Does it seem like the kids start talking about Halloween as soonas school starts again? Fun costumes, spooky decor and heaps ofcandy – no wonder kids love Halloween. And for adults, having ahappy Halloween can help set an upbeat tone for all the end-of-yearholidays.

About 58 million children and 47 million adults dressed up forHalloween in 2009, according to the National Retail Federation.With that much love of the holiday floating around, it makes senseto seek out unique Halloween ideas beforethe big day arrives.

Whether you’re looking for ideas for one-of-a-kind costumes,delightful decorations, frightfully fun Halloweencrafts or unique recipes for the holiday, you can find a wealthof information online. Websites like Better Homes & Gardens(www.bhg.com), offer ample ideas with easy-to-follow instructionsto take the fear out of Halloween preparations.

Here are a few fun Halloween ideas to help you scare up a greatholiday for all:

* Go costume crazy. Kids love to dress up, and being kids, theycan put on costumes any time of year. But when else than Halloweendo adults get to don a costume and indulge in some make-believe?This year, get the whole family involved in dressing up – even thefamily pet. Whether you need a full-blown pharaoh outfit for agrown-up Halloween bash, or just a little something to tickle thetrick-or-treaters when you answer the door, you can find plenty ofideas online. And with thousands of costume shops across thecountry, you’ll have plenty of options – just be sure to rent (ormake) your costume early as popular characters are the first tosell out when the holiday approaches.

* Get crafty. Creating your own Halloween decorations and craftsis a fantastic way to extend the fun of the holiday. Look for ideasthat feature popular Halloween themes like bats, jack-o’-lanterns,ghosts and anything that ties into kids’ favorite movies or TVshows. To really trick out your home for the holiday, look forprojects for both the inside and outside of the house, like candycorn topiaries to sit on the mantle or table, and a giant rooftopcat to perch over the front door.

* Taste the fear – and the fun. Whether they’re humorous, uniqueor just icky, Halloweenrecipes can help you capture the flavor of the holiday. Lookfor creative ways to “mummify” food – like wrapping breadstickdough around hot dogs to create a hot dog mummy, or twining strandsof fettuccine around a summer sausage. Halloween treats can beyummy, eye-catching and nutritious, too – remember, veggies are agreat way to add color to a Halloween recipe. Need to mimic dropsof blood? Try some sliced red pepper, or the classic fake bloodsolution – catsup. Mash some green vegetables together to createyour own “slim,” or opt for some store-bought guacamole to createthe effect.

It’s never too early – or too late – to begin planning yourHalloween fun. You can find lots more Halloween ideas, crafts andrecipes at www.bhg.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent