Halloween Countdown

Although the end of August rarely triggers holiday excitement in us, it should.  Unless you live in northern areas, it's still pretty hot the end of August. However, it's only 2 months from the end of August to Halloween! And, if you live on an island, planning ahead is the ONLY way to survive the holidays!

OK, so you're ready to start planning and intend to have the best Halloween (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve...) ever. Where do you start?  Start with your planner. You can set aside a section in your everyday planner, or (like I do) have a separate holiday planner. Anything works - even index cards. Whichever you use, fill it with the colors of the holiday. Add some stickers if you have them.  That alone will help get you in the mood.

Right now I keep a separate countdown for each holiday, but look soon for a complete countdown incorporating the next 3 months.



1. Make pages for your planner:

Halloween Decorations - list decorations that you have on hand, those you need to buy, decorating themes to consider, decorating ideas that you see or read about.

Halloween Foods - list foods you want to make, spooky food ideas, treats you've promised to provide for parties and bake sales (be sure to note the dates as well as ingredients needed).

Party Plans - this could even be a separate section. List your party theme, decorations, menu, guest list, invitation design, items needed, games & activities, and to-do's.

Costumes - list costume ideas for each family member. Note whether costume parts will need to be ordered - or,if you can buy them locally, put it on your shopping list now.

Movies & Music - list Halloween movies to rent, Halloween TV specials to watch; music & sound effects for Halloween night and/or your Halloween party.

Halloween Shopping & Errands - list items needed (decorations, foods, costume items) and errands to run (dry cleaning, library, field trips with your kids).

Cleaning & Clearing - list everything you need to do to get your home ready for one holiday after the other. You might even need a page for each room.

Dates - list all the dates for the upcoming holiday - school functions, bake sales, Halloween events, parties - with all the preparations necessary & foods you're expected to contribute, then enter the dates on your calendar.



2. Decide NOW if you are going to have a party - and decide if you will have a theme. If it will be a costume party, let your guests know far enough ahead that they can plan and purchase costumes. If you are having a party, you'll have a separate party countdown for that.



3. Shopping & Online Ordering:

Purchase or order costumes as soon as possible - we Guamanians like Halloween - a lot - and buy everything up the first couple weeks in September. If you need to order supplies, do it now to allow 6 weeks for shipping.

Get your Trick-or-Treat candy as soon as you see it. Although there is a chance that it will go on sale sometime before Halloween, odds are pretty good that there won't be any left if you do your shopping in the islands. You don't want to spend Halloween eve making homemade treats (that most parents wouldn't allow their children to eat anyway).



4. Need help getting in the mood? Here on Guam, it certainly is hard to imagine Halloween is around the corner when the weather never changes from a high of 87°. So, this is how I get myself in the mood: I pick a rainy day, turn the A/C on full blast, put on some Halloween music, and pull out my Halloween planner and magazines. It works every time.



[Halloween Countdown]  [Pumpkins]  [Halloween Entertaining]  [Halloween Party Themes]  [Halloween Games]  [Halloween Foods]  [Halloween Costumes]  [Halloween Decorations] [Halloween Music]  [Tips & Ideas]



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