As we move through September and families began to plan for Halloween. I wanted to remind you Halloween doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune, dressing up the whole family, or running from one event to another.
Sometimes the best Halloween memories happen right at home. At least a lot of times they did for my family as Suzzane and Charlie and there friends got older.
Buttercup, if your family is anything like mine, Halloween can be a little different as the years go by. Kids grow up. Interests change. What was exciting when they were little may not be nearly as exciting anymore.
That doesn’t mean Halloween traditions have to disappear. It just means we get to change them. Make Halloween Night traditions of your own. It doesn’t matter if your family goes trick-or-treating, stays home, or does a little of both, having a few simple traditions can make the evening feel special.
Here are some ideas to consider.
Start With a Halloween Dinner- You don’t need an elaborate Halloween menu. Make a favorite family dinner and give it a Halloween twist with the way you serve it.
Pizza, burgers, sandwiches, soup, chili, hot dogs, or another family favorite can become part of the tradition simply because everyone knows:
This is our Halloween dinner. And honestly, sometimes having a familiar meal is much easier than trying to create something Pinterest-perfect Which if your like me wouldn’t happen.
Have a Halloween Treat Station– Set out a few Halloween treats where everyone can choose something throughout the evening. It could be candy, popcorn, cookies, cupcakes, apples, or another favorite snack.
The point isn’t how fancy it looks. The point is that everyone knows where the Halloween goodies are. If you have small children let them create a wish list of what they would like to have then when shopping pick up one or two of the items they asked for.
Read Something Spooky– Halloween is a perfect excuse to add a little spooky reading to the evening. Younger children might enjoy a Halloween picture book.
Older children and teens may prefer a mystery, ghost story, graphic novel, manga, or another book that fits their interests. And adults deserve a spooky read, too.
You could even make this part of your family’s 30-Minute Reading Challenge. Thirty minutes of reading on Halloween night sounds like a pretty good tradition to me. Remember when you read for at least 10 minutes you can collect a ticket for your ticket jar.
Host a Halloween Movie Night; Pick a movie everyone can enjoy. It doesn’t have to be a scary movie. A funny Halloween movie, family adventure, animated movie, or nostalgic favorite can work just as well.
And if everyone has different tastes? Let different family members take turns choosing the movie from year to year. Or throughout the night if your watching more than one movie.
Turn Down the Lights– This is one of those completely free Halloween decorations. Turn off some of the regular lights, use your Halloween decorations, and let the evening feel a little different.
Add a flashlight for reading. Put on some Halloween music. Light a few battery-operated candles if you have them. Sometimes changing the atmosphere is all it takes.
Take one family Halloween picture– It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to be a traditional family portrait. But make sure to include your pets.
Have everyone take a picture in a costume, or of everyone in pajamas, or everyone holding their favorite Halloween treat, or simply whoever happens to be home. Years from now, those ordinary pictures can become some of your favorite ones.
Make a Halloween Snack– Pick one snack that becomes part of your Halloween tradition. Popcorn is easy. Cookies are easy. A favorite dessert works.
You don’t have to make something complicated just because it’s Halloween. The best traditions are often the ones we will actually repeat next year which is why I would start with Popcorn.
Let Older Kids and Teens Have a Say– Halloween traditions shouldn’t automatically stop because children get older. They can change. Let older kids, teens, and young adults choose the movie, music, game, snack, or activity.
They may not want to make a paper ghost anymore. That’s okay. Maybe they want a Halloween gaming night. Maybe they want to watch an old favorite movie.
Maybe they want to take pictures. Maybe they simply want to eat Halloween candy and hang out with the family. That’s a tradition, too. As long as your spending time together.
The Most Important Part– Halloween doesn’t have to look the same every year. Families change. Children grow. Schedules change. Interests change. And that’s okay.
The goal isn’t to recreate the Halloween your family had five years ago. The goal is to create something that fits your family now. So this Halloween, choose a few simple things you enjoy and make them your own.
A favorite dinner. A spooky book. A movie. Some treats. A game. A family picture. Maybe a little trick-or-treating. Maybe staying home. Maybe a little of everything.
Because years from now, you probably won’t remember whether everything was perfectly decorated. But you just might remember sitting together, laughing, eating too much candy, and enjoying an ordinary Halloween night together. And those are the moments worth keeping.
GreatfulMoments.com
✝️ Glenda 🐸 David 🎮 Charlie 🦋 Suzanne
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
GreatfulMoments.com
