Halloween is a time for crazy costumes, ghost stories, sugar-buzzed kids and all things that go bump in the night.

While the average American is expected to spend over $70 on Halloween this year, you don’t have to break the bank to have a spooktacularly fun holiday. Here are a few tips to help you create a festive Halloween without sending a chill down your spine.

Quick and easy costumes
While purchasing a costume may be the easiest solution, it can be expensive. Instead, consider making a one-of-a kind costume. All it takes is a little creativity and items likely found around your home.

With a few supplies, a little prep-time and some imagination, paint and scissors can transform a simple box into a robot, a racecar or a kissing-booth. Or, scan your closet for inspiration; a fortune teller, Greek goddess or private detective costume may be lurking amongst the treasures and accessories in your closet.

For hair-raising fun, the folks at Jack Link’s Beef Jerky have made it easy for fans of their iconic “Messin’ With Sasquatch” commercials to create a costume of the elusive Sasquatch. Check out JackLinks.com to download a free, printable Sasquatch mask, iron-on T-shirt transfer, and other fun tips to make an inexpensive, yet ferociously fun Halloween costume this year.

Don’t be tricked by your treats
Between the candy corn, candied apples and popcorn balls, finding a healthier Halloween treat can be a spooky experience for parents. Don’t be tricked; a “fun” sized mini chocolate bar can pack 60 to 80 calories and it’s loaded with sugar.

To avoid a holiday candy coma, choose non-sugary, protein-rich snacks such as roasted pumpkin seeds, low-calorie beef or turkey jerky or fun-to-eat string cheese. In fact, after carving your Halloween pumpkin, roasting the pumpkin seeds is a fun activity to share with your family.

The great pumpkin
Nothing conjures up memories of Halloweens past like carving jack o’ lanterns. This year, test your pumpkin carving skills with a family friendly “carve-off” competition. Choose prizes that will engage the whole family such as a “winner’s choice” family movie night or movie passes to a local theater.

“Everyone likes pumpkins, and carving jack o’ lanterns is a great way to bring people together,” says children’s book author and avid pumpkin and woodblock carver Betsy Bowen. “Youngsters, oldsters and in-betweens can all be creative with a pumpkin.”

If you’re a pumpkin-carving novice, it’s easy to get started. Select a nicely shaped, firm pumpkin and cover your work surface with newspaper. Gather all of the necessary carving tools, such as spoons, toothpicks for marking your pattern and a small carving knife or saw. Get creative and sketch out a unique design, or use a stencil or pattern as your guide. You can download a variety of free patterns online, suitable for all skill levels, including a Sasquatch stencil at JackLinks.com. If you’re not comfortable carving your pumpkin, try painting it instead.

After carving, light each pumpkin by placing a candle, battery-operated tea-light, or glow stick, inside. There is a certain magic in the air when pumpkins are aglow.

For more information on the Jack Link’s Beef Jerky Sasquatch o’ Lantern or Sasquatch costume, visit JackLinks.com/Growloween. For more information on Betsy Bowen, visit Woodcut.com.

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In fact, nearly two-thirds of adults have dressed up every year for the past two to three years, and more than half of adults plan on decorating their homes this year, according to a recent survey released by Savers, Inc., a global thrift retailer with Savers and Value Village stores across the country.

“Halloween is a welcome escape for so many people,” says Mary Ginnaty, senior buyer at Savers, Inc. “It’s a holiday where you can take a break from everyday worries, alter your ego and just have fun celebrating with friends and family. Folks love that.”

But with the turbulent economy remaining top of mind, some Halloween shoppers may be worried about how to create new costumes and decorations without spending a fortune in the process. There’s no need to fear, though – just consider these tips for a festive All Hallows’ Eve that won’t leave your credit card haunting you:

* Set a budget – The first step of any shopping venture should be to set a budget that the whole family agrees on, and stick to it. Halloween is no different, so make sure you decide in advance how much you want to spend on costumes, decorations, candy and any other miscellaneous merriment.

* Mix new and used – One of the best ways to save money and create a completely original costume is to combine new and previously owned pieces. For instance, pairing a fancy little girl’s dress and vintage jewelry with new accessories like a wig, tiara and wand makes for a completely customizable and unique princess look. You could also purchase a prepackaged costume, such as a vampire, and then punch it up with secondhand items like tuxedo pants, shiny dress shoes and white gloves to make the look even more authentic.

