Celebrating British Halloween

Hey readers, 

Halloween, a holiday widely celebrated across the globe, has its own unique charm in various countries. 

In the United Kingdom, Halloween is a distinct affair, blending ancient traditions with modern elements.

 From pumpkin carving to ghost stories, the British Halloween experience is filled with delightfully spooky moments. 

In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating traditions and customs that make Halloween in Britain a memorable event

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1. The Origins of British Halloween.

Halloween, as we know it today, traces its roots to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.

 The Celts believed that on Halloween night (October 31st), the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred. 

To ward off evil spirits and ensure a bountiful harvest, they lit bonfires and wore costumes. 

Over time, these pagan customs mixed with Christian traditions, leading to the modern-day Halloween celebration.

2. Pumpkin Carving. 

In recent years, pumpkin carving has become an integral part of British Halloween celebrations. 

Known as "Jack-o'-Lanterns," these carved pumpkins are usually adorned with spooky faces and illuminated with candles.

Families gather to create their own unique designs, often displaying them in windows or front yards to ward off evil spirits and lend a festive air to the neighbourhood.

3. Trick-or-treat. 

British children eagerly anticipate the evening of Halloween to embark on the age-old tradition of trick-or-treating.

 Dressed in costumes ranging from witches to superheroes, little ones go door-to-door, asking for treats with the phrase "Trick or treat!"

 Many communities organise safe trick-or-treat events, where local shops and houses welcome children to collect sweets and chocolates.

4. Bonfires and Fireworks. 

Bonfires have long been associated with Halloween in Britain. Communities come together to light large bonfires, providing a warm and inviting gathering point.

 Firework displays are another common sight, adding a thrilling spectacle to the festivities. 

Some cities, such as Lewes in East Sussex, host traditional Halloween bonfire parades with costumed participants and burning effigies.

5. Scary Stories and Ghostly Walks. 

The spooky ambiance of Halloween is heightened by the storytelling traditions that have been passed down through generations. 

Ghost stories are a favourite pastime during this time, and they often find their way into Halloween events, both organised and informal.

Many towns and cities also offer ghostly walks, where locals and visitors can explore haunted locations and learn about chilling tales from the past.

6. Harry Potter Magic. 

With its rich literary history, it's no surprise that British Halloween often includes nods to the magical world of Harry Potter. 

Harry Potter-themed events and activities are prevalent, bringing the wizarding world to life for fans of all ages. 

From costume parties to Harry Potter movie marathons, enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the enchanting universe created by J.K. Rowling.

British Halloween delivers a delightful blend of ancient tradition, modern festivities, and a touch of literary magic. 

From pumpkin carving to fun-filled trick-or-treating, this special occasion offers a captivating mix of spooky fun and community spirit.

 So, if you find yourself in the United Kingdom during Halloween, be prepared for an enchanting celebration that will leave you with lasting memories.

Cheers for reading x 

Spreading Halloween Joy: The Art of the Boo Basket

Hey readers, 

Halloween, with its eerie charm and spooky vibes, is the perfect time to engage in delightful traditions that bring communities together.

 One such tradition is the creation and delivery of a "boo basket." 

This creative and anonymous gesture is all about spreading Halloween joy and building a sense of togetherness. 

In this blog post, we'll explore what a boo basket is, how to make one, and why it's a wonderful way to celebrate the season.

 The Mystery Behind the Boo Basket. 

Imagine finding a mysterious basket filled with Halloween treats and surprises on your doorstep. 

The excitement of discovering this unexpected gift, along with the mystery of not knowing who it's from, is what makes the boo-basket tradition so enchanting.

A boo basket typically consists of a collection of Halloween-themed goodies. 

This can include an assortment of candies, chocolates, small toys, candles, or any other fun and festive items.

 The goal is to create a delightful surprise that will bring a smile to the recipient's face.

The Art of Assembling a Boo Basket. 

Creating a boo-basket is an art form in itself. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to assemble one:

 1. Choose a Basket or Container. 

Start by selecting a container to hold your Halloween treasures. 

While a Halloween-themed basket works perfectly, you can get creative with alternatives like a pumpkin bucket, a decorative box, or even a spooky cauldron.

2. Pick Halloween Goodies. 

   The heart of the boo-basket lies in the treats and surprises you include. 

Select a variety of Halloween-themed goodies that cater to different tastes. 

Consider chocolates shaped like bats or ghosts, gummy worms, caramel apples, and small toys with a spooky twist.

