Wediquette and Parties: Halloween

Showing posts with label Halloween. Show all posts

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Halloween 2015: Hunting for a Good Time!

If you've been reading Wediquette for awhile, you know that we love Halloween! Dressing up, making fun themed foods & drinks, and getting together with friends and going out for a good time are among our favorite pastimes, so when you put them all together, it's sure to be a blast! Well, this year was no exception. We decided to switch things up and it was a hauntingly good time. We split the night into 4 components: immediate family at our place for Dinner, friends and family over for a small party to get the night started, everybody out in downtown Phoenixville for a Halloween Scavenger Hunt, and anybody who wanted to staying overnight at our place (and possibly joining for brunch at McKenzies in the morning). As the date approached, we made some plans and the day of, I went shopping at the Farmer's Market, Wegmans, Goodwill (for a last-minute costume check), and the Beer Distributor before coming home and getting to work!

Inspired by this recipe from Pinterest, I made these incredible (and adorable!) jack-o-lantern stuffed peppers and this Pumpkin soup (no picture- oops!) for dinner. Served with a baguette from the Farmer's Market, everything was delicious!

For the party, I made a little Veggie man (also Pinspired) and a Graveyard dessert (no pics, but imagine a layered dessert with vanilla pudding, crushed Oreos, cookies & cream pudding, more Oreos, everything repeated, and Milano cookie gravestones). It was rich and delicious!

Pinterest Veggie Man

Our Running Veggie Man!

For drinks, we did Warm Apple Cider in the Crockpot (with the option of adding rum, vodka, or another favorite 'spirit', as well as our favorite Punch with Sherbet (we went with orange) and 7Up!

We put on some music, switched some light bulbs for green, yellow and flickering versions, and enjoyed our time with our guests at our place before deciding we were just about ready to go out! We did a 5-minute hunt for plastic spiders that were hidden around our place (with the winner getting her pick of a few $5 gift card prizes- Wawa, Dunkin' Donuts, or Starbucks), then split into two teams, set an end time, got instructions and headed out the door!

We called it The Scavenger Hunt of the Burning Phoenix, and it looked like this:

Examine your list, explore downtown, and exude happiness. Take your photos and save your items needed to complete the challenge. Honor System prevails on your team completing all tasks while together as a group. You are more than welcome to drink more than what's on the list:
- Buy (and finish) two Guinness at Molly's
- Find someone named Freddy, Jason or Chucky (and can prove it to you with ID)
- Grab a coaster from as many bars as you can (don't get caught...)
- Where's Waldo? I don't know, find him
- Is it someone's birthday? Take a bday selfie with them
- Bring back a free giveaway item from a bar
- Roll some footage of your team enacting a dramatic zombie apocalypse scene in a public place
- Take a picture of a pumpkin
- Buy (and finish) one Pumpkin Smash drink at Bluebird
- Get a video of your team members playing air guitar/drums/vocals
- Take a picture with the Diving Cat...and try to imitate the Diving Cat
- Stop by Bistro to buy (and finish) 2 craft beers
- Bump into that random someone you know that is not a part of our group and take a picture with him/her.
- Buy and finish as a group a Halloween drink/shot
- Take a picture with someone dressed up as:
America
Animal
Donald Trump
Ghost/Ghoul/Witch
Inanimate Object
Nurse
Pimp
Pirate
Same Costume as You
Superhero
*We added on bonus items, including Jumping in on a Game that's in progress, and finding Kaitlin Jenner

...and then we met up to check out each team's adventures and verify what was found. It was helpful if all of the team's photos were on one person's camera/phone. Neither team found a Donald Trump (we're fired, I guess), but we did have so much fun and the moments when we actually found a Chucky- or found a birthday girl- or found the only Pimp in town- or found Kaitlin Jenner- were that much more exciting! We voted on the best Costumes- best couple, funniest, and scariest, and the winners picked their Gift Card prizes!

This was a really fun way to switch up Halloween, and then we went back to our place for late-night Zombie fingers...I mean, hot dogs and ketchup...and of course, some more Graveyard dessert!

Hope you had a great Halloween :) What were the most creative costume you saw or fun food item you came across?!

Note: A few weeks prior to Halloween, my team at work got creative and dressed up as the Alice in Wonderland crew for a Fall Fest event we had. I was the Queen of Hearts, and turned a saved birthday sash into a Hearts sash with the Queen at the top of the front and the back, added some striped tights from a Where's Waldo (and Wenda) costume, made a gold crown out of a super-sparkly hat from a recent wedding we attended, put together an outfit, added a heart necklace, and got my face painted with some hearts at a 5k that morning (convenient)! It was an easy, peasy costume and was comfortable for work!

Looking for more Halloween ideas? Check out the Wediquette Halloween Pinterest board and check out Wediquette Halloween posts from 2013 (click here) and 2014 (click here). To check out Brianna's amazing Halloween costume wig tutorial (for her Rapunzel costume in 2013), click here!

David & Brianna were a butterfly catcher & a butterfly- adorable!

Eman won our 'scariest' costume award! Shows we're not really into the scary costumes.

People loved Mike's Steve Bartman costume. Mike loved running into another Steve Bartman!

