Staying in this Halloween? Awesome House Party Theme Ideas

Not everyone wants to go out on Halloween…sometimes its easier, and way more fun, having everyone round for a kick-ass party right at home.  Halloween can be so easy to do with a few interesting decorations and fancy dress costumes.  However sometimes a specific theme can just make everything way more fun!  Even the preparation!!  In this blog I’m going to outline some images and videos that encompass the three main sections (decoration, food & drink and fun games) and how to have some fun with it!

1.  Decoration.

This is the area that I would probably have the most fun with.  It lends itself to people with a penchant for artistic flair!

There are literally loads of common themes  that are used for decorating houses and rooms like cobwebs, pumpkin jack-o-lanterns, bats, cats, skeletons….the list goes on and on!!  The main thing you need to decide is whether its going to be silly or scary!  You don’t want the theme to clash with the mood you are trying to set.  You should be looking to put up bunting on the walls, perhaps lighting in the front or back lawn, and bucket loads of nonsense decorations everywhere….the key is to be excessive!!

2.  Food and drink.

If you’re having people over for a party, then you probably need to cater it.  And as far as I’m aware, people need to drink to survive so thats a definite!!  Lots of fun can be had with this though, just watch this video below!!

How to make Halloween Gummie Worms

Putting on a fun food & drink spread can really take your party to the next level but it can be really easy to make it interesting.  There’s plenty of halloween themed sweets and candy about (especially at this time of year) so you only really need to put effort into the presentation.  That doesn’t mean that homemade food won’t go drown a treat too!  Go crazy with the Jack-o-lanterns…they’re a classic.

 

3.  Fun games.

Apple bobbing.

You will need:

• large bowl or bucket
• large towel or plastic sheet
• apples
• towels for drying off

Fill your bowl or bucket to 3/4 of its capacity with cold water and place your towel or sheet under the bucket. Put about 4-6 apples in the water and let each child have a turn at getting as many apples as possible – hands must remain firmly behind backs!  The easiest way to get the apples involves getting very wet (you need to push the apple all the way to the bottom of the bucket) so have a towel to hand to mop up wet faces!

 

Dress the mummy.

You will need:

• a big supply of toilet paper or kitchen towel!

Split the party guests into groups no smaller than two and give them a substantial supply of toilet paper. The object of the game is to try and turn one of the group into a mummy by wrapping them entirely in the loo roll! Prizes go to the quickest or the best attempt.

 

Pass it on ghost story.

Try this simple Halloween game. Fun and simple party or class game!

Turn off or dim all the lights and have all your guests sit in a circle. Start out by holding a flashlight so it illuminates your face and start telling a ghost story. At an exciting point in the story, pass the flashlight to the person on your left. They can then continue the story where you left off. Keep going for as long as you choose, it can be once around the cirlce or even longer. You can also set a timer for each person.

 

The devil is in the details.

Feeling like your guests haven’t fully appreciated the amount of detail you’ve put into your party atmosphere? Devise questions that deal with your decorations and watch them explore your haunt.

It’s simple, really. I created handouts with questions like “List the different types of vermin in the room” and “There are a total of 5 items in the lounge that are often used as weapons. List them”. I’ve created questions that had people checking the labels on prop bottles. Use your imagination.

 

I hope that you have been suitably inspired as to how to put on your very own Halloween party…remember, just enjoy it and have fun with it!!

I hope that you have found some inspiration here and have chosen the theme will make your Halloween night…however, if your plan is to go out then check out our Halloween cinema choices blog instead.

 

 

Thanks

Chris J

Alterego Fancydress

Enjoy this post? Follow our blog for more ideas and coverage of fancy dress events.  And please join our Social Media family on Facebook & Twitter.  Check out our pinterest page for more costume inspiration.

Going out this Halloween? Must-see Horror Films at the Cinema

So, its Halloween, you want to get out of the house and you need something to do…why not go scary yourself silly at the Cinema this October?  There’s going to be plenty on this year so here are a few of the ones we’re looking forward to.

