The hot topic of the month: What are you doing for Halloween? Is Halloween canceled? Will you trick-or-treat? Should I buy candy or other treats?
I don’t think families have ever been so creative and crafty as we all have been this year. Museums, parks, neighborhoods, and businesses are all coming up with great ways to keep the spooky experience alive. But when it comes to what to do on the 31st, we all have lots of questions and doubts.
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, which is perfect for such a family-friendly celebration. But since COVID has made everything different, many of us are left with the question of whether or how to celebrate. For the past three years, our family has gathered at a friend’s house early on Halloween for a Halloween pizza party. This has always been followed by our neighborhood trick-or-treat, ending at our front porch handing treats to the many crowds that marched through our street. Unfortunately, we won’t be having any of it this year.
We already had to scale down our big pumpkin carving event, now reserved for the families in our bubble. Over the last couple of weeks, we have spent lots of time crafting and creating decorations for our house. We have seen some great Halloween movies and made fun, spooky food. Our kids have come up with fun plans for their costumes, being creative and resourceful.
There is no need to cancel Halloween.
For us, celebrating Halloween is important. It is a fun family event where the kids have fun and eat much more candy than they are ever allowed. Having a weekend Halloween has given us a great opportunity. We don’t need to wait until school is off or my husband finishes work. We have a full day to have fun, dress up, and avoid crowds. Our plans this year have changed, but our Halloween has not been canceled. So, what are we doing?
Morning
Spooky brunch. Pancakes, Bacon, bat decorated deviled eggs, blueberries, and OJ (or mimosas). For the pancakes, we are going to use themed cookie cutters to create fun shapes. The bacon, deviled eggs, blueberries, and OJ will create the perfect Halloween colored table.
Halloween family walk. To burn down all the calories from breakfast, we will go for a family walk around the neighborhood to do a scavenger hunt.
Afternoon
Halloween party: Right after quiet time, we are meeting with the families in our bubble to have a small party for our kids. Pizza, popcorn, cookies, and cupcakes are all on the menu. We will be preparing treat bags for each kid, with little toys and candy so they don’t feel like they miss out on the trick or treat. We will play all the Halloween music and fingers crossed they will dance.
Evening
Movie night: Before sunset, we will head inside, shower, and PJs to get ready for Halloween movie night. We are still working on the movie selection, but our house will be complete lights out by the evening to avoid trick-or-treaters. Fortunately, our neighborhood has put together a map of houses that will be giving out treats in a socially distanced manner for those interested, but our family will pass.
