Halloween Masks and Costumes


Traditions of Halloween Masks and Costumes

 

Halloween Masks and CostumesThe tradition of dressing in costumes and masks on Halloween finds its roots in both European and Celtic history. On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly realm, people thought they would encounter the ghosts if they left their homes. Therefore, to avoid being seen by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits.

 

Halloween CostumesNowadays the fear is not of running into visiting ghosts, but trying to find a cool costume in time for a party or trick-or-treating. And in these modern times, dressing in costume is one of the most popular Halloween customs for both children and adults. Traditional costumes usually included witches, ghosts, and vampires. However, costumes inspired by contemporary popular culture, such as politicians or movie characters, have become increasingly common in recent years.

 

Popular adult costumes have satirical or humorous overtones. It is not uncommon to see Clinton, Nixon, Reagan or Bush running around the streets on Halloween.

 

There are tons of websites offering clever and fast costume ideas for the last-minute Halloween shopper. How about dressing as a bag of jelly beans?  You'll need a clear plastic bag. Step into it making holes for the legs and arms out the side. Fill the bag with different color balloons and use a flashy scarf to tie around the top of the bag. You may want to place a sign that says Jelly Beans 5¢ in front of the bag. For the clothing underneath just about any color leotard and leggings will work.

 


 

Fancy Halloween Masks

 

Mardi Gras MaskThis year, forget the usual Jason hockey mask or the Scream ghost headgear, be extravagant and unique by wearing one of those ultra-elegant masquerade mask...they are VERY arty and beautiful. They are sometimes referred as Mardi Gras masks.

 

We have found a place in New Orleans that brings the creative art of mask-making to the public. You can visit their gorgeous website: http://www.themaskstore.com/

 

For cheaper masquerade masks, we found another site that offers Italian-style and Mardi Gras-style masks: http://www.costumeshopper.com/masquerade-masks.html

 

Some unusual and ornate masks:

 

Mask sculpted by Nic Graham     Mardi Gras Mask      Comical mask

 

 

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Dressing your pets!Halloween Costumes for your pet!             

 

 

Celebrate the Halloween season with your pooch or kitty - as long as they don't mind wearing a vampire cape or butterfly wings! If you see them making a fuss while wearing a tomato on their head, oh please just take it off!

 

Below are some ideas for some hilarious halloween costumes for your best friend (arf! arf!):

 

Hot-Dog!  Cute as a tomato!  Cute as a bunny  Yoda and Princess Leia

 

 

Some excellent places to find costumes for your dog or cat:

Frightened cat

 

http://www.halloweencostumes.com/pet-costumes.html

www.trixieandpeanut.com

www.spoiledrottendoggies.com

www.spoiledrottenkitties.com

 

 

Come as you like, but leave the fish alone!

 

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Books for Halloween Costume Ideas

 

Dressed for Thrills: 100 Years of Halloween Costumes and Masquerade  Dressed for Thrills: 100 Years of Halloween Costumes and Masquerade 

By Phyllis Galembo, Mark Alice Durant, Valerie Steel

 

A whimsical array of ghosts and goblins, spooks and skeletons, vamps and vampires parade through this unparalleled collection of more than 100 years of American Halloween attire. From Little Bo Peep with lamb in hand to beatniks and pirates, from monsters and witches to clowns and animals, this veritable "carnival" of costumes visually captures All Hallows' Eve like no other book before.  Amazon.com

 


 

The Original Duct Tape Halloween Book The Original Duct Tape Halloween Book 

By Jim Berg and Tim Nyberg

 

Need a creative costume?? The Original Duct Tape Halloween Book is a four-color, fully illustrated holiday sourcebook offering more than 101 clever costume ideas, plus dozens of other creative and mischievous uses for duct tape. Halloween and duct tape-it's a marriage made in nutty heaven. Presenting the loopiest duct tape book of them all: a guide to using the universal adhesive for disguise, decoration, tricks, and treats on the holiday where everyone's encouraged to act a little crazy.  Amazon.com

 


 

Halloween: A Grown-Up's Guide to Creative Costumes, Devilish Decor & Fabulous Festivities Halloween: A Grown-Up's Guide to Creative Costumes, Devilish Decor & Fabulous Festivities  By Joanne O'Sullivan

 

Finally, here's a Halloween book that's definitely for adults. It's brimming with practical and inventive ideas for parties, decorations, and costumes, and with an amazingly atmospheric design that's a luscious treat for grown-up eyes. Take the dread out of a costume party with creative and playful ways to dress for success on All Hallow's Eve; there are even actual costume elements to use, from wings and tails to masks and hats. You'll find ways to repurpose items right out of your own closet or benefit from a quick trip to the thrift shop. Unique make-up tips for a ghoulishly great appearance will complete the effect.  Amazon.com

 



The Halloween Handbook: 447 CostumesThe Halloween Handbook: 447 Costumes 

By Bridie Clark, Ashley Dodd and Janette Beckman

 

"The Halloween Handbook" is jam-packed with 447 costume ideas from the spooky to the hilarious. There are clever twists on old favorites as well as timesaving tips for getting dressed up at the last minute. "Drape a light green sheet around your body like a toga, make a construction paper crown, and wrap a flashlight in tin foil to become a real-life Statue of Liberty." Or, "Make four holes in a clear plastic garbage bag for your arms and legs, and fill the bag with inflated balloons. You are a bag of jellybeans."  Amazon.com

 


 

Illegally Easy Halloween Costumes for Kids Illegally Easy Halloween Costumes for Kids

By Leila Peltosaari

 

Simple patterns and shortcuts for easy no-sew Halloween costumes for kids. The 100 different Halloween costume choices include bunnies, pirates, witches, octopus, skeleton, storybook characters, animals, clowns, swamp monster, etc. Each costume idea comes complete with matching treat bags and accessories. he simple, step-by-step instructions are enhanced with detailed full-color photos and illustrations. This book can help you whip up an original costume with very simple inexpensive ingredients or with whatever you have in the house even at the very last minute!  Amazon.com

 


 

Glue & Go Costumes for Kids: Super-Duper Designs with Everyday MaterialsGlue & Go Costumes for Kids: Super-Duper Designs with Everyday Materials  By Holly Cleeland

 

With readily available supplies and basic tools such as scissors and a glue gun, even the most sew-phobic parent or teacher can create unique, oversize, eye-catching children’s costumes. You won’t believe just how simple it is to transform a kid into a corn on the cob, cupcake, pencil, racecar, monster, basket of flowers, birdhouse, hot air balloon, plate of bacon and eggs, or create other unforgettable disguises. The 28 clever ideas are showcased in fabulous full-color photographs and are made with easy-to-find materials, including plastic cups and plates, cardboard boxes, fabric, and foam core. 

Amazon.com

 

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