Sunday, November 1, 2009

By Leslie Linsley Special to The Citizen

On Halloween night we expect to see ghosts and goblins and children roaming the neighborhoods dressed as witches and princesses.

But living in a resort town like Nantucket, Mass., it is not unusual to open our front door to children wearing funny hats decorated with bottle caps and cameras hanging around their necks. They carry maps and wear outrageously loud polyester clothing. When asked what they are supposed to be we get this answer: "We're t'rists," they announce.

At first we didn't get it. Once more we asked, but this time, "Say it slowly." "We're too-rists," they explained, "like the people getting off the boats who come in the summer."

While the costumes may not always be the conventional clowns, hobos and ghosts, the houses are done up the way you might expect. Jack-o'-lanterns light the way, and treats are handed out as prevention against naughty pranks.

Halloween is indeed a night for fun and transformations. However, as I get ready to hand out candies in the store and at home I try to imagine Halloween in Key West where Fantasy Fest reigns supreme and this particular celebration brings out the most creative ideas among the most creative people I know. It is hard for me to dream up anything new that any of the Key West residents haven't already done in the past or will have created this past weekend.

Today Halloween is celebrated largely as a joyous occasion for the kids, but it gives grown-ups an excuse to let down their hair as well. The holiday also has become an opportunity for families to spend time doing creative things together. Making costumes and decorations, carving pumpkins, planning for trick-or-treaters -- these activities are enjoyed by both children and adults.

If you need some suggestions to create inspired and delightful projects for a memorable Halloween, here are a few ideas from a book called "Handmade Halloween" by Zazel Loven (Hearst Books) that will bring the spirit of the night to life:

1. Papier-mache witch's hat for passing out treats

2. Skeleton luminaries to light the pathway to your door

3. Hand-made picture frame for a snapshot of your little devil

4. Carved pumpkins with personality

There also are plenty of tips for throwing a party with directions for cutout invitations, table decorations and Halloween food.

If you are short on time or not skilled with a needle and thread, try these non-sewing costume ideas:

Forest sprite

Gather large fall leaves. Use a hot glue gun, staple or pins to attach the leaves all over a green or brown turtleneck and leggings. Attach more leaves to a headband. With face paint, make green circles around the eyes, a white mouth and a brown face.

Pirate

A striped pullover, a red vest, dark pants tucked into boots and a bandanna tied around the head are the basics. Add an eye patch made from black paper and tied on with elastic. Don't forget a large gold hoop earring and a sword, made from silver foil-covered cardboard and tied at the waist.

As for those of us without little ones to attire for door-to-door trick-or-treating, it's easy to create your own holiday spirit. Just the simple act of carving a pumpkin to light your front porch or to sit in a window makes a statement that you are young at heart and your home is open to small visitors.

I like to turn off all my lights and fill the front hallway with lots of candles. It makes the evening special for those two or three hours before everyone goes home to sort out the loot. My only hope is when there's a knock on the door this Halloween I open it to find, among the traditional black cats and R2D2s, one or two "t'rists" for old times sake.

Leslie Linsley has written more than 50 books on crafts, decorating and home style. She resides on Nantucket with her husband, photographer Jon Aron, and has a store on the island that specializes in her one-of-a-kind creations. Her latest book is "Key West: A Tropical Lifestyle" (Monacelli Press), with photos by Terry Pommett.