Holiday Survival Guide: October Planning Printables
It’s that time of year again. School has started, leaves are changing, there’s a chill in the air…and it dawns on us…the next three months will be a whirlwind of parties, events, visitors, things to make and bake and cook, traveling…and at some point we should probably clean and prep our homes for all of this activity.
How do you keep it all straight? How do you get it all done? And how do you do it without sucking the joy and fun out of the season?
Guess what? We’ve got you covered! We’re going to get you decluttered, organized, cleaned, decorated, and ready for all the holiday fun…without you needing to be committed to the looney bin before New Year’s.
It takes quite the team to pull this off, but we’re here for you! We’ll be here every Monday through the end of the year to make sure you’re on track and able to enjoy everything you have planned.
Ready to meet the team?
Sheri from Career Girl Interrupted
Dani from Dani Schnakenberg Studios
Katie & Jairus from KatieMarcum.com
Jessica from Jessie Bee Healthy
Kristen from From Son Up Til Son Down
Stephanie from Sharing A to Z
and our lovely co-host Amanda from It’s a Fabulous Life
Each week we’ll take turns bringing you something awesome to help you stay on track preparing for the major Holidays of the season. Be sure to come back and link up your holiday posts each week so we can share the fun!
This week Dani’s bringing you an adorable packet of October Planning Printables to keep you organized. Don’t forget to check out the awesome to-do list to get you going on having a clean and organized house this season!
Click Here to Download
Now, who’s ready to party? Share your awesome Fall/Halloween or Organizing posts with us this week!
Link Party Rules:
- Follow all hosts: subscribe, FB, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter…whatever you prefer!
- Be sure to link directly to your specific post, NOT your blog’s homepage.
- Don’t link and run! Be sure to visit the last couple links before yours and let them know how you found them through #HolidaySurvivalGuide2014!
- By linking up, you give all hosts permission to pin and share your projects (with links back to you, of course). We’ll also be sharing the top three clicked through with each following week’s project!
- Be sure to follow the Holiday Survival Guide 2014 Pinterest board, too!
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Moms Check In: #HalloWIN Twitter Party
Can you believe that fall is here? Leaves are changing colors….pumpkin spice everything is everywhere and Halloween is right around the corner! THIS is my favorite time of year! This week on Moms Check In we are wanting to know….what is your child planning on dressing up as for Halloween this year? And of course, invite you to our very own #HalloWIN Twitter Party happening next Thursday (Oct. 2) from
000000000The entire family is dressing up as Star Wars characters! I haven’t dressed up for Halloween in years but we found the BEST costumes for all of us at Halloween Express and I just had to get them. The kids are so obsessed with Star Wars right now that we’re sort of buried in it – books, movies, puzzles, toys. So this was perfect. I can’t wait to answer the door this year!0000000000000000
– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!
I never dress up myself. I’m so boring. haha! The kiddo will be going as a Buzz Lightyear. He’s totally obsessed with him. He loves trick or treating and I think he’ll be tickled when he gets to wear his costume to school!
– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!
We are so excited about Halloween! Joshua is going to be a Ghostbuster. He has been vacuuming up bad guys ever since his costume has come in! I will be dressing up too. I’m going all 1920’s and becoming a flapper. Complete with blonde hair. 🙂
– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!
For Halloween, Sam wants to go as Buzz Lightyear this year so he’s the hero. Mike and I are going as Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. With removable parts.
– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!
What will your kids be dressing up as this year for Halloween?
Halloween Express is the perfect place to shop for everything Halloween! Including costumes! Don’t battle the store! Shop online and get a HUGE variety of costumes in stock! Everything is well organized, easy to find and many costumes even offer videos so you can see what the costume looks like on – from all angels!
Plus, we have some coupon codes for you! 🙂
Be sure to take advantage of the following coupon codes while shopping as well! Just enter in these codes during your check out.
Free Shipping :: FSMCIA2014ZLA
15% Off Your Entire Order :: MCI2014A
Be sure to visit Halloween Express on Facebook and Twitter!
But WAIT!!! You can enter to win one of EIGHT $100 gift cards to Halloween Express!
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DIY Light Up Haunted House – Easy & Fun Halloween Craft
When I was little my great-grandmother had a big dollhouse. I am assuming someone had made it. Inside there was furniture to move and tons of miniatures to create the perfect home. I loved playing with it! In fact, every time I was there that was my go-to thing. A few weeks ago I was thinking about the doll house. And the thought of making one popped into my head. BUT I have a boy. A boy who if I asked him if he wanted a doll house would look at me like I’ve lost my stinking mind. So I thought well, how awesome would it look sitting all decked out as a Haunted House? Fun right?
