Like most of our modern fairy tales, Little Red Riding Hood has been recreated to be an appropriate bedtime story for our youth. But the original story is far more grim than you would have imagined, which is no surprise when you look at the other original stories in Charles Perrault’s Mother Goose Tales. Some sources say that Perrault was not the author, but rather the first to write the oral legend down. Others say the story could be a result of the “werewolf trials” taking place at the time of its origin. Of course, the story has been altered a number of times to fit the manuscript of the ages. Each culture has its own tale of the Little Red Riding Hood, and the most optimistic versions involve a young naive girl who can’t tell the difference in her own grandmother and a wolf in a night bonnet. In these versions, the little girl always escapes in the end, but this isn’t quite how the story goes.
In the original, much more gruesome versions of the story, the wolf is quite horrid. He arrives early at the scene, slaughters grandma, and prepares her body to wait for the little girl in the red hood. He dices her flesh and sets it upon a silver platter. He drains her blood into a wine bottle, placing both the “wine” and the meat into the cupboard. Once the young girl arrives, he orders her to strip, throw her clothes (apron, stockings, petticoat and all) into the fire, and climb into bed with him. At this point, she notices something isn’t quite right with Grandma, but she is apparently none the wiser because she carries on conversation with the wolf while he enjoys Grandma’s bread and milk.
Eventually Little Red Riding Hood is hungry, to which the wolf commands that she feed herself the meat and wine from the cupboard. Little does she know that she is dining on the own flesh and blood of her unfortunate grandmother. The girl doesn’t complain, though, and in some versions even remarks that it is a marvelous feast.
In most versions of the story, Little Red Riding Hood never discovers the wolf’s true identity, and eventually is gobbled up alongside her grandmothers remains. However, one version does end in the little girl outsmarting the wolf. She tells the wolf she must go poop, and needs to relieve herself in the woods. The wolf ties a string to her so she cannot escape, but she slips it over a branch and carries on her way.
As you can see, there are many reasons that the story has been changed so many times. What a fright it must have been for 17th century kids to hear the tales cannibalism and an imposter wolf that gobbles up children!
The new age story may be designed for the fainthearted, but if you are looking for a real thrill this Halloween, grab your haunted house tickets for one of the scariest haunted houses in Dallas area. We might not have a wolf in grandma’s clothing, but at Thrillvania Haunted House Park, we have a few sights that will scare your stockings off, too!
Every neighborhood has it. The one house on the block that’s quaint and conventional 11 months out of the year. But then, when October rolls around, their DIY Halloween decorations look like something out of a nightmare.
The month of October is the only time of year a person’s house can defy and terrify the Joneses. And many people go all out when it comes to making their houses look straight out of a horror movie.
But let’s face it: Many store-bought decorations are expensive. And because they look manufactured, a lot of them lose their horrifying appeal.
DIY Halloween decorations are the way to go when it comes to transforming your digs into a house of horror. But with no shortage of concepts, how do you narrow down your focus?
Some Halloween home decor ideas are scarier than others. In this article, we’ll break down Halloween decorations guaranteed to raise hair. Neighbors, deliverymen, and trick-or-treaters will tremble when they go to ring your doorbell!
Translucent Ghosts
What’s a haunted house without some ghosts lurking around? People have long created ghosts out of white sheets and cheesecloth. But what really makes a ghost seem real is when it glows or appears translucent.
Wrap your model with the sticky side of the packing tape out first. Once you finish wrapping the first layer, go over it with more packing tape with the sticky side facing down. If you have to use someone as your model and need to create the face, try using a Styrofoam head or an actual wig head.
Cut the tape to remove the figure from the model. Then, retape it back together. You can use plastic bags or cheesecloth to give it a floating and draping appearance.
You can make your ghost glow by inserting LED rope lights inside your tape figure. If you have another type of LED light, you can shine it above or behind the figure. Either way, the packing tape will absorb the light and create a glowing effect.
Ghost Silhouettes & Other Haunted House Ideas
Looking for ghosts to lurk around your yard in the backdrop? You can mold a full-bodied side profile of a ghost with chicken wire. Up close, the chicken wire will be more noticeable. But from a distance, it’ll look like there are multiple ghosts haunting your grounds… And they make for some pretty easy DIY Halloween decorations.
