I Know, its only the beginning of October...

Well, you need to get off your duff and start preppin for the Halloween festivities you will want to do this year.
It's time to start digging some graves in the lawn and preppin the corpses for a proper rot. Check your mummy and see if any of the bandages need dressed up - gotta give them time to age in a bit anyway. Ghost contracts are cheaper if you get them in advance. The best ghosts are scheduled for hauntings well in advance.
You can freeze blood. Start hitting the hospitals with your mason jars to get a good supply of blood in advance. Don't rely on the local passer-by for your blood supply this year. They are so unreliable. Sure they are good for the occassional bloody body part but a good blood supply is critical for those awesome displays.
I don't do the public display anymore. I have a personal dungeon where I can enjoy my Halloweeen Festivities all year long. I even keep a constant supply of live participants chained in my cellar. Gotta keep refreshing the wounds but I don't mind. Gives me something to do.

So, This thread is for sharing all your Halloween Preparations for this year's CarnageFest. From yard display ideas to costume ideas. If it has to do with Halloween its related and post away.

Halloween Guess Who Game

When each guest arrives, they get a piece of paper taped to their back with a Halloween character or item written on it. The object of the game is for each guest to figure out who they are. Everyone goes around and asks the other guests questions about their mystery character or item. The guests can only answer yes or no to the questions.

Halloween Feel Box Game

Using cardboard (can be from empty cereal boxes and such), divide the inside of a large box into 4 pieces (or however many desired). Cut holes in the sides of the box - these should be big enough for a hand but not big enough to see inside. Put something (ideas below) into each section of the box and have the children put their hands in the holes and try to guess what is in it just by feeling it.

Damp, Course Sponge - Brains
Twisted Chenille Stems - Spider
Pretzel Stick - Petrified Rat Tails
Dried Apricots - Dried-up Tongues
Spiderwebs
Cooked, Cold Spaghetti Noodles - Worms
Cooked, Cold Spaghetti Noodles - Veins
Peeled Grapes - Eyeballs
Fake Fur
Tines of a Plastic Fork - Vampire Teeth
Soft Flour Tortilla - Skin (can add a little oil)
Feed Corn - Teeth
Corn Husk Silk - Hair
Slime
Over-cooked rice with raisins in cooking oil to feel like rotting maggots and bugs.
Mango slices in pudding feel like tongues in curdled blood.
Lasagna noodles cooked and put in cooking oil feels like skin.
Olives in cooking oil feels like cat eyeballs.
Pumpkin filling mixed with mini marshmallows feels like brains when mixed.
For an especially scary box - leave the box empty but make a hole in the back. When they put their hand in to feel for the scary surprise. Reach in and grab their hand.
Cooked, twisted pasta - Intestines
Small sticks - Bones (broken bones)
Peeled, hard-boiled eggs - Hearts

2-4-5 Trioxin
Trioxin is a yellowish, whitish, or greenish vapor (caused by sulfurism) which makes your skin feel as though it it is burning. It has been known to be typically stored under pressure in large steel drums. It was originally developed by the Darrow Chemical Company for the United States military as an herbicide to destroy marijuana plants; however, the Army was quite surprised when the gas also restored function to the nervous systems of cadavers, dismembered body parts, and even dead animals and insects. Moreover, trioxin appears to be toxic, and a single exposure to a concentrated amount can both kill a person and revive them again.
Preparation:
Place containers in specially selected areas of your local cemeteries and/or known biker gang hangouts. Plant your charges ~under~ the barrels to propel the barrel upwards for better coverage. Attach the blue and green leads of your timer modules to the #13 and #31 terminal ports on the keypad circuit board. Attach the Red/Yellow stripe lead and the Purple/Orange striped leads of the timer module to the explosive package detonator. Set the unlock numeric and color codes but Do NOT Hit "Enter". Program the exact date and time into the timer module and lock the controller with code "1313".
Note that the controller format is as follows:
DD/MM/YYYY : HH/MM using 24hr military time

Timing:
The timing of your Zombie Apocalypses are completely up to you.
Some things you might want to consider:

Trioxin has to have time to saturate into the soil and flesh. Set your timer at least 24 hrs ahead of your event to give the Trioxin time to work.
Fire will cause the Trioxin to become air-borne. Assure good saturation and plant many additional fire charges in the area.
Water will speed the Trioxin ground saturation. In cemeteries, Time your detonation when your local fire dept is in off peak hours thus allowing a fast response.
With Thanksgiving only 3 or 4 weeks away, assure your exposure will not affect any local turkey farms.
Have measures at the ready to clean up your zombie gift by Christmas.
Tho a Zombie Santa is always a welcome sight, we do not condone the mixing of Holidays.