3. Add a Note. 

   Don't forget to include a note or card that explains the concept of boo baskets.

 It should convey the message that the recipient has been "booed" and encourage them to pass on the tradition.

 A sample note might read, "You've been booed! Enjoy the treats and spread the Halloween spirit by booing someone else."

 4. Keep It Secret. 

   One of the most exciting aspects of the boo-basket is the element of surprise.

 Deliver the basket anonymously to the recipient's doorstep. Ring the doorbell and then quickly retreat, ensuring you remain unseen. 

The joy of discovering the mysterious gift is part of the magic.

5. Encourage Them to Boo Others. 

   Along with the note, encourage the recipient to pay it forward by creating their boo basket for someone else. 

This chain reaction of kindness and Halloween spirit helps the tradition continue to grow.

Why Boo Baskets Matter. 

Boo baskets are more than just a fun Halloween activity; they play a significant role in building connections within communities. Here's why they matter:

1. Spreading Joy.

   Halloween is all about fun and enjoyment, and boo baskets are a delightful way to spread joy and happiness among friends, neighbours, and even strangers.

 2. Fostering a Sense of Community. 

   The act of giving and receiving boo baskets fosters a sense of togetherness within neighbourhoods. 

It strengthens the bonds between neighbours and encourages a friendly and supportive community spirit.

3. Embracing Creativity. 

   Assembling a boo basket allows you to unleash your creativity. 

From choosing the perfect treats to crafting a spooky note, you have the freedom to personalize each basket.

4. Creating Lasting Memories. 

   The mystery and excitement associated with boo baskets create lasting memories for both the giver and the recipient.

 It's a Halloween tradition that many cherish and look forward to each year.

The tradition of boo baskets is a charming way to celebrate Halloween while fostering a sense of community and spreading joy.

 It's a reminder that even amid spooky decorations and costumes, the true spirit of Halloween lies in acts of kindness and the magic of surprises.

 So, this Halloween, consider crafting a boo basket and joining in the fun of spreading Halloween joy!

Cheers for reading X

50 best Halloween films ever.

 Hey readers,

October is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate the scariest month of the year is to sit back with a good old Halloween film.

 If you're stuck for a title to watch then do not fear as I have come up with a list of 50 spooktacular movies to help you decide. 

50 Spooksenational films to watch this Halloween

1. Hocus Pocus.
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas.
3. Halloween. 
4. The Adam's Family.
5. Beetlejuice.
6. Casper.
7. Scary movie.
8. E.T The Extra-Terrestrial.
9. Poltergeist.
10. Night of the Living Dead.
11. House on Haunted Hill.
12. Friday the 13th.
13. Dracula.
14. The Sixth Sense.
15. Coraline.
16. Sleepy Hollow.
17. Jeepers Creepers.
18. Frankenstein.
19. Saw.
20. The Exorcist.
21. Shutter Island.
22. Children of the corn.
23. The Blair Witch Project.
24. A Nightmare on Elm Street.
25. It.
26. Coco.
27. The Silence of the Lambs.
28. The Shinning.
29. The Ring.
30. Scream.
31. Carrie.
32. Pet Cemetery.
33. Scream.
34. Carrie.
35. Ghostbusters.
36. Goosebumps.
37. Monsters House
38. The Amityville Horror.
39. Practical Magic.
40. Child's Play. 
41. Halloweentown.
42. Corpse Bride.
43. Donnie Darko.
44. The Cabin in the Woods. 
45. The Crow.
46. Song of the Sea.
47. Frankenweenie. 
48. The Rockie Horror Show.
49. Pumpkinhead.
50. Fright Night.

What films do you enjoy at Halloween time? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X

What to put in a spooky basket.

Hey readers,

You may want to stay at home with your kids because it will be dark and not all kids enjoy taking part in trick or treating. 

If you still want to celebrate Halloween at home with your kids then a good idea might be looking at alternative ideas then a spooky basket is perfect way to achieve this. 

 You can choose your budget and get things cheap or if you fancy spending more stuff but it is up to you. Spooky baskets are like Christmas boxes but the theme is based on Halloween. 

So what kind of things can you put in a spooky basket? Below I have given some ideas of the types of things you can put in the boxes that I think would be a hit with kids. 

Things to put in a spooky basket. 

1. Books.

There are so many great Halloween-based books to get feeling Halloweeny. A firm favourite has to be the witches by Roald Dhal - not too scary but fun as well. 

2. Glow sticks.

These are fab for kids to play in a dark room with bright lights to go down a treat. 

