How to be the House Kids Remember on Halloween

Want to be the house on the block all the kids are talking about and scrambling to visit come trick or treat time? With a little planning, you can be.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Have the best treats on the block. Kids always respond to variety, so have a lot of options for them to pick from. King size candy bars are always a hit, but too expensive if you live in a large neighborhood. Never be the house that gives out rulers, toothbrushes or bags of carrots. This will get you remembered in a bad way.

2. Get a spooky sounds CD to have playing in the background as they come up to your front door. Howling winds, creaky stairs, cackling witches-—all traditional Halloween sounds that kids often count on.

3. Decorate to the max. Lawn ornaments, scarecrows, zombies, tombstones; the more decorations you have, the more you’ll stand out. And don’t forget easy things, like window clings for the windows and cobwebs around your doorway. Standbys like these are always a good idea when coupled with a vampire coffin in your driveway.

4. Dress up to answer the door. You could choose to jump out and scare the kids from somewhere in your yard or by answering in an overly scary or disconcerting mask, but these options may frighten some kids who won’t be return visitors next year. (If this is what you’re going for, however, more power to you.) Fun costumes that kids will respond to are always a less-scary option. You could be known as the guy that always dresses as Spongebob Squarepants or you could change your costume every year to keep them interested in discovering what you’ll be this year.

[milcliar]

on 8/27/2009 How fun!!! 5*