Halloween Specials, Tips, and Valuable Advice

I know this is last minute but I do know many of my friends and even family who will wait till the last minute. But I'm going to show you how to make a success of it instead of an disaster!


Some DIY costume ideas:
We’re all feeling the squeeze from the economic downturn but that doesn’t have to mean cutting corners on family fun this Halloween. Craft magazine illustrates how to make fun and funky costumes for your kids with a visit to your recycling bin, sewing box or local craft store – much easier than standing in line at a crowded costume shop and a bit easier on the wallet, as well.

You can quickly and easily whip up these five amazing kiddy costumes using supplies you probably already have on hand, plus a bit of creativity. These custom-made outfits also have more staying power than most flimsy store-bought costumes, and you'll love how cheap and quick they are to make. Follow the links below for full instructions:


Be a cute lil' Monkey

How about a busy buzzing Bee.

Everyone loves their Legos.

Aaargh Pirates are popular.

Who doesn't love Sushi



Money saving Online Specials:

If you don't have time to make a costume up yourself, check out CurrentCodes.com for money-saving coupon codes to use while shopping online at a wide variety of retailers.

Do you like deals? Well at DealHunting.com, they too help to find you the consumer the best possible deal. More bang for your buck I say and I'm always one for coupon codes when I shop online.

Thanks to Barry Boone the founder of both Currentcodes.com and Dealhunting.com he passed along some valuable online shopping tips below.

1 - Always check for a coupon or promotional code before checking out. Visiting CurrentCodes.com and getting a coupon only takes a few seconds and could save you anything from free shipping to 50% off or more.

2 - If you know the exact product you want to purchase, it pays to visit several online retailers to get the best price. CurrentCodes.com can help you find that best price by giving you a list of online stores in the category you're shopping for, and showing you the coupons that those stores are offering.

3 - In general, it is far safer to use a credit card than a debit card for shopping online. Most debit cards do not offer the same level of safety that a credit card does, and when an unexpected or erroneous charge shows up on your debit card, the money is taken from your bank account and you can end up with bounced checks or other issues before you realize the problem has occurred.

4 - Always be sure that the final checkout screen shows the correct items, quantities, and pricing before you submit your order.

5 - Read the site's privacy policy on information sharing, and be sure you don't unintentionally opt in to having your information shared with third parties.

6 - Some merchants are required to collect sales taxes in your state while others might not. It can pay to check several online retailers if the merchant you're about to purchase from wants to charge sales tax.

7 - If you're an eBay shopper, be sure to check CurrentCodes.com for an eBay coupon, especially if you pay by PayPal. eBay sometimes issues coupons that are valid for purchases made on their site with PayPal. This is especially true near the holidays.

8 - Pay close attention to shipping charges. Some retailers make up their low prices by padding the shipping, so you want to be sure you're getting the lowest possible overall price.


Those 8 tips are very important! I do quite a bit of online shopping and it pays to make sure the retailer is legit!



Costumes:

Did you know Americans spend an estimated $6.9 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country's second largest commercial holiday?[1] With the occasion approaching and all of the preparation that goes along with it; Diapers.com is helping make parents lives a little easier this Halloween. The Web site allows your little one to find their perfect fit from the adorable and soft Baby Spider, Little Lamb, and Oatmeal Bear outfits to the Fire Chief, Pretty Princess and Pirate Boy, all while helping you avoid long lines and high prices that can often discourage costume shopping.

Diapers.com, the nation’s largest online baby care retailer, offers the widest online selection of popular baby products and now includes great Halloween costumes ages 0-6T. With free shipping on all costumes, door to door delivery in 1-2 business days and prices ranging from only $18.99 to $54.99, costume shopping this year could not be any easier.

A trip to the store with empty shelves or only the wrong size left can leave you and your little one disappointed. Now, parents can conveniently sort by size and price and will find a wide assortment of costumes for baby with snap closures between the legs for easy diaper change access (a must-have for pre-potty training festivities!).

Right now FREE SHIPPING AND 40% OFF SELECT HALLOWEEN COSTUMES, YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT!!! HURRY BEFORE THEY SELL OUT!

Following are some tips on costume safety from www.keepkidshealthy.com that can help keep your child from harm this Halloween.

· Costumes should be short enough so that they don't cause your child to trip and fall.

· For good visibility, add some reflective tape to the costume or bag he is using to carry candy or make/choose a costume made of bright material that is visible in the dark.

· If using face paint, make sure it is nontoxic and hypoallergenic.

· Props should be made of a flexible material, so that they don't pose a hazard if fallen on.

Candy & Trick-or-Treaters:

We all love candy, especially the lil' trick-or-treaters do too! But be careful when choosing your chocolate! I received information today from Ann Again, that I just have to pass on to you. Keep an eye out for Chocolate Gold Coin's from the Sherwood Company. They carry a harmful chemical, Melamine. (The same chemical that was found in the milk products in China that have killed, and sickened, thousands of children.)

Here is her blog post with more information. http://annagain66.blogspot.com/2008/10/warning-snopes-approved.html




Would you like to subscribe to my E-mail newsletter?
Click Here and thanks for reading!








Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~