Coupons.com Household Savings Expert Jeanette Pavini

Apply a few of Jeanette’s Thanksgiving budgeting tips and save tons of money on your holiday meal without skimping on flavor or flair.

• Find ingredients to substitute for more expensive ones.  For example, instead of using creme fresh, use Greek yogurt.  Use the potatoes that are on sale to whip up your mashed potatoes.
• Instead of buying a whole turkey, just buy a turkey breast.
• Start looking at what’s on sale now, and stock up.
• If you see a good deal now on cranberries, string beans, or other veggies you will need, buy them now while they are on sale…they can be blanched and frozen.
• Don’t overcook!  Get an exact guest list and confirm a few days before.
• Use nature to decorate.  Pine cones, leave and berries can all be turned into beautiful holiday decorations.
• Help the environment, and your bank account, by not using paper plates, plastic utensils, and other convenience items.  Also, pull out your tablecloth instead of using a paper one.
• When shopping, use cash instead of a credit card, or even a debit card.  You will be surprised how you will stick to your grocery list and budget when you pay with cash.
• You can really save by serving less expensive wines.  Just pour the wines into a pretty glass decanter on the table and no one will be the wiser.
• Check and see if your local grocery is offering a free turkey with a certain dollar amount of grocery purchase.
• If you don’t have an automatic ice maker, start making ice now and stock up so you don’t have to buy ice at the store.

Check out Coupons.com for tons of great manufacturer’s coupons to save even more on your holiday meals and supplies.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1 egg
• 2 1/3 flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• Colored sugar or frosting

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Beat powdered sugar and butter until light and fluffy.  Stir in vanilla and almond extracts and egg.  Stir in flour and baking soda.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours.
4. Divide dough in half.  On a lightly floured surface, roll out each half to 1/4 inch thickness.
5. Cut out shapes with desired cutters.  If cookies will not be frosted sprinkle with colored sugar.
6. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet about two inches apart.
7. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until edges are slightly browned.  Transfer from cookie sheet to cooling rack immediately.
8. Cool completely and decorate with colored frosting if desired.

No-roll variation

1. Replace the powdered sugar with 1 cup granulated sugar.
2. Mix ingredients as described.
3. Use a teaspoon to measure and shape dough into balls.
4. Place dough balls on ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
5. Flatten with the bottom of a glass that has been dipped in sugar.
6. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until set.  Transfer from cookie sheet to cooling rack immediately.

It’s the simplest of ideas, yet it never fails to induce a little Thanksgiving spirit and a few laughs. 

I give you, KidGlue readers: 

Hand Turkeys!

Materials:

• A hand (if you don’t have one, you can borrow your child’s or a friend’s)
• Paper
• Scissors
• Crayons, Markers, or Finger Paints (If you’re feeling adventurous)
• Some idea of what a turkey might look like

Trace somebody’s hand on a piece paper.  Draw on a beak, legs, feet, and whatever that red dangly thing is that we simply call a “gobbler” in my family.  Color on feathers, eyes, gunshot wounds and whatever other detailing you would like your turkey to have.

Cut around the outside of the turkey if you would like to hang it in your window to scare your neighbors.

Name your turkey.  My turkey is called “NBC.“

My daughter’s is called “I Wish You Didn’t Have to Die.”

Happy Thanksgiving!

Parents are snatching up the latest toys for the upcoming holiday season early this year, and it may cause trouble for parents who wait to shop.

Experts are predicting a hot toy shortage this holiday season, but the shortage isn’t due to the phenomenal popularity of the toys themselves, like the Beanie Baby craze that left many trampled, but the fact that toy retailers are scared to order a big stock of even the most popular toys, after last year’s economic crisis left them holding millions of dollars of unpurchased inventory.

The result is that shoppers are already finding it hard to find the toys their kids are begging for, and most shoppers aren’t even prepping for the holiday season just yet.

Experts say the hardest toys to find are probably going to be Zhu Zhu Hamsters, adorable little mechanical hamsters kids are snatching up like the Nano Pets of yester-year,and as MSNBC.com reports, Mattel’s Mindflex, a game that measures brain activity through a helmet, Nerf N Strike, a Nerf dart thrower from Hasbro Inc. and Barbie Fashionista.

So even if you are prepared to spend a little more this year than last, you might be hard up to find what you are looking for.  Your best bet? If you see it, buy it. Ask your kids today what their top few choices are for Christmas so you can start keeping an eye out for them.  The internet is also a great place to look- check the manufacturer’s site first, and then hit up Ebay.com to try and find a deal.