3. Face paints.

You don't have to be an expert in face painting as there are simple ones you can do such as a black cat but kids love having face painting done.

 On Snazaroo they have good ideas for Halloween face paint and the instructions are clear plus they have video tutorials so you can do it at your own pace step to step. 

4. Balloons. 

You can get Halloween-themed balloons and some that even glow in the dark which will work well if kids are playing with glow sticks. 

5. Sweets. 

You have to have sweets at Halloween it's the law, isn't it? ;) Anyways there is a lot of choice on the market and some really fun Halloween ones as well.

 I've brought these Halloween boxes of mixed sweets from B&M for £2.00 and they are Halloween-themed so get a variety. 

6. Halloween clothing. 

You don't have to spend a load on Halloween, you can pick up this orange pumpkin t-shirt from Pep & Co for £3 (they are in adult and children sizes). 

7. Halloween torch.

These are a fun little gadget that works well when it is dark. All you have to do is shine the torch onto the wall and it will display Halloween images whether that be a bat, ghost, skull, etc. 

8. Halloween chocolate bomb.  

To make an extra special hot chocolate then you need to get a chocolate bomb is. You can get Halloween designed hot chocolate bombs such as the one in the photo below where they are shaped as skulls.

 What you do is get some hot milk vin a cup and place the hot chocolate bomb into the cup so that the bomb will disperse into the liquid. This is a popular with children as they love to see it melt and break away in the cup. 

What do you think of the kid's Halloween boxes? do you do them and if so what do you put in your boxes? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X

Halloween Monster Toilet Roll Craft

Hey readers,

Looking for an easy craft to do for Halloween then check out below how to make a Halloween monster toilet craft.

What you will need.

* Paint (any colour you fancy or have to hand).

* Toilet roll.

 * Pipe cleaners.

* Foam sticky shapes.

* Googly eyes. 

* Paper clips.

* Hole punch (for holes to thread pipe cleaners through).

* A small stick of some description, I used a bamboo stick but I cut it down to fit. 

How to make the Halloween monster toilet roll craft.

1. First paint the toilet rolls on the outside with the colour you have chosen.

2. Once the toilet rolls are dry,  you need to hole punch each side of the toilet roll at the top. Then thread the pipe cleaner through the hole to the other side and thread it through. Finally, shape the pipe cleaner in an arc angle. 

3. The other toilet roll pushes the bamboo stick through the toilet roll so it reaches the other side and cuts it to fit. 

4. Add accessories of your choice such as foam shapes, paper clips.

5. Add the google eyes to be placed at eye level.

There you have an easy Halloween craft to do with your child. 

Happy Halloween.

Cheers for reading X

35 Spellbinding Halloween Quotes.

 Hey readers, 

Who doesn't love a quote and to get you feeling fantastic for this upcoming spooky season?

I thought I would share some squeamishly good Halloween-themed quotes to get you inspired. 

1. Happy Halloween! Time to carve out the pumpkin, bring out the candies and let’s get sugar high.

2. Life is a witch and then you fly.

3. What do you get when you divide the circumference of your jack-o-lantern by its diameter – Pumpkin PiCopied!

4. Ghosts and goblins and jack-o-lanterns at night; I sure hope your Halloween is the best type of fright!

5. Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

6. Double, double toil, and trouble;

7. Nothing about Halloween scares me more than how psychologically enthusiastic you already are for Halloween.

8. A candy a day keeps the monsters away.

9. I am guilty of eating candy in cold blood.

10. I wave my wand and put on my cape and wish you lots of treats and success coming your way. Happy Halloween!

11. This letter is sealed with a vampire kiss and bite.

12. May the ghost be with you.

13. You are scary beautiful! Enjoy your Halloween!

14. And God said “Let there be candy,” and there was candy. Happy Halloween!

15. Silent night, ghostly night all is calm all white. Round yon candy, goodies, and treats.

16. A candy a day keeps the monsters away.

17. Keep Calm and say BOO!

18. Look, there’s no metaphysics on earth like chocolates.

19. Trick or treat, bags of sweets, ghosts are walking down the street.

20. On Halloween, the parents sent their kids out looking like me.

21. Mummy mummy mummy I got love in my tummy and I feel like haunting you.

22. Keep calm, trick or treat and carry on.

23. Hope all the candies don’t go to WAIST. Happy Halloween!

Today I can be moody and be a little witch!

25. Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m out of candy, look how scary are you.