Calling Forth Cenobites
Lemarchand's box is a lock puzzle or puzzle box appearing in horror stories by Clive Barker, or in works based on his original stories. The best known of these boxes is the Lament Configuration, which features prominently throughout the Hellraiser movie series. A Lemarchand's box is a mystical/mechanical device that acts as a door — or a key to a door — to another dimension or plane of existence. The solution of the puzzle creates a bridge through which beings may travel in either direction across this "Schism". The inhabitants of these other realms may seem demonic to humans. Cenobites!
The Cenobites all have horrific mutilations and/or body piercings, and wear fetishistic black leather clothing that often resembles butchery garments or religious vestments. The clothing also serves to support their piercings and tools. Pinhead, The most well-know cenobite is very busy this time of year so booking his appearance is highly unlikely.
As a word of precaution, It is highly suggested you limit your cenobite appearances to only 3 or 4 entities at a time. They are often self-driven in their pleasure of pain and too many at once can over-whelm your party.
http://www.hellraiserbox.net/index.html
offers a multitude of finely crafted boxes for your calling pleasures.
Use with Caution
Closing The Door:
It is recommended, for obvious reasons, to close the doorway as soon as possible to limit the number of Cenobites called forth to your plane of existence. Do not attempt to go in looking for specific Cenobites because many will decline due to prior engagements. This time of year is a very busy time and they are weary and touchy.

What's Your Pleasure, Sir?​

Inviting Demons

No Halloween festivity is worthy without a steady flow of Demons. They are a prideful bunch that must be called by name. Here are a few that have been exceptional for Halloween appearances. Note that most require advanced payment.

Nybbas is an obscure demon mentioned in Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal (1863). According to de Plancy, the demon is in the high upper gallery of hell, but is regarded as a buffoon and charlatan. He is said to manage visions and dreams. Get Nybbas for the comedy act of your celebration - Sure to entertain!

A succubus (plural succubi) is a demon who takes the form of a beautiful woman to seduce men, especially monks, in dreams to have sexual intercourse, according the medieval European legend. Their male counterpart is the incubus. They draw energy from the men to sustain themselves, often until the point of exhaustion or death of the victim. If your guest list is male dominate she will have a wonderful impact on the festivities. On the Flip-side, a female dominate guest list might enjoy an Incubus.

Ukobach or Urobach is described as a "Demon of an inferior order." He is shown with a flaming or red body, large eyes and ears and often a pan full of coals or hot poker. He is said to be the inventor of Fireworks and the art of Frying Foods. He is charged, by Belzebuth, to maintain the "oil in the infernal boilers" which is made of the blood of the damned, "forged in the west where the sun sets." No celebration would be complete without fireworks and crispy-fried eyeballs. Ukobach is easily summoned and costs less.

H. P. Lovecraft describes the Cthulhu as "A monster of vaguely anthropoid outline, but with an octopus-like head whose face was a mass of feelers, a scaly, rubbery-looking body, prodigious claws on hind and fore feet, and long, narrow wings behind." Cthulhu are difficult to manage and require constant supervision unless unleashed in the wide-open spaces of a field or beach. Some-what expensive they are some of the most entertaining guest stars you can book.

Marchosias is a great and mighty Marquis of Hell, commanding thirty legions of demons. In the Ars Goetia, the first book of The Lesser Key of Solomon (17th century), he is depicted as a wolf with gryphon's wings and a serpent's tail, spewing fire from his mouth, but at the request of the magician he may take the form of a man. He is a strong fighter and gives true answers to all questions, and is very faithful to the magician in following his commands. Easy to control and very fun to watch in action - A sure Crowd-Pleaser!

Wiki provides a nice List of Demons that have been known to be great success in Halloween parties and festivities.

Payment:

Depending upon which demon or demons you invite, payment can be Before, During or After their appearance. It is time for you to fill your Soul-Box so you have plenty of currency.

Urban Legends
An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary legend, is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have been believed by their tellers to be true, and often possess horror implications that are believable to their audience.

Kuchisake Onna – The Slit-Mouthed Woman

A beautiful woman stops you as you pass by. Her face is hidden by a fan or a portion of her robe. She will ask you, “Am I pretty?” (If any woman asks you this question, be wary of your answer, urban legend or not!) If you tell her “No” you will die by her hand.
(Her hand…which happens to be holding a pair of bloodied scissors! Good golly, man, did you NOT notice those things in her hand?)
If you answer “Yes” she will pull her face cover down, revealing a face that has been horribly scarred in a Glasgow smile fashion, asking, “Am I still pretty?” If you answer “No” this time, she’ll cut you in half. Answer “Yes” and she’ll give you a Glasgow smile similar to hers.

Attack of the Hook-Man

A TEENAGE boy drove his date to a dark and deserted Lovers' Lane for a make-out session. After turning on the radio for mood music, he leaned over and began kissing the girl.
A short while later, the music suddenly stopped and an announcer's voice came on, warning in an urgent tone that a convicted murderer had just escaped from the state insane asylum — which happened to be located not far from Lovers' Lane — and that anyone who noticed a strange man lurking about with a hook in place of his right hand should immediately report his whereabouts to the police.
The girl became frightened and asked to be taken home. The boy, feeling bold, locked all the doors instead and, assuring his date they would be safe, attempted to kiss her again. She became frantic and pushed him away, insisting that they leave. Relenting, the boy peevishly jerked the car into gear and spun its wheels as he pulled out of the parking space.
When they arrived at the girl's house she got out of the car, and, reaching to close the door, began to scream uncontrollably. The boy ran to her side to see what was wrong and there, dangling from the door handle, was a bloody hook!