Or you can be like my parents and ignore what your child asks for, buy your kids what you think they should like, and then get mad when they aren’t overly excited about it.  Ah, the holidays.

Tissue Paper Autumn Wreaths

This craft is great for kids of all ages, but can get a little messy with the little ones, so while safe, I would recommend saving it for kids ages 6+.

You will need:

A big ol’ pile for 1 in. x 1in. tissue paper squares in autumn colors (red, orange, yellow, and brown)

1 piece sturdy paper, like card stock ,poster board or cardboard

Scissors

1 ball point pen

1 bottle Elmer’s glue

A hole punch

Yarn

Directions

1.  Take your card stock paper and scissors, and cut the paper into a wreath shape, as big or small as you want it.  (Just remember: the bigger your wreath, the more tissue paper you will need.)

2.  Punch a hole in the top of the wreath and tie the yard in a loop through the hole to make a hanger.

3.  Put a little puddle of Elmer’s glue on some of the scratch card stock.

4.  Now the fun begins. Show your child how to do this a few times, and they’ll pick it up, no problem.  Take the butt of the ballpoint pen, (non-writing side) and place it in the center of a square of tissue paper.  Peel back the corners of the tissue paper and hold then in place against the pen with your fingers.  Don’t pull too hard or you will tear the paper.

5.  Dip the tissue paper covered end of the pen in the puddle of glue and then press to the wreath.  Hold for a 3 seconds, and pull the pen away.  The tissue paper should stay secured to the wreath with the corners sticking straight up.

6.  Continue all over the wreath, covering entire thing with tissue paper.  Hint: the closer together you put the tissue paper, the fuller your wreath will be and the more texture it will have.

7.  Optional:  Your child can decorate their wreath even further with more autumn supplies.  Have your child collect acorns to glue to the finished wreath, glue dried or fake berries all around, or even cover with glitter to give it some sparkle.

You can hang your child’s Autumn wreaths in windows to catch sunlight, on the back of doors, or on door knobs.  These wreaths are a great way to keep your kids entertained for hours and bring a little splash of Fall into your home.

It’s been almost six months since President Obama called on American dads to “step up” in his Father’s Day speech. Back in June, there was a lot of excitement about this new emphasis on fatherhood…. But how are we doing now?

Volumes of studies show that having an involved father leads kids to healthier relationships, better grades, and lower delinquency. You don’t have to be perfect to be a great father … you just have to try. Here are three easy things anyone can do today:

1. Ask your kids questions. Start a conversation and then listen to their answers! Ask how their day went, what TV shows they like, what’s new with their friends. Keep it casual and short, and don’t grill them like a police investigator. Even if they act like you’re a weirdo (especially teenagers), just knowing their dad is interested in their life can make a kid feel secure and confident. Most importantly, if they know they can talk to you about little things, they’ll be more likely to come to you later with the big questions. Small conversations every day will pay HUGE dividends over the years.
2. Let your kids get to know YOU. Kids can forget that parents are humans, especially if every family conversation revolves around the kids. So remind them that you’re an interesting person by talking about what you like, what you don’t like, and how you felt about your day. It’s especially powerful if you talk about your feelings or admit a mistake, because they’ll see that their feelings and struggles are normal. Your kids will love the sense of equality this gives them, and it may help them better understand and respect your point of view.
3. Pay real compliments. All kids are dying for their parents’ approval, and dads are usually stingier with praise than moms. Say something nice to your child today….. but make it real, because even little kids can see straight through a phony compliment. An exaggerated compliment like, “You’re the best kid in the world!” means a lot less to a child than something concrete like, “This is a nice improvement on your math test! All that studying paid off!”

Out Friday November 6, Walt Disney Pictures proudly presents Charles Dickens’ classic tale told for a whole new generation. “A Christmas Carol” stars Jim Carrey in a multitude of roles, paramount among those is Ebenezer Scrooge: an evil man who says “Bah Humbug” to Christmas. He is then visited by several ghosts who teach him the meaning of the holidays.

Check back tomorrow for KidGlue’s review of the film, which was made with full motion capture technology and is being released in IMAX 3D and Disney Digital 3D. Until then, whet your appetite with these photos of some of the film’s characters.

Mama’s Recipe Box is a weekly column in which KidGlue authors give hints on recipes that either your kids will love to eat or kids can help cook. This week, Crystal Arcand makes a two-ingredient cake perfect for fall.

With the craziness of the season, everybody needs some chocolate therapy. I’m a cake girl, myself, and I love pumpkin pie. Imagine my delight when I discovered an easy-peasy chocolate pumpkin cake recipe that requires only two ingredients! Grab an ingredient in each hand and you’ll be on the couch having therapy in less than an hour.

