My kids have hit the age where they are no longer trick or treating. They absolutely still want candy, but getting dressed up and knocking on doors in not in our plans this year. So, how can my kids, and my husband and I, still enjoy and partake in the fun that is Halloween? Here are a few ideas:
Pass out the candy: My kids can still get their fill of candy by passing it out to the younger ones. It will be different being on the “other side” this year. I will basically need a bowl for the trick or treaters and one for my kids. Living in Florida, I’ve noticed that, given that the weather is usually conducive to this, most people set up tables in their driveway with the candy and treats. Some BBQ and hang out with neighbors. It becomes a bit of a social event and you get to enjoy a nice evening while handing out the goodies.
Set up a table of “small sips” for the adults: One Halloween, my neighbor set up a table of small shots for the adults while the kids filled their buckets with candy. He offered a choice of whisky or apple cider. I chose the former. Why not? I thought this was a great idea and one that I plan on implementing for my neighbors.
50 Halloween Cocktail and Drink Recipes
Candy Apple on the Rocks: . Combine 1.5 oz. apple schnapps with 1.5 oz. peach schnapps. Pour over ice and top with 2 oz. of cranberry juice. Easy! If you swap butterscotch schnapps for the peach, it becomes a caramel apple on the rocks.
Witches Brew: This cocktail is made with 2 1/2 oz. of each ingredient, so it couldn’t be easier to put together. Combine Midori melon liqueur with orange juice in a shaker with ice. Shake, pour, and top with any kind of lemon-lime soda.
Volunteer to be a trunk for Trunk or Treat: Many schools and churches offer a Trunk or Treat/ Fall Festival to help celebrate Fall with a not-too-scary option for the little ones. This year we have volunteered to be a “trunk”. Again, the kids can help set up the trunk decorations and pass out candy. This can also engage them to help facilitate games for the kids and to spark their creativity. Our theme this year: Welcome Great Pumpkin (see below).
Here are some other Trunk or Treat design ideas:
19 Best Trunk or Treat Ideas 2021
20 Best Trunk or Treat Ideas that Make Great Halloween Car Decor
Oriental Trading Company – Trunk or Treat Ideas
Candy and Wine pairings: Did someone say chocolate and wine? Absolutely, count me in on this! Two of my favorite things and paired together. Yes, please. Here are some suggestions of good candy and wine pairings that I personally recommend:
Vivino- The Ultimate Guide to Pairing Wine with Halloween Candy
Best Wine to Pair with Horror Movies with Halloween Season
Traveling Vineyard – Halloween Candy and Wine Pairings
How to Pair Wine with Your Favorite Halloween Candy
Halloween Dinner: I think there are two ways you can go with this:
1. The fun “Halloween Finger Foods” dinner.
2. A more elegant, savory, delightfully dark, sit down dinner. Whichever one you choose, set the table to match your theme. And, don’t forget the drinks. Here are some suggestions for both dinner options:
How to Throw an Elegant Halloween Dinner Party
Black and White Tabletop Ideas for an Elegant Halloween Dinner
4 Halloween Menu’s to Make the Night Special even if you are not Trick or Treating
Barefoot Contessa – Halloween for Grownups
Martha Stewart – Halloween Party Menus
Giada DeLaurentiis – Spooky Halloween Recipes
Pioneer Women- Halloween Charcuterie Boards
Pumpkin Carving/ Painting Contest: It doesn’t matter how old I get, pumpkin carving is a tradition that will live on for as long as I am able. I thoroughly enjoy carving pumpkins. It allows for some creative expression and they just look so darn cool lit up at night. If you don’t like handling knives and pumpkin guts, then painting pumpkins is just as fun. Here are some links to some creative pumpkin decorating ideas:
Pumpkin Carving Patterns and Templates
45 Pumpkin Carving Designs that will wow the Neighborhood
Compromised Decorations: While the kids are getting into the seriously scary Halloween decor ( I am not a fan), I decided to scale back on some of the overall decorations this year. Less is more, right? So my kids and I came to a compromise: I decorate the house. They decorate the yard. Needless to say, the yard has hanging ghosts from trees, skeletons coming out of the ground, and spider webs covering tombstones. I stepped back and let the eerie creativity happen. All in all, they didn’t go overboard and it doesn’t look half bad.
On my end, I put out a variety of pumpkins, some pumpkin lights around the door, and some stick-on bats on the garage door. That’s it. Once we add carved, lit pumpkins, the two decorating styles should come together. Until then, this is compromise city.
Here are a few links to some Halloween decor items that may not pass my kids idea of decorating, but they certainly pass mine:
Pottery Barn- Halloween Decorations
Plow and Hearth – Easy Halloween Decorations
Grandin Road – Halloween Decor
HGTV- 20 Best Halloween Decorations