If you want to create the quintessential haunted house, there are a few DIY Halloween props you can use.
You could dig up a small part of your lawn (or create a messy pile of dirt). You can then place a skeletal arm or a full skeleton model in the dirt pile. After all, the ghosts in your yard were once living. You don’t necessarily need a skeletal model, either. If it looks like someone (or something) has crawled out of the earth, you can create that effect with a pile of dirt alone.
Have some leftover packing tape? Tape it from the top and bottom of your windowsills. At night, dim the regular lights in your house and cast LED lights out the window. The packing tape will create a translucent glow from inside.
If you already have a fog machine, you can place it somewhere in your yard so the fog can drift around the yard. It will look like traces that your ghosts leave behind. Be sure to cast some light from the ground so people passing by can see the fog.
Don’t have a fog machine? You can never go wrong with dry ice. To make dry ice fog seem like smoke, you can add it to an insulated container of hot water.
Coven of Witches
A coven refers to a gathering of witches, and the oldest ones were once believed to take place in forested areas. If you live near the woods or have lots of willowy trees in your yard, your house could be the perfect setting for a coven.
Of course, you’ll need some witches if you want to host a coven on the premises. But we’re not talking about cackling witches on broomsticks. We’re talking about the hooded witches you may remember from the opening theme of American Horror Story: Coven. And it’s very easy to recreate these grim reaper-like DIY Halloween decorations with a witchy twist.
First, you’ll need a piece of sheathing plywood as the base, as well as two lumber studs about 4 feet in length. Then, attach the lumber studs to the plywood sheath with corner braces.
You’ll also want to attach another lumber stud that connects the two longer studs. This stud will serve as the shoulders, so it should rest longer than the diameter of the other studs. Then, you’ll attach a Styrofoam head on this stud.
For the arms, you’ll want to attach PVC pipes using elbow pipes. This will create the effect of the witches raising or putting their arms out. Then, you’ll want to take a couple of pool noodles and create slits down the length of them. That way, you can slide the PVC pipe inside the foam. Then, wrap the “arms” with duct tape.
Next, you’ll want to take chicken wire and cast it over the entire base. The chicken wire should also cover the upper portion of the arms. Then, stick the base of an old broom (or anything that’s long, thin, and pointed) through the Styrofoam head.
For the final touches, drape a long ratted heavy cloth over the entire figure. Then, take a shorter cloth and drape it over it again with more slack in the front.
DIY Halloween Decorations for Your Porch & Garage
If your house gets lots of trick-or-treaters, making use of your porch is key to causing a fright this year. And there are lots of scary and small DIY Halloween decorations that can go a long way.
You can create the illusion of bleeding candles by dripping red wax onto white or black candles. Dripping the red wax can get messy, so make sure to use newspaper.
Decapitation is some people’s worst fear. You can play on this fear by making it seem like you’ve placed people’s faces in jars.
First, take photos of the front and side profiles of your face and your family’s. Then, you can merge all these images into one on Photoshop. After printing them out, laminate them.
Next, fill some jars with water and add a few drops of food coloring. Green, yellow, orange, and red create some of the creepiest effects. Then, place each laminated photograph into a jar. These creepy DIY Halloween props go great on windowsills, benches, or porch shelves. Or, you can place them in your refrigerator as a prank!
The garage often gets overlooked when it comes to Halloween home decor ideas. But if trick-or-treaters need to walk past your garage, make it look like you have zombies stuck inside.
Using black construction paper, cut out the shape of your hands. Create a variety of hand grips and shapes to make for a chaotic scene. When you’re done, tape them to the windows of your garage.
The final touch of a terrifying trick-or-treat experience is your costume. Be sure to wear a scary and creative costume on Halloween. The neighborhood won’t forget!
Create DIY Halloween Decorations This Year
Halloween is still over a month away. But if you’re serious about having the scariest house in the neighborhood this year, now is the time to plan!
With these terrifying DIY Halloween decorations, you’ll not only cause a scare. You’ll impress the entire neighborhood with your handy and crafty skills.
Decorating your home is a no-brainer when Halloween is your favorite holiday. But how else will you enjoy the scariest (and best) time of year?