 

1.  Horns

A very quirky twist on a Horror film this year.  Daniel Radcliffe, all grown-up, plays a man accused of brutally murdering his girlfriend – and as everyone starts seeing him as a devil, those horns begin to grow…

 

2.  As Above, So Below

Deep under the streets of Paris, a group of friends begin to explore the miles of mazing catacombs hidden below.  Unfortunately for them there are secrets beneath that should not be uncovered.

 

3.  Dracula Untold

I know what you are thinking…is there really anything left untold about the Dracula tale?  Well, as this movie attempts to focus on how the man became the vampire, then perhaps…

 

4.  Annabelle

This film is a spin-off to last year’s breakout hit “The Conjuring'” however this movie is focusing on a crazy doll with supernatural powers.  If it is even half as good as it’s parent movie, then t will be worth a watch!

 

5.  Tusk

Not your typical Kevin Smith film, although, from the trailer, its clear there will be plenty of his personality in this comedy-horror that both lampoons horror-film stereotypes and genuinely scares you in places.

 

6.  Ouija

Ouija boards are just plain scary….fact!  Why do kids keep insisting on playing this stupid game in films?!  Honestly, when does it end well??  Looks like a lot of jump-scares in this horror movie.

 

7.  Oculus

Two teenage siblings are orphaned by the murder of their parents.  The brother is accused and convicted of the crime but the sister is unconvinced…could something scarier and more sinister be behind it?

 

8.  The Pyramid

This is my personal favourite trailer….can’t wait to see it in cinemas!  A team of U.S. archaeologists get more than they bargained for when they discover a lost pyramid unlike any other in the Egyptian desert. As they unlock the horrific secrets buried within, they realize they aren’t just trapped, they are being hunted.

 

I hope that you have found some inspiration here and have chosen the movie that will make your Halloween night…however, if your plan is to stay in then check out our Halloween house party blog instead.

 

 

Thanks

Chris J

Alterego Fancydress

Enjoy this post? Follow our blog for more ideas and coverage of fancy dress events.  And please join our Social Media family on Facebook & Twitter.  Check out our pinterest page for more costume inspiration.

Oktoberfest 2014 – What’s it all about?

So…most of us know the term Oktoberfest.  A majority can tell you that it’s German.  Some of us would estimate that it occurs in Oktober – sorry, October (*ahem*).  A select few may be able to inform us that there’s more to it than copious amounts of beer.  I wouldn’t have been one of these people!  More to it than beer??  Read on, you might be surprised…

History

The first festival occurred in the lead-up to Crown Prince Ludwig’s wedding on October 12th, 1810 in Munich.  Citizens were invited to join in the festivities in the fields around the city to celebrate the Royal event.  The timing of Oktoberfest was later moved to September to make the most of the better weather and now finishes on the first Sunday in October.

A large part of the show has always been it’s agricultural festival – first occurring in 1811.  1816 first saw the appearance of carnival booths, with prizes originally being gold, silver and jewellery (not a single goldfish or stuffed bear in sight).  The parade became an annual and integral event in 1950, shortly before fancy dress became popular attire.

1950 saw a 12 gun salute mark the start of the festival – which also became a yearly tradition.  The tapping of the first keg would then be celebrated.  At around this time the festival began to gain international recognition, people were starting to travel from far and wide to revel in the festivities.  Bavarian hats are traditionally worn by Munich citizens during the event, although the tradition has been weakened by the popularity of cheapened, mass-produced hats used by tourists.

Until 6pm Oktoberfest will now play quiet music in order for its festivities to be enjoyed by the whole family. Also, sorry smokers, but having a cigarette has been banned in the beer tents and function rooms since 2011 – although apparently the smell of smoke masked the smell of stale beer spilled all over the floor!

Fun Facts

Horse Races were held at the first Oktoberfest!  But by 1819, the race had been called off, replaced by beer carts and a carnival-like atmosphere. The leaders of Munich decided that Oktoberfest would be held each year, no exceptions. And though Oktoberfest originated as a one-day commemoration, it was thereby extended to 16 days of revelry and heavy drinking.

