Halloween is just around the corner and I couldn’t be more excited! We’ll be busy this upcoming week getting our pumpkins carved and our costumes ready for a fun night of trick or treating with our cousins. Halloween has always been one of my favourite holidays, but who AM I kidding, I love any excuse to decorate the house and get festive!
Traditions have always been something I cherish and enjoy, and now that I’m grown up and have my own family, they’re even more important to me. I have so many fond memories of holidays growing up, and I think that’s because my parents made each holiday full of fun traditions that I always looked forward to each year. Most of you probably shared the same traditions since their nothing out of the ordinary, but taking the time to do these activities, showing enthusiasm and making them a priority during the holidays is what makes them so special. Halloween traditions we had included: making our costumes, carving pumpkins, roasting pumpkin seeds and of course trick or treating with our friends. We’ve adopted those same traditions these past couple years, and as our daughter gets older and understands the holidays, they just get more and more fun.
I’ve never been a big fan of super spooky decorations (big spiders and a skeleton are as far as I go), haunted houses (I’m terrified of things jumping out at me) or scary movies (Hocus Pocus is about as scary as it gets here) that this time of year is all about, but I’ve really gotten into the Halloween spirit in our own special way these past couple years. Experiencing holidays, well life in general, through the eyes of your child is such a magical thing. It makes you appreciate the small things, slow down and enjoy the moment and refocus your priorities. As I decorated the house with spiders, bats, ghosts and pumpkins, it warmed my heart to see our two-year old’s eyes light up! She has really embraced Halloween this year and is always on pumpkin and ghost lookout as we drive through our neighbourhood, but always reminds me “don’t worry, just pretend mommy”.
Handing out candy is also something I look forward to, seeing all the creative and fun costumes the kids and parents have on is always a highlight of the night! Even if you’re at home handing out candy it’s fun to watch a Halloween movie or put on a festive playlist. I’ve put together a Halloween playlist that is sure to keep your spirits spooky, check it out!
Halloween Playlist
- Thriller – Michael Jackson
- Toxic – Britney Spears
- Black Magic Woman – Fleetwood Mac
- This is Halloween – The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Ghostbusters – Ray Parker
- Abracadabra – Steve Miller Band
- Time Warp – Richard O’Brien
- I Put a Spell on You – Nina Simone
- Monster Mash – Bobby “Boris” Pickett
- Love Potion #9 – The Searchers
- Howl – Florence + the Machine
- Howlin’ For You – The Black Keys
- Disturbia – Rihanna
- Somebody’s Watching Me – Rockwell
- Zombie – The Cranberries
- I Want Candy – Bow Wow Wow
- Black Widow – Iggy Azalea ft. Rita Ora
It’s so great seeing the neighbourhood buzzing with activity as the streets fill with trick or treaters big and small, and I love that there are a handful of neighbours that always seem to go the extra mile with their decorations or candy treats. There are always a few simple things we can do to keep the whole family safe on Halloween night. I wanted to briefly touch on some safety tips to keep in mind as October 31st approaches:
- Try not to wear masks that will block your vision of your surroundings and oncoming cars.
- Try to make or buy costumes made out of lighter materials or add something that reflects on the front and back of costumes so drivers can see you (reflective tape, glow sticks, reflective pins etc.)
- Make sure your costume fits properly to prevent trips and falls.
- Children 10 and under should be accompanied by an adult.
- Bring a flashlight
- Set a curfew if your child is going out with just friends
- Travel in groups of at least 3 or more.
- Always check candy before eating
I know all of us parents will be busy leading up to Halloween with costume prep (and last-minute costume changes), parties, buying treats and getting the house decorated for the trick or treaters. I’m so excited to see Cici running around with her cousins this year, I have a feeling she’s going to get the hang of trick or treating quite quickly.
Wishing everyone a fun, safe Halloween night! I hope you have a great time dressing up, making memories with friends and family and collecting pillowcases full of treats!
