A Harry Potter theme is shaping up to be a fashionable trend for Halloween in 2007. One of the choices of a Harry Potter Halloween costume appears among the top best sellers in Amazon's Apparel department two weeks out from Halloween, indicating the demand to be seen dressed as a character from the Harry Potter books is running hot this year. With the last book in the Harry Potter series recently published, Harry Potter is top of mind for a generation of teenagers who have grown up reading the books as they have been progressively released.

Harry Potter costumes are not that difficult to put together. A formal school look or a gown will do the trick if you have or can make a few signature accessories: the striped English school tie, scarf, wand, round black glasses, and the like, that make up the Harry Potter look. Most of these costumes and accessories are readily available if you search through costume suppliers' catalogues.

And don't forget some face painting for the famous Harry Potter scar.

A Harry Potter Halloween party can be a lot of fun for Harry Potter fans. There is such a lot to do, including watching movies, playing games, visiting sites on the internet, playing charades and much more. You will not find it difficult to keep guests involved with a Harry Potter party theme. Click on this link for further Harry Potter party ideas.

Tags: halloween, halloween costumes, halloween party, harry potter

Halloween is a great time. What other holiday would allow you to take a creepy sound effects CD, some fake spiderwebs made out of cotton, and fake ghosts made of tissue paper, and turn it into a party? A lot of it is cheesy, but no one minds. You see, Halloween is a tradition. It is a holiday that everyone remembers, because it would thrill and frighten them as children. Kids get candy, get to dress up, and get to stay up late after bedtime. But most of all, they get to play games of imagination. They can pretend that the ghosts and ghouls really are out on Halloween!

That's why I have always loved to use Halloween sound effects to make my house creepier. A lot of people take a Halloween sound effects CD, put it on loop, and just leave it playing there. I guess this establishes the right mood, and most of the Halloween sound effects CDs are pretty funny, but it really is not enough for me. I like to go the extra mile and create a really creepy effect. That's why I have all my Halloween sound effects linked to booby-traps.

You see, I always set my house up in the same way, year after year. I will have a few jack-o'-lanterns in the window, but other than that my house will look pretty dark. The porch light will be on, so trick-or-treaters will come up to the door, but they will not be completely sure if anyone is inside. When they approach the door, they break an infrared beam that triggers a hidden Halloween sound effect tape. There will be silence for a moment, but just as they are getting ready to go, the Halloween sound effects will kick in. They will hear spooky moaning behind them, turn around, and see me jumping out in my Halloween costume. I will be dressed up as an ax wielding psychopath. It works every time. They run for a block!

My wife tried to talk me out of using my Halloween sound effects tape. She said it was cruel and unfair to the kids. I couldn't agree less. Kids love a fright. That is what Halloween is all about. When they hear the Halloween sound effects playing and then I jump out at them, it probably gives them a thrill that they will remember for years to come. I don't feel bad for that!

Tags: halloween, halloween music, halloween sound effects, halloween decorations