My favourite time of year is upon us. Hallowe’en!
I have loved it from the time I was wee. The spookiness, the crunchy leaves, the candy, the ghosts, the expectations … All of it.
Now that I have no children at home am I going to fold my Hallowe’en tent and fly away with the bats and witches? Not a chance. I’m celebrating with the rest of you!
I’m excited for the next couple of posts here at kellylmckenzie.com as I’m inspired to share my wealth of “Tips to Hallowe’en Success” garnered as a mom over the past 20 years of trick-or-treating. Among the upcoming posts concerning the importance of all things Hallowe’en – visits to the pumpkin patch and ghost train, decorations, food, etc – will be an especially spooky treat. The scary and shockingly truthful tale of the time we nearly set our neighbour’s house on fire one fateful All Hallows’ Eve… Brace yourself!
In the meantime, let’s wade into my first post concerning all things Hallowe’en; that of tips for the novice and the curious. Over the years I’ve noticed that not everyone is as enthused as I am. Why not? I’m not certain. I do believe though there are a few basics one must cover if one is to be a fan.
1. Age of Trick-or-Treater
Baby – Highschool.
You can’t start too young in my books. I’m always saddened to learn about kids who stay home when they’re little because the parents weren’t up for it. Head out – if only for a block or two. It’s a fantastic way to peek inside your neighbours’ houses, get a breath of fresh air and enjoy the festive ambience. Hurl them in a costume and get them out. Of course the length of time you’re outside depends on their patience. Listen to them. If they’re squawking, cold, miserable – whip them home. It’s their schedule, not yours.
Once your preschooler makes friends, hook up with them and their parents. Go out with them as a group.
Highschool? Really? Yes. My children went out well into highschool. Am I nuts? No, I don’t think so. The key – until last year for my son – was to go with them. Absolutely essential.
How do you get your aging children to want to keep going with you? Make sure you go with other kids and at least one of their parents. Hang back the entire time you’re out. Do not go to the door with them. Resist the urge to hover, check their bag, comment on the cold temperature and the fact their costume is falling apart. Under no circumstances ever mention the words “unhealthy,” “gut-rot” or “sugar high.” Laugh, share in the fun. Take along water for the participants and a hot drink for you. If you’re so inclined, like me and my friends, include a little “something-something” in that personal traveller of yours.
Key to success? Limit the time outside trick-or-treating. Ahead of time. Arrange a party at your house to immediately follow trick-or-treating. Advise the kids of your “return home” time and let them decide which houses to visit and which ones to miss. Your job is to be the time-keeper and perhaps the chauffeur.
Single parent? Torn between going out or staying home to hand out candy? Simple. Hire your baby sitter to answer the door. I did this for many years. As she grew older and had her own Hallowe’en parties to attend, I’d leave a bowl full of candy at the door beside the lit pumpkins. I’m sure the “please take one and save the rest for others” note was ignored by many but at least folks knew we cared.
2. Where to trick-or treat?
For the first few years we just hung out in our immediate neighbourhood. As our house is on a really steep hill, we’d do our street and then head up a few blocks to the flat area and zip around there. As my children got older, we hopped in the car (at first it was very hard for me to get used to this idea as it initially seemed “inauthentic” to the spirit of Hallowe’en that I’d experienced growing up) and drove a mile or two to an area that was spooky central.
For us that’s Queen’s Park – an area that’s home to magnificent houses from the Victorian and Edwardian eras right on through to Colonial (1920’s) and Tudor Revival (1930’s). October 31st nights here are an event. Most of the yards are decorated, there are pumpkins of every description on every porch and the residents dress up. Most answer the door in costume. Fantastic. Many homes even have their sound systems hooked up, pumping out eery music throughout the neighbourhood. It’s an incredible atmosphere and very real. Personally, I will never forget the ghostly image of the spirit hovering in that turret window, waving at me with her fan…
Key – if you can, get to an area that’s flat. Flat means quick visits and lots of reward. Remember the ultimate goal is fun.