If you live around Dallas, Texas, there’s no better haunted experience than Thrillvania. With three different attractions, you, your friends, and family are in for a thrill of a lifetime. Get your tickets for the 2018 season today!
Pretty soon, things are going to get pretty spooky. If you’re looking to cause a scare this year, now is the time to start planning your costume.
We’ve all seen zombies, werewolves, and vampires. And don’t get us wrong. These classic costumes can be downright terrifying when done right.
But you may be looking for something a little more outside the box.
Are you looking for scary Halloween costumes that are as frightening as they are unique? Don’t wait until the last minute to start planning your scary costume this year. Here are 5 Halloween costumes ideas to help inspire the inner monster within you!
1. Demon
It’s no secret that humans have had a long fascination with the concept of demons for thousands of years. Ancient Greeks considered daemons to be benevolent, powerful entities. They were once seen as similar to ghosts and guiding spirits. When Christianity rose, demons started to have a malevolent connection with Satan.
No matter how you personally view demons, they can inspire very scary Halloween costumes. Sure, you could spend $60 on a devil costume or witch dress at Party City. But one of the great things about the demon costume is how DIY-friendly it is.
The horns, of course, are the highlight of any demon costume. There are lots of ways to create a horned headpiece. Some people have used aluminum. Others have used clay, paper mache, or even foam. You can also create devil horns and glue them to your forehead.
Every demon costume needs a creepy outfit to go along with it. And there are really no limitations to this. Women can wear anything from a black jumpsuit to a goddess dress and so on. Men can wear black suits, warrior costumes, or even loincloths if they want to go all out.
2. Voodoo Queen/King
Voodoo queens will be among the best Halloween costumes for women this year. And this Halloween, you can look both fabulous and scary as a fierce and ruthless voodoo queen.
The base of your costume will be a loose-fitting, long-sleeve dress. The dress can either be solid colored or patterned to your choosing. You can go for a look that’s inspired by Creole, 19th-century fashion. Or, you can even be a voodoo queen from another generation (you’re immortal, after all).
You’ll then need lots of beaded necklaces, bangle bracelets, and rings. Complement the rest of your jewelry with big hoop earrings or statement earrings. And don’t overlook the importance of a Creole-inspired headscarf or wrap!
Angela Bassett as Marie Laveau in American Horror Story: Coven Photo from PopSugar
Colored contact lenses can make any voodoo queen costume look spooky. And there’s no shortage of lenses to choose from. White lenses can make you look possessed by a spirit you’ve summoned with voodoo. Reptilian contact lenses can make it seem like you’ve got the snakes on your side. Or, you can go for a basic red or purple lens to create a wrathful look in your eyes.
Go All out as a Voodoo Queen or King
There are a few options as far as accessories go. A fake skull or a faux voodoo doll are the go-to choices. You can also rock a toy snake around your shoulders.
Are you looking to find Halloween costumes for couples? Have your significant other go as a voodoo king! Here’s what they’ll need:
A black top hat (decorated with bird feathers)
A suit with dress shoes
A spooky cane with a skull head or covered in bird feathers
Skeleton makeup is the main feature of the voodoo king costume. After all, it’s inspired by Louisiana voodoo. And even the voodoo queen herself can arrive on Halloween clad as a skeletal version of herself.
Once a creature only Dungeon & Dragons fans knew, the Demogorgon is now a pop cult staple. All thanks to Netflix’s hit show Stranger Things. And if you’re a fan of the show and are looking for Halloween costumes ideas, bring the Upside Down to our world on October 31st.
In 2016, image artist Carl Leck debuted one of the best Demogorgon costumes anyone has ever seen. Leck created a headpiece that opened and closed with the flick of his wrist.
We’re not saying you should go all out like Carl Leck (though it would be pretty awesome if you tried). You could certainly buy a Demogorgon costume. And though it’ll be a challenge, it is possible to create your own DIY Demogorgon costume this year.
Different Ways to Create a Demogorgon Costume
First, you’ll need a dark brown, dark green, gray, or black bodysuit. Then, cover the bodysuit with a mixture of these colors using fabric paint.
