Halloween--To Be or Not to Be?

I have friends who do not like Halloween. They have studied its roots and feel it is based on pagan ceremonies. I checked that out a bit and found lots of theories as to how Halloween began. Some are linked to death and gloom and others to a time of harvest. If my friends feel it’s not an appropriate thing for them to celebrate, I respect that. But for me, I just think it’s a fun American holiday where kids can use their imagination and get free candy!

Have you ever watched a 10-year-old with yards of aluminum foil, 6 toilet paper rolls and duct tape? It’s amazing what that imagination can do! I’m not a fan of blood and gore and I feel adamantly that we should never allow our children to take on any persona that is not within keeping Gospel standards—even for a few hours. But I am also against store-bought costumes because I love letting the creative juices flow. I don't sew, but my kids survived. Did you know that canning lids can make awesome pirate earrings? I had a son come upstairs one day announcing he was a picnic table! Plaid shirt, black little dots from a permanent marker (ants), "Yes, I said, you are!"

We raised our children in Michigan on five acres. Halloween was cold and sometimes wet or snowy. We trick or treated by car. So few ended up coming up our driveway that we eventually started handing out king size candy bars! By the third year, no one wanted to stay home to hand out the candy, so we left a bowl on the porch that said, “Take one”. Having left 10 bars, we came home to six left and even a note that said, “Thank you”.

Years before we handed out the things we liked most—Kit Kats, Snickers, Twix--candy bars. If there were any left, we would like them. But sometimes we had to return to the store a few days before the holiday--we liked them too much. As I’ve gotten older, I buy the fruity things that I don’t really care for—suckers, Star Burst, etc. This way I the candy waits for Halloween and leftovers go to the grandkids.

Speaking of grandkids, I love to see their costumes. But I don’t want to interfere with their trick or treating time on Halloween. So five years ago we started “Indoor Trick or Treating”. The week before Halloween we do dinner at my house and then the kids put on their costumes. The adults go into a room—-bathrooms, bedrooms, laundry room—and we even put Grandpa on the front porch. No need for coats to cover up costumes, as they are trick or treating inside. They knock on the bathroom door and Aunt Julie opens it with a treat. Two-year-olds learn to practice saying “Trick or Treat” before the big night and of course, the most important “Thank you” afterwards.
I sometimes find toys instead of candy to keep the sugar levels down.

On Halloween, I love opening the door to greet the three prettiest little princesses who a week before were sitting in my primary class. They can’t wait to show me that they are wearing lip-gloss! Fun times! I see parents standing by strollers, visiting with other parents, waiting on the sidewalk. I don’t even mind the kids who look like they probably should have stopped trick treating a few years ago. If they are polite, they are safe and having fun, what’s a Tootsie Pop or two to me? In the world of “Do your homework”, “Don’t chew with your mouth open” and “Did you get your chores done?” Let them have a night of free candy!

The best fun begins when everyone is home and the porch lights are turned out. Trading time! Each family has their spot, from the living room floor, to the dining room table. Pour out the stuff you got, inventory and group it and then get down to the big trade. “Two suckers for that Snickers bar?…”and so it goes.

I never set a limit on how much Halloween candy my kids could eat. Most of my friends had a two-piece a day rule. For me, my rule was no candy in the bedrooms and teeth must be brushed before bedtime. Halloween bags stayed on the refrigerator and after a meal my kids could have what they wanted. One of my sons (he takes after his mother!) often had all his candy gone within three days. His sister saved a lot of hers almost till Easter time. They each had their own way of loving Halloween.

And admit it parents, after the kids are down, isn't it fun finding a few treats of your own? After all, as a responsible mother, you wouldn’t want your toddler to have too much chocolate, right? Careful, though, big kids know what is missing!

I’m heading out now to buy Halloween candy--fruity stuff so I will stay out of it. That’s not to say that a few days after Halloween, I just might stuff my pockets with the leftovers and go visit my grandkids. I think two Jolly Ranchers and a sucker would be a good trade for a Twix, don’t you?