Halloween Costumes Are Fun For All Ages

Halloween is not just a kids holiday anymore. Over the last 30-40 years, it has become more and more popular, with adults getting into the spirit as well as children. And of all the Halloween traditions, costumes are the biggest one for all ages.

Right from the time kids are babies, they're getting dressed up for Halloween (although for babies the thrill is more for the parents than the kids!)

There are almost unlimited ideas for kids costumes, but the most popular from one year to another are the licensed characters from their favorite movies and TV shows. And usually the most popular is any character from the past summer's biggest hit movies.

More tried-and-true costumes like pirates, witches, ghosts and aliens always work too. As kids get older, they usually get gorier every year. Fake wounds, scars and blood are common sights with older trick-or-treaters. And the less their parents like it, the better.

Grown-up Halloween costumes are getting more popular every year as well. There are tons of licensed costumes for adults as well as many of the old standby's.

When adults get dressed up, they quite often like to stick to a theme - everyone at the party dresses according to theme or perhaps a couple will dress in matching costumes of some kind.

Historical costume like Renaissance or Medieval outfits are also popular with grown ups. Or "decade" costumes - flappers from the Roaring 20's or a 40's zoot suit.

One difference between kids costumes and adults is that adults often put together their own outfit, with more attention to the details. Kids are perfectly happy with a costume that you bought in the local drug store.

Adult costume can get quite detailed - something that would be right at home on a movie set. Costume makeup and high quality masks and clothing are quite common.

Costume rental stores can help with putting all this together. A high quality costume can cost a considerable amount of money and renting it might make sense, especially if you want to have a different costume every year.

I must admit I was a bit surprised. I was not expecting the luxury, the opulence, the glitz, the newness that greeted me as I entered the MGM Grand in Detroit for its opening party. I was fortunate to be among those previewing the casino and hotel complex at a black-tie invitation only event, just a few hours before the public was invited in.

Stunning! Everything seemed so.. so Las Vegas? No! I had just returned from there where the crowds were so huge and distances so great to get anywhere, not to mention airports to maneuver, that taking a drive in my own home town and ending up somewhere so spectacular was BETTER than Vegas!

MGM, you really outdid yourself!

The first stop on my tour was a lively bar blaring music, chic chic people dancing champagne everywhere. The MGM Detroit website http://www.mgmgranddetroit.com described that nightspot named V as follows:

As the sun sets, the heat rises at V. Give in to temptation as a vivid light show of sensual images dance around you. Escape the boundaries of everyday life, where stunning servers present a kaleidoscope of cocktails and create the vibes for an exhilarating night out. Get ready to stir your desires, and supercharge your senses at V

Nearby the poker room was set to open in a few hours. Checking out the bathrooms was amazing in and of itself gleaming white huge squared off vessel sinks each of which resembled a water fall.

But no time to linger we moved on through the edge of the casino to the next lively nightclub. This time I was greeted with a small, delicious shrimp cocktail. Altogether there were five bars/nightclubs. The no expense spared interior design paid off. One of them had huge oversized sofas each larger than a double bed! Talk about chilling out. The expanses of glass lit by changing colors was just one of the finishing touches.

But I havent even mentioned the restaurants. Two famous chefs Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina are running incredible establishments. Wolfgang Puck was preparing and serving the most FABULOUS pizza. Im not sure, but it may have had wasabi seasoning on it. The restaurant Wolfgang Puck Grille was just devine. But, with no time to waste, we moved on. Michael Mina has two restaurants. One steak house and one sea food establishment. They are named Bourbon Steak and Salt Water respectively.

But just in case you dont want to spend the time (after all, you came to the casino, right?), there is a buffet oh.. oops.. sorry, a dining studio as it is properly called. The desserts were enough to make me weep. Needless to say I had my chocolate fix. And yet, I still was not done. An even less formal food court was serving up delicious hamburgers and a variety of other goodies.

Did I mention Starbucks? There are two full Starbucks operating inside this resort (yes, I think it should be referred to as a resort).

I havent even yet mentioned the hotel. Its amazing. I went into the spa which is full service. I was checking out the fitness equipment. There were some machines I had never seen before. I resembled a cross country skiing machine Ill have to go back to try it out. The fitness gym had large glass windows overlooking a beautiful indoor pool. With no time to spare, we went up to see some of the hotel rooms. Honestly, I just wanted to stay right there. Each room is beautifully appointed with a TV right in the mirror of the bathroom (in case you dont want to miss a minute of your favorite show). Elegant, comfortable, every modern amenity: these rooms are for me!!

All that, and I havent even mentioned the casino itself. MGMs website describes it as follows:

Step inside a whole new world of dynamic gaming at MGM Grand Detroit. Experience a new level of luxuries with spacious walkways and plush chairs in our clean, cool casino. Feel the excitement of over 90 table games and pull in all the excitement with over 4,500 of the latest slots and video poker. Then go all-in with a full house of non-stop action in Detroits premier poker room. Ignite your senses at MGM Grand Detroit.

So welcome to Detroit, MGM! *This could be the start of something Grand!*