Urban Legends, Folklore, And Myths

Urban legends thrive on people's deepest fears, that our safe world can crack at any moment and a madman will change our lives forever. That alone is enough to give anyone second thoughts about our everyday routine.
Legends and folklore tales range from the maniacal serial killer to the completely unexplained. Everyone loves scary ghost stories around the campfire or in the Fall, when the days get shorter, the nights get longer, and imaginations run wild.
Chances are you'll find many versions of these stories as they get passed on from person to person. Children have a tendency to twist the plots and make them fit their particular circumstances. The Halloween season seems to bring out the best of urban legends, both old and new.
Many of these stories are old classics from years past. They may not be the version you've heard, but that's what makes it fun. With the help of our readers, we've got lots of variations, some relating to ghosts, the supernatural, and hoaxes. These legends are not suitable for young children or the faint of heart. If you've got nerves of steel, proceed with caution.
Get comfortable, dim the lights and read through some classic as well as modern urban legends and folklore. Did it really happen, or was it just a figment of someone's imagination?

Halloween Decorations

Halloween Party Decorating Ideas and Tips

There's no lack of resources in October for Halloween party decorations, props and accessories! Look around the discount and novelty stores for all kinds of traditional spooky items for your party that will scare your guests silly.
Keep your eye peeled at Haunted Houses and around your city for new ideas. Someone always has a unique Halloween display that catches your eye and you can use those ideas for your own indoor or outdoor party. From traditional to new-age, here's some inexpensive decorating tips and ideas to set the creepiest mood possible:
Jack-O-Lanterns
What's Halloween without a jack-o-lantern? Find some stencils to carve or paint scary faces on your pumpkins to add the traditional touch to your party.
Candles
Use candles inside your carved jack-o-lanterns to make the faces glow. Put some dark colored candles in creepy candleholders around your snack table for a gothic touch. Use caution with open flames and make sure no costumes will come near them.
Crepe Paper
Use traditional crepe paper decoration to add Halloween colors to your party table and anywhere else you see fit.
Spider Webs
Buying fake spider webs is one of the most cost-effective decorations. They're cheap and can be found at your local discount store. You can make your own with cotton batting found in the crafts department. Then, you're going to need spiders. Pick up some creepy, fake spiders to add to the webs. Better yet, add some fake bugs too for your spider's victims.
Fake Blood
What's creepier than blood? You can find fake blood in the stores or make your own blood cheap! Using fake blood is better left for outdoor parties if you're concerned about any messes or staining. If you use it indoors, make sure it's contained. Click here for some realistic fake blood recipes.
Shadows
Cut out spooky shapes such as a bat, ghost or cat in some heavy construction paper. Tape it to a flashlight and place it in a strategic position to make your guests look twice.
Sound Effects
There's plenty of tapes and CDs available with creepy sounds such as lightning, screams, banging and creaking. Use these outside or in an entryway for the element of surprise.
Lighting Effects
Use special lighting to compliment your sounds. Dim lighting is always preferable to set the spooky setting and a strobe light adds a special touch to simulate lightening. A black light sets an unsettling atmosphere and can be found in most party supply stores.
Coffins
Use your imagination! You can build your own coffin with 6-8 wood pieces and place a dummy in it. Or consider having it closed and place one of those fake arms coming out of it. Add some fake blood to the side for a downright gross affect.
Scarecrows
Perfect for the Autumn season, scarecrows are fascinating to look at and add mystery to your yard. Set the atmosphere for your scarecrow by adding bales of hay, cornstalks, and Indian corn -- and he'll definitely get attention.
Tombstones
Perhaps one of the creepiest things is a tombstone with the inscription R.I.P. which is reminiscent of old-time graveyards believed to be haunted according to old myths and urban legends. You can find tombstones in the holiday section of most stores around Halloween, or make your own and add some originality!
Fog Machine
There's nothing like fog around to send chills up your spine. Fog machines are easier to find these days around Halloween and aren't near as expensive as they used to be. Most fog machines are water based and are simple to use.
Paint it Black
Go gothic with a black party scheme. Choose all black decorations and tableware. Buy some flat black spray paint for items such as vases, napkin holders, pumpkins -- anything you can think of. Don't want black? Try purple, orange, or midnight blue.
Ravens
Create chills with ghastly grim, black ravens, sparrows, or crows placed on shelves, tables, and unexpected places like on the serving table or in the bathroom. Your guests will get goosebumps at the ominous implications of seeing these mysterious birds indoors.
Backdrop
If you've got some background to hide, you can make a backdrop with the largest black trash bags that you can find. Cut at the seams and attach together with black duct tape. After they're hung, spread fake spider webs in the front and then add the plastic bugs and spiders.