I was so excited. So I ran to the store and….those babies are a tad expensive! So while making one is still on my crafting bucket list, this year we decided to tone it down a tad. And make a smaller, light up haunted house. And guess what? It was SO fun. Seriously, the possibilities are endless! And it’s so easy! I think this could easily be a yearly tradition with the kiddos and creating your own, Halloween village!
So you need a house right? These paper mache houses are PERFECT! I love that the lid comes off (so you can easily make it a light up house!) and they come in different shapes and sizes. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby and this size was $5.99. It was 40% off too, so that made it only $3.60! If you don’t have a Hobby Lobby close by, you can order them through their website, but they only come in a pack of 3 (multiple sizes).
I had also picked up a few wooden birdhouses to try before I found this!
You can also look at Amazon. They have different shaped houses, but they are a little more expensive.
Paper Mache Christmas House 9 in. by Craft Pedlars
Paper Mache Gingerbread House 9 in. by Craft Pedlars
Paper Mache House 9 1/2 in. by Craft Pedlars
Then you just need craft supplies! Go crazy and use what you have! I used paint, scrapbook paper, small pebbles, Popsicle sticks and even wax paper!
I cut out ghost shapes from the wax paper and hot glued them in the windows.
To get it to light up I simply used an Energizer battery operated candle. I love that it flickers (because what haunted house doesn’t flicker?) and as a bonus, it smells like vanilla.
Since our house was lighting up I went ahead and stuck a piece of scrapbook ‘wallpaper’ inside.
I cut Popsicle sticks and painted them grey and just added the RIP with a fine tip Sharpie to create tombstones. The broom was a dollhouse miniature.
Our boarded up front door was just broken Popsicle sticks.
I added a few other small miniatures like pumpkins and on the roof I added two crows.
Our house is pretty simple, but I like it. You can get as creative as you want!
Here are a few miniatures I found online that would be perfect!
Dollhouse PUMPKIN PLATTER
Miniature Artisan Set of Halloween Pumpkins
Dollhouse HALLOWEEN CANDY BAG
Dollhouse Miniature Black Frightened Cat
Dollhouse HALLOWEEN BAGS 2 PCS
Sweet Handmade Look Miniature Twig and Wire Fence for Displays, Fairy Gardens, and Crafting
Dollhouse Tombstones, Set of 6
Halloween Pumpkin Tip
I love Halloween! I want to get pumpkins and carve them now! But, if you carve them too early then by the big night they are all mushy and moldy. YUCK. But I have a Pumpkin tip for you (or Halloween hack if you will…)
You know those silica gel packs that come inside boxes (like in shoes)? Well the reason they put those in there is to help draw out the moisture. So simply take a package and add it to your pumpkin! The gel will help to keep the inside of the pumpkin dry and prevent mold and mushy-ness.
You don’t have to open the package. You can put it in as it is. Yay! Here is to jack-o-lanterns lasting longer on the porch! 🙂
Just a safety note:
This gel is poisonous so please watch the little ones! Don’t let them put it in their mouth! Even in the package. The package was designed to let the gel ‘breath’ so you will want to make sure that it doesn’t get put in their mouth!
10 Festive Nail Designs For Halloween
Are you looking to get a little festive for Halloween? Maybe you don’t plan on dressing up, but want to do a little something fun. How about some fun nail art? Here are 8 fun Halloween nail designs to get you started!
First up are these fun spiderwebs from My Nail Graffiti. I love everything about this. The black matte nail polish is awesome! Perfectly spooky. Add spider webs and it becomes a little creepy. And the glitter glams it up!
I think that you could stop at any of the layers for a great Halloween manicure!
(Looking for a black matte polish? Try this one!)
These mini vampires and draculas from One Nail To Rule Them All are really cute! A fun way to add some character that’s for sure! Bonus: She shows you a how to tutorial on creating them!
Create some creepy spiders like Miss Lady Finger did I love this orange polish and think it would be perfect for adding some spiders to!
I love this classic French manicure with a festive twist that was created by Crafty Nail.
Want to learn how to add a ghost? Crafty Nail has you covered!
The PolishAholic was inspired by candy corn. The dots and stripes combo are absolutely adorable!
These pumpkin nails are so fun. And once again One Nail To Rule Them All has a great tutorial for you.
Nails in Nippon said that these skulls and crossbones were easy so I will take her word for it! I think it’s a great look!
