10 Tips to Ensure Your Child’s Halloween Is A Smashing Success!

1/  Before looking into choices for Halloween costumes with your child, think realistically about the time you have to devote to making, purchasing or acquiring a costume. If there is little time to spare, there are oodles of terrific costume options that can be purchased (online or in-store).  With more time at hand, making a costume is a possibility.  Either way is fun and exciting for a child, as long as it’s done with time to spare.

2/ Start talking about costume options with your child at least a month in advance to be sure there is ample time for a change of mind (or two).  It’s your job to suggest and share costume choices that work for you!

3/ Purchase the costume at least 2 weeks before Halloween (Saturday, October 31^st) or ensure your online purchase arrives 2 weeks ahead of Halloween.  Not only does it reduce stress, but it adds more excitement for a child.  A last minute, rushed costume purchase leaves no time for anticipation to build and ultimately, these are the joys of childhood and the things children remember!

4/ Once the costume arrives or is purchased, a fitting is in order.  Necessary alterations can be arranged and additional props can be added at this stage.  If it’s a store bought costume, add a few of your child’s own touches to the costume-if another child has the same costume, you child’s will still be unique and different!

5/  If make-up is involved it should also be tested in full at the same time.  Without doing this in advance you won’t know if there is anything that doesn’t work, is uncomfortable or needs change. Uncomfortable makeup can lead to a bad experience.  Doing an advance trial lends time to make adjustments and work through the fine details.

6/  Choose a Trick-or-Treat bag with your child or start making a bag that can sustain a few pounds that’s easy to open and close and something he/she likes.

7/  With the costume in order and any alterations underway, it’s essential to go over Halloween behavior with your child.  While it’s fun to play the part of the character, children need to be reminded that there are still behavior requirements, despite the costume.

8/  Do a practice run through on trick-or-treat manners while your child is doing the fitting of the costume.  Good manners and etiquette are vital on Halloween.  Express how important it is to say thank you after something is given, regardless of whether or not they like it.  Have your child ring your doorbell and go through the Every treat given is a kind gesture.  Additionally, Halloween safety can be reviewed.

9/  Halloween eve, lay out the costume, props and makeup and get your camera in working order for the big day

10/ If your child is trick-or-treating, be sure your household is also participating in giving out treats too, whether it’s having a partner at home or doing so later on.  It’s important to give back.

And remember, Halloween is a big event in your child’s life.  Having things in order leading up the day will enhance the whole experience for everyone.  Enjoy!

Photo credit: Nicholas Raymond on Stockxchng.com