Bloody Mary

Go into the bathroom, light a candle, and say “Bloody Mary” three times. The candle goes out, you light it again (or just flip on the bathroom light, for goodness sake!) and Bloody Mary will be in the mirror for just a moment. The consequences that go with this include anything from being sucked into the mirror, being murdered by the apparition, being scratched by her, or simply having the Jeepers Creepers scared out of you.​

Using your Urban Legends:
Set the Mood
If Urban Legends is your theme be sure to set the mood of your displays to promote the main legend of your theme. Ask guests to dress as their favorite legends or include a legend in your invitations. Superstitions go well with Urban Legends and depicting superstitions in your decor can help promote the mood.
Storytime
In a dimly lit room or around a firepit allow guests to relay their Urban Legend stories to the group. Set up jump scare props in the area that relate to the legends that you promote. If needed, Place an envelop with the legend of your choice printed. Write your guests name on each envelope and hand them out upon their arrival or give them to them in advance so they can dress the part. Allow them ample time to expound on the legend in their own unique way.
Prop Ideas
-Clean a mirror and steam it up. Draw a vague face in the steam and allow it to dry. When calling forth Mary, act as if to look closely into the mirror while fogging it with your breath.
-A bloody meat hook anywhere but in the kitchen will give a rush when encountered out of context and after a good story.

Be creative and work on the subconscience of your guests. Timing is everything and so is placement.

Ghosts & Apparitions
In traditional belief and fiction, a ghost (sometimes known as a spectre (British English) or specter (American English), phantom, apparition or spook) is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that can appear, in visible form or other manifestation, to the living. Descriptions of the apparition of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to realistic, lifelike visions. The deliberate attempt to contact the spirit of a deceased person is known as necromancy, or in spiritism as a séance.
Know Your Haunting

Residual haunts

are not apparitions of ghosts but rather the energy and habits of spirits remaining in specific areas. For example, hearing footsteps in hallways, hearing voices in specific rooms and areas, or hearing crying, screaming or other occurrences such as these. These hauntings appear to be energy from people bound to a specific place that repeats, almost as on a repeating film roll. They do not have apparitions, but the ghosts do make themselves known by their energy making sounds and such. These hauntings are generally not thought of as spirits, but rather the energy of the people who have passed on. They are not aggressive or negative, but rather just energy of the spirits.​

Interactive Apparitions

are when it seems that the spirit is aware of its surroundings. These spirits often move small objects, try to talk, touch you, etc. Basically, their main purpose is to try and communicate with you. There is no information known for why the spirits stay in the locations they are usually around. Perhaps an emotional bound, or significant event happened there. There can be spirits considered in this category as playful, mischievous, and bothersome. There have been accounts where spirits that could be considered in this category have thrown objects at researchers. There have also been accounts of spirits whispering, moving objects, and just being playful. The voices that are recorded on EVP's fit into this category.​

Poltergeists

are often a spirits that combine different actions over time. They interact by moving objects, throwing objects, screaming, banging objects, and opening or closing objects. The tendency of these events grow over time with more and more intensity of the strength. Poltergeists can be either unseen or they can appear to people. They can be either somewhat mischievous or aggressive and negative. Poltergeists also appear and disappear from areas without warning or reason. Some groups believe that poltergeists feed off of the emotions of the people that they surround. Poltergeists that are negative can be confused with demonic haunts. Poltergeist haunts are ones that should be approached with great caution.​

Demonic Apparitions

are inhuman appearances and powers among humans. These demonic spirits should be avoided. Demonic Apparitions are usually strong, forceful and almost super-human. They can attack, injure, appear and speak to people. They do not have a specific shape or appearance also. They have been thought of being anything from a human like figure to an animal-human combination, all the way to animals with human like characteristics and powers. They are known to walk, fly, disappear, and whatever they wish. The Catholic church has had over a thousand years of documented experience, and has confirmed comparatively few actual cases involving non-human demons. Scientific investigation can NOT assist with demonic possession or activity.​

Shadow People

sometimes it appears as the mere silhouette of a person, usually male, but generally lacking any other characteristics of gender. However, in no way does the description end there. There are “hatted” shadow beings, hooded shadows, cloaked ones, and solid or wispy, smoky types. Some are seen only from the waist up. Others clearly have legs that are seen fleeing from their observers. They dart into corners, through walls, into closets, or behind television sets, bushes, and buildings. Sometimes they simply fade into the dark recesses of the night. Lacking in the description is one common denominator unifying the many different types of shadow people that enter our world…except that they are “intensely dark.” But even then, there are exceptions. ​

Crisis Apparitions

are apparitions of the dying or recently dead (usually less than twelve hours, but as much as 24-48 hours) are the most frequently reported of apparitions. This category commonly involves one-time visits to someone with whom the apparition has close emotional ties. Though the encounter usually seems to be a type of farewell, sometimes important and useful information is relayed to the "viewer." Though dying is the most common crisis, other life-threatening situations can also trigger apparitional visits. In these cases, the crisis apparition typically visits a close associate in an appeal for help​

