What about Halloween?

[ottawamom]

I was shopping at Costco the other day and I noticed that they have Halloween costumes out already. That got me thinking, what about Halloween this year. Do you think it will be a go or no? I was thinking about all the manufacturers who must be ramping up production of all those snack size treats people tend to hand out.

Would the trick or treaters have to wear masks to go up to a door. Would we have to wear masks to answer the door? So many questions.

I know this will become a community by community decision but what do you think?

 

[wdwmom3]

My youngest is old enough now where all he cares about is the candy. So I will just buy him some and skip trick or treating. I think we will decorate outside, but this will be the one year I just leave a bowl of candy on the step (and maybe refill once). So those kids that do go out can get something.

 

[hdrolfe]

I highly doubt kids will be out trick or treating, how do you track community spread in that? My son wants costumes, he's into a dress up phase so I will just buy him a bunch of them to play with and candy. I doubt they will be wearing costumes to school. Funny thing, they are never allowed to wear masks while at school.

 

[Disneylover99]

We are a big Halloween loving family!

I don’t think there will be trick or treating, but we’ll dress up, decorate and watch horror movies. Halloween is on a Saturday this year.

 

[TammyLynn33]

Yes my kids are already prepared there will be no trick or treating this year but we will have special snacks and a good night , different isn’t bad it’s just different

 

[momof2gr8kids]

I suspect kids will still dress up and go to their "safe" houses, like grandparents or family friends, etc. that the parents know are being careful etc. I see more people doing that already anyways the last few years.

I guess parents could always sanitize those little rolls of candy one by one by one...oye...

 

[quandrea]

We aren’t doing trick or treating this year. Nor will I answer the door. We will have a fun day though. The kids are planning a piñata filled with Halloween candy. I’ll bake. We will wear Halloween tee shirts. It will still be fun.

 

[Frozen2014]

This topic just came up yesterday. Highly doubt there will be trick or treating (and don't think there should be). Very sad. Maybe elementary schools will do something more special to make up for it....since kids are in their cohorts.

 

[damo]

I can see solutions for safer trick or treating without eliminating it completely.

Have the kids set their container at the house threshold and then step back. Parents put the candy in and then the kids go and pick up their containers. Then have the containers sit for 24 hours or so before the kids can access the candy.

I think it will all depend on the situation in specific areas. In our area, there is a .0045% rate of active covid.

 

[LuvMyEAR]

I suspect kids will still dress up and go to their "safe" houses, like grandparents or family friends, etc. that the parents know are being careful etc. I see more people doing that already anyways the last few years.

I guess parents could always sanitize those little rolls of candy one by one by one...oye...

I totally second the art about going to grandparents’ ones! Being a grandmother...

 

[auntie60]

i would support a at school or firehall, etc trick or treat time. any person willing to drop off sealed bags of candy to be handed out to the kids, can safely do this. just my idea of making it safe and fun???????

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

I personally don't care for Halloween and all the stuff that come with it (having to find DD a costume, giving candy to kids who don't dress up, parents who ask for candy for their 3 month old, etc)

I get kinda giddy when I think it won't happen! (I know, Bah Humbug LOL)

 

[bababear_50]

Get that Rona list ready Ottawamom
https://www.hgtv.com/design/make-an...-favorite-halloween-decorating-ideas-pictures
I am celebrating with a quiet trip to my local farm to pick up a pumpkin/apple pie and some apple cider.
I will decorate a bit for the fall.
I have no young kids but if I did I'd be staying home and making a Pinata like
quandrea suggested and some individual goodie bags.
I may donate some chip snacks to my local Food Pantry.

https://abeautifulmess.com/ghost-family-pinata-party/
I hate carving pumpkins so I love these ideas
https://www.womansday.com/home/decorating/g331/4-no-carve-pumpkin-ideas-124409/



Hugs
Mel

 

[Donald - my hero]

I personally don't care for Halloween and all the stuff that come with it (having to find DD a costume, giving candy to kids who don't dress up, parents who ask for candy for their 3 month old, etc)

I get kinda giddy when I think it won't happen! (I know, Bah Humbug LOL)

How dare you write about ME?!?! I was so happy once our daughter moved out - I started the stupidest tradition when the first baby was born, i made every single costume. They were elaborate and took me DAYS to finish sewing, ranging from the standard clowns, a family of M & M candies, big teddy bear, a spider with 8 independently moving legs, flower complete with pot, beanie baby cows, an elephant, etc (if i can find pictures I'll share!) They won the costume parade at school every year and would start looking for patterns mid-summer. Once I made tweedle-dee & tweedle-dum for my sister's twins, Alice for their sister and the Mad Hatter for their dad and my sister submitted a picture to Canadian Living the following year and actually won their country wide contest :O
I also did those intricate pumpkins that took HOURS to carve and the stuff we gave out created long lines (rarely candy, small containers of play dough, pencils, stickers, granola bars - nothing with peanuts so I didn't need to turn kids away sad and empty handed)

The past decade? NOPE, we turn the lights out, put a sign on the door that says "Sorry no candy" and head to the basement to watch Halloween movies (Love me some Hocus Pocus or Earnest Saves Halloween, or those terrible Halloween Town movies!) while hubby gorges on the candy he buys.

