Queen of the Nile Cleopatra Costume

This five piece costume includes the pleated dress with rope wrap, jeweled headband, sequined collar, belt and arm cuff.

Trick or Treat is a Halloween custom. It is the quote shouted by children who call on houses to get gifts at Halloween. In North America, England and Ireland, kids go round to people's houses on Halloween night which falls on October 31st, dressed in some kind of scary costumes, and challenge the inhabitants of the homes with the cry, Trick or Treat? The houseowner then chooses between a trick - where the kids play some prank or practical joke on them - or treat where the houseowner treats the children with sweets or candy or similar Halloween treat stuff. The houseowners usually stock up on Halloween treats before hand. With increased Tv penetration and exposure, the Halloween customs have spread across other parts of Europe and Asia too. In some places, the night associated with trick or treat is also known as beggars night.

The practice of dressing up in costumes and going from one door to other asking for treats on Halloween goes back to many years. Trick-or-treating is similar to the medieval practice of souling, when poor people would go from door to door, receiving food to eat in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day. This tradition originated in Ireland and England and the poor people were called soulers.

Trick or Treat is one of the great adventures of Halloween for little kids. Many towns have separate harvest festivals so that kids can trick or treat in safety and security. 'Trick or treat, smell my feet. Give me something good to eat' is another popular line used by kids around Halloween.

The author writes on a variety of topics and works in the social media arena. Social network users, add new Halloween myspace layouts to your profile. Try out new Halloween myspace comments to comment your friends on any social network.

Lolita Wig (Natural Red) Adult Halloween Costume Accessory (B542)

Lolita Wig (Natural Red) Adult Halloween Costume Accessory

We all think of Jack-O-Lanterns when we think of Halloween. I don't know about you, but I've always looked forward to carving the pumpkin. But when it comes down to it, the kids are REALLY excited about carving the pumpkin, but at 4 and 6 years old, I haven't yet allowed them to wield the knife.

Once the pumpkins are opened, they dig for a few minutes, then get tired of emptying the pumpkin . . . and getting messy. They then watch anxiously while I carve the pumpkin and stress out. In the end, they are excited with the results, but haven't actually done much to bring them about.

Last year, we did not carve pumpkins. We painted them instead! Although this posed a mess of its own, it was not the same mess that carving makes. There was no pulp, no seeds, only paint (and washable paint at that). There was also no knife. And best of all, the kids could do it themselves! And to top it all off, our pumpkins did not rot and mold like the traditional jack-o-lanterns I've had in the past. They lasted till after Thanks Giving and we enjoyed them the whole time.

If you'd like to try painting your pumpkin this year, here are a few tips to get you started:
- Pick a pumpkin that has as few flaws and blemishes as possible. These areas will be the first places to turn soft and rot.
- Gently clean your pumpkin and wipe it dry.
- Paint the whole pumpkin with a multi-purpose sealer. This helps the pumpkin last longer.
- Use your imagination to create your own masterpiece.
- Seal the pumpkin again once your painting is complete.

Here a re a few ideas to get you started:
- Draw your design with a permanent marker prior to painting.
- Draw on a piece of paper and softly transfer the design onto the pumpkin.
- Download patterns online, or use clip art for patterns.
- Use stencils to paint your pumpkin. This allows you to paint with out worrying about keeping a straight line.
- Use masking tape to create patterns.
- Use foam stamps or sponges to transfer paint patterns onto your pumpkin.
- Embellish your pumpkin with more than paint. Add other items.

For additional references to get you started please visit www.kidsactivityalley.blogspot.com

So, go ahead and get your pumpkin painted and enjoy it until Halloween and beyond. Remember, your imagination is the only limit to what you can do. Enjoy and Happy Halloween!

I am, above all else, a wife and mother. My family is my rock. They are my inspiration. They are, in many ways, the definition of who I am. My goal is to share more quality time with them and help others to do the same.

Christmas - The Ideal Christmas Dinner

It's Christmas Day and you're having the family over for dinner. The only thing you can think of is how much work you're going to have to put into this thing. Even a guest list of eight can be a real chore to cook for. And the last thing you want is for your family to go home grumbling about how bad the meal was, especially if some of those family members are in-laws. This may be your one chance to really make a good impression. But how do you do this without having to hire a high priced chef?