This is a great way to add a little pizzaz to your next mani!
(Image source unknown)
I love this mix. Chevron, dots, glitter, basics, eye balls. Awesome design from Get Nailed!
So during Halloween do you dress up or do you do something else to get festive?
20 Candy Alternatives For Halloween
If you are looking for some candy alternatives for either a school party or for handing out at Halloween this is the list for you! I know everyone loves candy on Halloween, but for some children with food allergies or special needs Halloween can be a really tough holiday. Imagine being a child, dressing up, trick or treating and not being able to keep any of your treats! We always try to keep some alternatives at our house for the kiddos who need them. Plus, candy is expensive! These treats won’t break the bank!
Have you heard of the Teal Pumpkin Project? It’s a way to let kids that have allergies know that you will be giving out allergy safe items at your house! You can find out more information here.
This list is full of ideas for treats for the Teal Pumpkin Project!
All items will ship for free with Amazon Prime/Amazon mom or with a $25 or more purchase. (Unless noted)
So here you are! 20 candy alternatives for Halloween just for you!
Glow in the dark Halloween Tattoos (6 Dozen) $6.00
500 Halloween Stickers $7.99
Halloween Kettle (60 Halloween toys) $18.95
Glow Stick Bracelets (100) $8.99
Play-Doh (15 1 oz jars) $6.99
Flashing Bumpy Ring (12) $6.30
Glow in the dark Vampire Fangs (12 pack) $3.59 + free shipping when you purchase as an add on item
Neon Jelly bracelets (144 count) $5.25
Mini Halloween Notebooks (24 count) $6.80
Self Adhesive Mustache (3 count – pack of 12 sets) $5.00 + free shipping when you purchase as an add on item
Mini Halloween Paddle set (12 count) $2.99 + $4.95 shipping
Halloween Slap Bracelets (12 count) $7.99
Pencils (24) $7.93
Halloween Bubbles (24) $10.80 +$4.99 shipping
Glow in the Dark Halloween Duckies (24) $8.26
Eye Ball Erasers (24) $5.62
Halloween Activity Book (12) $12.95
Stretchable Flying Frogs (12) $3.75 + free shipping when you purchase as an add on item
Fruit Snacks (42 count) $14.69 + $4.49 shipping (Fruit snacks are a good candy alternative and they are gluten free! May not be safe for all allergies.)
Goldfish (25 snack packs) $10.13 (May not be safe for all allergies)
Posts on It’s a Fabulous Life may contain affiliate links.
Fun Pumpkin Activities to do with your kids (including experiments!)
It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse! (If You Give…)
Pumpkin Town! Or, Nothing Is Better and Worse Than Pumpkins
The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin
The Peculiar Pumpkin Thief (Geronimo Stilton, No. 42)
Pee Wee Scouts: Grumpy Pumpkins (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))
Ninjas Don’t Bake Pumpkin Pies (Bailey School Kids #38)
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Humongous Pumpkin (Berenstain Bear Scouts)
(Photo from Luckeyfrog’s Lilypad)
Make sure to check out these really awesome Pumpkin Book Reports too! How fun do they look!?
Language Arts:
Art Projects:
Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Board Game
It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Uno Edition
Fisher Price Little People Pumpkin Party Playset
Living room is decorated for Halloween (Part 1)
So the other day I shared with you my Recycled Bat wreath so I thought I would share some more of my Halloween decorations in my living room.
I have what some may call a pillow obsession. We have a big sectional. It’s kind of covered. Let’s see – the grey pillows are on my couch all year BUT I did just buy some orange and black chevron fabric (don’t tell Andy!) that I wanted to make some pillows out of! The grey shag one is pretty big and so comfy – I couldn’t put it away. It’s another “made that” pillow. Maybe a tutorial is coming? It was another project that half way through I thought I was insane for doing. I wanted two pillows and well, I only have one. (I really do need to do the other one though! I’m a freak when things don’t match up!). The bat one you can find the tutorial here. It’s hard to see but the little bat’s wings flap around and I love it!
The throw blanket I made. It’s just a simple rag quilt – I lined the other side with black flannel! And you can’t tell in the picture but it has really cool orange and black striped binding! I had some extra material left over so I turned it into the smaller throw pillow. (I also was able to make a table runner!)
Total spent: about $70 for blanket and 4 throw pillows (average of $14 each)
DIY: Halloween Recycled Bat Wreath Tutorial
I told you it took a while!!
Total Cost: about $7
My wreath has been entered here:
Just Batty Pillow