26. Life with you is just getting boo-tter and better. Happy Halloween!

27. I’m a sleeping beauty and you are my prince charming now let’s get out of here and go trick-or-treating.

28. I’m a sexy ghoul and I know it.

29. Free flying lessons, BYOB. Bring your own broom.

30.  I have a sugar crush on you.

31. Oh, Halloween’s frightful but the candies are delightful, and since there’s no place to go, let it boo let it boo let it book

32. When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam, may luck be yours on Halloween.

 33. I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion. 

34. There is magic in the night when pumpkins glow by moonlight. 

 35. I put a spell on you because you're mine. 

Happy Halloween,

Cheers for reading X

5 trick or treat safety tips

 Hey readers, 

Trick or treat night is on the 31st of October and your child may want to engage in this fun Halloween activity. So this might be important information on how to keep safe during the fun celebration. What are my safety tips you ask well check them out down below? 

1. Accomy your child. 

Obviously, little ones will be with a guardian but older children may want to go alone but it might better be depending on the area and time to accompany your child under the age of 12.

 Therefore giving you the reassurance of knowing your child is safe especially when it gets dark and late.

 Another great tip is to pin a piece of paper on the back of your child's costume with your name, address, and the number just in case.

2. Set ground rules.

Make sure rules are said at the start of the evening so everyone is clear on the dos and don't of the night. 

 Highlight making sure that the child should stay with the group they are with. Plan a familiar route so your child is familiar and set a time with your child as to when it will end. 

Make sure that the child is aware to stay on the pavement and hold hands. When crossing the road make sure you check before walking into the road is clear to cross.

 It is best to only approach houses that are well lit. It is important the child knows that they should not go into someone's house or car for a treat. 

Make sure you check for cars before walking on the drive of someone's home. Be careful when approaching a drive with a car to make sure that it is not running, make sure to walk slowly. Make sure you have a torse so that if the driver is in the car they can see you in the dark night. 

3. Brightness. 

It is important to wear bright coloured clothing or put reflective tape onto the costume so that people can see you especially when it is dark at night you need to be able to see the child. Or other items such as hi-vi jackets, glow stick necklaces that kind of thing. 

4. Sweets.

Always check the sweets before letting your child eat them. Chuck away sweets that are damaged whether a sweet is opened or has a hole in them.

 Only accept sweets and chocolate if they are fully wrapped. Don't accept any homemade sweets if they are not made by someone you know. If you have young children don't give them gum or hard sweets as there may be the potential of choking. 

5.  Face paint.

Use face paint instead of a mask and make sure you use non-toxic face paint so no risk of causing a reaction.  

Using face paint is safer and less obstructive with their view. Also face paint helps reduce the risk of them having distractions because of the mask falling or any falls because they are preoccupied with adjusting the mask to fit on the face. 

What are your safety tips when going trick or treating? Have I missed anything off the list? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X 

5 ways to use up leftover pumpkin.

Hey readers, 

Many people this month with be carving a pumpkin for Halloween but you may be one of those people wondering what to do with the leftovers. 

Here are five ways you can use up a pumpkin and reduce the waste that happens after Halloween. 

1. Feed the birds. 

A great way to use a pumpkin is to make a bird feeder.

 All you need to do is clean out the pumpkin. 

If the craving is a bit wonky on the pumpkin cut that out and make it into a bowl shape. 

Poke a dowel into the pumpkin a few inches down from the top edge you just cut.

 Push it straight out through the opposite side of the pumpkin. 

Poke the second dowel through the pumpkin so it crosses just under the first dowel. 

Cut the twine into four equal lengths.

 Tie a strand to each dowel. 

Then tie the loose ends together in a large knot at the top.

 Fill the pumpkin with birdseed, and then hang it up for the birds to get out. 

2. Pumpkin Pie. 

A classic recipe is, of course, the humble pumpkin pie that will be a hit for the sweet tooth people out there. 

Here is a brilliant recipe from BBC Good Food that keeps it simple and a classic formula to follow which makes the perfect sweet treat during October and November.

3. Pumpkin compost.

You can use pumpkin on the compost.

 If you don't have a compost pile already then find a dark and shady spot in your garden to place your hollowed-out pumpkin. 

Smash up the pumpkin with a hammer as breaking the pumpkin up into smaller pieces helps speed up the process of compost. 

Loosely place some materials such as leaves, sawdust, or wood chippings over the pumpkin. 

This will help protect the pumpkin from pests and insects whilst airing it out.