Chocolate Pumpkin Cake (serves about 15 – much fewer if you need some serious chocolate therapy)

non-stick cooking spray

1 box (18.25 oz.) devil’s food cake mix

1 can (15 oz. ) pumpkin

Preheat oven to 350° F while you spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with the non-stick cooking spray.

Combine the cake mix and pumpkin until well combined. It will be very thick.

Spread batter into the dish and level the top.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until toothpick insert in the middle comes out clean.

Cool completely on a wire rack – yeah, right!

Variations:

Mini-muffins – Bake for 15-20 minutes

Muffins – Bake for 15-20 minutes

* Frosting Optional

This is a great fall recipe for potlucks, holiday dinners, or – most importantly – sweets therapy. My advice? Don’t wait for it to cool – you won’t be able to stand smelling it that long. And make sure you have a big glass of milk!

Happy Halloween, everyone.

In case you missed “The Today Show” Friday, here’s a treat for you TV lovers. It’s over four minutes but trust us, this just escalates and gets better and better.

While doing a segment on last minute Halloween decoration ideas, two Ewoks – who might have been under the influence – go a little crazy. Plus, it’s never bad to see Al Roker dressed up as Han Solo.

This video literally made me cry while simultaneously giving me great ideas on how to decorate my house for Halloween.

Ahhh…Halloween.

How much do I love paying $40 for a glammed up garbage bag, traipsing around in the cold, wet night, knocking on strangers doors, or worse yet, the doors of people who I called the police on for leaving their dog outside barking until 2 am, only so they can fill my kids’ enormous buckets with hundreds of pieces of sugar and fat filled artificial garbage that my children will beg me incessantly for at all times of day for the next two months until the last roll of Smarties is gone?!  I think we’ve clearly established that I’m a Halloween Scrooge.  Don’t even get me started on the Fourth of July.

In a moment of brilliance on my older daughter’s second Halloween, I came up with a plan that not only would rid me of her cavity, diabetes, and obesity inducing bucket of treats, but would have her voluntarily giving me ALL OF HER CANDY.

Enter the Treat Fairy.  There’s Santa, there’s the Easter Bunny, there’s even the close relative, the Tooth Fairy…why not the Treat Fairy?  “Who is she?”, you might ask.  She is the magical and lovely nymph that comes to our house on Halloween night.  After my kids have trick-or-treated, stuffed as many pieces of candy into their mouth while I am chatting with our neighbor about the fact that I can’t believe someone called the police about her dog, my little butterfly and Batgirl brush their teeth and climb into bed, with their buckets of loot sitting near their bed.  Then, once they are asleep, the Treat Fairy comes and takes their candy away, and in its’ place leaves a special toy.  One year, she left a Cinderella doll, and one year she left a Tinkerbell DVD.  Word is this year, my oldest daughter has her eye on a purple pegasus My Little Pony.

Somehow, on November 1st, my husband’s co-workers are treated to a candy feast in the break room, save for the 34 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups that I have no doubt end up in my husband’s desk drawer.  I can’t blame him…those little cups are pure heaven in dark brown crinkly paper.  Now if I could just get the Treat Fairy to visit him at work, and perhaps leave him an all inclusive trip to Maui.  Yeah, that’s the ticket!

Get the lo-down on hot to get FREE Halloween Music!

“Crystal’s Soapbox,” published each Thursday, is a column by conservative Texas mom Crystal Arcand who loves to rant about issues that relate to her kids….and yours.

I’m one of those “weird” people that doesn’t celebrate Halloween, so I don’t like it being in my children’s schools. Just like I don’t like Christmas and Easter being in the schools. Huh? Yes, I’m a Christian. Yes, I celebrate the birth and resurrection of Christ with my children. At home though, not at school. I don’t want any religiously-originated holidays in schools. I firmly believe that every family has the right to believe and celebrate whatever holidays they choose in the ways they deem are best for them. It is not the right, nor even the privilege, of the public school system to expose children to holidays and to “just be kids at school” – regardless of what their parents believe.

Parental rights and respect for parents are nullified with the approach that “anything is okay, as long as it’s at school.” These subtleties encourage children to be less respectful of their parents and hand more control over citizens to the government. Children are being trained to look to the government for values. When children are taught that the history and origins of holidays don’t matter and that the holiday can be embraced and celebrated despite the parents’ teaching, they are also taught that their parents’ teachings don’t matter and that they can do anything the government sanctions, despite the rights granted to the parents by the Constitution. Look to the Patriot Act to see it already in action.

