Halloween Decor, Trick-or-Treat Spending Trends

Halloween is a controversial holiday. While parents are buying record numbers of children's costumes , other parents object to Halloween. Despite concerns of stranger danger, candy safety, religious issues and the fear factor, more parents are celebrating Halloween with their kids. In fact, spending on Halloween, including costumes, candy and decorations, is up. Despite unemployment, under employment and rising costs not commensurate with earnings, people are spending more on Halloween.

Before I give you the Halloween facts and figures, here are some suggestions--DIY-it. Make your own costumes and decorations and save drastically. My youngest wanted a $60 Teletubbies costume for Halloween this year. Now this was no problem when it was our money that would be spent. When I suggested she spend her own $, her tune changed fast. Now she's thinking homemade is a good idea. You can do the same with decorations. Use a few recycled sheets, some cotton stuffing from an old pillow and whip up spooky haunted decor cheap and easy. Read on. Facts About Parenting, Halloween and Trick-or-Treat Trends

How to Fix Damaged Walls--Wallpaper, Drywall, Paneling

Isn't it amazing how quickly walls get marred just in daily wear? I have lived in older homes all of my life. In my past 20 years of marriage and family, I have refurbished many a damaged wall: from drywall, to paneling, to stucco and plaster. To begin with, wipe down your walls occasionally with a soft cloth or feather duster. This will keep filth and cobwebs from accumulating. A damp cloth will clean up many messes. For more information, read on How to Fix Damaged Walls