Light and decorate the walkway to your porch with spooky paper-bag characters on Halloween night. This clever monster patrol is a takeoff on traditional luminarias, but instead of using a candle, a simple flashlight lights the path to your door for trick-or-treaters. Or if you are having a party, set them on a windowsill to peer at costumed guests.

So, what will they be? A cat? Goofy alien? Frankenstein? You'll have time to decide as you cut and paste.

  • Standard-size brown or bright-colored lunch bags

  • Craft foam sheets or poster board

  • Yarn, pipe cleaners, charms, ribbon, glitter, beads

  • Scissors

  • Glue

  • Hole punch (optional)

  • Inexpensive standard-size, plastic, lightweight flashlights

  • Rubber bands

    WHAT TO DO:

    For each character, cut out craft foam sheets or poster board in eyes, nose and mouth shapes.

    Cut out holes in the middle of the eyes and mouth to eventually allow light to shine through.

    Glue the features to the front of the bag.

    When dry, an adult may use a small, sharp scissors or craft knife to cut out the center of the eyes and mouth on the bags.

    Have the kids add the details. Glue on rickrack eyebrows, attach lightweight junkjewelry earrings or pipecleaner antennae, depending on what you are creating.

    Add some glitter for cheeks or outline lips with shiny beads.

    And don't forget goofy hair. Add braided yarn and fashion a major hairdo.

    It's also fun

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    to use a hole punch to make additional features or patterns that will be revealed when the flashlight is turned on.

    When complete, carefully slip the bag over the top of the flashlight and secure with a rubber band just above the switch.

    Line up your own monster patrol outside at dusk and flip on flashlights before the ghosts and goblins appear at your doorstep.

    (To see a video demonstration of this idea online, go to donnasday.com.)

    "The grandkids are coming!" tip: If your grandchild is afraid of the dark, make a nightlight together using the steps above to create a comforting character, such as an angel, a puppy or a bunny with felt ears. Place this "bedtime buddy" by his bed, and he can switch it on and off when he wishes.

  • Watch Donna on NBC's "Today" show Wednes-day to see more of her Halloween recipes and ideas.

  • Watch the special "Ultimate Halloween," a half-hour episode from "Donna's Day," airing on tpt's CREATE today through Saturday. For times and dates, see tpt.org.

  • Hear Donna on Martha Stewart Living Radio/ Sirius Satellite from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday.

    Donna Erickson's award-winning television series, "Donna's Day," is airing on PBS nationwide. Watch it in the Twin Cities at 1:30 p.m. Fridays on Channel 2 and 5:30 p.m. Sundays on Channels 13 and 17. Sign up for Donna's e-newsletter at donnasday.com. Her latest book is "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families."