Need a Break from Frankenstorm Information Overload?

Here are a few Eek-o-Friendly Halloween tips, especially for those home bound with little ghosts and goblins.  

Donate Extra Halloween Treats to Holiday Express

Don’t toss that excess candy.  Holiday  Express  is  an  all-volunteer  group  that  brings  holiday  parties  to  those  less  fortunate.  All  of  your  extra  candy  would  sure  fill  a  lot  of  goody  bags  for  guests  at  a  Holiday  Express  Party.  You can bring candy that you couldn’t possibly need Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm to Holiday Express, 968 Shrewsbury Ave., Tinton Falls, NJ 732-544-8010 www.holidayexpress.org/

Say “No” To Potentially Toxic Face Paints

Make your own face paints and fake blood using ingredients you probably have at home. It's very important that you start with a clean and dry face before you apply the paint. You'll get better coverage and it will go on smoother.

Face Paint
2 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp Noxema or other cold cream
1 tsp water
Liquid food coloring (variety of colors)

In a small container, mix cornstarch and cold cream until well mixed. Add water and stir. Add food coloring one drop at a time until you get the right color. Store covered. This can be removed with soap and warm water.

Fake Blood Recipe
Corn syrup
Red and blue food coloring
Milk

Add some red food coloring to the corn syrup, and then add a tiny bit of blue to make it a darker color. Milk will make the blood look more realistic. This is sticky and can stain clothes.

Upcycle Candy Wrappers

You’re stuck inside with Sandy whirling away outside so go ahead – break into your Halloween candy stash.  And when you get your fill, why not try one of these 10 cool candy wrapper crafts.  You'd never believe what you can make with your kid's Halloween plunder.  ttp://earth911.com/news/2011/11/04/10-crazy-crafts-with-candy-wrappers/

Make Your Own Costume

Never got to that Halloween super store for a costume because you needed to search for a pack of D batteries?  Hunt through the house for costume-worthy items. Enjoy the process and the product! Another idea: chat up hosting a costume exchange as part of National Costume Swap Day™ (second Saturday in October) for 2013.  http://earth911.com/news/2010/10/18/diy-pop-culture-halloween-costumes/

Make Decorations from Items You Have Around the Home

• Give Halloween candles added flair by cutting out patterns in a paper bag, pouring sand in the bottom and placing a votive candle in the center.
• Make a mini cemetery out of old cereal boxes turned into gravestones. Even better, transform recycled cardboard into coffins, chains or skeletons by cutting them to your own design and painting them with non-toxic paint.  Recycle when done!
• Use old bed sheets or pillowcases to make ghosts by stuffing a T-shirt into the center and tying it off with a ribbon to create the head.

Take Your Pumpkin On The Road

What to do with leftover pumpkins?  Sure, chopping them into smaller pieces and adding to your compost bin is good. But taking your gourd and family on a weekend road trip to the World Championship Punkin Chunkin festival in Delaware sounds like a lot more fun. www.punkinchunkin.com

Above all: Be safe during Sandy! Have a happy (and green) Halloween (whenever it gets celebrated).