Halloween (or Hallowe'en) is becoming or has already become a very popular and celebrated event. The costumes. The treats. The decorations. The parties, and all the scary stuff. Has it gone too far? And too expensive? Keep it simple and cheap. Costumes :

• Re-vamp some old clothes in the basement. Remember your spouses old football jersey or current hockey shirt, your high school cheerleader uniform (not mine) or a lifeguard tank.
• Ask your family and friends for used costumes their children used and no longer fit.
• Face-painting - adorable clown, army camouflaged face, fun lion or tiger face.

The Decor:

• Bring the outside in.  Leaves decorate well, use your Christmas lights - Candle light sets the mood.
• Old fishnet stockings as webs across your front door.
• Ice sculptures in a witches brew.

Food:

• Use your cookbooks, search on-line for suggestions, make it yourself scary cakes and cupcakes,  bundt pans make a perfect pumpkin shape, Jello in scary moulds.
• Candy - Don't buy it too early.  Most of it will disappear and you're going to have to re-stock for the trick-or-treaters.  Candy seems to just vanish into the air. Poof!  Huh?  What? Me?

The trick of the evening is to control the treats. After careful inspection of your kids goodies, enjoy them in moderation.  I guess like everything else. I'm not that strong, I'm bringing most of the candy to work and let my co-workers enjoy. So all you witches, ghosts, vampires, goblins....BOO! Have a safe Halloween.