Fake Wounds Recipe

If you're looking to horrify your buddies, look no further. This homemade recipe for fake wounds and scars is easy and downright gross. Ideal for zombies, monsters and dead creatures, you'll expose wounds with realistic blood.
Supplies

• Small bowl
• Toothpick

Ingredients

• Petroleum jelly - Just a dab
• Tissue or toilet paper squares
• Cocoa powder
• Two to four drops of red food coloring

Directions
Place a dab of petroleum jelly in the small bowl. Add in a few drops of food coloring. Stir with the toothpick. Add a small amount of the powdered cocoa to darken the blood to your desired shade. Separate the tissue so you have only one layer. Tear the sheet of tissue to about two by three inches and place where your fake wound will be.
Smear the petroleum jelly mix onto the tissue and mold your gory wound. Don't place it flat, make it appear realistic and jagged by raising the outer edges. Beginning with the outer edges, pat in the cocoa to darken the edges. If desired, place a little in the center of the wound.
Now you can go and gross-out your friends!

School Girl Costume

If you want to be a school girl for Halloween, you first need to decide whether you want to be naughty or nice. Most of the costumes available online are overtly sexy and look quite preppy. If you want to tone it down a bit or save some money, consider putting your own costume together and gaining a bit more control.
If you're not a whiz at the sewing machine, the following are suggestions for putting together a "homemade" costume that will make you look like a traditional school girl. Of course, you can alter what you need to look either prim and proper or a bit on the wild side.

Clothing, Outfit, Uniform

The stereotype of a school girl comes from those who wear uniforms, such as those assigned to private and catholic students. As always suggested for saving money, try checking your local Goodwill or second-hand clothing stores for either a uniform (difficult to find an adult size) or separate garments to put together the outfit, consisting of the following:

• A short, pleated skirt (plaid, if possible, for a catholic, private school look.
• A white, button-down shirt, or one that will match the skirt, preferably light in color.
• A necktie adds formality (optional.)
• Stockings (thigh-highs for the sexy look) or ankle socks.
• Saddle shoes, pumps, or platform shoes, preferably in black and/or white.

Hair

Long hair is ideal because you can pull it into side pony tails, one pony tail, or pig tails, which are all typical hairstyles of school girls. Wear visible pony tail holders and pull your hair tight enough just to look strict, but still be comfortable. If your hair is short, use barrettes on each side pulling back short sections.

Makeup

School girls are not adults so it's important to keep your makeup on the light side. Eye shadow should be kept simple. Consider a light shadow, all one shade. For lips, light-colored lipstick topped with lip gloss will add color and a young look. Today's girls often wear glitter gloss which is certainly appropriate for modern look.

Props

If you wish, you can carry a notebook with a pencil or pen. Complete your costume with the ultimate prop, bubble gum. Chomp away!

School Girl Costumes at BuyCostumes.com

Rodeo Clown Costume How - To

Rodeo Clown Costume How-To

A rodeo clown is no ordinary clown. Along with the flashy attire comes a dangerous job, that of distracting agitated bulls and horses from the rider when he takes a fall, allowing him to escape safely. You can probably make your own rodeo clown costume, but chances are that you'll have seek out a few things to complete the outfit.

Being realistic is easy because no two rodeo clowns are alike and many take pride in looking original. Two things here are crucial. Bright-colored clothing and clown makeup. Just how funny and elaborate you want to be is up to you.

Clothing and Outfit

To be the star of the show, look for loose, bright clothing that clashes. Anything that attracts attention. A rodeo clown wears loose clothing to allow for protective padding underneath but you can wear some knee or elbow pads on the outside if you wish. Keep this minimal and don't overdo it.
Your shirt can be western or bright and baggy. Fringe adds a nice touch but it's by no means necessary. If you can find a silly pattern such as polka dots, all the better. Keep in mind that a long-sleeved shirt will look more authentic.
If you don't have access to baggy-type clown pants, you can settle on blue jeans. Some clowns will use skirts with wild, knee-high socks or just wear a skirt over their pants. One common factor is suspenders. The brighter the better.
Wearing a bandana is optional. Bandanas are great accessories because they usually have patterns and allow for more diversity and color. Loosely tie one around your neck or let it hang from a pocket in lieu of a scarf.

Hat

If you can't find a large, colorful hat, you can dress your costume up with a western-style felt or straw hat. One in a natural color will work, just add some color by tying some scarves around the brim. Many rodeo clowns also tie scarves around their biceps or let them flow from the waist. A wig is another fun choice, but again, it's optional.

Shoes

This may be the most difficult item to find. Elaborate clown shoes are more for show than practicality and are not mandatory. Boots or tennis shoes will also work. Find an old pair and add a design with acrylic paint. Swap your basic shoe strings with wild ones.

Makeup

You can find clown makeup for your face in most stores that carry Halloween costumes. Rodeo clowns typically have a white base with exaggerated features, just like circus clowns. Use your imagination!

Punk Rocker Costume Ideas

Expose your wild side by being a punk rocker for Halloween! Whether you're and adult or child, you can easily create your own rocker costume and add some funky gothic and grunge accessories, depending on how "mixed" you want to be.
If you don't care to buy a complete costume, you can put together a homemade one that will make you the life of the party! The following lists ideas for a stereotypical punk rocker costume.

