At Home

Holidays are a great time to build family traditions. It is a time when families and friends get together to celebrate a special time of year. Halloween is one of my favorites. I remember my mother letting each of us look through the old Children Friend for ideas to make a costume. I lived the four corners of Utah in Monticello where there were only about 1,500 people. If one was to have a Halloween costume it was up to them to make it. Making my costume was one of my highlights of the year. The one that I remember the most was taking a big sugar sack, which was made out of layers of paper. We cut a slit in the top and on the side so that I could get it over my head and slip my arms through. Then we removed the top layer which had print on it and then we painted a face on the front and I wore a big hat and won the prize for one of the best costumes.

Here are some fun ideas that I have used over the years when I was on the Today show and the ABC’s Home Show. Pick the ones that will work for you and have a ball enjoy the holiday with your family and friends.

Ironing Board Ghost: This ghost can appear or disappear in a flash. Stand an ironing board with the rounded end up. Drape or fasten a white sheet over the ironing board, forming a ghost. Cut eyes, nose, and mouth from black felt, and tape or pin them to the sheet where the face should be.

Paper Plate Skeleton: No bones about it! This is a cinch for little hands to make.

Cut white paper plates according to the picture. To join the various parts of the skeleton, punch small holes at each point of contact and tie them together with string. Draw or paint feathers on the face. Accent the skeleton’s scary face by cutting out eyes, nose, and mount. Paste a sheet of black construction paper on the back of the plate so the paper shows through the holes. If both sides of the skeleton will show, attach an additional paper plate to form the back of the bead. This skeleton is perfect for hanging in windows and on doors. Is it also great to use year after year.

For more fun ideas like this check out Dian’s Holiday Fun Year-Round. It is packed with ideas for over 20 holidays. It is great for mothers and grandmothers that want to have fun with the kids teach them how to be creative and share memories that will last forever. Go to www.DianThomas.com.