7 Things We Love to Do for Halloween

We tend to be very ambitious when it comes to Halloween.  The boys start making plans for their costumes early in August, and although they usually still have no idea what they’re going to be by the third week of October (ahem… like this year), we’ve pretty much mulled over every potential possibility, so you know that whatever they eventually do decide on, it has been well researched and planned for.

Our annual ritual is to make the kids’ costumes as a family, and I have to admit, we’re kind of known for them now, and people (mostly my mom and sister, I’m sure) are always anxious to see what we come up with. I’m a little sad that Ben won’t be dressing up this year. Now that he’s in high school he’s decided there’s no need for a costume. The good news is that Jackson’s still into it, and next year we’ll have another little guy around to start the whole process over again. Our costumes are creative and simple (although the face make-up can often cause them to appear more complicated then they are) and most of the items required are found in our closets, a local thrift shop and/or dollar store.

Here’s a glimpse at some of the other ways we get ourselves ready for the end of October, while hopefully offering some inspiration for your own Halloween hit list this year: 

• In addition to our costumes, we’re also known for our black Bristol board decorations (no plastic, packaged things that take up too much space in the storage) that take over our staircase and front door. From mysterious mice to bewitching bats, we have a few frisky friends hanging around the house to offer a haunted feel to our otherwise non-existent Halloween décor.

• We make a few spooky treats for passing out to friends, or a devilish dinner to dine on before we head out to collect candy.

• Usually the weekend before Halloween we watch a Halloween/scary/seasonal movie together as a family. When the kids were younger "Halloween Town" and "Hocus Pocus" were popular choices, as they got a bit older we enjoyed "Teen Wolf", "Young Frankenstein", "Ghostbusters", and "Rear Window". This year Ben is thinking about having friends come over for a scary movie marathon sleepover now that they are too old and big to go trick or treating.

• No Halloween is complete without a viewing of Michael Jackson’s Thriller video. Maybe this year I’ll be able to convince them to work on learning the official dance.

• Speaking of music, a Halloween playlist is essential; this one is fun.

• There’s always some pumpkin carving that takes place on the dining table in the days leading up to Halloween. Jackson and I are thinking about doing something different this year and like these fanged pumpkins or these animal pumpkins, although they probably aren’t scary enough for my 12 year old.

So, how are you celebrating Halloween this year? Are your kids as into it as mine are?

Comments

[Mom]

love this every year
Mom