Asher's first Halloween!
We decided we would try Halloween this year and decide whether or not it was a right fit for us. Christians would say no (
10 Reasons I Kissed Halloween Goodbye) and yes (
Christians Love Halloween (And If They Don’t, They Should…). It is culturally appropriate and 'traditional' where I grew up... and it hasn't existed in Australia where my husband grew up but is gaining in popularity there. I'm not a fan of that.
We went with a simple costume using normal clothes Asher already had, so it wouldn't be too uncomfortable or fussy... so he was a koala. When asked what he was, his reply ("a koala") sounded like chihuahua. I was the tree.
The Saturday before Halloween we went to the town's Boozar. Costumes, candy, activities. Asher liked the trick or treating bit at the different local businesses. Lots of older kids, with the girls wearing as little as possible in the form of costumes. We told Asher beforehand that it was a big costume party, he was happy with that.
We then brought the costume out on Monday for open gym, then Wednesday for Story Time at the library. More candy. We were a bit tired of it by then, Asher wasn't.
Thursday- Halloween. We took Asher to the chamber of commerce's trunk or treat, more candy. A local church hosted a Halloween event, kids played games and won candy. We liked that- it was much more participatory than just 'give me candy.' They had hot dogs and drinks, a cake walk, etc. It was really fun.
When we got back home, we took Asher across the street to the neighbor's house. We live in a little cul-de-sac neighborhood shaped like a Y, and we know most of the neighbors. They wanted Asher to come trick or treating to their house. So we went to a few houses around the neighborhood, and people were so happy to see him. Like me, they remembered trick or treating as wandering around the neighborhood with your family seeing and chatting with your neighbors, getting candy, friendly fun. But I think trick or treating is becoming a thing of the past, Asher was probably the only trick-or-treater they saw that night. It felt like we were doing them a service bringing Asher over! They were giving him excited handfuls of candy, exclaiming over his cuteness, in their Halloween t-shirts.
Our conclusion- too much candy. You get candy, you give candy, what's the point? He doesn't get to eat candy anyway! (We have hidden it and give him select treats if he remembers to ask). Halloween night has stretched over nearly a week, and isn't at all the way it was when I was a kid. So I don't know if we will do it again. Perhaps the Boo-zar, or the church fete. But definitely not a whole week of it!
