With the world in which we live today it is important to keep in mind the cautious parent when we are putting together our goody bags for Halloween. The wonderful homemade Halloween treats that we all once enjoyed so as children from the elderly neighbors are just not acceptable any more. There are still ways however to give a treat other than the expected wrapped candy that everyone else seems to give. Important to mothers, fathers, and any guardian of any type, keeping the children safe, intrigued and out of trouble should be the goal of everyone.

So how can you achieve this? There are several ways to keep the sugar high in control, first and most obvious being to give something other than candy. If you have time to prepare in advance for the trick or treating ghouls, check out the bulk suppliers of party favors. Usually, you can find pencil packs, game pads, rings, or whatever else there is out there that is pertinent to Halloween. As the season nears to an end you can also usually get them at a discounted rate or if the season has already passed and you are on the ball enough to order for next year, the nonperishables are a great way to save on your pocket and appease the parents.

Staying creative with a mystery bag for age groups or those that might be gender specific is always a great way to appeal to the wondering child. Likewise, it might be interesting to give the parent a goody bag rather than the kids so that the parents have some leverage over the children in the event that they need a reason to continue listening. Being the extraordinary house with the special touch put into the goody bag will be the way that you can enjoy repeat ghosts year after year. As with any gift giving, making it age appropriate and parent approved leads to an evening in which everyone wins.

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette, and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free coloring sheets, printable games, and free birthday party activities. Halloween Party Games (Halloween-Party-Fun.com), party planning tips, decorations, costume ideas, recipes, printable activities and free coloring pages.

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Since Americans in the South began roasting pigs publicly, Barbecues have been a staple of North American living. For many, grilling becomes a routine mealtime activity, while for the most devoted grillers, summer is ruled by massive barbecue parties. But grillers do not have to choose between boring repetition and outrageous get-togethers: every barbecue can and should be an exciting family event. Here are 5 ways to make your routine evening barbecue a more unique experience:

1) Who said you have to stick to meat? Much can be done with bread and fruits over an open flame. To make this into a fun activity with your kids, use cookie cutters to make the bread and fruit into shapes. You can decide on themes like “animals” and “letters” or ask that each shape be different from the others! Then, let your kids decide which toppings they would like to put on. Add cheese, onion and various spices to bread and cinnamon and honey to fruit.

2) Try foil-wrapped surprise meals. Place different combinations of chicken, fish and vegetables with sauces and spices in foil packets. These cook in less than 20 minutes and lead to no-mess, lip-smacking results. Children will love the surprise element and can easily switch packets. You can even ask your family for combo suggestions before the barbecue, or draw ingredient names out of a hat to create new meal ideas.

3) A little variety goes a long way. If you tend to stick to the same old beef burgers and pork wieners, why not try grilled pizza or salmon steaks? Similarly, try to mix it up with condiments and seasoning. Sick of ketchup? Try salsa instead. Look online where you’ll find hundreds of easy recipes for barbecue rubs. These give your food that extra pizzazz and prevent the mess and drip that comes with barbecue sauces.

4) Barbecues don’t have to be rushed. In fact, barbecue devotees will tell you that today’s quick broiling is an insult to the term, which should represent a process of slow cooking on low heat. You can find many slow cooker recipes online, and the wait is a great opportunity to pass some quality time with your family and friends. Entertaining backyard activities include creating an outdoor canvas to paint on or playing backyard bowling with household items.

5) Mom said not to play with your food, but there’s always an exception! Barbecue games are great fun and tasty at the same time. In Glutton, each player gets a certain amount of mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese or any other side dish. Various kitchen utensils are put in a box and the players blindly pick a few. On the go, they begin to eat their dish with the items that they took out. The first to finish his or her food wins the prize!

Finally, don’t fret! Far too many people get lost in the details of planning the perfect barbecue party and forget to enjoy the social atmosphere and delicious food. So kick back, bask in the relaxing sun and prepare for a summer of unforgettable barbecues!

Moriah Shemer works for Chris & Tal’s Better Foods, a food innovation company focused on crafting no compromise, guilt-free versions of your favorite foods. Our top product is the Better Burger, made of a blend of lean meat and high-grade textured soy protein. The result? The delicious beef taste you love with half the fat, calories and cholesterol. For store availability visit http://www.betterfoods.ca

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Treasure hunts have become increasingly popular for adults in the movies, in games, and in real life. As parents are constantly faced with finding new and creative ways to entertain their children, whether it be on family night or with friends and classmates at birthday parties and other get-togethers, why not let your kids in on the fun by orchestrating an amazingly unique and fun treasure hunt just for them?

Incorporating a fun, challenging, and fast-paced treasure hunt into your party will help break the ice and bring kids together as a team, indoors or out, following clues and solving rhymes and riddles step-by-step in their quest to capture the prize, ultimately evoking squeals of excitement at each clue discovered. Not only are treasure hunts relatively inexpensive, they are unique, memorable, interactive, and educational adventure games that challenge the imagination and can be played again and again. Most importantly, kids love them!

Although a pirate theme is the most logical choice for a treasure hunt party, it may not be your child’s first choice, and this certainly should not limit your ability to adapt a treasure hunt to any party theme. Treasure hunts aren’t just for pirates. Tradition has dictated that pirates are the great treasure hunters, but the fact of the matter is treasure hunts are loved by boys, girls, and grown-ups alike, and make a great addition to any party theme. Treasure hunts can be simply adapted with a storyline and a variety of decorations to fit into any party plan.

For example, to adapt a treasure hunt for a superhero-themed party, you might announce that a notorious villain has robbed the city bank, and a superhero needs your help! Solve the clues he has left behind to recover the loot and save the city! Fill a superhero bank or centerpiece with play money, gold-wrapped candy coins, and other favors to later sneak away during the party before announcing the theft and sending the crime fighters on their mission. Other themes and decorations might revolve around a princess whose jewels were stolen, the latest TV cartoon characters, pop idols, a holiday, or your child might want to create their own theme.

That being said, be careful not to fall into the parent trap of spending a small fortune buying themed party goods. Consider purchasing just a few themed bright and colorful decorations and/or centerpieces, and then either complement them with less expensive coordinating party supplies and decorations, or make your own — there are plenty of great fun ways to put you and your child’s artistic talent to work to customize your party.

Some great craft ideas kids might enjoy making or having at their party include authentic-looking weathered pirate treasure maps, princess crowns and jewelry, spyglasses made from paper towel rolls, pi

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