How To ....
7 Ways To Throw An Eerily Great Halloween Party!
Written By: Laceyjane
Everybody loves Halloween, except for demons wearing human masks, who hate fun and are lame. Surround yourself with fun people who want to make this the best Halloween party ever, instead of a metaphorical rock in a pillowcase.
~Stock candy bowls in every room.....strategically
This one's so obvious it almost doesn't need to be said. But hell forbid you be the one idiot who doesn't stock the house with candies and then lose all your friends forever. Use them to your advantage: repel invaders from the kitchen by keeping the lousy sweets there, then guide them with candy of increasing quality to party central. Nothing anchors a room like chocolate and peanut butter.
~Give your punch some punch
Fill a rubber glove with enough water to it a hand shape. Stand it in a glass in your freezer to curl the fingers, or tie the end off with a rubber band and leave it flat. Now have an eerie claw grasping at punch-drinkers. But wait! You can make it glow in the dark safely by using tonic water and staging a black light over the punch bowl.
~Summon the Great Pumpkin
Giant pumpkins aren't that tasty, and they'll cost a little bit of money to buy, but if you can grow or get a good deal on one, look out, party-goers! You can cut the top off, fill it with ice, and stow all your beer inside for a cooler your guests will rave about until New Year's. Or if you've got a sturdy table to support it, mount a tap in that gourd and dispense beer from your epic pumpkin keg.
~Use a fly swapper
As long as you're at the punch bowl, might as well go for the ol' bug trick. Dr. Hibbert may disapprove of Homer Simpson's novelty fly cubes, but there's nothing toxic about freezing some raisins in ice cubes for the same effect and a much tastier "fly".
~Send messages from beyond the looking-glass
Discreetly visit the bathroom a couple times during the night with some red lipstick. "Can't die", you scrawl on your medicine cabinet mirror, and below that, "still hungry". Come back after a few people have visited, and wipe the message away. Then return to extend the narrative: "behind you". Continue this cycle until one of your guests nervously remarks, "it's not funny anymore, it's just lame." Uh-huh. Lame!
~Scheme a theme
If you're not throwing your party on October 31st proper, consider a costume theme. It's a great way to unify the party, and most people can put together a fun, low-key costume that fits, whether it's a movie everyone loves or something more sinister or interpretive, like puns, abstract ideas, or unrelated combinations. It takes some of the pressure off to have a great costume and just have a fun, silly one.
*Fair Warning: this one depends on the quality of your friends. If you think they're going to half-ass it, you could be left high and dry.
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Remember to award the best costume. Guests are rightly proud of their costumes, unless they're that guy from down the block who just wears a rainbow afro wig and a sleeveless t-shirt with novelty glasses and a fake mustache. (Who are you supposed to be again, dude? A monstrous lack of effort?) It doesn't have to be a big prize; it's only the recognition that really counts.
Do Your Fall Cleaning
Fall cleaning time is upon us!
Fall is almost a perfect season. Not only is the air crisper, the fall foliage beautiful, and the weather cooler, it's also time to air out the house and clean it thoroughly before winter.
Once winter arrives, we tend to hibernate a bit and that is much more fun and relaxing with a clean home! Also, by doing some extra deep cleaning now, holiday preparations will be easier.
The following is your fall cleaning checklist.
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*Inside The Home:
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~Bedrooms~
<Launder all pillows, bedding, and mattress pads.
<Rotate/flip mattress (if needed).
<De-clutter closets, switch out summer clothing for fall/winter clothing.
<Wipe down windowsills.
<Clean window drapery/mini-blinds.
<Sweep and mop floor.
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~Bathrooms~
<Wash shower curtain and liner.
<Scrub shower.
<Deep clean shower head.
<Check tile grout, touch up, if needed.
<Replace toothbrushes.
<Clean lint out of the hairdryer.
<Clean hairbrushes, combs, etc.
<Restock toiletries.
<Sweep and mop floor.
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~Kitchen~
<Clean the stove and oven.
<Clean the vent hood.
<Clean out fridge.
<Defrost and clean freezer.
<Dust and clean fridge coils, if needed.
<Toss expired foods from the pantry.
<Check spices for freshness.
<Run cut lemons and ice through the garbage disposal.
<Empty and wash out garbage cans.
<Disinfect counter tops.
<Sweep and mop floor.
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~Living Room~
<Clean ceiling fan.
<Clean light fixtures.
<Clear cobwebs.
<Wipe down all switches and doorknobs.
<Move chairs and couches to clean underneath.
<Dust/wipe down shelves.
<Wipe down windowsills.
<Clean window drapery/mini-blinds.
<Wash all throw blankets.
<Dust/wipe down all tables.
<Dust all picture frames.
<Sweep and mop floor.
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*Outside The Home:
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<Check the caulking and weather seals around doors and windows.
<Check the dryer exhaust pipe.
<Clean gutters and downspouts.
<Clean and store outside furniture and toys.
<Clear any yard debris.
<Clean the BBQ grill, refill propane or stock up on charcoal.
<Clean off light fixtures, replace bulbs, if needed.
<Drain and store water hoses.
<Pressure wash the house, if needed.
<Touch up any areas that need painting.
<Wash outside of windows.
<Check steps for any needed repairs.
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*Extras*
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<Replace the air filter, clean the cover.
<Dust and clean the computer, keyboard, printer, and other electronics.
<Clean television with appropriate cleaner.
<Sweep out and vacuum the fireplace.
<Have the chimney professionally cleaned.
<Clean behind and under the washer, dryer, and other large appliances.
<Drain the water heater to remove the sediment.
<Wash interior windows.
<Schedule a furnace inspection.
<Stock up on candles, matches, lighters, flashlights.
<Stock up on extra batteries for flashlights.
<Check batteries in flashlights.
<Check up on sidewalk salt.
<Test smoke detectors and monoxide detectors, replace batteries, if needed.
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If you have other devices such as a smart thermostat, home surveillance camera, door lock management device, portable chargers, or home security system, check for working batteries, be sure to change those batteries regularly.
The work that you do now will make the fall and upcoming winter season more enjoyable and might even save you some money.
Schedule time to take care of these tasks now before the weather turns colder.
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