Party 411 - Halloween Costume and Party Show

Party 411�

The Latest and Greatest from the
16th Annual
Halloween Costume and Party Show

Chicago, Illinois
March 2000

Imagine walking into a room filled with fun, colorful toys and decorations on one side and visual depictions of your worst nightmares (including an all too realistic portrayal of a talking decapitated head) on the other. It was the best of both worlds: the fabulously fun, and the most garishly gruesome, at this year's Halloween Costume and Party Show, held in Chicago March 10-14.

The first exhibit that really caught my eye was the one by GeoHorizons Inc., which featured lanterns. Bright colors struck me in the shape of a 3D smiling sun. As I walked toward the beautiful deep colors with wonderful detailing, I thought about what marvelous centerpieces the suns would make for an outdoor barbecue in the spring (Who says lanterns must always hang?) Then floating along the length of the booth I saw a rainbow colored dragon. It had flames coming out of its mouth and tail, and its rich colors helped to make its presence known. This booth had everything from lanterns shaped like crabs and tropical drinks (for a luau), to bunnies and chicks with Easter baskets, to ghosts and goblins for Halloween, as well as festive lanterns to help celebrate the Chinese New Year!

As I investigated further, I found a creative and novel exhibit that specializes in unique handmade gifts for special occasions from Kay Adams Creative Miniatures. On display were picture frames, business card holders, photo albums, magnets, and mezuzahs with various miniatures used to decorate them. Product themes are too numerous to mention, but some examples include Sweet 16, Butterflies, Junk Food, Cheerleader, Fisherman, Love, Travel, and many other hobbies as well as professions. These handmade crafts can be used as centerpieces as well as take home gifts.

One of my very favorite booths was the one by Raymond Geddes and Company, Inc. Talk about a kid in a candy store! I saw everything from Fusion Gel pens that write in two different colors at once to Bug-in-a-Box key chains featuring plastic insects that wiggle around in a small wooden box. There were many fun products at this exhibit (as well as in their catalogue) that I had to stop playing long enough to take in all of it. Not only did I see a variety of pens (some light up when they write, while others have bubbles inside). I saw sharpeners that look like CD players, body glitter, small hand-held games and toys, and some of the most original key chains that I've ever seen.

The heartiest laugh I had while walking through the show was from a booth by a company called Laid Back. It showcased items for an "Over the Hill" theme (as well as for some other themes). I found it hard to stop laughing as I read creative sayings on t-shirts as well as on socks and hats.

How difficult it is to choose my favorite party stuff in a room filled with the neatest and coolest party goods ever?

I discovered YoYo balloons, baseball sized balloons filled with just a little water, on an elastic string. Fun for kids of all ages. These YoYo balloons make great seating cards! They are reminiscent of the big punching balloons we all had as kids. But wait, it doesn't stop there. The company makes Rocket Balloons, Helicopter Balloons, Flying Saucers, and Peacock Balloons, too!

Another cool seating card idea that I discovered was Flutter-fetti. It is a tube filled with confetti. All you have to do is shake the tube into the air and you are immediately immersed in a confetti shower. Use them as seating cards with instructions for your guests to launch their confetti together at a set time.

The funniest item I saw was the Billy-Bob� teeth. You might have seen them advertised around Halloween. Billy-Bob� teeth are crooked and rotting false teeth that fit over your own teeth. Imagine your entire guest list wearing these disgusting teeth. What a riot! (or a rot, shall I say?)

Have you ever seen the little rubber sleeve used to keep soda or beer cans cold? Well someone has invented a BIG rubber sleeve to keep your keg cold! And we always thought that a big garbage can filled with ice was enough. Who knew? Original Keg Sleeve, made by Manumit LLC, is made of durable material to give a proper home to your get, with ice I might add! The Original Keg Sleeve can be imprinted with party phrases, logos or any other words.

Pinatas, Pinatas, Pinatas. While pinatas have been around for a long time, I am sure that you have never seen so many shapes, designs and sizes of pinatas as those displayed by Aztec Imports. Everything from pull ribbon to NFL� to bugs, birds and animals to all kinds of holiday related figures. It made me want to have a party just to have a pinata!

Finally, I found the funniest craziest hats and costumes around. I can't choose which ones to tell you about so I have to make a list of some of the great ones, whether for Halloween or a random costume party, choose from: Clam Hat, Octopus Hat, Cheeseburger Hat, Beer Mug Hat, Celery Hat, Toaster Hat, Bowling Pin Hat, Watering Can Hat, Leopard Lampshade Hat, Head on a Platter, Toilet with Toilet Paper and Fake Poop, Milk Carton Hat, Salt and Pepper Shakers Costume, Deviled Egg Costume, Grass Costume, and Traffic Light. Talk about a hoot! Each costume and hat I saw was better than the last!

The Party Girl had a blast at this year's 16th Annual Halloween Costume and Party Show. The Party411.com staff was on hand to introduce the site to new eyeballs in our own exhibit, where we featured our April Showers Bring May Flowers party. To see our display, click here. We will be sure to remind you of these great products and more among our ideas and themes.