Halloween How To

Ready for your week of decorations, costumes, candy, parties and maybe just a bit too much stimulation (just a bit)? It’s going to be busy, so whether you are a trick-or-treating fan or not, you know that Halloween is one of your kids’ most favourite times of the year. Yup, that old pagan tradition celebrating the harvest season has become the second most commercial holiday next to Christmas. But it can be more than just a nut-free “candy grab”.

Here are a few tried and tested recommendations that will help you maximize the fun of Halloween and manage the excitement of the week.

The Pumpkin
Whether you are going out to one of the farms nearby or the local grocery store, take the kids with you and let them pick out their own pumpkin.

Don’t: Decorate your pumpkin early in the week and think that it will keep. It will rot and worse, if left outside, will get eaten by squirrels and raccoons.

Do: Draw faces on the pumpkins for now if the kids are aching to create. Then you can carve the faces Thursday, keep the pumpkins inside overnight and have them ready for Friday evening.

Here’s a good site for pumpkin carving patterns so you’ll have the most creative jacks on the block. 

The Dinner
Those little stomachs are going to be filled with lots o’ treats so try and fill them first with something good to eat. For the kids, we like to make pita pizzas with lots of mozzarella cheese (so the top looks white everywhere) and decorate with scary faces or bat shaped pepperoni or ham (if you have a cookie cutter in that shape). For adults, we like to keep a pot of chili or ‘Witches Stew’ warm on the stove with lots of drinks available so neighbours and family can drop in.

Don’t: Leave everything to the last minute and think you can make dinner, feed the kids, dress them and get the pumpkins out in time.

Do: Feed the children early and dress them after they eat so costumes do not get messy.

Remember to keep the seeds, they are healthy and delicious.

For dessert (as if they need it) or your contribution to the class party, wow them with this simple spider web brownie recipe from this month’s EatSavvy.

The Candy
Do: Remember to buy nut free candy

Don’t: Give any out after 9 pm—anyone out that late is too old to be trick or treating!

Besides taking a stash of the good chocolate for yourself (you swore you would never be that parent), review our candy plan here for some great recommendations on how to manage the candy flow in your house.

The Rules
Remember to:

1. Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries
2. Dress warmly and don’t wear clothes that drag or are easily flammable
3. Plan your route ahead of time and stick to it. This helps to manage expectations and allows others to find you if needed.
4. Carry a spare Halloween bag—in case yours breaks (read: meltdown patrol)
5. Clean up obstacles such as flowerpots, low branches or skateboards along your front path or driveway to avoid accidents.
6. Make sure path is well lit and your pumpkin lid is closed tightly.

Most importantly, remember that Halloween is for the kids. This is a big day for them, so it’s OK to break a few of your usual rules and let them enjoy it. There’s plenty of time to hide the candy from them after that.

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