Over 200 years ago, the United States government was established to create freedom for all citizens to believe, worship and celebrate according to their individual convictions, and to protect citizens from being proselytized in the governed forum. As a government-run system, the public school system is in place for the purpose of academic learning, not spiritual or religious learning. The separation of church and state provides for spiritual and  religious learning in the home, church, or church schools. The public school system should be devoid of any religion, whether Christian, Pagan, Wiccan, Buddhist or Muslim. I am a Christian that believes our Wiccan, Buddhist and Muslim citizens have just as much right to not be exposed to the Nativity as we have the right not to be exposed to Halloween, Buddha or Mohamed.

You also have the Constitutional right to completely disagree with me in the comments – just remain civil and respectful, which is what it’s really all about anyway.

If you’re not in the mood for a full length movie, check out these Top 10 Halloween TV Specials

For Kids – PG

Casper

One of the few cartoon to live action adaptations that was actually worthwhile and a good film.  This 1995 film tells the story of Casper the friendly ghost and how he tries to become friends with a living family and help them solve the mysteries of a huge mansion. Christina Ricci and Bill Pullman star as Kat Harvey and Dr. James Harvey who move into the mansion because Dr. Harvey specializes in ghosts and hopes to rid the mansion of any.  But Casper’s three uncles have other plans for their mansion and will spook who ever tries to step in.  A heartwarming tale of accepting people (or ghosts) for who they are, while providing laughs and haunts for the entire family.

Ghostbusters

This “horror” classic is one of the funniest movies ever made and if you or anyone in your family has not seen this then make them watch this movie.  Featuring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson as some eccentric scientists who find a way to capture ghosts and become New York City’s ghost exterminators.  Also staring Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis who complete the great cast of characters along with the featured ghouls and ghosts.  Even though it is rated PG I would keep the younger kids away, it did scare me as a kid and I couldn’t watch it until 10 or 11.  Keep an eye out for the third Ghostbusters movie currently in production.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

This 1949 Disney movie is a great Halloween film, not so much for the Mr. Toad adventure but for the fantastic telling of the classic tale “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”  The story is not watered down and cheery, it is actually pretty dark and true to the story, right down to the frogs croaking “Ichabod.”  The Headless Horseman is truly menacing and the suspense his presence creates can be felt even in the cartoon.  It won’t scare the kids but it will definitely show that it was a dark and spooky tale worthy of  Halloween.

For Teens – PG-13

Beetlejuice

This Tim Burton movie from 1988 stars Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice, a crude and crass undead ghoul who is looking for a way into the real world and finds a way through an unsuspecting family and a ghostly couple all trying to live in the same house.  If you like the design and look of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” then you’ll be happy to know that entire look all started with this movie.  Some vulgar language and humor but otherwise a harmless fun movie that will keep everyone laughing but still in the Halloween spooky spirit.

The Addams Family

Fantastic performances by everyone involved including the late Raul Julia, Anjelica Huston, Christopher Lloyd and Christina Ricci make this feature film of the old television series a good watch for anyone.  Language and themes may keep the younger kids out of the room but for the most part this movie is safe for the whole family.  Discover all creepy, spooky and the all together ooky mysteries of the Addams’ house and how they are still just a family that needs each other to be happy.  Another plus is getting to hear MC Hammer’s rap about the Addams at the end.

The Sixth Sense

The film that made us think M. Night Shyamalan could actually make decent movies because it was the only good one he did.  This film stars Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment, this suspense filled, supernatural horror story uses tension and off camera techniques to make you hold your breath and wait for what’s next.  The spirits that haunt this troubled child and the psychiatrist who tries to make sense of it all, help build up to a shocking ending that everyone should see before it gets ruined by hearing about it from someone.  The classic movie line “I see dead people.” is from this film too.

For Adults – R

Frailty

A movie that mostly went unnoticed while in theaters in 2001 but it is directed by Bill Paxton who stars along with Matthew McConaughey and Powers Boothe in this creepy and suspenseful film.  What would you do if you seemingly normal father burst into your room in the middle of the night and proclaimed that your family has been empowered by God to kill demons?  Well young Fenton Meiks finds himself in that exact situation and worse when his father starts bringing home “demons” and cleansing the world.  Very eerie with its use of music and off screen violence but it tends to move a little slow and makes you think.  Highly worthwhile just for the ending and may make you think twice about shaking hands in the future.