A Benevolent Haunting

is of a protective nature. It is felt that the benevolent entity is a loved one looking to protect the living people within an area in which a demon or other possibly violent entity exists. These ghosts are often found to be related to the living persons within the area, but also have been found to be closely connected to those being attacked. ​

A Malevolent Haunting

occurs when a ghost or demon seeks to inflict harm on the living within an area. It is said that this occurs because the entity is angry for events that occurred in its life, jealous of the living, or a malicious personality in general, seeking attention, or is defensive of its home and wishes the current living persons to depart, or sad and wants others to acknowledge its sadness and to feel its misery. Poltergeist activity is often confused with a violent haunting; usually it is spirit simply seeking attention. A demon can be present if a murder existed in the area. ​

Creepies
These are the little things found in the natural world that send a shiver down your spine. From cobwebs & spiders to snakes, rats and rickety staircases. Creaky doors, windows translucent with dust, slime and bugs will make at least one person squeamish. When combined with a gruesome visage of a person the effect is multiplied.

Increasing the Creep-Factor
Creepies are actually very easy to come-by with the appearance of local Halloween supply stores. Not only can you buy the latest designs of webbing and spiders, there are tons of support effects available as well. Whether you plan to buy or make the creepies for your festivities one thing is certain, you will want to get the maximum creep for your efforts. You can even theme your event around the Creepies.

Saturation
The creep factor is not increased by increasing the saturation of the coverage area. Spider webs everywhere you look will not be as creepy as a few well-placed webs where they are least expected. A giant spider is not as creepy as hundreds of small ones. Hide your creepies in strategically placed areas that require action on your guest's part to reveal them.
(Plastic spider glued under toilet seat lid)
(Rubber snake under hand towel)

Common But Unique
Use what works. The common creepies are easily attained and readily identified by most people. For the creep factor to work the person must be able to identify the creep. The trick is to make your creep presentation unique and impressionable. Thousands of spiders in a giant web is common. Thousands of spiders in a giant web with a human corpse suspended is unique.

The Yukky Smell of Creep
As humans that are aware of our own senses we often forget that smells are a large part of our perception. While visual creepies will grab your attention, adding a smell to the experience will heighten the feeling. Just remember that unless you want your whole festival filled with the smell, you must keep it minimal and close to the item it is associated with. Try to use oils and pastes instead of aerosols. Have a cutting agent available in the washroom for those guests that MUST touch everything.
With Sinister Scents: You Can Smell The Fear
http://shop.dreamreapers.com/

Beasts of Ancient Folklore
A wonderful theme for Halloween is to explore the ancient folklore that created many of our favorite monsters. Not only can your guests dress for the part, they can learn about the background from your creative decorations.
The possibilities are endless. You can concentrate on just the beasties or explore the whole realm of the myth. If variation is sought, you can subdivide the festival into sections related to different cultures. Even small displays in the same room can add depth to your presentation.

Realistic & Simple
While it would be definitely cool to see a Fire-Breathing Dragon costume that is realistic it probably wont happen. You could, however, use a picture of a dragon and costume guests as the Dragon-slayer Knight or the Princess Virgin. A Grendel would be a huge undertaking where Grendel's mother, Beowulf and Viking Knights are more doable. A Naga-Hydra Overlord, with its many heads would be complicated and expensive where individual Naga Warriors would add an element of water to your festival. Thus opening an Under-The-Sea theme to explore.

Theme To Your Surroundings
Use what you have. If you live in a forested area theme to forested myths or theme to the opposite like desert myths. Let your guests be immersed in the essence of the myth. The Wendigo is an example of a forest myth that is doable because any animal can be a Wendigo. Most common is the Deer or Elk but you can be creative and use any locally found possessed animal.

Sources & Research
Here are a few places you can find out more about the mythology and monsters you want to utilize. Remember that since it will be your own creation you can mix/match/merge elements as you see fit. If nothing else you might find something interesting...

Book of Shadows
Celtic
Alchemy
Egyptian
Esoteric/Occult
Evil
Gothic
Icelandic
Legends/Sagas
Legendary Creatures
Native American
Necronomicon
Neopaganism/Wicca
Prophecy
Sacred Sexuality
Shamanism
Tarot
Tolkien


Greek mythology
Roman mythology
Norse mythology
Celtic mythology
Native American mythology


Human Origins
Myths
Ancient Places
Technology
Unexplained


Welcome to Monster Wiki
AC to Gossamer
Granza to Peckster
Pegasus to ZombieKiller123
Zombie dog to Zorc

Mummified
A mummy is a deceased human or animal whose skin and organs have been preserved by either intentional or accidental exposure to chemicals, extreme cold, very low humidity, or lack of air, so that the recovered body does not decay further if kept in cool and dry conditions.
Becoming a Mummy
LOL, No, not a Mommy, a Mummy! Sheesh!

