Hello sweet friends. Today I thought I’d tell you what we do for Halloween. I don’t decorate for it. Never have, never will. I honestly don’t care for the holiday really. I like seeing the little kids in costumes digging their dimpled hands inside the buckets of candy and two thumbs up for Almond Joy but that’s about it.
When our kids were young we always went to our church fall festival. No scary costumes and the kids played games and collected candy until it was time for bed. Since they are grown, we started a new tradition a few years ago. We hang out in either our driveway or in a neighbors yard. We make chili, pass out candy and have much better tasting homemade desserts instead of eating the left over Twizzlers no one wants.
It’s fun being outdoors but it’s all about the food for us. Plus it’s much better than listening to the dogs bark or having to get up and down a thousand times to answer the doorbell for trick or treater’s. We all sit around the fire pit, if it’s cold enough, and enjoy the music and laughter.
What do y’all do for Halloween? I have friends that are so into the holiday that they decorate their yards that could challenge the best public haunted house out there. I’ve even heard of a couple that will borrow kids just so they can dress up and trick or treat. Sorry, but that is messed up.
If you’d like to start your own Halloween tradition for the old kids then this is what you’ll need to do.
Steps for a Halloween Tradition
Step 1: Print out flyers to put on the neighbors doors. Don’t forget the important info like the time, where and what to bring (including a chair). We’ve also purchased a few bales of straw for extra seating. BTW, get straw. It’s cheaper than hay.
Step 2: Make a large crock pot of chili. We usually have hot dogs too. You could also do a baked potato bar, a nacho bar or BBQ sandwiches would be easy.
Step 3: Set up a sturdy table for all the food. And don’t forget a bucket or ice chest for drinks.
Step 4: Decorate the table with a table cloth and some of the pumpkins you already have inside your home. Add a few candles or string lights across the driveway or yard. You could take it as far as you’d like or keep it easy. I’m the less is best and less to clean up later kinda girl.
Step 5: When it’s time, set out the food and turn on the music.
The neighbors who attend bring their bowls of candy and the kids enjoy having several buckets to dig into.
That’s it. Fall fun when your kids are out of the house or to old to trick or treat. Ooh – Don’t forget the Pumpkin Spice Latte!
That sounds like fun! Out where we live we’ve never even had one trick or treater but I still put a few galvanized pumpkins out and a couple pots of mums. Just to remind ourselves of the holiday, lol! Our kids are all grown and live in other states , so we don’t even get to see our grandkids trick or treat. It’s just another day for us, lol. But I love your idea anyway! Have a great day!
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I’ve often wondered what the Mister and I will do when we are out in the country full time. Mostly likely it’ll be just another day to us as well. But in a good way though… less candy and calories! 😉
Cindy what a fun tradition! We were just discussing what we were going to do on Halloween this year. All the neighbor kids and our boys have grown up and I miss seeing those sweet faces dressing up. We thought about just going out for dinner and just calling it good, but I’m liking your idea. Thanks for sharing!!
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Thank you Tammy. It’s something I actually look forward to now. Catching up with people you don’t get to see very often and tasting their baking skills! Yum!
Many years ago when our kids were small we were in Florida for Halloween. We went to stay a few days with my sister in law in Tampa. Lots of homeowners were sat out in their yards which they had decorated. It was very welcoming & felt safe. Couldn’t do that here in the U.K. too ruddy cold!
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Sounds like you need a bonfire instead of a small fire pit – Yikes! This year we may be under a tent and not get many trick or treaters. Weather man says even though it’s gong to be a nice 68 degrees to expect thunderstorms. Bummer
I like the way you think! We always took our kids to the fall festivals at church and they always had a blast. This year, we will (hopefully) be showing a movie in the driveway – projected on the garage door – and have some hot dogs and a good time with the neighbors! I’m with you…much better than all of that up and down! 🙂
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Some years I miss the fall festivals but love the idea of a movie on the garage door. One time I saw a blow up movie screen in a catalog I get. It was waaaaay expensive and not as large as a garage door. That’s genius Benita! Enjoy!
I remember when we moved from the country (1/2 mile back in the woods), into “town”. Our house did sit a little bit off the road but I thought kids would come. So… I got McDonald’s coupons, and good treats. Not one kid/person came so I donated everything. Now, in our later years, (we live in town), we do have kids and I give out a few treats, but don’t overdo it!!
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Awe, that sounds terrible Sharon. I don’t know if I’d be mad or disappointed. In our suburb neighborhood we have so many kids we practically go broke buying enough candy for them all. Maybe one day I’ll enjoy being in the country full time and not having to fool with it. Hope you have a great weekend.
Love this idea! We don’t have any children that come for candy, but it’s a great idea for adults and it looks beautiful. Love the simplicity of this! Happy Halloween!
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Thanks Sandi. I’m all in for simplicity. Hope you enjoy your holiday the way YOU like. 🙂
I have always had similar feelings about Halloween for anyone over 10. I hate the scary or gory stuff. Ick! When our kids were young we would let them trick or treat a little & then go bowling dressed up. It was fun & not as much candy. They never ate much candy anyway. & we would always take it to the office for the adults (to get it away from me!!)
Love your idea! Any excuse for a block party is fine with me!! Cute food!!
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Bowling in costumes – why didn’t I think of that? Sounds like so much fun! We have a lot of block parties over here. Good thing I like the neighbors! Have a great weekend Laura!
You too friend! 😍
I don’t live in the USA so Halloween was not celebrated though recently some children participate. I am not a fan of it but maybe that is because I am too old!! And my family are grown up. However I do have a few treats on hand if anyone turns up as I would hate to disappoint the children. Halloween had a bit of a surge here but not so much nowadays.
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Oh. I didn’t even realize that other countries might not celebrate Halloween. It’s nice you have treats just in case though. Hope you have a great weekend. 😀
This sounds like such a perfect tradition!! I decorate very little for Halloween too, just a few things the day of, and mainly just to add a little excitement into Halloween day for my kids. Once my kids are grown, and no longer trick-or-treat, this would be a perfect tradition to start!! Sounds like such a fun tradition!
~Emily
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Suprisingly, having a tradition like this helps a lot with the loneliness of having no more kids around. You get a “purpose” again. Plus the food and laughter is so fun! 🙂