Halloween Decorating Has Never Been So Fun

This year, instead of getting the mom’s and dad’s together to decorate the classroom for the Halloween party, we let the student’s decorate. We might not be ready for Martha Stewart, but there has never been a group of kids more excited with the end result then Mr. Stronczek’s class of fourth graders.

My youngest son Max is my last child in the lower school. Next year, it’s the middle school, and decorating for Halloween definitely takes a back seat. So, given that I am the Party Girl, I decided to do it up right. Somewhere along the way, plans changed – and the end result was so much better. Max and his teacher called an audible. The students would decorate the classroom.

I shopped ShindigZ.com for a variety of Halloween products that would hopefully meet the tastes of the varied students and not be too scary for the school. Max and his friends, willingly carried box after box of décor into the classroom and the fun began.

One group set off to cover the classroom in cob webs; chairs, tables, blackboard, windows, computers and anything else that got in their way. Another student took on the task of assembling the three stacking lighted jack o lanterns and soon shared one with each of the fourth grade classes. There were friendly skeletons and pumpkins around the room, no filing cabinet or cabinet was left untouched. The door was covered in a curtain of spider web gossamer topped with dancing skeletons. Black and orange tissue balls were hung, garland graced the walls and mini bats were everywhere

The busses were loading and the kids weren’t ready to leave. The fourth grade hallway needed a burst of Halloween and neighboring classrooms jumped in on the fun. Of course, teachers and moms helped along the way, but mostly we watched and smiled as the kids proudly worked side by side. As we placed the spider web corrugated border along the chalkboard, I thought we were done, only to be corrected by a student who popped their head into the room asking me, “What decorations was I bringing tomorrow? “

I had no idea the excitement level would be so high. Although I was tempted to “fix” a few items here and there – I let it be. I had just witnessed a whirlwind of activity with a successful end result. It was a great lesson in teamwork, working together toward a common goal, and trying something new. All in all, a great day at school. Of course, the stage has been set for the upcoming Holiday season. I will be better prepared, bringing enough for all three fourth grade classrooms and the fourth grade hallway too. ‘Tis the season….

A list of items used by the students can be found below.

1. stacking pumpkins
2. lighted spider web
3. spider web corrugated border
4. cob webs
5. Halloween decorating kit
6. dancing skeletons
7. bat garland
8. lantern garland
9. black and orange drapery
10. spider gossamer
11. Halloween deco corrugated paper
12. Adrian the Ghost
13. Bag ‘o bones cutouts
14. Halloween magic deco wrap
15. Sneaky kids pumpkin and witch
16. Pumpkin bunting
17. Jointed spider

Halloween Costumes Get Political

As people are purchasing costumes for Halloween 2007, ShindigZ asked visitors to their website which 2008 Presidential candidate would make the scariest costume. The site receives over 25,000 visitors each day and thousands of people responded to the question in a poll posted on the home page of the website over the past four weeks.

Hillary Clinton (53.2%) was voted the scariest costume, leading Al Gore (10.3%) by over 40 percentage points. Next was Rudi Guiliani with 9.4% of customers voting him the scariest. Rounding out the ballot were Barack Obama (7.2%), Fred Thompson (6.7%), John Edwards (6.1%), and John McCain (4%). Mitt Romney was voted the least scary Halloween costume of the major presidential candidates with just 3.1%.

Overall, the Democrats (76.8%) were found scarier than the Republicans (23.2%). With Hillary Clinton’s scary majority removed, however, the two parties are about equal with the Democrats taking 23.6% of votes and the Republicans 23.2%.

In a related poll, ShindigZ asked customers what George Bush should dress up as for Halloween. In the poll, 41.2% of customers thought President Bush should dress up as Sharpay, the antagonist of Disney’s High School Musical. 25.4% thought he should dress as the “scariest” candidate, Hillary Clinton. 14% voted for Spiderman while 11.9% thought the president should embrace his roots and dress as Walker, Texas Ranger. Another 5.2% voted for the president to dress up as his father, George H.W. Bush and finally 2.2% thought he should dress as Donald Rumsfeld.
 
President Bush, and all Americans, can find some of those costumes and many others at online at ShindigZ.com, America’s Largest Online Party Superstore. 
 

Ghost Decorations for a Spooky Halloween Bash

Ghosts are a must-have for Halloween festivities. There are tons of ghost decorations, costumes and party accessories perfect for haunting your Halloween party.

Create a big first impression for guests to your home this Halloween with a ghost lawn globe or our Ghost Ranch Decorating Kit. Visitors will be in awe of your awesome decorations and you’ll have the coolest yard in the neighborhood. To really set the scene for spooky, check out our tips for a Haunted Porch. A Ghoulish Graveyard Kit or Spooktacular Cemetery Kit also make awesome choices.

String a set of ghost lights across your porch, doorway, or around your railings to create a spooky glow. The ghost lanterns are another great option.

Transform an entire room of your home in a snap with a Halloween Insta-Theme Kit. It’s perfect for instantly boosting your spooky party décor. Adding ghosts to the wall is sure to add that extra Halloween flair.

If you like pirates, add a little sea-faring touch to your walkway by lining it with a ghost pirate fence. It’s the perfect decoration for pirate fans and Halloween.

Add the finishing touches with our hanging ghost decorations. String a ghost garland around the room. Add a giant ghoulish ghost to a corner to spook guests. Don’t forget Adrian the Ghost. He’s an awesome addition to your party décor!

Don’t forget to decorate yourself with our ghost costume!

Set a Startlingly Cool Halloween Table

Whether you’re hosting a classroom Halloween party, a costume party, or simply a fun family affair, a well decorated table makes a great focal point for the rest of your get-together.

The first step to setting your Halloween table is table covers. Cover your tables with a black or orange table cover. We have plenty of other options including a Trick or Treat plastic table cover or a pumpkin and web table roll. A spider web tablecover is another attractive choice.

The next step is choosing table decorations. We have tons of awesome centerpieces and other table decorations. A sweet station is a great, functional centerpiece. Stock it with tons of cupcakes and other treats for a festive accent. For a funny touch, try our talking vampire. He’ll talk to your guests and add an awesome accent to your tabletop.

There are tons of creepy or gross accents for you to add to your table. Use a brain or heart mold to create an edible decoration your guests will squeal over. Trick your guests with Gore-May Crackers. Set one on each food tray to startle unsuspecting guests.

Our flesh and bone candles are a ghoulish touch. As the candles burn they reveal bones and blood (not real)! For a less gory option, try our Halloween hand candle holder.

Some table decorations double as party favors. Fill table coffins with snacks and write guests names on them with white or silver paint pens. Set them on tables as decorations or place cards then let guests take them home. Halloween goblets also work as favors and decorations. Serve drinks in them!

The final step is choosing Halloween tableware. We have several great ensembles to choose from. The Monster Mash Ensemble has a cool cartoonish look. For a scary option try the Cemetery Terror Ensemble. Solid colored orange and black tableware also makes a striking appearance.