Breaking The Stereotype
We are all familiar with the Egyptian and Aztec mummies we see in the movies but there are many other mummies you can portray in your unique celebration. Basically its the same as making a zombie but with the addition of ancient bandages. Your only limitation is your imagination.
Choose your base costume then mummify it with bandages and aging effects. Bingo

Mummy Themes
You can gear your party, celebration or festival to the Mummified Theme to easily allow guests to create new and unique mummies. Hold a contest for the most unique mummy, best Egyptian mummy or a multitude of categories. Set up simple kiosks and activity tables where guests can explore the mummy realm. Ask for volunteers and mummify them with before and after pictures or a video. There are nearly 30 movies featuring mummies that can be viewed as background.

Mummy Supporting Amenities & Decorations
If you have lots of Gold items laying around you can use those but most of us don't. There are, however, alternatives that can still give your environment the 'feel'. If you are doing the Egyptian theme you might consider using the scarab and cats. A display that shows canopic jars and mummification tools with renditions of dried blood and petrified organs will surely be a hit. Wrapping things in aged bandages, lots of candles and coffee table book dressed as an ancient Book of the Dead.

Personification of Evil
I remember the old nylon costumes with the plastic masks. I hated them. As I grew older I tried to always create my own look rather than portray the national images approved by the masses. Not only were my creations unique, they were comfortable and non-flammable. With today's manufacturing standards the store-bought costumes are much better but I still prefer creating my own. The latex masks are actually pretty good from an artistic creative view but the cost of a good one will set you back as they are priced as collectors items or works of art. The commitment to your costume becomes the financial decision of the season. I believe in the KISS: {Keep It Simple Stupid} approach to getting the most for my money. I use the internet Halloween Supply sites for inspiration instead of a resource for purchasing. Not only do I want to look the part - I want to be comfortable after hours of wearing it.



Is That a Costume?
To me, a costume should be transparent. I mean, It's difficult to tell that it is a costume. It should wear like a normal look. It should flex at the right places and be as realistic as possible. Sometimes you might even forget you are wearing it. To do this, It is important that you choose the right make-up and appliances. If its cold out, your outerwear should complete the costume as a component. A zombie arriving at your party in a bright blue windbreaker kinda destroys the effect of blood-soaked clothes. You need to be comfortable and have full mobility while in costume. Removing or lifting your mask to take a drink will destroy the illusion you are attempting to fulfill. The costume should be skin-deep as well. Shedding articles like hats, outer coverings and even footwear should not break the costume. To me, The best costumes get better as you reveal the inner layers.

Inspiration & Resources
Today. with the World Wide Web, there are millions of costume ideas and resources to be had. This time of year brings out all the Halloween supply stores and kiosks where you can buy anything from fake blood to a full size animatronic display. With express shipping there is still time to place an order to have it by Halloween. Don't forget that normal household articles can also be implemented to achieve your "Look". Always check the Dollar Stores and Major Department Stores for articles to compliment your costume.

The Horse's *** Syndrome
Couple's costumes are fun as long as they don't isolate you from the planned activities. The old Horse costumes where someone is the head and someone is the rear will cause those forced to be in the rear to be hidden and isolated. With that in mind, A costume that requires you to carry it or be hidden within it will make your activity enjoyment very difficult. While there are many great costumes like this available, if you are planning on doing anything more than just standing around you might want to rethink your choice. Also remember that your props may be in the way as well. Try to make your costume complete with hands free operation. You should be able to sit, stand, run, jump and sometimes crawl while in costume. If you can't drive safely and your activities require it - what use is the costume? If you must dismantle your costume to perform activities make sure you can reapply it easily.

Vampires
Since they're reanimated corpses -- the living remains of a deceased person -- vampires are often referred to as "the undead." They can still pass as healthy humans, however, and will walk undetected among the living. In fact, vampires may be attractive, highly sexual beings, seducing their prey before feeding. A vampire may also take the form of an animal, usually a bat or wolf, in order to sneak up on a victim.


The Vampire Codex
Michelle Belanger
http://www.sacred-texts.com/goth/vc/

Vampire Personification Projection
Vampires; you say, Is an easy thing to become for Halloween, all you really need is some teeth and a little fake blood. Well, yes, that will work but there are many Vampiric images that can really press the limits of creativity.
Vampires don't necessarily always feed on blood. They don't always have to 'look' like humans and the Really Scary ones are quite gross.

LifeForce Vampires
These Vampires are dessicated from the feeding process.
Their life force drained they return to feed to regain their strength.

The make-up is very doable and will result in high mobility.
Unlike a zombie - The dessicated vampire is not decayed.

The Master Race of Vampires is much more difficult but still doable.
Fore-go the limb extensions and use of a mask and it is all workable.

Buffy Vampires

With the use of a few appliances, some teeth and
flesh colored make-up anyone can resemble a Buffy Vampire

With a bit of effort, your costume can become more intense but still be active.
Don't fret about the bald-cap - this facade with hair will still be scary.