Dawn of the Dead

(2004)

A remake of George A. Romero’s classic zombie movie but with modern special effects and a different director with a knack for gore.  Zack Snyder (director of  “300″) tells the story of what happens when the dead start to rise and begin eating all living things on the planet.  The gore is nonstop but once you get used to it, the story and characters begin to show their true faces and you get to see what happens to society when all Hell really does break loose.  Great characters you really start to care for (and hate) along with some really cool zombie deaths and violence.  Good for scares and jumps from unsuspecting watchers.

Interview With the Vampire

Vampires are so popular these days so this should be easy to find in stores now.  This star filled film tells the story of the vampire Louis (Brad Pitt), from his creation at the hands of Lestat (Tom Cruise) to his time with the young vampiress Claudia (Kirsten Dunst) and Armand (Antonio Banderas) as told by Louis to an interviewer (Christian Slater) in the present.  A century spanning tale filled with many macabre scenes, gore and a different perspective of the vampire world that you will want to watch again later.  Watch just to see all those actors drink some blood.

I asked who would buy those sexually suggestive Halloween costumes marketed specifically for kids, and I found my answer: The Cyruses.

Miley’s 9-year old sister, Noah Cyrus, made parents everywhere collectively cringe when she showed up to the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation’s 16th Annual Dream Halloween in L.A. dressed in a skin-tight “dress” that barely covered her front, thigh-high patent leather platform boots, eyeliner and bright red lip stick.  Yes, she is 9 years old.

Normally, I’m kind of a “all in good fun” and “to each their own” type person, but holy crow Billy Ray and Tish, how could you let your precious 9 year old out of the house dressed like that? Let alone to an event to raise money for children with AIDS? She’s standing in front of a Mattel and Toys ‘R Us background, for goodness sake. What is she? A dominatrix? Whatever happened to being a princess? Or a fairy? Or even just something with pants?

She rocked the shoes again the next day in an equally confusing costume.  Minnie Mouse? That’s all I’ve got- I’m baffled.

Noah is trying her best to be famous just like her big sis, Miley, and has been stirring up much of the same controversy, as well. I tried my best to figure out exactly why Noah is “famous” but had no luck.  She has lots of fan sites, and Noah and her best friend Emily make their own YouTube show, she was the voice of “Ponyo,” but best I can tell is she is famous for being Miley’s little sister.   She is probably most widely known for copying her sister’s stripper pole incident on camera (which in all honesty, I don’t find all that bad) – that’s the first time I heard of her, at least.

One can’t help but notice that Noah is taking perhaps too many tips from her older sister on how to get, and stay, in the public eye- but when those strategies are too risky and risque for a girl of 16, it becomes exponentially more disturbing for a girl of 9.  What ever happened to fame being a side effect of talent, instead of the ultimate goal to be achieved by any means necessary?

(Photo Via: Celebrity Gossip)

Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” comes out in theaters on Nov. 6 and promises to be one of the biggest hits of the year. Jim Carrey plays not one, not two, not three or even FOUR characters in the film. No he plays EIGHT (if you count all the different ways we see Ebeneezer Scrooge, the star of this Charles Dickens’ classic). Add to that the fact that the film is directed by Robert Zemeckis who has also done “Forrest Gump,” “Back to the Future,” “The Polar Express” and more AND that it’s in 3D? Well, this is a movie the whole family is sure to enjoy this holiday season.

Check out the above video to get a good feeling of how the movie was made and what it’s going to look like.

They were sold exclusively at Yankee Candle stores nationwide and at the YankeeCandle.com website for about $25.  Coyne’s & Co. estimate that about 7,800 of these products were sold.   The haunted house screen tea light holders are made of black metal with a coating on the glass windows. The house measures 15″ wide by 15″ high by 4″ deep and can hold up to six tea lights. Tea light candles are not involved in this recall.  Coynes has received three reports of the panes catching fire but no injuries have been reported.

If you or someone you know has one of these products, stop using it immediately and return it to the store for a complete refund.  For more information please contact Coyne’s & Co. at 800-336-8666, send an email to CustServ@coynes.com or visit their website Coynes.com.

For more information on other recalls that may affect you, please visit these links:

• RECALL – Daiso Issues Two Recalls On More Than 10 Different Children’s Toys
• RECALL – Targets Issues Recall and Pays $600,000 For Knowingly Violating Lead Paint Ban
• RECALL – ‘Wooden Bunk Beds’ Sold At Big Lots Stores May Collapse
• RECALL – O’Neill Hoodies Could Cause Strangulation
• RECALL – MAXI-COSI Child Safety Seats
• RECALL – 6 Types of Window Shades Can Cause Strangulation

However, as this article shows, you may not be aware of all considerations when it comes to choosing a safe costume for your trick-or-treater. A good workaround to the mask situation I described can be had with the application of face paint. Also, remember to give your child a flashlight for nighttime candy scrounging; incidental costume lights just aren’t strong enough.