Thursday, October 2, 2014

How to Make a Costume Wig- Halloween 2014 Guest Post!

As Halloween 2014 approaches and we reflect on the holiday throughout our lives, inevitably certain images stand out in our memories...perhaps a favorite costume, a craft, a trick-or-treating experience with friends, a haunted excursion, something we saw that made us go "Wow" or "Ew", or something we tried and LOVED. As avid users of the internet and Pinterest, we can check out and try out SO many different ideas, and share what works for us. Sometimes we try things and fail, and sometimes, we rock and feel proud because our attempt succeeded- and in some cases, turned out better than the inspiration!

Enter David & Brianna.

David (my brother!) and Brianna (his awesome girlfriend) decided to dress up last year as Flynn Rider & Rapunzel from the movie Tangled. They did their research, put time and effort into their costume prep, and even showed up to the party early with WANTED signs to hang up around our apartment. When I asked if Brie would write a guest post about the making of her beautiful wig (yes- they made it!), she was happy to oblige, so I'm happy to present her post below.

If you're looking to make an inexpensive Halloween wig, I hope that reading about Brianna's experience helps. If it does, be sure to share a picture of your costume when you're done!

If it doesn't, there's always PinterestFail.com :)

DIY Rapunzel Wig Background and Instructions

As a couple of pretty big Disney fans, we set our goals quite high in trying to recreate a Rapunzel and Flynn Rider costume from the 2010 hit movie, Tangled. Our costumes were relatively easy to put together based on a few clothing items that we already owned. For the remainder of the items, we went to a few local thrift stores. Clothing, that’s easy. We needed to make an epic wig!

For our “mane” event, we created our own version of Rapunzel’s wig, in all its glory!

To start, here are a few key items you will need:

1 pair of yellow tights (use child size tights for a child size wig)
3 skeins of yellow yarn (more or less as needed)
1 spool of yellow thread and a needle
Flowers or various decorative pieces
Something to hold wig in place while hand stitching (we used an empty water pitcher turned upside down)
Hair tie for final braiding
1 pair of scissors
1 Sharpie or marker
1 awesome assistant (or a very patient boyfriend) for the cutting and final braiding of the wig

Step 1: Putting The Wig In Wiggle

Take the pair of tights and cut off both legs. Stitch together the flaps to close each hole using your needle and yellow thread, thus creating a full cap which should fit snug on the head.

Step 2: Just How Long IS Rapunzel’s Hair?

That’s up to you! For my wig (I’m 5’5”), we cut strands of yarn that were 15 feet long. Keep in mind you will be stitching the center of these strands, so each 'hair' length will be half of this plus after braiding, it will be significantly shorter. Cutting will take a lot of time, so plan accordingly…or find a helper! Be sure to have a space large enough so that you don’t get them “tangled” in each other!

*After wearing this wig for one night, it was a bit heavy, so you may want to refrain from making a wig too long.

Step 3: Groupies!

Group together approximately 5 pieces of the pre-cut yarn. Take the yellow thread and tie off these groupings in the middle with a strong knot to secure them tightly. Make about 10 at a time and place them aside until stitching them to the cap.

Step 4: A Stitch In Time Saves 9

Stretch the wig cap over the wig holder (this is where we used a water pitcher). Take the threaded needle and 1 group of hair, and stitch directly onto the wig cap starting at the very back (nape of the neck) working towards the forehead. Repeat steps 3 & 4 until the wig is completely covered with the groups of yellow yarn, making sure that none of the wig cap is showing.

*We started out stitching 1 individual piece of hair at a time, but realized quickly that it was incredibly time consuming, so we decided to group them and save some time.

Step 5: If The Wig Fits…

Place the hair-covered wig cap on the soon-to-be Rapunzel. Mark any noticeably empty spaces with a Sharpie. Take wig off of model and put it back onto the wig holder. Using the Sharpie marks as a guide, patch these spaces using additional groups of hair.

Step 6: Untangling The Tangled

Have soon-to-be Rapunzel try on the wig once more, this time patience will be important. Stand the model on a chair, if needed, because the hair will otherwise touch the floor and be difficult to straighten. Untangle the hair as necessary, and cut the ends so that all of the hair is relatively the same length.

Step 7: Braids on Parade

All that time practicing braiding hair is now about to pay off. Separate hair into 3 sections and braid away! This is a lot of hair to work with, so make sure to use the model’s assistance. Secure the end with an elastic hair tie (make sure it’s strong).

Step 8: Smile, Sparkle, Shine

Take flowers (or additional decorations) and fasten them to the hair. We used fabric flowers with a wire stem and we were able to wrap the stem around the hair.

Step 9: Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Hair

Congratulations, you did it! Take a step back, take lots of pictures, and show off to everyone!

For more Halloween ideas, check out Something Scary is Right Around the Corner (this year), A Halloween Post Just for Boo (last year), and the always-changing Halloween Ideas Wediquette Pinterest board!

Visit David & Brie on Twitter at Davelevenson and BriannaAdam1.

Thanks, you two super-creative, wonderfully talented people!