3. Treat holder
This is key. Please provide a linen bag – preferably draw string (so your goblins, witches and scarecrows can close it between visits – cuts down on spillage). Cardboard and paper holders don’t cut it. They get damp and wet and may fall apart. Cute hollow plastic pumpkins – also avoid. They are never big enough. Never.
These are the gems my sister gave my children. They were used every Hallowe’en from 1994 – 2011. Absolutely perfect.
The sharp-eyed amongst you will notice I wrote: ” The key – until that last year for my son – was to go with them.” Yes, I actually do draw the line for my trick-or-treaters when they look older than the majority of folks answering the door.
Last year Henry went out on his own with his friends. He did not dress up and I hope against hope that he didn’t trick-or-treat. He’d shot up that grade 12 year and certainly would have towered over most of the folks who’d answer the door. I do know he enjoyed the freedom of walking the neighbourhood with his pals and a bucketload of fireworks. I trusted him to be courteous to the hordes of little guys zooming around and to be safe with his fireworks usage. My only rule? Be home by 8:30 for the start of the annual dessert party. He was.
How do my university darlings regard Hallowe’en? Judging by the recent Facebook postings flying across the country between them and their former fellow trick-or-treaters, they love it and miss it dearly.
Yes, my two children love Hallowe’en as much as me. I couldn’t be happier.
I hope this Trick-or-treating 101 primer helps and inspires those of you new to the game.
As for the veterans: How about you? Are you a Hallowe’en fan?
20 Responses
I miss trick-or-treating 🙁 It’s just not the same here in Aust. We have pumpkins and Halloween items in store but it’s not that big.
No pumpkin carving competitions in school, very few trick-or-treaters take the steep climb up our driveway and most of the children in our area are now grown up so Halloween is essentially a chance for a party, to dress slutty and to get drunk (so disappointing).
I guess I shall have to return to Vancouver sometime for Halloween…and Thanksgiving.
Really? That is so sad. Your Yarrow Place was the perfect spot for trick-or-treating. Flat, houses close together etc. Yes Beth – you’ll have to come back for Thanksgiving and Hallowe’en.
Fantastic tips!! You know, I never thought to hire the babysitter to answer my door and hand out candy. Brilliant!! I just might try that this year!! I love those treat bags. They are awesome!–Lisa
Do hire the babysitter Lisa! So much fun to be a part of the trick-or-treat walk around! Also gives a chance for the sitter to feel “so grown up” – handing out candy to her peers…
well Hi there! I had to come over and check you out after your comment love on my blog and I have to say I’m SO very glad I did! I’m in blove! (blog love). haha! You’re awesome!
Okay, first I have to tell you I LOVE how enthusiastic you are about Halloween! It is my all time favorite month (cuz it’s a month long extravaganza, am I right?) and we do trick-or-treating BIG around here! Our neighborhood even has a parade – no joke. It’s amazing. One thing I have wondered about, though, was how long to let them do it (my boys are 6 and 9 now), so I value your advice about that! I’m actually relieved because I was afraid they would have to stop sooner than that. I think my favorite part is getting to dress up! How does everyone not love that? 🙂
Hi Beth! I just knew you were a kindred spirit.
Ok this neighbourhood parade idea is fantastic. Long may that continue. Does everyone dress up and tootle through the streets? On Hallowe’en or before?
And I so get your being worried about when your guys had to stop trick-or-treating. Me, too! The key was to keep going with them. If folks at the door looked at them funny or made a comment like “My, you guys are big” my friend (another mom of one of the t-o-ters) and I would wave from the sidewalk and exclaim “Yes, isn’t it grand they’re loving the Hallowe’en spirit” or something similar. Never failed to earn a grin of acknowledgement back (and an extra bar or two in the bag, I might add…).