Have a look over the entire piece, it’s good reading. Even if you’ve picked out your kid’s costume already, there are modifications that can be made to ensure safety. A final non-costume note: make sure you keep a good eye on your child and never lose sight of him or her; with tons of kids roaming about, it’s very easy to lose track, especially at night. The sound level will be fairly high, so consider constant hand contact. Finally, enjoy the evening! Get caught up in your child’s enthusiasm and it’ll be fun for the entire family.

Sure, Halloween is fun what with all the costumes and candy, but where did it come from? Most people think the history of Halloween originated with the Catholic church and the souls of the dearly departed. Actually, Halloween is older than the church, though the dearly departed were always a part of the… ahem, festivities.

About 3,000 years ago, the Celtic people in what is now England, Ireland, and northern France celebrated the passing of the agricultural year, Samhain (Summer’s End), on the last day of October. They believed that the veil between the earthly world and the spiritual world was drawn aside during that night so that spirits – both good and bad – could freely roam between the two dimensions. The Celts believed that loved ones that had passed on could come back to visit their families one last time in the form of a black cat. Costumes were worn to scare away the evil spirits that might attempt to come cause trouble.

When the Catholic church came to the area with the Roman invasion, the priests attempted to integrate the celebratory schedule of the pagans to make them more interested in converting. Naming November 1 as All Hallow’s Day and marking it as a day of praying for the departed, the church was able to “convert” the holiday. Today’s term, Halloween, is a contraction of the name for the night before, All Hallow’s E’en (Even).

It’s certainly not comprehensive, but it should be enough to distract the kids while they get their costumes on or until they get to the first house to shout, “Trick or Treat!” Want more details? Here’s a video from the History Channel that will be a treat.

Triangle eyes, an oval nose and a toothy smile just won’t cut it anymore these days when it comes to Jack-O-Lanterns.  That’s just too boring and with the tools we have available these days there is no reason why your Jack-O-Lantern can’t be the coolest in the neighborhood.  This project can be great fun for the entire family.  From going to the pumpkin patch, to putting them out and seeing them at night for the first time, these pumpkins are a holiday tradition.  Always remember to be safe though, carving does involve sharp instruments and adults should always be present no matter how old the carvers are.

Stencils

Every good pumpkin starts with a good plan.  Using a stencil can keep your pumpkin even and centered along with providing designs you wouldn’t normally think of.  Here are some links to sites with cool free stencils to use on yours.

• Faces of some of your favorite Disney characters can be found here
• ExtremePumpkins.com has a few stencils but plenty of tips on how to really make your pumpkin stand out.
• StarWars.com has some really cool Star Wars themed designs and instructions here
• PumpkinLady.com has more than 200 stencils you can browse through here
• CarvingPumpkins.com has many stencils including stuff from The Simpsons, Family Guy, Addams Family, Lord of the Rings and more.
• Even you “Twilight” fans can find stencils to make that pumpkin extra delicious.

How To

Once you’ve picked out the stencil it is time to prepare your pumpkin and cut away.  The people over at Howdini.com have prepared a very good video showing the process from start to finish (check it out above).  Great instructions and tips!

Here are some tips from experts in designing and producing some of the most original Jack-O-Lanterns you will ever see.

• Picking the right one – Hit up your local pumpkin patch with the whole family and find pumpkins that aren’t too big but will still give you room to design.  Have a design idea in mind while picking out is always a help.  Keep younger kid’s pumpkins smaller to not give them too much room to work with.
• Dry-erase makers make hand design easier – These markers wipe off the pumpkin shell so designing and redesigning is a snap.
• Scoop the seeds - Use an ice cream scoop or a big “lunch lady” spoon to get out the guts and seeds of the pumpkin
• Power tools – Using compact power tools like a jigsaw or router can speed things up.  Use only if familiar with the tools and how to use!

So pack up the family, head to the pumpkin patch and get that perfect pumpkin.  Find your stencil and start carving your amazing pumpkin.  Post pictures of yours and of any tips you may have.  Happy and safe carving!

“Crystal’s Soapbox,” published each Thursday, is a column by conservative Texas mom Crystal Arcand who loves to rant about issues that relate to her kids….and yours.

I’ve pretty much decided I’m not going to watch any video posted on a social network until November. Why? Video tricks, that’s why. I’ve had enough of reading a description on a video posted by my friends thinking I’m going to laugh only to have the ever-loving hoo-ha scared out of me.

