NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Oct. 10, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- When it comes to holidays, Halloween is a family favorite ranking second only to Christmas in a recent online survey. FamilyFun.com, the premier online family resource for creative solutions, polled its users on Halloween popularity and preferences, finding that many families begin planning for the spook-fest months in advance and prefer homemade costumes.
Specific poll results include:
-- Most Popular -- 55% of respondents ranked Halloween as one of
their top two favorite holidays. Christmas was first with 94%.
Thanksgiving came in a distant third at 18%.
-- Halloween Planning -- A majority of families (55%) begin planning
a month before the fright night. Surprisingly, 12% of early bird
planners begin planning their spooky costumes and decorations two
months to an entire year before Halloween.
-- Homemade vs. Store Bought -- 57% of respondents preferred homemade
Halloween costumes vs. store bought costumes.
-- Type of Costume -- It's a toss up. 35% of respondents prefer
unique, one-of-a-kind costume creations while a close second (33%)
prefer trendy, character-inspired costumes and 24% preferred
timeless Halloween costumes like a ghost, black cat or witch.
-- Decorating -- Most families will decorate for Halloween in some
way, ranging from a few frights (46%) to transforming their house
into a scary haunted mansion (10%).
"Halloween is by far one of the busiest times at FamilyFun.com. Our Moms start looking for Halloween suggestions on our site as early as May and the demand continues until it reaches a frenzied pace in October right up until the 31st," said Emily Smith, vice-president of FamilyFun.com. "Kids love to dress up and experiment with things that frighten them. And for parents, decorating and creating costumes provide a great interactive, family activity."
FamilyFun.com's annual Halloween Fright Site (www.familyfun.go.com/halloween), one of the site's most popular content areas every year, provides families with "spooktacular" Halloween costumes, crafts and party ideas. Packed with countless, do-it-yourself Halloween decoration tips, recipes and last-minute costume ideas, the site is ideal for creating a fun, memorable Halloween for the entire family.
A fun, easy FamilyFun.com Halloween costume to consider:
Fancy Fairy Who doesn't believe in fairies? With this costume, a beautiful fairy will magically appear on your doorstep.
Step 1: Begin by creating the wire wings. Start with a coiled roll of 9-gauge aluminum wire (available at hardware stores). Cut a 13-foot length and bend it in half. Twist a small loop at the bend (use pliers, if necessary).
Step 2: About 8 inches up from the loop, form a large wing shape with 52 inches of wire. Repeat on the other side. Close the wings with a twist as shown on www.familyfun.go.com/halloween. (Note: the wing can be bent into different shapes).
Step 3: Form a triangle, about 5 by 8 by 8 inches, above the loop from step 1. Twist and trim the ends so they do not protrude from the triangle; duct-tape them, if necessary.
Step 4: Cut the legs off a pair of queen-size panty hose. Stretch one leg over one wing, secure with a pipe cleaner, and stretch the excess over the triangle. Repeat on the other side.
Step 5: Tie the middle of a 7-foot piece of ribbon to the bottom of the triangle. Thread the ribbon around the triangle so the wings can be worn like a backpack.
Step 6: Next, have your fairy put on her pink outfit. Fashion a simple crown for her hair out of a starry garland. Add some star stickers and/or body glitter to her arms and cheeks. Hand her a vial of fairy dust (glitter), tied into a necklace with string.
Step 7: Finally, help her put on the Wire Wings
Editor's note: Directions and photo available for consumers at (www.familyfun.go.com/halloween).
About FamilyFun.com
Produced by Disney Online, FamilyFun.com is the premier online family resource for creative solutions, combining award-winning content and related community features focused on great ideas, practical advice, and "fun stuff to do." The site's popular "Solution Centers," which offer parents real answers in real time, include: "Parenting," "Recipes," "Travel," "Arts and Crafts," "Organize and Decorate," "Games," and "Parties." Disney Online also produces Disney.com, the leading kids' and family entertainment destination on the Internet. Disney.com features exciting neighborhoods that live within the gates of Disney's virtual theme park, housing a variety of wholesome, original content that consistently reflects the magic of Disney. Disney Online works closely with the Walt Disney Internet Group, which provides integrated strategic and operational Internet services for The Walt Disney Company's Internet initiatives.