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Halloween is one of the most fun nights a child will experience.  For once, they are able to run around after dark without having to be called inside to eat dinner, take a bath and then off to bed.  Children are able to dress up like their favorite fairytale character, hero, goblin or whatever their heart desires.  However, sometimes it can be a difficult challenge finding that perfect Halloween costume.  I have a few tips that will not only make your little one smile with glee, but parents too.  

Sometimes it takes a little planning to find that perfect fairytale character or ghoul.  Some children can be overwhelmed because there are so many choices that they cannot make up their mind.  Other children have known since last Halloween what they want to be this year.  You can help your child narrow down his or her choice by discussing his or her favorite movie, TV show, singer, cartoon or real life characters or heroes.  Splitting the ideas into categories such as funny, cute, scary or pretty can help them narrow down the choices as well.  Of course, for the younger children you may want to stay away from the gory-scary category as they may want to turn and run when they see themselves in the mirror.

Since children will not care about the safety of a costume, it is up to you to see to it that they are safe.  Costumes that obstruct the child's view or restrict the child from walking should be avoided.  Children need to make sure they are able to see what is behind them or be able to turn their head to see if any cars are coming before crossing the street.  You may want to steer your child away from a costume that requires a mask.  Not only are these very hard to see through but they are extremely hot and most children will end up not wearing them midway through the night.  Many children run from house to house so avoid anything that restricts the child from running.  This will help protect your child from falling.  Reflective tape or glow sticks are perfect to help your child to be seen by others.  Having these attached to your child prevents your child from having to carry a flashlight which helps him or her hold on to that pot-of-gold called a candy bag!

Also, make sure the costume is not flammable.  It only takes one close encounter with a lit jack-o-lantern or a candle-lit walkway to make for one frightful night.  

If your child is an infant, this is your time to dress up your little one any way you want.  Enjoy it while you can because before you know it they will want to make the decision as to what they want to be.  As if babies aren't cute enough, you can definitely make them even more irresistible by dressing them in the most adorable puppy, kitten, lion, and goblin or witch costume.  

If your child is a toddler, like my daughter, he or she will be sure to steal the spotlight due to their charming little personalities.  Using your child's personality as a guide, you can easily determine what your child would love to pretend to be for that special night.  My daughter just loves Elmo.  I may spring for that fuzzy, red suit with the big eyes on the top weather permitting.  Since it is usually warm here in the South, a back up plan is a good idea.  This goes for whichever type of climate you live in.  You may have to adapt your child's costume according to the temperature.  

If your children are older, let them help decide what they want to be.  Nowadays the costume choices are endless.  Little girls can be anything from a princess to a bottle of mustard.  Little boys have many possibilities as well ranging from ninjas to a scary monster.  

Children have great imaginations so if they have an idea and the store does not have what you are looking for, get creative and try to make it from scratch.  Last year I saw many fun and artistic costumes such as a child dressed as the "Can you hear me now?" guy from Verizon Wireless.  Some were as simple as using toilet paper to wrap up the child like a mummy.  Whatever you and your child decide, have a great time because this spooktacular night only comes once a year!