Trick or Treat! Time to hone your best bestial wolf-howl, and commence some purposeful pumpkin-carving… Halloween is fast approaching.

This world is not without its morbid, ungenerous types who claim, in the misery of their self-loathing, that Halloween is just for kids. But we know otherwise; Halloween’s fancy-dress is for everyone – grown-ups and kids alike! That is, of course, if you have the right fancy-dress costume…

The trick to a Halloween which is a real treat is to plan your fancy-dress costumes well ahead of time. Here are ten fancy-dress tips to make this year’s Halloween the fun it should be for all involved.

1.Safety first – Ensure that the only fright you receive at Halloween is from a knock on your door. When choosing (or making) a fancy-dress costume, always put safety first. If your child is very young, ensure there are no small parts that may cause choking if swallowed. And no matter what their age, if your child is carrying a prop, make sure it won’t cause injury if fallen upon. For example, knives and pitchforks should be flexible and smooth (i.e. rubbery). If you’re hiring a fancy-dress costume, ask to see evidence that it has been manufactured to meet British safety standards.

2.Help choose, and make it fun – The excitement of fancy-dress starts well before Halloween night. Anticipation is half the fun, so make sure you get into the spirit (pun intended!) of the event, from the moment you start looking for a fancy-dress costume. (And by making it fun, you’ll also experience fewer complaints if you have to say no to an unsafe costume.)

3.It’s all in the detail – Any fancy-dress costume is only as good as the props that go along with it. The simplest of costumes can be made great just by paying attention to the smaller details. Warts, knives, tails, hats, shoes, temporary tattoos, broomsticks… If you feel that your fancy-dress costume is a little lacking, it probably just needs a few extras.

4.Order ahead – If you’re hiring or buying a fancy-dress costume, don’t leave things to the last minute. Halloween is a busy time for fancy-dress stores and party shops, so make sure you get in early (for most fancy-dress stores, you should try to order your fancy-dress costumes at least 2 weeks prior to the big event). Leaving it to the last minute is a recipe for disappointment.

5.Take care of hired costumes – Most fancy-dress stores and party shops require the payment of a deposit on their fancy-dress costumes. In the excitement of the big night, it’s easy to get carried away, but remember that if the fancy-dress costume comes back damaged, you may lose your deposit.

6.Balance price and quality – Halloween need not be an expensive endeavour, but remember that cheaper doesn’t always mean better. Many parents find themselves regretting cheap supermarket fancy-dress purchases before their kids even step out the door on Halloween night. Ill-fitting fancy-dress costumes are very uncomfortable, and can spoil a child’s evening. And if any moving parts or stuck-on detail look like they’re going to fall off or break, they probably will!

7.Be practical – Remember that Halloween night is a very long night. Children are excited and very active, so their fancy-dress costumes must allow free movement, easy toilet breaks, and convenient drinking (and eating).

8.Ask about the return policy – Ordering a fancy-dress costume from a website is appealing in its convenience, but it’s important to consider the shop’s refund policy. When you order online, you can’t try the costume on, so you increase the risk that it won’t fit, or that it simply looks different up-close. This means you also have to allow enough time for returning the costume and choosing a replacement before the big night.

9.Don’t forget about delivery – If you plan to order online, remember that delivery takes time. Some online fancy-dress shops take weeks to deliver. Make sure you investigate their delivery time before paying, so no-one is disappointed.

10.Have fun – Halloween is a great time of year. And not just for the kids. In fact, your kids will have MUCH more fun if you’re enjoying the occasion with them.

The message for all parents is plan ahead, be safe, and be fun. By following the above ten tips, you’ll accomplish all three, and have a Halloween which is memorable for all the right reasons.

* Paul Perris is a fancy-dress costume aficionado, and owner of UK online fancy-dress store, Party Domain (http://www.partydomain.co.uk). For a fancy-dress costume for Halloween that everyone will love, contact Paul on paul@partydomain.co.uk