Unbelievable, but in the beginning, beer was not available at the Oktoberfest. Alcohol could only be purchased and enjoyed outside of the actual venue. Authorities soon realized that it would make sense to open the Oktoberfest venue to vendors and it was only then that the traditional beer-halls became popular.

Oktoberfest has been cancelled 24 times, twice by cholera epidemics (1854 and 1873), once in 1870 for the Franco-Prussian war (causing thirsty Bavarians to carp that this Prussian conflict had nothing to do with them), and in the years during and after World War One and Two. (Wars are always bad for beer, which seems reason enough not to have them at all.)

Beer consumption surpasses 5 million 1-liter mugs. The mugs themselves are a hot item. Security guards annually recover approximately 150,000 from would-be souvenir hunters. Many are not recovered; the Hofbräu tent alone averages 35,000 missing each year. The fine for stealing a souvenir mug: $60.00!  There are many problems every year with young people who overestimate their ability to handle large amounts of alcohol. Many forget that beer has 7,5 to 8% alcohol, and they pass out due to drunkenness. These drunk patrons are often called “Bierleichen” (German for “beer corpses”).

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam has celebrated Oktoberfest since 1992 and it is held at the Hotel Equatorial.

Cincinnati, Ohio, which claims to hold the “largest authentic Oktoberfest” in the U.S., draws about 500,000 people to its 2 day celebration.  Munich, Germany, home to the original Oktoberfest draws about 6 million festival goers.  Not bad Cincinnati!

 

So next time you’re at a Beer Festival and one of your mates dunkenly likens it to Oktoberfest, kindly remind them that if there’s no horse-race, it ain’t even close!!

 

 

 

Thanks

Chris J

Alterego Fancydress

Enjoy this post? Follow our blog for more ideas and coverage of fancy dress events.  And please join our Social Media family on Facebook & Twitter.  Check out our pinterest page for more costume inspiration.

Ani-motion…Unmasking Our Range for Halloween

The Ani-motion mask is a fantastic addition to any fancy dress costume, and a must-have this Halloween.  They add a new and different quality to your chosen costume, an acccesory that sets your dress apart and easily makes you the centre of attention at that local social club do or awkward house party!

Their unique selling point is the ability for the wearer to control the mask’s jaw by moving their own.  It gives the impression of a more life-like appearance.  Click on the videos below some of the following masks to see them in action.

So, I am going to outline some of the best in this innovative fancy dress range, and showcase designs that will fit a variety of styles and themes….these masks are not just for Halloween!

 

Werewolf / White Lycan

                

 

You can truly howl at the moon in these fearsome Lycan masks!!

 

Night Fiend

                      

 

With large, gruesome teeth and a skeletal face, this mask is absolutely terrifying.

Last Laugh

                

 

You will be the only one laughing in this terrifying clown mask…

 

 

Dark Harvest

                   

 

This pumpkin won’t be turning into a horse-drawn carriage any time soon.

 

Zombie

                      

 

If you’re looking for a mask with horrendous dental hygiene then this is your guy!

 

Torment

                     

 

With a angry grimace and lifeless eyes, this one is the epitomy of tormented…

 

Now, along with Ani-motion masks, there is another range available; known as Rippers.  These masks, instead of having moving mouths, have a skin layer that ‘decays’ and peels away to reveal a ghoulish skull behind!

 

Bad Seed

                 

 

 

Muck Mouth

                    

 

 

In Stitches

                

 

 

ScreeeMachine Mobile App

Is the mask alone not enough?  Oh, alright then….introducing the ‘ScreeeMachine’ app, available on the iOS and android stores.  This app will give you the option of playing sound effects in-time with the movement of the mask’s mouth.  Cool, right?  It features 11 sounds, one for each Ani-Motion Mask, which allows users to enhance their masks with unique, custom made sounds. And it’s TOTALLY FREE!  To view it, click here.

 

 

Thanks

Chris J

Alterego Fancydress

Enjoy this post? Follow our blog for more ideas and coverage of fancy dress events.  And please join our Social Media family on Facebook & Twitter.  Check out our pinterest page for more costume inspiration.