Clothing and Outfit

Remember, black is the primary color that most rockers wear. Combine black with other dark colors and you can convince even the most skeptical people that you are really a punk rocker, if only for a night. You can mix 'n match the items below to put together your costume:

• A short, plaid skirt if you're a woman. If you're a guy, look for plaid pants. If you can't find any, you can wear some well-worn jeans. Add rips and holes.
• For a woman, look for a black tank top or sleeveless black shirt. Men can wear the same or choose a band t-shirt.
• Black, fishnet stockings to go with your skirt.
• Shoes can be anything from mid-shin or high boots (preferably black) to army boots to high-top sneakers.
• Arm-warmers are a nice touch but optional. These leave the hands exposed. Or, you can find some black, elbow gloves and cut out the finger areas.

Hair

Think wild on color. Pink, orange, blue, purple, two-tone, or streaked. Much of it depends on how far you want to take it. You can buy a wig or use your natural hair which may leave you with some undesired color and style come November 1st. If you want to spray in color, cans of colored hair spray can be found in the Halloween section in most stores. Punk rockers don't fake it so if you really want to look authentic, use a temporary hair color and dye it the desired color.

Punk Rocker Makeup

You can be very creative with your makeup. You need black, and lots of it. Preferably, choose real makeup as opposed to Halloween makeup because the latter has a tendency to rub off and get on furniture, car seats, etc., and is difficult to wash out. Apply a pale foundation and add black eye-shadow, thick eyeliner, and black lipstick. You can also make your eyebrows darker and/or thicker with the eyeliner pencil. Set your makeup with translucent, loose powder. Don't forget to apply black nail polish to your fingernails whether your male or female.

Accessories

This is the fun part where you can really go all out. Of course you don't need all of them to be a rock star, just wear what you can find:

• Wide choker necklace or studded dog collar
• Belt charms
• Billfold with chain
• Hip chain
• Cuff bracelet or watch
• Wrist bands
• Large belt buckle
• Body jewelry such as large earrings, a nose ring, eyebrow ring, a lip ring
• Tattoos, real or fake

Marilyn Monroe Costume

When it comes to glamour, Marilyn Monroe is one of the most popular celebrities represented on Halloween. What's interesting is that some guys can pull this off better than the gals. Nonetheless, if you don't want to be super-serious, you can be Marilyn whilst being humorous.

Whatever approach you take, there are several things that make Marilyn Monroe unique. To be recognizable as the sexy starlet, your Halloween costume and mannerisms should reflect her famous traits. From clothing to makeup, here's several ideas to help you portray Marilyn spot on.

Costume and Dress

Wearing a dress may seem simple enough but it may be difficult to find a style that Marilyn wore in one of her movies. For example, the infamous white halter dress worn in the movie "The Seven Year Itch" (which also appears on posters.) Shown above is the hot pink, strapless gown worn in "Gentleman Prefer Blondes."
Of course, there are many others but the two styles listed above are your best bet. If you choose the white one, for gosh sakes, wear a pair of white boy-type shorts underneath! The unforgettable image of Marilyn's dress blowing up may provoke someone into trying to see what's underneath. Alternatively, you could look for an elegant gold or black gown, preferably metallic.
If you lack the patience to make a homemade dress, there is a plethora of costumes that can be found online and perhaps some at a costume rental shop. Otherwise, look for a used prom dress from your local secondhand shop. Keep in mind though, that a used prom dress may cost more than a Marilyn Monroe costume (if sold on consignment) although it will be of much better quality. It's a give and take situation.

Hair and Accessories

Unless you already have shoulder length, platinum blonde hair, a wig will be a necessity. You won't have to fuss with it if you find a pre-styled one specifically for Marilyn Monroe.
The actress didn't always wear jewelry but when she did, it was quite elegant. I would suggest looking for images of Marilyn wearing the dress that it closest to the one you will be wearing and try to match her look. Gold tones were popular back then as were rhinestones and pearls.
You may not be able to find high heels to match your dress but silver metallic or white will go with just about anything. If possible, find a pair that has straps which wrap around the ankles. Panty hose is a no-brainer. Keep it simple.
Gloves are optional. Besides the picture above, most show that Marilyn did not wear gloves the majority of the time. If you have a pair and wish to wear them, they'll probably look fine as long as they match the dress or are a neutral color.

Makeup

Along with the glamour comes the makeup. If you want to look like Marilyn, you will have to wear false eyelashes (or heavy mascara), eyeliner, red lipstick, and a fake mole. Marilyn had a light complexion so wear the appropriate foundation, draw the mole on with a black eyeliner pencil, and set with translucent powder.

Mannerisms

Do your research! If possible, take the time to watch one of her movies before you even begin to compile your costume. This will allow you to get ideas on what to buy and how to act the part. If you want to be a convincing Marilyn Monroe, you will need to not only look like her, you'll need to "walk the talk."
"It's all make believe, isn't it?"

Marilyn Monroe Costume at BuyCostumes.com