Part of the fun of Halloween is dressing up to be someone other than yourself. From silly to scary, Halloween masks allow the wearer to protect his true identity and for a short while, become an entirely different person. If you are in a Halloween mood, here are a few tips for choosing, making, and buying Halloween masks:
Safety should always be the first consideration. For children, especially, you do not want to choose a mask that impairs the vision. Trick or treating is a fun and exciting tradition for many children, but it is vital that they can see well to maneuver sidewalks, walkways, stairs, and traffic.
Other factors come into play when choosing a Halloween mask, as well. In warm climates, full head masks may be uncomfortably hot, so a partial mask or decorative face painting may be better options. Sensitive skin may inhibit some wearers from choosing masks made from latex, and a scratchy material such as hard plastic may be unpleasant for many people.
Depending on your level of creativity, masks can be simple or very ornate. One of the most basic masks is made by simply taking an inexpensive paper plate, cutting holes for the eyes, nose, and mouth, and then adding decorations. A wide variety of materials could be used to make these simple masks fun and attractive. Some to consider: paint, crayons, markers, glitter, feathers, cotton balls, yarn, fabric, and wire pipe cleaners. Once the decorations are complete, use a hole punch to make two holes on opposite edges of the mask. The wearer can then use ribbon or elastic to tie the mask onto his head. One of the biggest advantages of paper plate masks is that children can do most, if not all of the decorating themselves.
Craft and party supply stores sell a nice variety of blank masks, especially in the weeks before Halloween, that are ideal for individualizing by adding some of the same materials listed for the paper plate masks. These commercially produced, face-shaped mask forms are available in several sizes and offer the convenience of quick decorating while producing a professional result.
If you decide to purchase a mask, rather than making one, be sure to shop around for the best prices. Small, specialty costume shops will have a wonderful selection, especially in October, but their prices are typically higher than mass merchandisers or online merchants. If you decide to buy online, be sure to allow extra time for shipping. Also, the most popular characters are likely to sell out, so order early to beat the rush!