* Take the road less traveled – When shopping for a Halloween costume, visit a thrift store and be sure to browse every department – especially areas you don’t typically shop. For instance, if you’re looking to create a men’s pirate costume, check the women’s section for billowy and ruffled tops and loose-fitting pants. Many men may not realize the women’s section offers completely different styles and textured materials, which could be perfect for a variety of costume ideas. Women, too, should check out the men’s and boy’s sections for things like vests and authentic uniforms.

* Consult the experts – If you’re having trouble pulling together the exact look you’re going for, search online and in magazines for inspiration. Some stores, like Savers and Value Village even offer trained costume consultants who are completely dedicated to helping people put together the perfect costume on any budget. They can help shoppers find a new ready-made costume, offer advice in mixing themed accessories with clothing items found in their closets, or find unique secondhand finds for those looking to create a completely handmade look.

* Do-it-yourself decor – When shopping for decorations, don’t feel like you need to pay top dollar for standard store-bought goods. Crafting spooky Halloween decor for just a few bucks can be as simple as applying a layer of black spray paint to secondhand silk flowers or quirky ceramic knick-knacks, like owls, crows and cats, and sprinkling them around your “haunted house” for a creepy surprise.

* Pass a good value on – After Halloween has come and gone, don’t forget to donate your costume at a Community Donation Center. You’ll help benefit a nonprofit in your community, and give someone else a great Halloween look next year.

For more Halloween costume ideas and downloadable DIY project instructions, visit www.savers.com.

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To get your creative juices flowing, try one or all of the tips below from Bing’s lifestyle expert, Karin Muskopf, when you are hunting for your costume.

* Don’t forget the “we” in Halloween: Whether you’re looking for a couple’s costume, dressing up as the cast of “True Blood” with your friends, or doing your own thing, it can be helpful to get feedback on your ideas. One easy way to do this is to use Bing Shopping, as it allows you to share shopping lists with friends via email and Facebook to get their advice, all within a couple of clicks. Not only will your friends help you pick the right outfit, but you’ll feel confident you’re one of the best dressed for this ghoulish day.

* Think outside the coffin: Nobody wants to show up as the fourth witch at a party, so get into the spooky spirit of things and explore options that are outside the norm. To start, look around your house for creative inspirations and accessories. You never know if your next idea comes from something you see in your fridge or junk drawer. Also, consider creating a mash-up Halloween costume that combines two ordinary ideas into one extraordinary masterpiece. Think “Werezombie,” or perhaps “Ronald McDonald Trump” – a painted clown face with a dark suit and an impressive comb-over. The beauty of dressing up is that the possibilities are endless and there’s no such thing as being too creative.

* Don’t be “tricked” into spending tons of money. Instead, “treat” yourself to the best deals in town. To find unique costumes and accessories, check out local discount stores, The Salvation Army and thrift stores. Also, try to find new materials by going to garage sales in your neighborhood. Not only will you protect the cash in your cauldron, you’ll be more likely to find materials and accessories that others won’t have. Halloween is the perfect time to prove how someone else’s trash can become your terrifyingly terrific treasure.

* Think it through: While customization is important, it’s never fun to go to a party with an uncomfortable costume that you have to change out of after an hour. Sky-high stilettos might look great with your Marilyn Monroe get-up, but will leave you with aching arches that’ll scare you more than that haunted party you’re attending. Make sure you think about how your entire costume – including shoes and makeup – will fit and feel at the events you plan to attend. If you know you’re going to be in a cold location, going as Tarzan in a loin cloth is probably not the best idea.

* Start planning now: If you plan on purchasing a ready-made costume to suite your personal style, start checking out stores early to make sure you are picking from a wide range of styles and sizes. To add personality to your ready-made costume, consider adding fabric glitter, fake blood or tulle. It’s a quick and easy way to make your costume go from frightful to fang-tastic. Look at websites such as BingHalloween.com to get ideas and find your signature look.

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Most days, you probably want visitors to feel welcome and secure in your home. But one day a year, it’s fun to scare the dickens out of them – so make the most of Halloween and all the good-natured frights that come along with the spookiest of holidays.

While your neighbors may pull out all the stops decorating outdoors for Christmas, an over-the-top Halloween display can also earn you a place in neighborhood lore. The Halloween decor experts at online retailer SeventhAvenue.com offer some tips to consider as you create a spooky playground to impress the trick-or-treaters:

* Know your audience. It might be a good idea to match the level of scary in your Halloween decorations with the age of the children you expect to come trick-or-treating. For younger children, think fun. Older kids might appreciate a good scare.

