Decorating Between Halloween and the Holidays

  Once the goons and goblins stop ringing your doorbell, any and all Halloween décor just seems so frightful. To bridge the gap with style and budget in mind (and the best nature has to offer), we asked landscape architect Craig Bergmann, owner of Craig Bergmann Landscape Design and interior designer Paul Klug  of Paul Klug […]

Tricks for Limiting Halloween Treats this Year

It’s almost creepy how much money Americans spend on Halloween each year — $6.8 Billion in 2011, according to the National Retail Federation.   This includes costumes and décor, but rest assured a hefty chunk is spent on candy, much of which will end up in your kids’ Trick-or-Treat bags. And while you can help […]

Not Your Kid's Halloween

Move over, Batman. See ya, Spiderwoman. Meet, Jill and Judd Spector, a Deerfield couple a.k.a. Halloween’s adult friendly super heroes.   October 31 is all the rage for candy-coveting, costume-adoring, pumpkin-carving people everywhere. But for Jill and Judd, Halloween is more than just an evening of trick or treating and dressing up; it marks the […]

Spooktacular Tricks, Gross-out Treats

Crafts to make with your little pumpkins!   Jugs of candy? Goblin toes on a platter? Halloween is in the air and we are celebrating with some clever crafts and ghoul recipes. Eeee-ko Friendly Candy Carrier Go Green this Halloween with this easy to make candy tote made from an empty milk jug. You Need: […]

Cute Canines in Costume at the Spooky Pooch Parade

The Chicago Botanic Garden “Spooky Pooch Parade” was held on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 1 to 3 p.m.   For two very special hours, dogs were allowed in the Garden. Cleverly costumed canines marched the parade route to celebrate the season. Spectators lined the parade route for a barking good time. In addition to the […]

Halloween Hangover Prevention Hints

Feed them first. Be sure your kids go out trick-or-treating with full stomachs to discourage snacking en route.   Consider a swap. Some parents keep natural candies on hand and trade for the unnatural ones. Other parents have a highly desired toy on hand to offer in exchange for the stash. Others tell their young […]

Pet Tip: Toxic Treats

When trick-or-treating is said and done, remember: Lots of those Halloween treats you give kids Saturday evening can be toxic to pets.     Keep the sweets away from Hulie the Hound and Kit the cat. Chocolate is especially dangerous for dogs.  Consider yourself warned.

Boo Fondue

  On a night when the candy is calling, tempt your little ghouls with a cheesy fondue made with parmesan, a kid favorite. A little trick to get them to eat their veggie treats. Serves: 6 Prep time: 5 min. Cook time: 15 min Ingredients 1 1/2 cups milk 1 garlic clove, smashed 2 packages […]

'Eerie Eyeballs' Meatball Recipe

Use your favorite meatball recipe and use an olive to make the meatballs looks like eyes, or just use our recipe. Makes: 15-20 meatballs Prep time: 10 min.l Cook time: 15 min. Ingredients 2 slices white bread, crusts removed 4 tbsp. milk 1 egg 1 lb. ground chuck 1 tsp. oregano 1 tbsp. chopped fresh […]