08.29
In August, when most kids my age were thinking about the cute plaid jumpers and penny loafers their parents would be buying them to wear for the first day of school, I was already daydreaming about my Halloween costume.
My youth was in a gentler time, when children could play at public playgrounds and walk home from school without fear. Poodle skirts had given way to mini skirts, but only the city girls were wearing those. Neighbors had lived on the same block for generations, and knew each others’ names, shared each others’ interests and gathered for cookouts and Sunday picnics. I believed that “Father Knows Best”, and that the perfect Halloween costume included a plastic mask with a small, narrow hole cut over the mouth, so that you could stick your tongue out.
Shopping for Halloween costumes was done at the Dime Store. These magical places sold everything a person could possibly want, from fabulous jewels ( I spent 89 cents on the giant aurora borealis crystal flower earrings that I gave my mother for her birthday!), to toys ( I remember the basket of hobby horses that were named “Silver” and “Trigger” ), to glassware and even small tools. In the fall, the Dime Store was transformed into a glorious harvest wonderland of plaid and colored leaves and, most importantly, the boxes of the newest and most wonderful Halloween costumes. Brand names like Collegeville and Ben Cooper presented both the traditional ghosts, witches, monsters and princesses, as well as the stars of stage and screen. As a rule, the costumes included a printed tunic that tied in the back, sometimes pants or a skirt to match, and the mask. 
Masks covered the face only, and were held on by elastic bands that stretched around the back of one’s head. They had holes for the eyes and that odd narrow hole at the mouth, on which more than one of us cut our tongue. Some even had holes cut out where the nostrils might be, for better ventilation. You could sometimes buy the masks separately, and often, more creative mothers did just that, and then built a costume around it.
One of the most memorable Halloweens of my childhood found me dressed as Mickey Mouse. The costume was all one piece, a tube, rounded off at the top, with a hard plastic front containing the molded and very colorful image of Mickey as a band leader, which was sewn to a fabric back. There were eyeholes and the mouth hole cut into it, and 2 slits on the sides to stick your hands through. 
I was particularly proud of this costume, because i was the smallest in my class, and by holding my hands at different levels, I could appear to be much taller than I actually was. Some of the older children were dressed as the Lone Ranger and one brave lad even came in a Beatles costume, although I couldn’t tell which of the Fab Four he was supposed to be. The variety was endless.
Today’s Halloween costumes are much safer than they were back then. Gone are the masks that obscure a child’s vision. Fabrics used are flame retardant. Many costumes contain light up or reflective features to make the wearer more visible by headlight and flashlight. The variety is still endless, and still feature traditional Halloween monsters as well as popular stars of today. Although the Dime Store has all but vanished from the downtown streets of America, costume shopping is still done in department stores and discount super stores, as well as the more convenient and versatile online retailers. The one thing that has never changed at all, is that in August, when the “Back to School” decorations go up, I am still daydreaming about my Halloween costume.
If you are carving a simple Jack O’Lantern, then simple tools are the right choice. The basic carving equipment includes:
To properly terrify your neighborhood, you will want to carve a perfect pumpkin! If you are decorating for Halloween, then you may want to choose a carving pattern that fits in with your theme. If you are decorating with witches, cauldrons and broomsticks, then carving a witch face or silhouette might be appropriate. If you are using traditional fall decor, like scarecrows, indian corn and hay bales, you might use a design with text that wishes your guests a Happy Halloween. Vampires, monsters, ghosts, black cats…there are carving designs available to fit almost any theme. A quick search of the internet will help you locate free pumpkin carving designs to print.
Let’s start with a simple one. I’ll use a family photo, and I’ll open it in any photo program. Usually one comes on your computer, or with your digital camera, but you can find plenty of free programs online to do this job for you.
Halloween party treats simply must look scary! Whether you are sending treats to school, planning your Halloween office party, or just letting Miss Muffet know that she has overstayed her welcome, these Spider Cookies are easy and fun to make.
Hairy Scary Spider Cookies
Ingredients: