A Halloween How-To: Costumes, Parties, Decorations, and Destinations

Do not merely approach "A Halloween How-To: Costumes, Parties, Decorations, and Destinations" expecting a mere how-to book. Yes author Lesley Pratt Bannatyne provides Halloween how-to advise. But she provides much more than that. Approach the book looking as much for Halloween how-to as ideas and inspiration.

Because that is exactly what you'll get. How-to info, ideas on places to go, decorations, parties, costumes, etc., and inspirations from which to come up with your own ideas which don't appear in the book. Looking to produce your own graveyard but don't want the stones to merely say the ubiquotes RIP? Check in the book for ideas on names, and epitaphs. Names like I.M. Bones could add a bit of humor to your graveyard. Or maybe you'll go a bit literary with names of characters from famous short stories and novels. Or even movie characters. Epitaphs could be something that describe a character. One such idea given in the book is giving dates of death for Dracula, which kinda points out the vampire being resurrected in various movies.

What about decorations? One idea the author provides is to make a seires of lanterns out of those plastic jack-o-lantern trick-or-treat buckets, PVC piping, and a light bulb. These can then be stood up lighting the pathway to a front door. Or maybe you want to go with figures that might look a little more store bought. Well Ms. Bannatyne provides a recipe for a little something called monster mud and instructions on using it to make props. And from the basic recipe for monster mud and how you would use it to make props you can start putting together your own ideas of props to make using monster mud. Maybe some hands coming out of the ground or a gargoyle-like creature. It's really up to you how you'll use the monster mud.

Looking for places to visit during October leading up to Halloween. Not to fear, there are ideas on places to visit. However, keep in mind that on this point the book is sadly a little dated. Some things may no longer exsist, some may now be smaller, and some may be bigger since this book was originally published. Yet some things will certainly still be around.

In need of a simple costume cause you got invited to a costume party without having gotten enough time to get a costume together? Or maybe you don't have the money to afford and expensive costume or a rented one. Not to fear, "A Halloween How-To: Costumes, Parties, Decorations, and Destinations" gives some ideas of costumes you can easily make. Some of these costumes even won costume contests in past years.

Or maybe you want to host your own Halloween party. As the title suggest, this book can help you. From ideas on party decorations to ideas on invites "A Halloween How-To: Costumes, Parties, Decorations, and Destinations" will make it a little easier to start putting a party together.

In short, this book makes an excellent starting point for your Halloween planing.

I purchased this book because I was planning a Halloween party. It had alot of great ideas for costomes, props and foods to serve. I also enoyed the chapters on the history of Halloween as well as different celebrations across the US.After reading this book I really want to go to Key West for their celebration/parade next year.I had purchased 4 Halloween books and this was the best of the lot

If there were pictures in this book, it would be the best book I own on the subject. I love the chapter written about the background on the holiday and there were some really good decorating ideas. I wish the author would do a new edition on this book with color photographs of the projects.

I own several Halloween books and this is my favorite. Many have the same ideas over and over. This has some very different ideas and tricks of the trade for creating awesome Halloween displays and parties.

It doesn't matter if you are a home haunter like me, someone who loves Halloween, or just like to have THE best Halloween party in town, this is the book! It has so much fun info in it, recipes, costume ideas, decor and invite ideas... EVERYTHING! Buy one for yourself and one for your crazy friend!