep our kids safe and having fun, without any accidents to spoil the fun and turn it into a real "fright" night.

Being seen by cars is the most important part of keeping our kids safe.  Consider sewing or adhereing some glow in the dark reflective tape to their costumes.  These tapes are available in fabric stores or hardware stores or on-line.  Add a few stripes and make it part of the costumes design so that when any light hits it, it will glow with a brightness that everyone will see.  Or another option is to buy some glow in the dark paints and literally paint part of the design of the costume using these paints.


If this is not an option for your trick or treater, than might we suggest that a flashlight will be a good alternative.  Not only will it make them seen, they can also use it to light a path to the doorway of the next house that they will be visiting.  No tripping over garden ornaments, or hoses or anything else that would be in their path.   I like this one because you can attach it to their goody bags with the clip, so that their hands are free.  Sometimes the kids would just rather not have anything else to deal with other than their goody bags.


  Clip on Flashlight by Melissa and Doug.

I love the idea of lights and making the children as visible as possible, but still keeping with the spirit of Halloween.  If you have taken the time to construct your costume,  maybe you have thought to add some solar lights to part of your "get up" !

I can picture it now,  Ms. Witch with her hat and long hair just covered in twinkling lights......or a cauldron goody keeper that emits a frightening light....or even cool glow sticks that come in a variety of colors. Share them with friends and the more that are together the better the light will be.

Glow sticks are fun for all the kids, share them with your friends and make sure that they are visible too!

These are just a few of the steps you can take to make sure that your children and their friends are not walking in the dark, possibly not being seen by those around them.

Add some reflective tape to their goody bags and the toes and heels of their shoes.  They will be spooky looking, because their feet will be making tracks before you realize that there are goblins or ghosts on your doorstep.

For everyone to really enjoy Halloween, let's remember to BE Safe and Have a Really Good Time.

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Halloween Apparel & Accessories to Wear All Day

Many of us enjoy celebrating Halloween all day, not just at night for parties or trick or treating.  Some of us even wear our favorite Halloween accessories throughout the week to work, to school or simply when we go to the grocery store.  There are many ways we can dress up an everyday outfit with Halloween jewelry, scarves, sweaters, t-shirts or perhaps by carrying a Halloween purse.  These items are all a fun way to extend Halloween beyond the evening costumes.


Halloween Earrings

Halloween Earrings

My personal favorite way to accessorize for all day Halloween fun is by simply wearing Halloween Earrings.  This is truly the easiest way to dress up an everyday outfit with a touch of Halloween that is not too overpowering.  Halloween earrings can often be worn to work or school, and they can certainly be worn to the grocery store for those of us who still have our regular daily responsibilities to attend to before the nighttime festivities begin.

For a selection of Halloween Earrings, you will want to visit:  Halloween Earrings

You May Also Enjoy:  Halloween Rings, which are another all day Halloween accessory. 



Halloween Shirts

Halloween shirts are also a great way to dress for the day or week to celebrate Halloween without having to don a full costume.

Halloween Shirts for Kids

We all enjoy wearing the comfortable t-shirts, but a Halloween t-shirt is especially a treat.  There are Halloween Shirts made just for children.  Kids will love being able to wear pumpkins, little ghosts, skeletons or a variety of other Halloween images created just for children.

Adults and teens will, no doubt, embrace these Funny T-shirts funny t-shirts that are sure to bring a smile to the faces of all of their friends.  Some will even make them laugh out loud.  

For the selection of Halloween T-shirts visit:  Halloween Shirts for Kids and Funny Halloween T-shirts.

Funny Halloween T-shirts

Halloween Scarves

Fun Wrap Scarves

If you live in an area where the temperatures have already turned cold by Halloween, you will want to accessorize with a fabulous Halloween Scarf.  These scarves can be worn with just a plain shirt which will provide the perfect background for them, or even with your coat.

Regardless of how cold it is in your area, a Halloween scarf is just plain fun!  It would also be the perfect Halloween item for parents to wear when they accompany their children while trick or treating.

For a selection of recommended Halloween Scarves visit:  Fun Wrap Scarves for the Holiday



Halloween Purses

Halloween Purses & Handbags

Halloween purses are another way to accessorize an everyday outfit, plus they are so much fun to carry.  

These Halloween purses are sure to elicit a ton of comments and compliments throughout the Halloween holiday.

For a selection of Halloween Purses visit:  Halloween Purses and Handbags








More Halloween Apparel & Accessories to Wear All Day

You can find more suggestions for Halloween all day apparel and accessories at Halloween Haven where the Halloween fun begins and continues throughout the year.  It is all about Halloween!

If you have published an article on Halloween apparel or accessories that for be appropriate for all day wear, please share you link in our guestbook below.   We are always on the lookout for great new articles to feature.

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