Honestly – my daughter (19) and son (18) love Hallowe’en as do the neighbourhood pair of same age. They are all spread across the country going to different universities and commiserating on FB about “the good old days of trick-or-treating.” Don’t you just love that?
I do absolutely love that your kids still love Halloween! I hope mine carry a passion for it into adulthood. Somehow I’m sure they will.
Yes, the parade starts at 6:00 Halloween night with all the t-o-ters all dressed up. A fire engine from the local fire house comes to lead it and the whole neighborhood follows the engine (lights blazing) down about 3 blocks where it ends (always starts/finishes same place) The houses on the route go ALL OUT with themes, tables with special treats/favors, haunted front yards, adults dress up, etc. It’s AMAZING! I think a lady in the neighborhood arranged it years before we moved here (we’ve been here 4 years) and even though she moved last year, the tradition will stay.
I am stunned. Goosebumped stunned. Cannot imagine anything more worthy of Hallowe’en. Wow. What a splendid, splendid tradition. That lady is a gem.
What a fun mom you are! No wonder your kids are missing the old traditions! I love that you emphasize the fun and banish any talk of “unhealthy” or “sugar high”. There is no buzz-kill worse than talking about how many calories in a candy bar on the candy-est holiday of all! Plus, I love the suggestion of putting a little something-something in your traveler mug. You have to keep warm, right?
Yes indeed. One does need to keep warm. Can’t have Mom requesting an early end to the night due to coldness on her part, Mo!
We don’t get many trick or treaters. 🙁
Last year my teenage daughter and her friend went out and a couple houses actually said something to them along the lines of “aren’t you too old to trick or treat?” Why do people have to spoil all the fun for kids?!
I am sorry to hear that Michelle. That is just so unfortunate.
In my experience it was helpful if my pal (a mom of one of the other fellow t-o-ters) and I toddled along with the group. When they got a similar comment or an odd look we’d pipe up with an enthusiastic “Isn’t it wonderful that the kids continue to have such great Hallowe’en spirit?” Faced with that, most folks responded with a grin or a sheepish wave.
I hope your daughter wasn’t put off by the Hallowe’en grinches. Is she going to make another stab at it this year?
I don’t know. She has her own mind. Last year they were so fed up with those two houses that they just walked down to the drug store and bought their own candy. I think they were irritated more than anything. It wouldn’t surprise me if she decided to go again this year.
Good on her for stocking up at the drug store. Love that!
Halloween is a big deal in Texas. There are spooks and goblins galore. Decorating rivals the December holidays. (Christmas? The next door neighbor has so many lights up that they are on the city roster to drive by, think Chevy Chase movie. Our house glows blue inside at night. I’m not making this up. And Halloween starts it off, yes lights are up!) One family traditionally puts a sign in their yard inviting people to stop by for hamburgers and they are located on a busy street. Us? We’re a little wimpy (no dressing up), however I do pass out comic books.
“Christmas Vacation} – an all time fave over here. Cannot imagine living next to one of those festive beauts though. And that hamburger offer! Do they hand them out for free, ask you to pay or is it by donation? Man alive – that is quite something.
I’m really intrigued by the comic book ideas Susan. That is really clever and something the trick-or-treaters would love. Here the alternative to candy is a box of raisins.I just imagine the boxes being hurled into the nearest shrub.
They do hand those hamburgers out for free! I did a double take. It’s so popular that companies let employees go home early and there is even a system (informal?) so that the drive is staggered and the highways don’t get jammed.
We don’t have many trick or treaters, so comics work for the older ones. I give squiggly plastic-type rings of animals or bracelets to the young ones.
Your take gives new meaning to the “double-double.”
Wait wait Kelly. My writing needs a tweek! Traveling home from work on Halloween is for general love of the holiday, not for the neighborhood hamburgers!
Yes – I couldn’t agree more Susan. Hamburgers? Uh, not what I associate with October 31st …