HAPPY & SAFE HALLOWEEN

Now that my kids are grown, I find myself longing for the days when I had little princesses and baby dragons to take trick-or-treating. Times have changed, now bearded Duck Dynasty look-a-likes and zombies have taken over.  Kids don’t even say, “trick-or-treat” anymore! 

For many, many years, our cul-de-sac gathered up all the kids and went to the nearby mall where each merchant passed out candy and commented on the cute costumes, all while the moms shopped, credit card in hand of course, and the kids happily compared goodies.  Bags of candy overflowing, we then returned to our block where Herman sat in the front yard in a corner draped in a white sheet and read age appropriate stories as our little ghosts, goblins and princesses listened in awe.  The moms served lemonade and supervised the bobbing-for-apples contest, and the dads cooked the hotdogs.  It was always a fun night for all, talking with the neighbors, meeting the kids’ friends, laughing, dancing and eating. 

Even though many Halloween traditions have changed for us now that my kids are older, I will still be making my annual batch of witches fingers, the kids will still scream, EWWWW!, and then eat them all up!  My kids now go to Halloween parties but I am hoping they will be back early; after all, it is a school night. 

If you and your children are going house to house, remember, Safety First!

·         Never enter a stranger’s house

·         Careful crossing the street

·         Stay with your group

·         Stay in well-lit areas

 

What to do with your kids candy stash?  After you’ve treated yourself to a few pieces, check out The Great Halloween CandyBuy-Back program where local dentists agree to buy back the candy in return for cash, services or other goodies.  The candy is then sent to Operation Gratitude, an organization that accepts donations and sends it to the troops overseas,  which is  A Sweet Way to Make Everyone Smile!

Let’s make Halloween a fun, safe and memorable day for everyone!

^Kat