I freely admit that I’m a scaredy-cat. I’ve been to one haunted house in my life because a friend was working there. I promptly tackled him as soon as I got out because I had been terrified. I don’t watch scary movies. I don’t like scary costumes. Me and scary don’t mix. Ergo, I avoid scary anything. So far it has worked out well, since Sir Scary doesn’t really just wander the streets.

That is, he didn’t until social media and “friends” came along. With the advent of video sharing came legs for the knight of fright. Now, he can pop up wherever he’s least expected. The quiet, mild-mannered girl you went to high school with is now the perpetrator of panic. Tonight my husband came running into the living room to see what happened because I screamed.  See, I’m a skeptic and thought, “Okay, I’m going to laugh at people trying to twist weather into ghosts.” Yep. She got me. I thought I was going to laugh. Boy, was I wrong.

“But what does this have to do with parenting?” you ask. I didn’t think it had much to do with parenting, either. Until I went to find an embeddable version of the video below. Oh, I found the video. I also found a ton of “related videos” that people posted. They weren’t of the video itself – they were of the reactions of their families and friends when shown the video.

Mama just got soapy.

Now, granted, I realize these things are all done in fun and no harm is truly meant by sharing the video “treats.” However, I think it might be wise for us to remember an adage I learned from Rolie Polie Olie: “It’s not fun if it’s not fun for everyone.” Most of the related videos were posted by young people who had shown the video to their grandmother, their dad, their aunt – you name the relation, a kid has scared the hoo-ha out of them. The kids think it’s funny. I think it’s disrespectful.

It’s one thing to surprise and scare someone when they’ve chosen it, like going to a haunted house. But to set someone up just to see how scared you can make them so you can laugh at them? That’s no way to be respectful of one’s elders, and it’s no way to be a friend.

Here’s what’s worse: there’s a whole subset of these videos scaring small children! Check out this description:

“This is Maytal’s really really cute sister kylie…. we were soo mean we just scared her! Lolz”

This is just beyond wrong. Am I the only one that wants to apply some serious corporal punishment to these girls? This makes me absolutely livid. There are more of these videos – shot by adults. Unbelievable. Parents, let’s learn some boundaries, respect and thoughtfulness, then teach it to our kids, shall we?

The continuing saga of “Star Wars” has made it easy to plan Star Wars costumes. Gone are the days of Ewok babies and R2-D2 toddlers. Kids can now be Anakin or Padme to their parents’ Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Maul, or Clone Trooper. Of course, if you absolutely must and the child in question isn’t able to walk or argue, you can make an Ewok. Just don’t take pictures if you want your child to choose to talk to you once he or she actually can.

The selection of Harry Potter costumes makes it easy for parents and kids to match costumes. Parents can be Voldemort or Hogwarts faculty members, while kids can be Harry, Hermione, or one of their friends. The possibilities for role-play abound here, too. Don’t forget to have fun with your kids instead of just walking with them while they gather Sugar Loot.

So you want a little lighter fare? How about The Incredibles family costumes? There’s a character for every gender and age of family member! Whether you choose to purchase costumes or personalize red sweat suits, this option allows the whole family to get in on the costume fun. Granted, you will need somewhat young children or fanatic Incredibles fans to pull this off without childhood embarrassment, but the cute factor is ridiculously high with this one.

Whatever you decide on, keep the focus on safe fun and your family is bound to have a great night full of memories.

We’ve looked online to no end.  We’ve worn holes in the floor of the costume aisles of Target and Costco.  Finally, I’d had it.  We came upon a witch’s hat and problem solved.

I bought a pair of black sparkly tights and paired them with my daughter’s black tutu and a long sleeved black shirt.  A sparkly belt and her pink sequined Converse tennis shoes complete the look.  Perhaps it’s not the most authentic footwear for a witch, but I highly doubt Mrs. Garvey is going to be scrutinizing historical accuracy before she drops the Snickers in my daughter’s plastic pumpkin.

I was pleased that we made due with things that we have on hand.  The total retail price for our witch costume: $6.   The lesson:  there is no “perfect” costume, just as there is no “perfect” pair of shoes.  Well, except for these Jimmy Choo purple suede booties for fall.  Remember, I’m a size 10.

Mama’s Recipe Box is a weekly column in which KidGlue authors give hints on recipes that either your kids will love to eat or kids can help cook. This week, Sarah Matheny makes kettle corn.

