Because of my Christian faith I find myself on the fence about Halloween each year. In years past (before my girls were in school) they really had no idea what it was but ever since last year with my oldest started Kindergarten, she knows all.about.it. I have mixed feelings about participating in school Halloween events and trick or treating. But this post is not about why Halloween is wrong or Trick or Treating is bad. It’s really about just getting some feedback from those of you who do NOT celebrate Halloween but do something in its place like Harvest Day or some other event.
So, if that’s you, I’d love to hear what you do for Halloween alternatives. 🙂
By the way, Just Something I Whipped Up is going on over at the PARTY blog today so don’t forget to link up. 🙂
XOXO
Diana
www.thegirlcreative.com
(un)Deniably Domestic says
Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking says
Amber says
Melissa says
Our church hosts a Pumpkin Patch every year. It is a costume/dress-up event. They have loads of bouncers and loads of carnival games and they have treats in what they call Candy Cane Lane. Then at the end of the night they have a show with a presentation of the gospel and a final give-away. It is what we do with the girls.
Heidi... says
We talked about it at a level they could understand when they were younger. We continue to talk about it and make it a learning time.
Now as a family we have a tradition of carving pumpkins. Not because of making a Jack o Lantern to scare away evil spirits but because it is really fun to do. Even Dad gets in on it. We light them for a few nights to enjoy the glow and talk a lot about how thankful we are for a creative God who created fun things like pumpkins.
We also trick or treat some years. It just depends on what else is going on in our world. Our dress up box is full of discounted costumes that we use all year long. If we get an invite to go trick or treating with cousins or other close friends, we will scrounge for a costume and enjoy the fellowship with them. If we don't get an invite, we will usually invite someone to our house for games and such.
I don't know if any of this has helped. Halloween is one thing I pray about each year and I feel as though God has directed my family year to year.
Blessings,
~H
Kate says
Jill says
Also, instead of trick or treating, you could try reverse trick or treating (https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/703/t/9669/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=6515) Which would help teach your children about other global issues, or collect for Unicef, which is another way to do something good for others!
Good luck!
Jill says
http://transfair.ca/en/get-involved/reverse-trick-or-treat
MKS says
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Rebecca (me!) says
Lana says
Hallie says
Nielson Shmielson says
[email protected] says
Every year we ToT at the houses of people we know and the kids can dress up in costumes we don't do witches, or dead things anything that I don't agree with or I think has other spiritual yuckyness attached to it. I don't allow my children to wear clothing with skulls on them so we only decorate the house in a fall theme. Lots of good ideas on here about reverse ToT and such.
I like the idea of a family fun evening at home.
Katie @ On the Banks of Squaw Creek says
So, I honestly never gave it a second thought until she asked me. I felt bad for her little boy, because all his friends at daycare were talking about their costumes, and he wanted one, too. In the end, she decided to let him dress up as a dinosaur. I know that they also discussed it on a level that he could understand, and they don't take part in any of the creepy, spooky, or scary parts of Halloween (neither do we.)
So anyway, I guess my suggestion if your kids really want to dress up, would be to get together with grandparents if they're close enough. And eat a popcorn ball. Popcorn balls say Halloween to me!
Lee Ann says
However, I do decorate for fall. Fall things are good. And, I can't resist the candy! Especially, the day after Halloween clearances. LOL. :-)
Jaime @ Like a Bubbling Brook says
We are always on the fence with Halloween as well. Before the kiddos, we just didn't do anything out of the ordinary, but then when our oldest son came along, we felt the need to replace the spooky festivities with an alternative, too :)
We have been allowing him to get a non-scary, good-natured costume and wear it at his grandparents' home for the evening. It allows him to have some fun with dressing up, but within parameters we are comfortable with and not convicted about...yet! :)
Katie says
Jerilyn says
Amy K says
Our church has hosted a trunk-or-treat the past few years, in an effort to provide a safe, non-scary environment. My kids have not participated in this, but I understand where church leaders are coming from in hosting such an event that their children are so strongly swayed about by peers.
Our former pastor did not allow his children to trick or treat, and actually promoted handing out pre-printed cards in lieu of candy that said "Jesus is the light of the world", of which he had an abundance of for everyone to take as they left church the Sunday prior to Halloween.
Blessings as you/we navigate these Christian-parental waters...
The Pennington Point says
Shelinwa says
Knowly says