I’m one of those people who just loves traditions. We have traditions for Christmas, Birthdays, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Labor Day and yes, Halloween*!
For Halloween, it’s all about the trick ‘o treating (of course) and the Jack ‘o Lantern.
For Trick O Treating, we go simple. We set a pattern the first Halloween in this town 4 years ago that has turned into a tradition. Here is how we do it:
The area of town we live in is EXTREMELY popular for trick ‘o treating-we are talking HUNDREDS of kids. If we tried to buy candy for all those kids (really, we are the area of town other neighboring towns drive their kids to) So we buy 3 bags, Yankee Bill mans the door and gives it away till it runs out. I take the kiddos, swing by my MIL’s house to show off the costumes, then go to our friends smaller, quieter neighborhood to pound the pavement.
Yankee Bill locks up the house and heads up to our friends house to drink a couple of brews with the guys till us moms return with the kiddos. Then we all hang out, try to get the kiddos to eat something not made of solid sugar, and enjoy the rest of the evening family party style.
For the Jack ‘o Lanterns, well we carve our pumpkins (we usually do at least 2) a few days before Halloween. In our house, the tradition is that the kids get to be the designers-we have them draw a face on paper and then Yankee Bill replicates it on the pumpkin with a sharpie.
Yankee Bill is in charge of the knife and sharp pointy things but the kiddos are required to help scoop out all the guts-which I clean and roast with some soy sauce in the oven. Yum!
We tend to go with the classic-triangle eyes and nose, a toothy grin. If you are a little more adventurous you could try using a Jack O Lantern template for something more original. Or you could try this fabulous idea from Martha Stewart-paint your pumpkin BLACK before carving. Check out the link-it really looks cool!
So what are YOUR Halloween traditions? Whatever they are, I hope you and your family have a happy, safe Halloween this year.
Photos by Therapycatgaurdian and GoneMissing
*Note: I realize that some readers may not celebrate Halloween. We do, and this article simply reflects our family traditions. If you don’t-I respect that. Let’s just agree to disagree.
We normally have a bit of a party for all the kids with games like bobbing for apples and maybe some indoor and outdoor fireworks. A lot of people still aren’t big into Halloween here, so we don’t do the door to door thing.
I’m thinking of maybe having a go at a haunted gingerbread house this year. If nothing else it’ll be good practice for Christmas.
I love the looks of the black pumpkins. Very chic. Of course, it IS Martha…
I don't object to Halloween, although I do try to steer my children away from scarier houses. For the last 3-4 years (I've lost count), our tradition has been to make two huge batches of chili (traditional & chorizo/black bean) and have friends over. We eat, then the guys hang out to hand out candy while we walk our street together in a group to trick-or-treat. It's a great chance to have neighborhood friends mingle with school friends mingle with church friends. Our girls are more focused on their friends than the candy, which I love!
Wow, good use of a blurred picture. Goes to show that with a little creativity, any picture can be put to good use!