The Demogorgon is from the Upside Down, an alternate dimension that’s dark, cold, sticky… and let’s just say downright scary. To make it look like you’ve come straight from the Upside Down, hot glue some fake moss and leaves.
You could also go all out and paint your body. And though the Demogorgon probably doesn’t wear clothes, we do recommend wearing a loincloth. The most challenging part of this costume will be creating the Demogorgon mask. But if you’re up to the challenge, check out Ellimacs SFX’s Demogorgon mask. With a little time and elbow grease, you’ll be able to create your own and turn heads this Halloween:
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the debut of the horror classic, Rosemary’s Baby. The film stars Mia Farrow as Rosemary, who conceives and gives birth to the Antichrist.
Mia Farrow’s blonde pixie cut in the film was iconic both in 1968 and now. And it was her gaunt, sickly appearance that viewers find most haunting. Whether you’re a fan of the film, one thing remains certain:
Rosemary will be one of the creepiest Halloween costumes for women this year. And it’s also one of the more simpler scary Halloween costumes you can create.
First, you’ll need any colorful, 1960’s-inspired mod dress. Or, you could wear a long-sleeved blue nightgown, which is what most people will remember from the film.
If you already have a pixie cut, you’re in luck! But even if you don’t, never fear. You can never go wrong with a short-haired, blonde man wig. There’s also nothing wrong with rocking your natural hair – long or short.
Different Variations as Rosemary
There are a couple of options when it comes to dressing as the mother of… well, the Antichrist. You could stuff your dress and pretend you’re pregnant. It’s easy to create a fake pregnant belly. Or, if you’re already pregnant, you can honor your baby bump as the iconic Rosemary.
You could also carry around a toy baby or push a black stroller, just like Rosemary does in the film. If you do carry a toy baby around, be sure to make it demonic looking like below:
A Rosemary costume wouldn’t be complete without a pale complexion and dark eye bags. Powder your face to make it look flushed of all life. Then, use a brown and black eyeshadow palette to make it look like you haven’t slept in weeks.
If you like the Rosemary’s Baby theme, have a friend or significant other go dressed as a devil (see point #1 for ideas). Rosemary with the Devil is not one of the more common Halloween costumes for couples. But you can poke fun at the concept of an evil family all while celebrating the classic horror film.
Look no further than 1920’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari! The German silent is not only historically significant for laying the seeds of film noir. It’s also memorable for one creepy character who has haunted movie-goers for nearly a century.
Who Was Cesare?
In the film, Dr. Caligari awakens a young man by the name of Cesare from a coffin, where he has slept for the last 23 years. Cesare, under the spell of Dr. Caligari, goes on to commit murder. Cesare terrorizes his victims, leaving viewers questioning where the real mystery lies.
Dressing up as Cesare is quite simple. In the film, his character wears a black turtleneck with a white-as-a-ghost complexion. Cesare also has black lips and black triangles forming under his eyes.
A Cesare costume pays a great homage to one of the first horror films ever made. The costume is equally easy and spooky. Men and women alike can channel the inner, sleepwalking monster inside them. And it’s perfect whether you attend a horror film screening or a haunted house this Halloween.
What about costume ideas for couples that celebrate The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari?
If you want to dress up alongside your significant other or friend, have them go as Dr. Caligari! His costume is also simple, as he wears a black suit, a black top hat, and round spectacles. Dr. Caligari also has wacky and long straw-like gray hair. He certainly looks the part of a mad scientist.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari A View to a Queue
Cause a Fright with Scary Halloween Costumes This Year
Although it’s only still September, Halloween is surely well on its way. Whether you choose one of these costumes or go a different route, now is the time to plan!
What will you do this year to celebrate and show off your creepy Halloween costumes ideas?
Visit Haunted Houses This Halloween!
Haunted houses are the perfect place to show off your scary Halloween costumes. You can very well scare and impress bystanders with your costume when you go. You can also converse with fellow Halloween enthusiasts and share your ideas.
Interested in visiting haunted houses in the Dallas region? There’s no better haunted house experience than Thrillvania! You can choose to roam the haunted corridors of Verdun Manor. Or, you can dare to enter Cassandra’s House of Clowns or trek down Sam Hain’s Trail of Torment. Get your tickets today!
