Thread: A halloween trick from the 20's...

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My grandma let something slip last year....a trick she always wanted to play on Halloween back when she was a kid, but never got around to.

I want to make that happen this year.


The concept is simple. A balloon, covered in cheese cloth, and anchored in the yard, so that people wake to find ghosts floating in their yard.


Look, Grandma was born in 1914, so, the idea may have aged a bit...maybe it wasn't so corny back then...But, I intend to plaster Grandma's neighborhood with these in the wee early morning hours Halloween morn. (without grandma's knowledge, either, just a surprise for her)


Anyway, has anyone ever done anything similar?

My questions so far:

Am I going to need to starch the cheese cloth prior, so it will stay on?

Face or no on the ghosts?

Arms or no?

Will these balloons fly if it's freezing temps?

Pre-fill the night before, or fill in the cold temps with a portable canister?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I think this is a cool idea!! The neighborhood kids would love that!

I think the starch might make it too heavy and I would use Hifloat if you can get your hands on some.

Unorthodox that is so cool, your grandma is going to LOVE it!!!!!!! She will probably cry Your gonna win grandkid of the year. Please remember to write us and let us know how it went, and how she reacted. Pam

I love this idea!

good idea. old tricks still can be good tricks

I think it`s great that you would do this for you grandma. Your the best. I`m sure she will love that you did this for her.

Nice to read. Okay here's a few questions: I assume that back in the early 1900s helium wasn't around or certainly not something the average person could get (maybe I'm totally wrong on this). So I assume that you would blow up the balloon and tie it onto a stick that would be anchored to the ground. Are you thinking of using helium or regular air for your idea? Also how cold do you get in UT at halloween time? If latex doesn't work, would metallic balloons work better (I know weather balloons are made of some metallic material).

I think cheesecloth would work depending on your inflation method/anchor method. You might also check local fabric stores during the year to see what else you could use (and look out for sales during the year--not sure how many neighbors you'll surprise). If you think you will have a problem with the material slipping off, I'd suggest inflating the balloon, placing the material over it and doing a quick loose gather with some clear nylon thread near the neck of the balloon (will help form the head anyways) and tie it off. The material won't likely come off then. You could staple it for quick work but I'd be hesitant that someone wouldn't know there were staples there and cut themselves or something like that.

I'm partial to no face that way no matter how the ghost is viewed it's not wrong.

As for the arms I think they would look cool and should be do-able. Might be able to cut out some foamboard curved arms to affix to your stick or string. Keep it light and avoid anything sharp like wire. If you have a Dollar Tree near you they have 3 foot x 2 foot foamboard for $1.

Im in total agreement with GOS. Arms or no arms would be cool, but I lean to arms if doable. I imagine using posterboard, fold the end a bit and tape to balloon for those. You can even do different hand shapes, for scary and non scary. The balloon on a stick is a neat idea. I suggest using a spray adhesive on the balloon and place the lightweight cloth on top and around widest of balloon. Maybe eyes in different styles could be cool. Im not certain how to quickly place them to the balloon, but I like these kind of eyes. Google Image Result for http://static-p3.fotolia.com/jpg/00/09/02/04/400_F_9020460_GuOIgmaT4XUWwIhuoLi96BqYvxyu8xZE.jpg

If you fill the balloons with helium in a warm room then take them outside when it is very cold the helium will become denser causing the size of the balloon to shrink. If there is a big difference between indoor and outdoor temps I would fill them up outside or if you fill them up inside overinflate the balloon so if it does shrink a little it won't matter.

I think this is wonderful! How often do we get the opportunity to make one of our parents or grandparent's childhood dreams come true!! Very cool idea!