Finally, let mother nature take her course and take a few weeks for the pumpkin to turn into nutrient-rich compost for the garden. 

Then you can spread it on the plants for a winter treat. 

4. Plant it. 

An alternative way to use up the leftover pumpkin is to plant with it succulents and a great way to use as autumnal decoration for the home. 

All you need to do is clean out the pumpkin and dry it off. Then fill up the pumpkin with soil and place succulents into the pumpkin, such a fun and clever way to use a pumpkin. Below is a fun example of how to do it from Succulents and Sunshine. 

5. Arty.

If you have children then using the leftover pumpkin as a material to use to make art with them. 

While it’s still firm, you can use the inside flesh to make a stamp for children to take pictures with, using the seeds to add to the patterns.

What kind of things do you like to do with a leftover pumpkin? I love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Cheers for reading X 

Floating hand punch for Halloween recipe

Hey readers, 

Looking for a show stopper for Halloween then you need to make these floating hand punch.

 What you will need. 

*  2 plastic latex gloves. 

  

*  Fruit punch.

*  Raspberries.

*  Small tray. 

How to make the floating hands. 

1. Turn the gloved inside out and wash with hot water to get rid of the powder residue. 

2. Fill the rubber gloves with water and then tip them at the top. 

3. Place inside the freezer making sure that fingers rest on something so they won't bend or get broken off. 

4. Make sure that there are no gaps of air between the fingers and palm as fingers won't be attached. 

5. It could take a few hours so might be best to leave overnight so the hand becomes solid in ice. 

6. Get a small tray pour in some fruit punch, fill, it up high, and then put in some raspberries. 

7.  Once the hand is frozen solid cut away the glove carefully with scissors and remove it away from the ice hand. 

8. Place the hands in the tray and there you have a creepy ice hand perfect for the Halloween celebrations. 

Happy Halloween.

Cheers for reading X

The best kids activities to do this Halloween.

Hey readers,

I have scrolled the internet to find my favorite Halloween activities that can inspire you this Halloween.

Halloween Slime. 

The first port of call has to be slime, I mean what child doesn't like slime. 

But this is special slime because not only is it slime but it is Halloween slime making it much spookier. 

This will keep your little darlings entertained for aggggggeees. Also, before I forget this Halloween slime recipe has 3 easy ingredients which means we are winning. 

Thanks go to the brilliant The Best Ideas For Kids for an amazing recipe so go check out their Halloween slime.

Halloween Scanavager Hunt. 

A fun-filled activity to do is Halloween themed scavenger hunt where you find Halloween-themed items on a list and tick them a pumpkin. 

Kids love being active so this is one that will be a big hit. 

There are so many free printable ones but I particularly like this one as it is not too complicated and is lots of fun from Growing Healthy Kids.

Apple Bobbing.

Of course, a classic game that is still ever popular to this day is apple bobbing. 

What you have to do is get some apples and put them in a washing-up bowl full of water. The object is to get the apple out of the bowl with your mouth and not use your hands. 

Frozen Statues.

There are plenty of playlists on Spotify or Youtube or you could have your own cd of Halloween hits to hand.

 To play the frozen statue game kids have to dance to the music but when the music stops everyone has to stay statue-still.

 The first person who moves is out. Carry on with the format until the final person who stays statue still wins. 

Halloween Tic Tac Toe. 

The classic game of tic tac toe is to get three pieces in a line diagonal, straight, or across wins.

 This Halloween they come with a twist as you paint stones monsters (green), ghosts (white), or devils (red) and use orange washy tape on the floor as your markers for the game. 

You can check out the amazing smashedpeasandcarrots who explains and does a brilliant job to learn more. 

Trick or Treating. 

One of the most popular children's Halloween activities is to dress up in a scary outfit and knock on neighbours doors saying trick or treat.

 Then the neighbour will either hands out treats or asks for a dare (much more likely the dare occurs these days mind).  

It is just a fun way of engaging with the community and people dress up the homes to make them spooky. 

Pumpkin Carving.

A lot of people buy pumpkins from a pumpkin patch or their local supermarket.

 Then they gut out the insides of their pumpkin and carve the pumpkin to look fun or scary.

I also have a post called 5 ways to use up leftover pumpkin may be of use if you are not sure what to do with leftover pumpkin.

 There are many free resources online to help you feel inspired such as the one below taken from loads of Halloween stencils curiosity of Pumpkin Lady.

What is your favourite kid's Halloween activity? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Cheers for reading X