Also Dollar Tree has little caldrons that take 3 AAA batteries and when you turn them on they look like flame coming out of the cauldron. I got 5 for DS over in Germany for their Halloween party table.
I think the frame idea is a good one and you could maybe double up on the old fashioned wire coat hangers to make them. Also you could make plastic bats and string them up outside too.

Sounds like fun.

How about some cheap plywood?? I don't know for sure, but it might not be much more expensive than styrofoam. Also, you might check to see if there are any concrete pavers or retaining wall blocks that would work -- although, these may be too small.

As for painting styrofoam, I've had mixed results. I've used acrylic paint and painted it by hand using a sponge brush without any problem (but is time consuming and uses a lot of paint). I've also used spray paint and that's when I got into trouble -- it kind of melted it slightly, but might not be a problem on a large piece like you'd be using.

Assuming it doesn't rain or snow, I'd use candles to light them (kind of like you do with holiday luminaries).

What do you have planned for munchies and snacks? Sounds like fun....keep up posted!!

Janet

I don't think we have a Dollar Tree, Minnie, but I'll look at our local dollar stores and see if I can find those cauldrens...sounds like a great little decoration. :-)

Janet, we really don't have the tools to cut plywood yet - just moved into this house a month ago. So the simpler, the better...

I was just thinking (again) that I could get gray garbage bags, stick cardboard forms in them, and then do the lettering in black pen. That would be realistic enough, I think, and still "weatherproof", if I used a laundry pen. :-)

I can't really use candles to light them - highly unsafe with my uneven yard (it's sloped pretty steeply towards the street), and I'd be afraid of forgetting them once everyone is inside and starting a fire on the lawn. Too risky, but I *was* thinking I could get some really cheap little flashlights (black), and lay them on the ground in sets of two, with blue cellophane over the lense...just get batteries at Costco. ;-)

Muchies - I was going to just do a "finger food buffet" of sorts, but DH is thinking pizza wouldn't be too bad. We could make it ahead of time with pepperoni in jack-o-lantern face shapes, and maybe dye the cheese red or something...still working on that, but you can see the post on the Cooking forum. :-)

I have no idea about the tombstones. Someone on one of the forums (maybe this forum???) posted this link for ideas. I bookmarked the foods link because there were some great ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hallloween foods

You SHOULD SEE the new Martha Stewart Halloween magazine out!!!!!!
It is FULL of ideas.....and I am sure that alot of them are accessible online. I know that one year she did tombstones too, so hopefully she has an archives there.
If not, check it out at your local library!
Julie

if you're using styrofoam...ideally from packing material, not bought- use spray paint. it melts the styrofoam a bit, making it look more like natural stone, you can carve into it fairly easy, and then spray it to soften the edges...

and then maybe sponge a bit of mossy-green paint here and there :)

I think if you used big sections of cardboard boxes and then spray painted them silver or grey they would be ok. I know you are worried about the rain but you could put them around the inside of the house too.
Also DS and DIL stuff clothes to look like humans and then make it so they have their heads stuck in the toilet or the trunk of their car. They say they are very effective.

Check out this Garden Jubk link

Here is a link that might be useful: Tombstones