Halloween in Canada, Adult Costumes on the rise

The popularity of Halloween among Canadians continues to grow and unlike 20 years ago has become more of a family event. No longer are kids the only ones having all the fun dressing up, and trick-or-treating isn't the only fun to be had. Halloween parties for adults are all the rage and there's a costume available to suit any theme party out there. One reason adults are getting into the Halloween spirit is the evolution of the costumes available! The days of a ghost emerging from a sheet with scissor-cut holes for eyes are far gone. Costumes are now much more like apparel and many come in actual sizes instead of just standard one-size-fits all. They're made with breathable, comfortable fabrics, so gone are the days of sweating uncomfortably or cutting your face on the plastic masks from my childhood. Whether you're looking for adult costumes, kid's costumes, pet costumes or party supplies and décor, Canada has taken Halloween to another level.

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Santa Bar Hops

One very popular thing to do during Christmas is partake in a Santa "bar hop." Participants dress up in Santa Suits and travel in packs from bar to bar in popular cities. When I first heard about bar hops or pub crawls, I was in college and would often see the swim team or some sorority with t-shirts running around. Why not take the same idea and apply it to Christmas?

This year, if you're attending your city's "Running of the Santas," think outside the box. Yes there will be Santas galore, but opt for the following instead:

• Buddy the Elf costume


• Jovi costume


• Mrs. Clause costume


• The Grinch costume


• Sexy Santa costumes


• Sunny Santa costume


• Angel costumes

Now, for those who are just in it for the bar hopping and not the dressing up...don't fret! Even the simplest accent, accessory or obnoxious Christmas sweater will do.

• Antlers to denote the famous reindeer


• Halo and I don't mean the Xbox 360 game


• Santa hats that will keep you warm


• Elf shoes to make a "point"


• Red high heels to look jazzy!


• Striped tights or thigh highs perfect for a sexy costume


• Santa beard if you can't grow your own...


• Hand out beverage napkins with funny sayings that are sure to make for some fun conversation

Whether dressing up for a Santa pub crawl or for the holidays period, you are sure to make some memorable moments which is what the holidays are all about.

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Twice as Nice…as the saying goes for TWO $10,000 BuyCostumes.com Affiliate Winners

Halloween was alive and well for two affiliates this season; Sunshine Promotions and Jonas Halpren have both won $10,000 in the annual Halloween Sweepstakes awarded by BuyCostumes.com, the Internet’s largest Halloween and Costume retailer.

One of the keys to BuyCostumes.com’s success has been the combination of an innovative affiliate program and unique sweepstakes which allowed any qualifying affiliate to enter for a chance to win $10,000 cash. This year BuyCostumes.com offered two $10,000 awards at different revenue levels. “This way an affiliate who generated even just $1 in sales still had a good chance of winning” commented Kristen Grace, the Affiliate Marketing Manager for BuyCostumes.com. “I try to make it easy for my affiliates to see the value in every sale, very few or very many.”

Although Halloween is typically known for its scares and spooks, it certainly ended well for Sunshine Promotions, www.whatsyourdeal.com, and Jonas Halpren, www.drinkoftheweek.com. These affiliates and others just needed to refer $1 in sales during the contest dates to qualify for a $10,000 grand prize! Consumers have a plethora of merchants to choose from during the holidays, but Halloween offers the unique opportunity to cash in commission checks months before the busiest time of the year. “As a seasonal performer, BuyCostumes.com is by far the best. I have yet to see another program even come close to theirs during their peak season,” remarks winner Peter Sunshine.

“With BuyCostumes.com’s 30% plus Internet market share, selling our affiliate program is extremely easy” commented BuyCostumes.com Director of Marketing, Karen Van Ert. “We really made an effort to level the playing field this year with some new policies and were happy to offer affiliates of all sizes the chance to win $10,000.” BuyCostumes.com and Halloween costume sales potential has truly given affiliates new meaning to Q3.

Founded in 1999 as an Internet specialty retailer, BUYSEASONS' flagship brand, BuyCostumes.com, is the leading online-only retailer of costumes and accessories. BUYSEASONS, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (LINTA).

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