Extreme Vampire Designs

The Salt Vampire


The Vampire Ancient


The Future Vampire


The Classic Vampire


The Blade Dracula Vampire


30 Days of Night Vampire


Priest Vampire


Van Helsing Vampire


Van Helsing Dracula Vampire
​
Acting the Part
Whether it's for Halloween, a costumed event, a performance, or a committed lifestyle choice, many people love the glamor of dressing up as vampires.
Here are some suggestions on how to perfect the look and mannerisms.
For the more vile looking costumes the acting is not as important as it is for the more mundane minimal ones. If you look like Van Helsing's Dracula there is very little you need to 'act' to transmit the personification. If, however, you choose a more conservative look. Your demeanor and stature can push the mundane appearance into the outstanding, memorable experience.

Hosting A Vampirific Event
*Entrance must be by Invitation only. Be sure to invite all vampire guests into your event. Written invitations should have the person's name and specific address of the event they are being invited to. Include the word "Invited"
*Low-Lighting. Use low wattage bulbs or candles to give a dark Gothic feel to the place. If outside, use torches and fire pits to keep the lighting low and flickering.
*Cover the Mirrors. Vampires hate mirrors. If possible, remove all the mirrors from the event. If not, cover them with something to obscure them to make them reinforce the mood.
*Red Colored Drinks or Stemware. Vampires like blood. Use goblets or red tinted plastic stemware to give the mood of your event a bloody boost. If homemade drinkage is planned, make it thick and red if possible. Vampires are about blood.
*Have a Gothic Center-Piece. Print out the cover of the Vampire Codex or another Vampire Ancient Book Cover and secure it to a Book or Scroll. Place some stained wooden stakes and some garlic bulbs around it. Some fake cobwebs will give the piece a look of ancient lore.
*Create a Killing/Feeding Field. Line an area with plastic and paint patches of fake blood on it. Place an old couch or lounger on it with fake blood staining the ends. Allow guests to have photo-ops while being fed upon by other guests.
*Have a Coffin with Dirt. Part of the Vampire lore is that Vampires must be able to return to their coffin's and sleep in the dirt of their homeland. Displaying this will help reinforce the mood of your event. Allow the guests to have pictures of them "sleeping the day away".

The Pumpkin Lantern
A jack-o'-lantern is a carved pumpkin, or turnip, associated chiefly with the holiday of Halloween, and was named after the phenomenon of strange light flickering over peat bogs, called will-o'-the-wisp or jack-o'-lantern. In a jack-o'-lantern, the top is cut off to form a lid, and the inside flesh then scooped out; an image, usually a monstrous face, is carved out of the pumpkin's rind to expose the hollow interior. To create the lantern effect, a light source is placed within before the lid is closed. This is traditionally a flame or electric candle, though pumpkin lights featuring various colors and flickering effects are also marketed specifically for this purpose. It is common to see jack-o'-lanterns on doorsteps and otherwise used as decorations during Halloween.

Family Tradition
Many families at this time of year create an event out of pumpkin carving that is passed down generation to generation. Each generation adds to the tradition to make it unique for their family. Documented with photos and video, these are the things that make us family.
Establish a Date
Usually the 3rd or Last Weekend in October. Not too early because the creations will rot over time. Not too late because sometimes they require 'finishing touches'. Pick a time that is good for everyone in the family. Make it a point that all attend.
Establish the Place
Carving pumpkins can get very messy. It can be done indoors or outdoors. You will need plenty of light so it is best to keep the outdoor festivities to the daylight hours or provide plenty of lighting. You may want to hold the event at a local park with a nice BBQ or in the street as a Block Party. Where ever the event, always keep safety in mind. Little kids and knives do not mix well.
Set-Up Ideas
*Have a table of some type (large families might want more than one table). With multiple tables you can set up different stations for the various stages of carving.
*Protect the table surfaces with some cheap under-layment or heavy cardboard covered in heavy plastic sheeting. You can also put the plastic on your floor to catch the messes.
*Pre-sharpen all of your cutting tools. Stage the tools as to the job they will do.
*Pre-Shop your accessories. Buy the candles, LED lights and other amenities so they are on-hand for the event. Create a "Karving Box" to place unused accessories into for storage till next year's event.
*Print out your designs. Keep a scrapbook of the designs for future years. Even keep the hand-drawn simple stuff the little kids design (memories are best when documented).
Make it Yours
Family traditions are exactly that: Family Traditions. Use your imagination to make the event unique to your family. Put aside the quarrels and keep it a happy activity. Let your teens express themselves without harsh judgement. Reinforce skills that are demonstrated with sincere appreciation. Find the 'Good' in everyone's work. Allow those with better skills to use them to help each other. Review all the finished works with an eye to the creativity. Help each other. Each year review what worked and what didn't and adjust the activities accordingly.

Simple or Fancy?
Pumpkin carving can be a tedious task with many mistakes and lots of creativity. Sure those fancy pumpkins made by pros are great to look at but are you willing to put that much time into a gourd? Do you have the special tools to create the right effects? Most of us just have at it with a kitchen knife.