Well, believe it or not, there are Christmas dinners that you can prepare that are easy, inexpensive and tasty enough to send your guests home with a full stomach and a smile on their faces. If you think it can't possibly be that simple, keep reading because this is one easy to make dinner.

The first thing you have to do is break your dinner down into courses; the more the better. Guests who get a lot of food tend to be easily pleased because they feel they are getting a lot for their money. And heaven knows there are plenty of course you can dish out at a meal such as appetizer, soup, salad, etc. So where do we begin?

Starting with the appetizer, the best way to impress your guests is with a nice shrimp cocktail. Don't get those skimpy, skinny shrimp. Get the ones that are thick and long and meaty. This is a great ice breaker and will get your dinner off on more than the right foot. Don't worry about getting any fancy cocktail sauce. They're all pretty much the same. The shrimp alone, if it's good, will sell them.

Next you want a nice soup. Pick something a little fancier than a plain chicken soup. Maybe cream of chicken or cream of mushroom. Make sure that you have lots of saltine crackers to go with the soup. Serve the soup in a large bowl, not a cup. Again, you want to give your guests a lot to eat. The soup itself can even be out of a can. You don't have to make it homemade.

For salad, keep it simple. A nice green salad of lettuce, carrots, mushrooms and tomatoes will be fine. The whole key to the salad is the dressing. Make sure you have a number of dressings on the table for them to choose from. Don't put the dressing in the salad. Some people like Italian, some don't. Give them a choice. This will make them feel special that you were this thoughtful.

For the main dish, nobody likes anything more than a nice turkey. Turkey's are fool proof to cook these days with their built in little pop up timers. Make sure you have plenty of stuffing to go with it and of course cranberry sauce. Leaving out the cranberry sauce is like asking for daggers aimed at your heart. Along with the main dish, make sure you have a couple of hot vegetables like corn, green beans, carrots and cauliflower.

Finally, you want to have several desserts for your guests to choose from. A couple of pies and a cake should do fine. And of course you want two pots of coffee. One regular and one decaf. Not everybody wants to be on a caffeine high, especially if they're elderly.

By following these simple tips you are sure to have a Christmas dinner that everybody is sure to enjoy.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Christmas

Playboy Little Red Vixen Adult Costume

This costume is available in adult sizes X-Small, Small, and Medium. This costume includes corseted bodice, skirt, cape, and thigh-highs. Shoes and basket not inlcluded. This is an officially licensed Playboy costume.

For a child Halloween means candy and costumes. For parents it's a matter of safety. What should be a fun and safe time can quickly become a frightening experience if one is unaware of the dangers that can lurk around any corner. So how can you ensure that your child has fun yet remains safe? Below are ten safety tips to help any parent get through the night without breaking a sweat.

1. Stay with your child. Walk in your neighborhood. If your neighborhood is small with only a few doors to knock on - try your local mall.

2. Choose costumes that are light in color, or if your child is a black cat, vampire or witch, have reflective tape on their costume. Don't forget those bikes, skateboards and brooms too!

3. Eat candy when you are at home. If any candy looks tampered with, throw it out immediately. If the candy looks at all suspicious contact your local police department.

4. Avoid wearing masks that can hamper your child's vision. Face make up is the best way to go and can even be fun to apply!

5. Carry a flashlight with you. Leave before it gets dark out, stay on streets that have streetlamps and only go to homes that have their lights turned on.

6. Stay in well-lit areas and carry a flashlight with you. Trick-or-treaters should not go inside homes without a parent accompanying them.

7. For extra safety, organize a Halloween party for children in your neighborhood or attend a neighborhood sponsored party.

8. Remind children to look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks and low-flying brooms.

9. Make your home safe for trick-or-treaters. Remove all objects around the outside of your home that could easily cause children to trip and fall. Turn your outside light on.

10. Equip your child with a cell phone so that your child knows they can call you - even if you are only walking behind them on the sidewalk while they walk with their friends.