 

[bababear_50]

How dare you write about ME?!?! I was so happy once our daughter moved out - I started the stupidest tradition when the first baby was born, i made every single costume. They were elaborate and took me DAYS to finish sewing, ranging from the standard clowns, a family of M & M candies, big teddy bear, a spider with 8 independently moving legs, flower complete with pot, beanie baby cows, an elephant, etc (if i can find pictures I'll share!) They won the costume parade at school every year and would start looking for patterns mid-summer. Once I made tweedle-dee & tweedle-dum for my sister's twins, Alice for their sister and the Mad Hatter for their dad and my sister submitted a picture to Canadian Living the following year and actually won their country wide contest :O
I also did those intricate pumpkins that took HOURS to carve and the stuff we gave out created long lines (rarely candy, small containers of play dough, pencils, stickers, granola bars - nothing with peanuts so I didn't need to turn kids away sad and empty handed)

The past decade? NOPE, we turn the lights out, put a sign on the door that says "Sorry no candy" and head to the basement to watch Halloween movies (Love me some Hocus Pocus or Earnest Saves Halloween, or those terrible Halloween Town movies!) while hubby gorges on the candy he buys.

Hmmmmm
Now listen here girlie


We need Pumpkin pie recipes!!!

 

[quandrea]

Get that Rona list ready Ottawamom
https://www.hgtv.com/design/make-an...-favorite-halloween-decorating-ideas-pictures
I am celebrating with a quiet trip to my local farm to pick up a pumpkin/apple pie and some apple cider.
I will decorate a bit for the fall.
I have no young kids but if I did I'd be staying home and making a Pinata like
quandrea suggested and some individual goodie bags.
I may donate some chip snacks to my local Food Pantry.
View attachment 517174
https://abeautifulmess.com/ghost-family-pinata-party/
I hate carving pumpkins so I love these ideas
https://www.womansday.com/home/decorating/g331/4-no-carve-pumpkin-ideas-124409/
View attachment 517181

View attachment 517183
Hugs
Mel

Thanks for this! I’m going to make these piñatas for art class the week before Halloween! We homeschool. This is perfect.

 

[vegs1]

How dare you write about ME?!?! I was so happy once our daughter moved out - I started the stupidest tradition when the first baby was born, i made every single costume. They were elaborate and took me DAYS to finish sewing, ranging from the standard clowns, a family of M & M candies, big teddy bear, a spider with 8 independently moving legs, flower complete with pot, beanie baby cows, an elephant, etc (if i can find pictures I'll share!) They won the costume parade at school every year and would start looking for patterns mid-summer. Once I made tweedle-dee & tweedle-dum for my sister's twins, Alice for their sister and the Mad Hatter for their dad and my sister submitted a picture to Canadian Living the following year and actually won their country wide contest :O
I also did those intricate pumpkins that took HOURS to carve and the stuff we gave out created long lines (rarely candy, small containers of play dough, pencils, stickers, granola bars - nothing with peanuts so I didn't need to turn kids away sad and empty handed)

The past decade? NOPE, we turn the lights out, put a sign on the door that says "Sorry no candy" and head to the basement to watch Halloween movies (Love me some Hocus Pocus or Earnest Saves Halloween, or those terrible Halloween Town movies!) while hubby gorges on the candy he buys.

The first part of your post was me! I LOVED making costumes, buying the candy, decorating. But once my youngest didn’t go any longer, I really disliked it. I always participated by putting out a pumpkin and handing out candy but it was going through the motions.

Now I have grandkids who get so excited about it. They want to come and see our decorations and of course, get candy. And now we love it again! My Dad died a few years ago and then my Mom this past November. I can hear them telling me to enjoy life because it’s so short and especially my family so we do these small things and take great enjoyment at seeing the kids. My Dad was a candy fiend so I don’t care if people dress up or not. He would love me giving out candy and making someone’s sweet tooth happy! It’s only for an hour so that’s ok. I understand how some people really disIike it though. Everyone is different!

 

[isabellea]

I told my kids that if Halloween is cancelled we will do a special movie night with their bubble friend (they each have one). I like the idea of Halloween piñata since they didn't get one for their birthday this year (no party, only a special activity).

I personally would let them trick-or-treat if it's allowed. We will just incorporate a mask to their costume and put the candy in quarantine for 3-4 days.

 

[ottawamom]

Thanks for the decorating ideas @bababear_50 . If Halloween is a no go here in Ottawa, I think I will decorate the playhouse in the backyard instead of the front porch and do it up right so we can still enjoy it from inside the house.

 

[MoreTravels]

I can see solutions for safer trick or treating without eliminating it completely.

Have the kids set their container at the house threshold and then step back. Parents put the candy in and then the kids go and pick up their containers. Then have the containers sit for 24 hours or so before the kids can access the candy.

I think it will all depend on the situation in specific areas. In our area, there is a .0045% rate of active covid.

Or we can go to 21st century... grocery stores should issue reloadable "candy card" with RFID chip similar to bank cards. When a kid arrives at the front steps of a participating home, he or she just needs to tap their card on a machine, with no PIN or contact needed. This is similar to how adult exchange goods (ie, money for merchandise) with Visa / MC. At the end of the night, the kid brings the card to a vending machine at the issuing grocery store to "cash out". The store vending machine dispenses the appropriate candies and plays some spooky Halloween video on the screen.

There you go, we are in a digital age so if adults can exchange goods with tapping on a card, so can the kids. Lol.