Skeletons
Skeletons are body parts forming the support structure of an animal. In popular media and online, undead creatures are often depicted as animated skeletons and associated with the annual Halloween celebration.
Skulls
The skull is a bony structure in the head of most vertebrates (in particular, craniates) that supports the structures of the face and forms a protective cavity for the brain. The skull is composed of two parts: the cranium and the mandible. The skull forms the anterior most portion of the skeleton and is a product of encephalization, housing the brain, many sensory structures (eyes, ears, nasal cavity), and the feeding system.

The Meaning of Halloween Skulls and Skeletons
Continuing in the knowledge that Halloween is a time to honor the memories of those who no longer share the physical stage of life with us, the skeleton is a symbolic (and physical) reminder of the remnants of life. Skulls in particular were considered by many ancient cultures (including the Druids of the Celts) to be the psychic seat of the human whole. As such, skulls are powerful symbols invoking a heightened awareness of our psychic potential. Incorporated during this powerful time of year doubles their profound symbolic purposes. The skeleton is almost always featured on the Major Arcana Death card; peering into its meaning may offer more enlightenment on these intriguing concepts here. I've also written a bit on the skull as a good luck symbol here. You may also be interested in the symbolic meaning of skulls according to the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos here. With more research, our understanding of this Halloween symbol takes on a whole new meaning.
For the Bonepile
No yard display is complete without a creepy bonepile.

Get Creative
Make your own skulls using Plaster of Paris

Mischief Night, Devil's Night or Hell Night
In the United States, Mischief Night is commonly held on October 30, the night before Hallowe'en. In New Jersey's Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Warren, and Union counties, as well as in Philadelphia; Westchester County, New York; and Fairfield County, Connecticut, it is referred to as "Mischief Night". Today, the night is commonly known as "Cabbage Night" in parts of Vermont; Connecticut; Bergen County, New Jersey; Upstate New York; Northern Kentucky; Newport, Rhode Island; and Boston, Massachusetts. It is known as "Gate Night" in New Hampshire, Trail, British Columbia, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Rockland County, New York, North Dakota and South Dakota, as "Mat Night" in Quebec, Canada, and as "Devil's Night" in many places throughout Canada, Michigan, and western Pennsylvania.
Mischief Night tends to include popular tricks such as toilet papering yards and buildings, powder-bombing and egging cars, people, and homes, using soap to write on windows, "forking" yards, setting off fireworks, and smashing pumpkins and jack-o'-lanterns. Local grocery stores often refuse to sell eggs to pre-teens and teens around the time of Halloween for this reason. Occasionally, the damage can escalate to include the spray-painting of buildings and homes. Less destructive is the prank known as "Knock, Knock, Ginger", "Ding-Dong Ditch", "knock down ginger", or "knock-a-door-run", in which children ring doorbells or knock on doors and then run and hide. One variation involves pranksters inserting a pin into a doorbell so that it rings continuously. In Detroit and much of Michigan, the night is known infamously as Devil’s Night, a moniker now eternally linked with widespread arson. While Detroit ended the arson, as well as the more innocent mischief, through neighborhood patrols and simply changing the name from Devil’s Night to Angel’s Night, much of the United States still celebrates some type of prank-riddled night on October 30th. Camden, New Jersey had its own period of Mischief-Night-related arson in the 1990s that easily rivaled Detroit’s.

"Guising" aKa: Trick or Treat
Trick-or-treating or guising is a customary practice for children on Halloween in many countries. Children in costumes travel from house to house in order to ask for treats such as candy (or, in some cultures, money) with the phrase "Trick or treat!". The "trick" is a (usually idle) threat to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given to them. In some parts of Ohio, Iowa, Massachusetts and other states, the night designated for trick-or-treating is referred to as Beggars Night, and in some communities it is held on a night prior to Halloween itself. Children of the St. Louis, Missouri area are expected to perform a joke, usually a simple Halloween-themed pun or riddle, before receiving any candy; this "trick" earns the "treat".

Turning The Tables
Are you expecting many little hands in your candy supply this year? Does your house fall victim to annual tricksters? Are you tired of the same ole same ole? Take back the holiday with a few tips for fun.
Mucky Candy Bowl - Decorate your candy bowl with disgusting looking stuff. Put a black sleeve over the opening so the little devils must brave the unknown for their treat. Put plastic spiders and creepies in the bowl with the candy.
Creepy not Scary- Dress for the candy hand-out. Choose a guise that will give the visitors a chill. A leper with nasty fingers, a chef with a bloody apron or perhaps a doctor with sleep-deprived haunting eyes. Have backing visuals for an eerie peering thru your open door that will reinforce your creepiness. An open trash can with bloody arms in various costumes on your porch. A bloody meat cleaver on the table in your house in full view of the visitors.
To Un-Hear, Impossible! - Keep your house dimly lit. Play soundtracks of children sobbing, men & women screaming, sounds of meat being chopped, shaking of cages and chains rattling. Keep the volume low so the sounds are heard but only barely. Make the visitors stretch to hear and when you see them doing so make some noise yourself or raise the volume of your voice then give them their treats and usher them away quickly.
Get Help - Have other people in your house that reinforce your theme. Creepy eyes peering from a shut blind, a bloody caretaker taking out a bag of bloody body parts, Someone in harness hanging from a tree or the porch dressed as a scarecrow or hanged man/woman that is still until someone approaches and they start wiggling about and screaming or moaning. If you are having a party, have some of the guests in costume play out a scene in full view or let them enjoy the art of the scare as the kids leave your house with the goods.
The Savior - Create a scene on your stoop that is creepy and terrible looking. Hide in the yard in costume with your candy supply and jump out to greet the visitors before they get to your porch. Tell them to take this treat and run for their lives and never look back as there are vile things here and it is a trap. Have an elder come out and stop you from handing out your selections of treats. The elder gives out the real treats and scathe you for trying to "do it again". You leer back at them.