Please visit http://myoctober31st.com/ for more Halloween fun!

http://myoctober31st.com

Mermaiden Adult Mermaid Halloween Costume Size 10-12 (B351)

Mermaiden Adult Mermaid Costume Size Medium 10-12.

Memorial Day is a holiday born out of the ashes of the American Civil War. The earliest known celebration was in 1865. In Charleston, S.C., the racetrack there had been converted into a prison camp for the confederate army. A parade of freed slaves and union soldiers held a picnic there when the Civil War ended. Afterwards, several southern states began to hold observances for their war dead that came to be known as "Dedication Day."

Army General, John Logan, was impressed at how the southern soldiers paid respects to their Civil War dead. In Waterloo, N.Y. on 5 May 1866, he observed "Dedication Day" in the north. Two years later on the same day in 1868, he issued a proclamation that "Dedication Day" observed nationwide. On 30 May 1868, Logan had the tombs of fallen Union soldiers decorated because it was a date in which no major Civil War battles had taken place and time could be spared to honor the dead.

New York was the first state to officially recognize "Dedication Day" in 1873. After World War I, the theme behind the day changed from honoring Civil War dead to honoring all Americans who had fought and died in any war.

Have you ever wondered why Veteran's organizations sell poppies, real and artificial, around Memorial Day? The idea was born out of World War I. Poet Moina Michael, inspired by the poem, "In Flanders Fields," wrote her own about wearing red poppies which was supposed to symbolize the blood of those soldiers who had served during wartime. She then began to wear red poppies on "Dedication Day," as her way of honoring the war dead. The idea caught on and shortly before "Dedication Day" in 1922, the VFW became the first organization to sell poppies nationally. Nowadays you'll find VFW's selling mostly artificial poppies on Memorial Day, a testament to Michael's poem and her actions.

In 1882, "Memorial Day," was first used as an alternate name or "Dedication Day," but it wasn't until after World War II did it become more common. In 1967 the federal government passed legislation making "Memorial Day" the official name of the holiday.

The federal government also changed Memorial Day from 30 May to the last Monday in May to facilitate a three-day weekend in 1968. Since then, Americans in general, have gotten away from the meaning and traditions of the holiday and there's been a recent push in Congress to change the holiday back to 30 May.

Some traditions associated with the holiday include a national moment of silence at three p.m. EST, the U.S. flag is flown at half staff from down until noon, and volunteers still place a U.S. flag on each grave in the Arlington National Cemetery.

StephB is an author who can be found at http://sgcardin.tripod.com In her spare time she likes to read. StephB is an author at http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing.

Baby Giraffe Halloween Costume (Size: 1-2T)

Halloween has changed dramatically over the years. Originally a Celtic celebration of the New Year, it has transformed into a holiday with evil connotations. Many equate the once benevolent celebration of community into a celebration of evil or devil-worship.

It is for this reason that many religious people question whether they should celebrate the holiday. While it is not wise to generalize and assume ones opinion by that expressed by the whole as a group, let us take a look at each religions viewpoint on Halloween.

(Not all followers of each faith prescribe to the opinions listed, but these are general findings of the opinion of each religion. Also, this is a limited selection of the vast amounts of religions found throughout the world. Many religions have little to no connection with the holiday at all.)

Islam:

The devout followers of Islam do not celebrate Halloween for it is forbidden in the Quran to celebrate non-Muslim holidays. A quote from Islam.com further elaborates, . . . Moreover, it symbolizes the beginning of the ancient Druid new year, who hold that the dead revisit their homes at that time, thus in essence, Halloween represents the devil worshipper's New Year's celebration.

From an Islamic standpoint, Halloween is one of the worst celebrations, due to its origins in Paganism. It is clearly forbidden for a Muslim to participate in a Halloween celebration.

Judaism:

Those of the Jewish faith do not celebrate Halloween for the same reason Muslims do not it is forbidden in their faith to celebrate a non-Jewish holiday. Halloweens Celtic roots and Christian connection (All Saints Day), Jews do not consider it to be a non-sectarian holiday.

However, Jews do celebrate a holiday that is similar in festivities. The holiday is Purim, and it commemorates a time when Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination. The celebration of this holiday involves costumes and candy.