* Choose a theme. Halloween is the perfect holiday for creativity, so when it comes to the front yard, don’t limit yourself. Decorations that center around a theme are the most impactful and will delight children when walking to your doorstep. You could choose something as simple as a graveyard theme, leading visitors through a path of gravestones and creaky gates, with zombie decorations for good measure. Or use ideas from your favorite scary movie. If you need ideas, try browsing outdoor Halloween decor at online retailers like www.seventhavenue.com.

* Direct traffic. Now that you’ve chosen a theme, think about how you want your guests to experience it, beginning with the sidewalk and ending with your front door. For example, if you went with a Dracula theme you could lead your visitors to the front door with lights that resemble chandelier candles. Solar lanterns could also be used to light the path, as they won’t leave you burning through batteries or electricity. Well lit signs could also be used to lead visitors through a scavenger hunt through your front yard.

* Dress the part. To make your theme really work for you, wear a costume to the door that goes along with it. It’s a great way to get in touch with your inner child and to thrill the kids in your neighborhood.

* Safety first. While it’s great to create the scariest yard on the block, you should also make sure it’s safe. Walkways and hazards like ponds or stairs should be well lit.

* Get help from nature. The trees in your yard make a great place to hang spooky decorations. Use old grass clippings to give a spookier feel to zombies and gravestones. You can use leaves as stuffing paper for bags and figurines, filling them with life.

* Treats matter. We all know the number one reason kids look forward to Halloween is the bounty they’ll bring home from a long night of trick-or-treating. Considering that everyone else will give out candy, make your house more memorable by giving a toy related to your theme. Or, give glow bracelets that are not only fun but will also keep them safe by making them visible in the dark.

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Halloween cupcakes

What you need:

• 24 cupcakes

• 1 container of vanilla icing

• Tube of red icing with a fine tip

• Gumballs

• Spatula – for icing cupcakes

• Bounty paper towels

Directions:

1. Before handling any food, make sure kids – and adults – have washed their hands.

2. Place Bounty paper towels on the table to keep it tidy.

3. Let kids ice the cupcakes using spatulas.

4. Once the cupcakes are iced, place a gumball in the centre of the cupcake – eventually it will look like an eyeball.

5. Take the red icing tube and draw lines on the cupcake to create the look of bloodshot eyes.

6. Place the cupcakes on a serving platter until you’re ready to eat them – or use them in a funny photo.

7. When you’re done decorating, wipe down all surfaces with Bounty paper towels – they have the strength, absorbency, and cloth-like durability that you are looking for.

www.newscanada.com

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Kids love carving Hallowe’en pumpkins, but the clean-up can be a monster mess. Try these simple tips to keep the focus on the fun.

1. Great artists plan and sketch their paintings before they start work; encourage kids to do the same. Get out the crayons and markers and let them draw the pumpkin they want to carve. Let the kids share their creations with neighbours when trick or treating.

2. Find or create a clean, clear surface to start. Counters work well and will allow for plenty of room to move around the pumpkin as you work on it. This is preferable to putting down newsprint, which can leave ink on surfaces and clothes.

3. Put aprons on the kids to protect their clothes from the pumpkin mess.

4. Minimize the mess by scooping pumpkin seeds and flesh into a bowl that can easily be emptied into the composter or garbage can. To scrape out the pumpkin, save your spoons and use an ice cream scoop – they’re also easier for little hands to wield.

5. Once you’ve scooped out and carved the jack o’lantern, wipe down the surface with Bounty paper towels – they have the strength, absorbency, and cloth-like durability that you are looking for.

Additional Hallowe’en craft ideas can be found online at www.bountytowels.com.

www.newscanada.com

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- Consider giving out coins, toothbrushes, pencils, or apples instead of candy.

- Make your own costume from scraps, cardboard boxes, and old clothing you may have around the house.

- Think about different ways you can reuse your costume. White sheets can be used as a wall hanging or decoration for next year’s Halloween.

- Don’t drive your kids from house to house. Either walk with them or drive them to a neighbourhood where the houses are closer together.

- Use leftover makeup for crafts or for your dress up box.

- Make sure to put your jack o’ lantern in the compost.

Donate your costume to a secondhand store. If you decide to sell it, use the money to support an organization that practices environmental initiatives like Christian Children’s Fund of Canada www.ccfcanada.ca. You can help a farmer plant a garden or educate children to care for their environment.

www.newscanada.com

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It’s that spooky time of year again when skeletons, spider webs and gravestones make a style statement! Whether you prefer family-friendly Halloween décor for your home or want to turn your front yard into the scariest place in the neighbourhood, Canadian Tire has everything you need to plan a fun-filled Halloween for your family and friends.