Mutilations
Mutilation or maiming is an act of physical injury that degrades the appearance or function of any living body. Some ethnic groups practice ritual mutilation, e.g. scarification, burning, flagellation, tattooing, or wheeling, as part of a rite of passage. In some cases, the term may apply to treatment of dead bodies, such as soldiers mutilated after they have been killed by an enemy.

Using Mutilation as a Halloween Theme
Gory, disgusting or sadistic mutilation is a wonderful theme for a Halloween festivity. No matter how it is portrayed it affects us in our cores. To see a wide variety of concepts tell invites the theme is Mutilation and watch what comes of it.

Mutilation as a Costume Parameter
There a a multitude of costumes designed to illicit the look of the mutilated and the mutilator. Do you want to be the victim or the aggressor? Are you looking to incite the feeling of disgust or are you looking to scare the bejesus out of people? Both aspects of design are easily accomplished with very little needs. Neither require a specialized wardrobe. The attachment of accessories will help complete the illusion.

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Mutilation as a Setting
When creating the setting for your get-together, think torture chambers and dungeons. Blood everywhere you look and lots of sharp objects. A table or chair with blood stained restraints, clear jars with bloody body parts inside and blood, lots of blood.

Mutilation Props and Artwork
There are a shitpot full of items that can be bloodied for the mutilation theme that you likely already have around the house. From construction tools to kitchenware anything that could inflict damage to the human body is a possible prop. Using your printer and some carefully selected images available on the web you can create a scrapbook as a centerpiece and surround it with bloody personal items. A simple trip to your local scrapyard will yield a multitude of metal objects and mechanicals that can be 'dressed' for the effect.

Non-Scary Halloween
No matter what you think Halloween should be it is your celebration that counts. There are many ways to still have a great time without the scares. With a bit of imagination and some craftiness you can 'become' anything you wish. My children had won a few awards for "Best Non-Scary Costumes". One was a Christmas Present, One a TV with 'rabbit ears', another a Big Bag of Jelly Beans! Their creativity was unique and their skills at design needed some tweaking for mobility but they pulled off the task brilliantly.

Party Themes to Consider
Here are some ideas that might help you host a great non-scary Halloween party.
If they are not just right you might be able to use these ideas to create your own personal theme that is just right for you.

Adult Cartoons like The Simpsons, Family Guy or even Anime.
Your favorite TV Show characters
Movie Stars in character Like Blade, Rambo, Etc...
Superheroes!
Characters from novels, short stories, poems or comics & graphic novels
Sports Heroes
Inanimate Objects like cell phones, i-Pods, etc...
Historical Icons
Cartoon Entities like Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, Pepe Le-pew, etc...
Knights & Damsels
Personification of Professions
Humorous Renditions of Horror Icons
Play on Words like 'Red Handed' You are a big red hand or 'Bone Up' You are a big bone...
Visual Slapstick
Musical Instruments
Soldiers from any era
Sexy Anything
No matter what you do for Halloween, make sure it something that you enjoy.
Thats all I got...LOL

i guess i'm gonna miss out on h-ween...i won't finish reading this until t-giving....

wow you guys go way out for this.

Not me...

There is no such thing. :D

Is there a Cliff Notes version?

And some of you! thought I went on and on and on and on and on and on and on...lmao

I'm just gonna go shoot a pumpkin.

There is always next year

Love that idea!

Yeah, its long because it is composed of multiple posts I made last year at a forum I go to. Its even longer with the pictures that I didn't add.
Here's the original thread with the pics and the links
http://aliensoup.com/threads/2014-halloween-preparation.48234/

i just scrolled down to the end of the OP and i needed a rest!

Does anyone go to those mini-theme park haunted houses?

I've been to a few and some are really good!

http://www.hauntedhouseratings.com/index.cfm
Here is one site that rates haunted house attractions
Is your favorite in 2014's listings?

13th Gate Baton Rouge, LA by Midnight Productions
http://midnightproduction.com/
Never been there but its close for me.
Word is it is scary. Meh...scary

Eastern State Penitentiary hosts Terror Behind The Walls in Philly, PA.
http://www.easternstate.org/halloween/


Find Haunted Houses, Hayrides, Haunted Trails, Pumpkin Patches, and Halloween Events in Your Area
FindAHaunt.com is the largest most up to date haunted house directory anywhere.
http://www.findahaunt.com/



If you go to these events, what one do you go to?
Has anyone ever worked in one of these productions?