Christianity:

Christians range in opinion on this topic, from evangelists who condemn anything to do with the religion, to those who welcome it as a chance to spread messages of faith to trick or treaters, and also to those who infer the holiday was started by Christians.

Most devout Christians forbid celebration of Halloween, due to the belief that its origin comes from Paganism and devil-worship.

Some Christians believe the holiday as Christian roots, in reference to All Hallows Eve or Feast of All Saints which occurs on November 1st and celebrates the dead in heaven and purgatory. It became customary on All Hallows Eve to bang pots and pans together to let the dead know the damned know they were not forgotten.

Satanists:

Religious Satanists do not assign any significance to Halloween. The holiday is NOT Satanic in origin, and Satanists certainly do not practice any sort of sacrifice on Halloween (nor is animal sacrifice an accepted practice of any organized Satanic group).

Wiccans:

For Wiccans, Halloween represents the New Year, a time of reflection and celebration. New life is welcomed while the dead are remembered. It is believed that the veil between the spiritual and material worlds is the thinnest at this time of year.

Halloween is one of the eight Sabbats (or seasonal holidays) celebrated by Wiccans. Samhain, as Wiccans refer to it, symbolizes the transition or death of the elderly Great Horn God (not to be confused with the Christian idea of Satan), the male energy of the Divine. It also celebrates the aging Goddess, the female energy of the Divine.

Buddhism:

The Celtic priests, or Druids, who originally celebrated the holiday shared the Buddhists belief in rebirth, and in the indestructibility of the mind. There are correspondences between the traditional Celtic celebration of Halloween and the Buddhist concept of Bardo.

Halloween symbolizes the entry of the separated spirit from the spiritual world into the material world. Bardo is the concept of the consciousness experiencing apparitions (ghosts, demons, etc.). If the mind recognizes these apparitions as false hallucinations, liberation is possible.

Religious stances range from support and celebration to ignorance and condemnation and anywhere in between when it comes to Halloween. In the end, it is up to the individual and their personal beliefs and feelings.

Tonia Jordan is an author on http://www.Writing.com which is a site for Writers.

She is also a stringer for the Standard Speaker, a Pennsylvania newspaper, and is editor of Word of Mouth Magazine.

Sexy Halloween Costumes Sky Blue Care Bears Bedtime Teddy Bear 1980's 80's Theme Party Costume

Flashback to the 80's in this care bear costume

This Item Includes: Halter Dress, Shrug, Ears Headband Piece

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Most women expect to have their Valentine's Day present given to them usually over dinner. What your girl will not expect to get is a full days worth of surprises. This will work only if both of you have the day off. This might be something that you want to plan ahead of time so the two of you can take vacation days from work so you can enjoy the entire day together.

Once you have the day to spend together alone, you should start the day out by surprising her with breakfast in bed. You can make it something simple yet elegant. Make her favorite breakfast or go with something simple like her favorite take out. The whole point is to get up before she wakes and wake her with her breakfast in bed. After breakfast you can spend the morning together lounging in bed or take a stroll through the park where you can treat her to a picnic if you live where the weather is warm. If not you can take her somewhere romantic for a quaint little lunch.

If you opt for a picnic, you can go to any supermarket and have them pack up a fried chicken meal already prepared for a wonderful picnic lunch in the park. All you need to bring is the blanket to lie on and the utensils. Don't forget to bring something special to drink and pick a secluded spot to give you and her some privacy. If it is a cold area then make your living room into a romantic picnic. She will love the effort and spontaneity.

After your romantic lunch, do something fun such as taking in a movie together that she has wanted to see. Depending where you live you can have fun in the sun or go ice skating. No matter what you choose make sure it is something that the two of you can do together. You can make it something that the two of you have never tried before. Roller skating, ice skating or if you are both really into sports take in a laser tag game where you can battle each other.

Finish off the day with a romantic dinner for two either at home (where you cook the meal) or at her favorite restaurant. You can even surprise her with reservations at a top of the line place that she has always wanted to try. Once dinner is over then you can spoil her by finishing off her day by giving her the perfect bubble bath. This will give her a day she will never forget.

Tom Kranz writes articles on Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day gift ideas, and Valentine's Gift ideas.