I have a serious addiction problem.  There’s something about the combination of sweet and salty in a bag of kettle corn that is irresistible to me.  I can easily throw down a whole bag by myself.  My drug of choice is only available at Major League Baseball games, county fairs and farmer’s markets.  Lucky for me, there is usually some form of face painting at one of those events, so I have a good excuse for going:  it’s for the kids.  Until now.

Yes, I’ve perfected my own at home kettle corn, just in time for Halloween.  There are several methods out there for making kettle corn, and if you are like me you’d rather save your money for your kids’ college educations, or at the very least a new pair of ankle boots for fall, than blowing a couple grand on your own backyard kettle.  I prescribe to the school of thought that you first make the corn, and then the topping.  The few times I tried to make it on the stove and crystalize the sugar on the popping kernels, well…let’s just say I quickly learned that my smoke detectors are in perfect working order.

Here’s my fool proof recipe:

8 cups airpopped popcorn

2 T. canola oil

2 T. water

1-2 t. salt (depending on how salty you like it)

2/3 c. sugar

Pop your corn and put it in a large bowl.  Put the oil, water, sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat.  Once the syrup comes to a boil, allow to simmer for three minutes.  Remove syrup from heat and pour over popped corn, tossing in salt while stirring.  Allow popcorn to cool and enjoy!

Now if only I could find some way to avoid sharing.

The GetGreatCostumes.com Halloween Costume Giveaway

This week’s winner will receive an awesome costume for their child to wear for Halloween.

The winner is….

Heidi!

“I would choose the Hermione costume for my niece who is a big fan!”

Congrats, Heidi- check your email for further instructions. For anyone in need of a Halloween costume, check out GetGreatCostumes.com!

Another great giveaway started this morning.  Make sure you check it out!

Grapes

Buy an all purple sweat suit.  Pin on tons of purple balloons with small safety pins.  Be careful not to puncture the balloons when attaching them.  Finish off the ensemble with a brown cap.  You can also cut leaf patterns out of green felt and attach to the cap for a complete outfit.

Crayon

Choose any color crayon you would like.  Buy sweats in that color.  Attach a wrapper made of paper, craft foam or felt.  To form a hat, find a like-colored plastic planter (or paint one to match).  The face can also be painted to match the crayon color.  Very cute!

Domino

Take all black sweats and place a piece of white duct tape around the waist.  This will be the middle portion of the domino.  Pin white circles made of either thick paper, craft foam or felt to create the amount of dots you would like.  Black shoes and a black painted face finish off the complete outfit.

Care Bear:

Take a pair of sweats, with a hooded sweat shirt to match your favorite Care Bear.  Add ears made of matching felt to the sweatshirt hood.   Using felt or white fabric, create a white circle and decorate with your Care Bear symbol.  To complete the look, add mittens in a matching color.  If you want to be a little more creative, follow this tutorial by Craftster user TravTrav.

Dalmatian

Use a white hooded sweatsuit and pin black felt spots all over.  Add felt ears to the hood, tail on the pants along with a dog collar and your ready to go.

There are lots of ideas for a simple sweatsuit.  Most any animal or round fruits or vegetable can be easily made with just a few alterations.  Buy some sweats, get some felt and you are able to create most anything you can imagine.

I’m going to let you in on a secret

If your conscience won’t let you give the kids of your neighborhood diabetes this year, you don’t have to turn off your porch light (that will also get you egged.)  There are some healthy options to offer that the little goblins will gobble up and their parents will appreciate.

• Granola Bars
• Pretzels
• Bubble Gum
• Nuts
• Juice Boxes
• Sandwich crackers
• Unpopped bags of popcorn
• Cheese sticks
• Prepackaged trail mixes
• Goldfish crackers
  
• Hot cocoa packets
• Fruit snacks
• Fruit roll ups
• 100 calorie packs of cookies

Or skip the food all together and give the kiddies something that will last longer:

• Plastic jewelry
• Yo-Yos
• Whistles
  
• Pens and Pencils
• Stickers
• Erasers
• Kazoos
• Temporary tattoos
  

Trick or Treat Don’ts:

• Don’t give change, that’s weird and expensive.
• Keep in mind, you can’t make or open anything you are giving out for trick or treat- there are a lot of weirdos out there, and any good mommy or daddy will check their kids candy before letting them eat it,  so buy prepackaged.
• Don’t buy age specific gifts if you go with non-food items.  Assume everyone is 3 years old, so no one chokes.
• Don’t forget the puppies! Keep doggie treats on hand.

Halloween is just one night, but that haul of candy is going to last months.  Yummy doesn’t have to mean unhealthy, so give the kids something you can feel good about.