Got your spooky Halloween costume sorted yet?

Soon ordinary people from all over Marlow and beyond will be swapping their normal clothes for something a bit more chilling...

Halloween is almost here and with it, often comes the irresistible urge to wear a silly outfit (or at least invest in a decent pair of fangs). Interestingly, according to research by thekidswindow.co.uk, the UK market for Halloween costumes grew at an average rate of 50 per cent between 2003 and 2008.  

This spooky festival already has a massive following across the Atlantic - in the US it's runner-up to Christmas as the country's most popular festival. And it's becoming more and more popular here.

So where is the best place to go for all your Halloween essentials near Marlow?

If you have children who are heading out trick or treating, Asda at Handy Cross is a good bet.  Not only do they have a great range of kid's dressing up outfits, they've just expanded their collection of adult costumes too.  And in addition to clothing, you can buy all your Halloween-themed swetts and cakes, as well as a reasonably-priced selection of scary decorations that will help transfor your family home into a witches den or werewolves' lair...

Sainsburys also has a good selection of ghoulish offerings - and if you click on the link here, you'll find plenty of spooky recipes and terrifying tips to inspire you.

One word of warning - stock up quickly.  The feedback we've had is that most of the best supermarket selections get sold out early.  Get shopping now if you want your pick of the outfits.

If you are a grown-up heading to The Crowne Plaza for their Monster Mash Party, you might want to invest in something a little more sophisticated? Check out the range to hire at Joliffes - Marlow's own one-stop fancy dress emporium.

Of course you can always go down the DIY route and create your own outfit from scratch?  Most of Marlow's many charity shops are quick to pick up any current themes, so check out the windows over the next week or so for any potential secondhand bits and pieces that may be transformed into a Halloween costume with bit of imagination...!

Finally, add the finishing touches to your look with some expertly-applied face paint (Marlow Toys is your best bet) or a couple of blood-red rings around your eyes to enhance a ghostly/undead complexion (nip into Superdrug to buy a cheap lipstick, if you'd rather not use your posh Chanel one).

For last minute decorations and treats on the night, check out the new party shop upstairs at Choco-Latte in Liston Court or pop into Beehive Treats to stock up on supplies from their mouth-watering selection of sweets and chocolates.

A few facts about Halloween...

According to Welsh and Celtic tradition, the dead visit the living on October 31st - people wore masks so that they would not be recognised by the dead visitors.

Jack O' Lanterns - carved out pumpkins - originated in Ireland, where people placed candles in hollowed-out turnips to ward away spirits and ghosts on th Samhain holiday.

Some people belive that if you see a spider on Halloween, it is the spirit of a deceased loved one guarding over you...

The original Halloween film, directed by John Carpenter, cost only $320,000 to make but ended up making over $50 worldwide.

Legendary magician Harry Houdini died in Detroit of gangrene and peritonitis resulting from a ruptured apendix on Halloween in 1926.

About 99 per cent opf pumpkins marketed domestically in the UK are used as Jack O' Lanterns at Halloween.

In the US, 86 per cent of people decorate their homes for Halloween.

 

Henley Rotary and Sue Ryder Halloween Night and Fireworks

Halloween fun at Claytons 

Spooky Halloween kids disco at Crowne Plaza, Marlow