Spooky front yard makeover tips

• Animated rising ghosts or skulls with spooky sounds and LED red flashing eyes are sure to thrill trick-or-treaters.

• A wide assortment of hanging ghouls and friendly fiends from Canadian Tire can give your home and yard the perfect haunted look.

• Decorate trees or plants with string lights featuring spiders or bats for that perfect creepy touch.

• A great addition to your Halloween décor is an indoor projector that allows you to project scary, haunting images on your walls and windows with spooky sound effects.

Family-friendly décor

Halloween doesn’t always have to be about scary and gruesome. Buying family-friendly décor can be a fun activity to do with the kids.

• Plan a trip to your nearest Canadian Tire store and have some fun picking out Disney decor to match your costume!

• Creating a decorative Halloween walkway in your front yard is a great way to add to your outdoor décor while ensuring a safe, well-lit path for trick-or-treating kids.

www.newscanada.com

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Halloween ghosts like these can be made from tissues, cotton handkerchiefs, or coffee filters, as you'll see below! They're an easy and fun way for the family to get in the Halloween spirit!

Some of the best craft projects can be made from common household items, and here we’ll learn how to make two fantastic Halloween craft projects from coffee filters and a few other items: Coffee Filter Ghosts and Coffee Filter Bats.  These are both easy projects that children and adults of all ages can enjoy!

It is recommended that adults accompany children with these crafts, as scissors are used – and besides, it’s more fun for everyone that way!

Coffee Filter Ghosts

What you’ll need:

• Basket coffee filters (one per ghost)
• Ribbons in Halloween colors like orange, purple, and black
• Magic Markers
• String (optional)
• Assorted decorations like googly eyes (optional)
• Candy or tissue for stuffing the head
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Take a coffee filter and place a wadded tissue or some candy in the center.  This will serve as the stuffing for the head.  If you use candy, they make for super Halloween party favors!
2. Tie a Halloween colored ribbon around the neck of the ghost.
3. Use magic markers to draw faces on your ghosts.  You can also use googly eyes and other fun items to get creative with it!
4. If you want to hang your ghosts up as Halloween decorations, you can tie a piece of string around the neck and tuck it under the ribbon.  These are great for hanging in Halloween trees, or just around the house!

Coffee Filter Bats

What you’ll need:

• Basket coffee filters (one per bat)
• Black watercolor paint
• Paintbrush
• Clothespins
• Googly eyes
• Purple and/or orange ribbon
• Scissors
• Craft glue

Instructions:

1. Create an environment suitable for painting
2. Paint the coffee filters with black watercolor and set aside to dry.
3. Once dried, fold the painted coffee filters in half.
4. Fold them in half again, folding it in quarters.
5. Take a clothespin and pinch the new fold with the clothespin.
6. Open the filter and glue to the clothespin as needed to make the wings spread out.
7. Glue googly eyes to the front of the clothespin.
8. Cut semi-circles around the edges to make it more bat-like.
9. Tie with orange or purple ribbons for hanging.

And now you have two cute handmade Halloween decorations to adorn the porch, the windows, and anywhere else around the house!

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Ghost Meringues

I make this recipe every year for my family and for Halloween parties and it is always a big hit!  It’s great because the recipe is easy and the treats come out light and tasty.

It’s also a great Halloween project to do with the kids, because they can get creative with the shapes and decorations.  In our house our favorite Halloween meringue cookie shapes are ghosts and bones, but the possibilities are endless.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups of sugar
• 5 egg whites at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• A pinch of salt
• 1 to 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to taste
• Black gel icing

Directions

1. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. Preheat oven to 220 degrees fahrenheit.
3. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar with mixer until soft peaks form, this could take from two to five minutes.  I alwys use a Kitchenaid standing mixer but a hand mixer will work as well.
4. Gradually add sugar while also gradually increasing the mixing speed to medium.
5. Add vanilla extract and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
6. Spoon the mixture into a cake or pastry piping bag with a 1/4 – 1/2 inch tip or with a plastic bag and cut off a 1/4 – 1/2 inch tip at the corner of the bag.
7. Pipe a swirl to make a ghost and repeat until the cookie sheets are filled.
8. Bake for one hour. Then, turn off heat and allow the cookies to sit for at least an hour. Do not open oven at any time during the baking process.
9. Use black gel icing to make eyes and mouths on the ghosts.
10. Carefully remove cookies from parchment paper and enjoy them while they are fresh or store in an airtight container.

If you want to make meringue bones, simply pipe a 3-4 inch line and add two balls to the end of each.

Recipe yields 3-4 dozen.

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