You amaze me and I'm happy to share your awesomeness on the web :)

...and I don't mean the spiderwebs that we'll be putting up soon!

By the way...

Do you love themed parties? The Roaring 20's Are Making a Comeback!

Are you or a friend planning an Engagement Photo Shoot? Click here for the popular 5 W's post and LOTS of great ideas!

Want to amaze your dinner guests this holiday season? Check out this post about napkins, and learn some cool folds while you're at it!

Do you know a Proud Nittany Lion? Share this post about throwing a great Penn State bash and bringing little pieces of Happy Valley into the happiest day of your life!

Want to check out some great wedding tunes? Check out this post, which is updated often!

Putting together bathroom baskets for a wedding or celebration? Click here for great tips and inspiration!

Are you in a wedding party and not quite sure what to do next? Check out this post to get prepped and rock it!

Changing your name post-wedding? Click here for the long and short of it.

Check out the most popular posts along the sidebar (scroll up!), including Weddings Across the Board- a series devoted to the cultural & traditional awesomeness that goes into wedding celebrations around the world- with coordinating Pinterest boards, of course!

Don't forget to check out, follow & share the Wediquette Pinterest page!

Do you have a request for a wedding, holiday or party-related post? Leave a comment anytime!

Something Scary is Right Around the Corner...

Wedding season is in full swing, and we're in the midst of 3 wedding weekends in a row that we have the pleasure of attending as guests! It's been a blast attending my Mom's wedding 2 weeks ago, then our college friend Chai's wedding last weekend, and looking forward to our golf/Florida friend Ryan's wedding this weekend! More on those soon, but right now, I'm feeling excited about Halloween! It's now officially October, which means we're getting close. Last year, I wrote A Halloween Post Just for Boo, sharing some of the ideas we'd seen and used in previous years. This year, I'm sharing a few favorites from last year, as well as some Pinterest favorites I've seen!

To Do:

Fall is here and it's so beautiful outside. Visit a Pumpkin Patch or an Apple Orchard!

To Make for a Party- or Just for Fun:

Blood Shots (red jello shots) and Urine Samples (yellow jello shots)

Party Punch- Sherbet and Ginger Ale (we used pink sherbet for its color)

Creepy Ice Hands- Freeze water in a latex glove, then peel the glove away. Place in punch or cool drink bowl for a scary touch.

Zombie Eyeballs- These were SO delicious! Our friend Jenn made them with- if I'm remembering correctly- ketchup and jelly- on meatballs, skewered with an olive.

Miscellaneous dippers and dips- Ginger Snaps, mini Graham Crackers and pretzels in peanut butter icing or pumpkin dip.

Apple-tizers! Apples (from the orchard) with caramel, peanut butter and raisins.

To Decorate:

Decorate a box for fun straws and fill with plastic spiders! Place near drinks.

Put a fake skull in the microwave. Add mini strobe light. Be amazed.

We put a little magnetic board up with word magnets in the hallway outside our bathroom. That way, if there was a wait, at least there was something to do. We got a flickering bulb from Party City and dressed the area up a bit.

Mini cauldron filled with candy= a must.

The entrance to our place.

'Blood' clings on the window, jars of unknown stuff on the windowsill. I made these with water, food coloring, and whatever I could find. I think the left one had raisins, the middle one had lumps of butter, and the right one had a plastic spider. They were a cool touch, and we used them as decorations for the whole month.

TV on static= yes.

White board marker transforming this sweet, homey decoration= eek.

Happy Halloween sign, streamers, toilet cling, little coffin with reese's pieces, lamp covered in green paper to darken an area. Fun touches :)

To Dress Up:

Our friend Kevin dressed up as one of the guys from CaddyShack. You can see some more decorations in the background. We found a screensaver with that flickering pumpkin and pulled it up on the computer.

We went as a Social Media Couple- a Hashtag (friends wrote on his # throughout the night)

and a 'Pin-up' Girl!

David & Brianna were Flynn Rider and Rapunzel from Tangled. They made her wig- it was amazing- and wrote a guest post to share the DIY project that won her the Best Costume award of 2013!

Check it out here!

and find these two on Twitter

@DaveLevenson and @BriannaAdam1

Just For Fun:

Our local Giant and Coca Cola (grocery store) make a fun, festive soda display for many of the holidays and celebrations throughout the year. This was last year's. They're pretty awesome.

Some of My Favorite Halloween Pins:

It's easy to find Halloween sweets and treats, but make sure to put out some healthier options at your spooktacular celebration! Banana ghosts, clementine/orange pumpkins, 'pumpkin' devilled eggs, a pumpkin veggie tray, a pumpkin guacamole puke display (gross but great!) and cheese pretzel brooms, just to name a few!

Some fun decorations! Love the starched cheesecloth ghost in the middle, and the Dead & Breakfast sign on the right!

...and for some slightly less healthy options, Graveyard Pudding Cups (so easy!), a Halloween candy table, and a Pick Your Poison candy jar! Find more ideas and get Pinspired here.

It's time to start getting ready for Halloween 2014. Do you have any fun, easy, festive ideas to share? Are you dressing up? Decorating? Having or attending a party? Leave a comment below and inspire us!