When I was a kid, we didn’t celebrate Halloween. We didn’t (and still don’t) believe in what it stands for, so we didn’t participate in the scary costumes, spooky decor or trick-or-treating (which wasn’t that safe in our neighborhood, anyway).
Our church hosted a kids’ harvest party where we could come dressed up as not-scary things and enjoy an evening full of games and fund and LOTS of candy (so we didn’t feel like we were missing out). But as I got older, I started to think what was the point of even that? Yes, it gets kids off the increasingly unsafe streets and into an environment where they can have fun without worry, but ultimately it’s still commemorating the same principles, scary costumes or not. So we stopped going altogether.
Thinking ahead to starting our own family, I realize there are tons of ways to enjoy this season with friends and family in a wholesome way that is by no means associated with the dark spirituality Halloween represents. Here are a few ideas for you to try at home:
ENJOY A FAMILY BONFIRE. These chilly fall nights are great for getting everyone together for mugs of hot spiced apple cider and hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows in the backyard, or wherever. We actually did this last year at our church with the young adults group and had a ton of fun. We hiked up the hill, made smores, and relived our childhood playing manhunt on the dark wooded trails of our church’s back property. It was a memorable evening for everyone (so much so the youth crashed our party!)
HOST A FALL DESSERT POTLUCK AND CANDY BAR. I mean, it is pumpkin season after all! There are so many yummy things to make, from to pumpkin nutella cupcakes, pumpkin pie macarons, pumpkin snickerdoodles and pumpkin pecan cookies to name a few. Don’t forget the apple crisp and apple pie too!
For the kids, gather together some of their favorite candies and let them decorate and fill their own treat bags. You could even make caramel apples (recipe coming soon!) and let everyone top them with their favorite things.
HARVEST CRAFTS. There are tons of fun and beautiful fall crafts you can do to really bring the warmth of the season into your home. For the grownups, try making a fall wreath or a scented centerpiece for your table. The kids will always enjoy painting or carving pumpkins, or decorating them with fall leaves from the yard, decoupage-style (tutorials coming soon!). Take a trip to the pumpkin patch or take everyone on a hike to gather some pretty leaves and bring them home to incorporate in your decorations!
There are so many ways to get everyone together, whether inside or out, for some yummy treats and an evening full of fun and togetherness that celebrates what this harvest season is really about– being thankful for God’s abundant blessings and treasuring the beauty and wonder of His creation.
[…] the spirit to do yet another fall-themed project. In an effort to stick with non-diabolical, alternate Halloween festivities and decor, I wanted to find a new way to decorate pumpkins. I also just don’t […]